A Summer of Doctor's Appointments

Summer is always a great time to fit in doctor's visits for the Geriatric Patients because my work schedule is less hectic. This summer, my focus was entirely on Dad. When he made the initial appointment to have his hearing evaluated after having avoided family encouragement to do so for nearly 5 years, I jumped while I had the chance. Little did we know then that this single visit would result in triple bypass surgery -- a surgery which quite possibly saved his life.

How in the world did we go from hearing issues to heart surgery? That's a lengthy story. Let me take you blow by blow through the past several months. (For all of you health professionals reading this, I am not claiming to be completely accurate in my statements; these are a layman's recollection of our experiences this summer.)

June 10, 2014 - Dad has his first appointment with Dr. Long at ENT Midsouth. We were referred to Dr. Long due to an extremely narrow ear canal that made it impossible to achieve a proper seal during his initial hearing evaluation. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Long scheduled an auditory scan and referred us to Methodist Sleep Center for a re-evaluation of Dad's CPAP.

June 23, 2014 - Dad returns to ENT Midsouth for the auditory scan. Hearing loss is classified as moderately severe. Before fitting for hearing aids, Dr. Long wants to have an MRI completed to rule out any sort of tumor that might be causing his hearing loss.

June 30, 2014 - Our visit with Methodist Sleep Center is quite possibly the most important doctor's visit of the summer. While speaking with the doctor, Dad reveals that he has experienced mild chest pains and some shortness of breath after carrying groceries into the kitchen from the car. (This was the first that I had ever heard of these complaints.) Dad estimates that this condition has existed for nearly 2 years. As the doctor listens to Dad's chest, he notices what seems to be a heart murmur. Dad is referred to a cardiologist and is to have an echo cardiogram performed; the test is scheduled for late July.

July 10, 2014 - MRI ordered by Dr. Long is completed. Test returns with normal results. We will proceed with fitting of hearing aids.

July 31, 2014 - Echo cardiogram at Methodist University Hospital. Results suggest no problems with heart.

August 4, 2014 - Dad and I meet with Dr. Aven of Memphis Hearing Aid for initial consult. Devices are selected and ordered.

August 8, 2014 - Initial appointment with Dr. Kraus of Stern Cardiovascular Clinic. Dr. Kraus identifies the heart murmur, but isn't concerned by it. Nothing in the exam suggests a problem, but the complaints are not to be ignored. A calcium score and stress test are scheduled and prescription for nitroglycerine is given.

August 11, 2014 - Return visit to Memphis Hearing Aid to pick up devices and have them calibrated for Dad's initial use. We are to return at the end of August for follow up and fine tuning of the hearing aids. (As you will see, this return visit is still pending Dad's recovery.)

August 18, 2014 - Calcium score and stress test at Stern Cardiovascular. Dad completes 3:00 of slow walking on the treadmill before the test is stopped. The phone call I received that afternoon was what I most feared. Dad had completely failed the stress test, the EKG was off the charts, and there was significant lack of oxygen to the heart. A heart cath was scheduled for the following week. We were told to arrive at the hospital prepared to be admitted if the issue could not be resolved by the heart cath alone.

August 21, 2014 - I receive a frantic call from Mom that Dad had to be rushed to Stern Cardiovascular to have some blood work done to ensure that his liver and kidneys were healthy enough to undergo the procedure. If the labs were not completed on that day, the cath would be rescheduled.

August 26, 2014 - Heart cath at Baptist East. Dr. Kraus informs us that stints could not be placed to correct the heart issues. Four significant blockages existed and bypass surgery was necessary as soon as possible. Dad was admitted to the hospital immediately and began the process of allowing his blood to thicken so surgery could be performed.

August 28, 2014 - Dad undergoes triple bypass surgery that afternoon. Surgery goes smoothly from all reports.

Dad spent four days in cardiac ICU before transitioning to a step down unit. While recovering, Dad experienced a post-operative GI blockage, AFIB, and blood clots which lengthened his hospital stay. Mom was by his side during his entire stay with the exception of two nights that we convinced her to leave in order to get some rest until he was finally discharged.

September 19, 2014 - Dad is discharged from the hospital and returned home.

So the journey that Dad and I began in June is finally winding down some 15 weeks after it all began with a simple trip to the ENT for hearing aids! Neither of us expected it to take this turn in a million years. Even though we're both tired from running to see all of these doctor's, I don't think either of us regret any of it. Not only has it brought Dad the opportunity to enjoy many more years of healthy life, it also created a bond between the two of us that no one else shares. We've been through it together this summer.....and I'm thrilled to know that we will have many more years to continue making memories together!