20 MINUTES EARLY FOR THE POST-echocardiogram appointment. thank you, traffic-avoiding GPS.
To help the cardiologist analyze me, a nurse takes my weight, heart rate and BP. Of course, she is Pinay.
Heart rate, 72 bpm. Not Bjorn Borg, but not helpless either.
BP, 118 over 70. Not bad.
Weight, a tapsilog under 69 kg.
Maraming salamat po.
A trainee ECG nurse and her senior buddy summon me for more intimate measurements.
They stick tape to my chest and ankles.
Squiggles and doodles are all I see on the screen.
I ask to take a pic of the machine, and they politely tell me not to.
That probably answers the potential question of whether they’ll have a selfie with me (they are both pretty), and I decide not to.
After another five mins (Greenlane Clinical runs a tight ship), I hear a familiar voice calling out the name on my passport, and I smile the broadest of smiles.
After two years from the last appointment, and 46 months from my surgery, and I’m back.
***** ***** *****
I ALREADY have small talk prepared. From the last time, I remember Doc is a runner, and I also stalked his professional LinkedIn.
You’ve done quite well from the last time, Noel, and I’ve just a few details to share.
Before you do so Doc, I just want to tell you how lucky I am. I know that you are the foremost authority on cardiac imaging in New Zealand. I know that it’s your thing, among many others.
I see an unmistakeable blush on Doc just above his starchy white collar, and he beams modestly. He is not used to bola-bola (praise) from patients.
My thing really is CT scans but I also do echos like yours. I know my stuff, he half jokes.
Nonsense Doc. You’ve written 22 papers on cardiac imaging and you hold clinics in all the major centers here in Auckland. You are too humble.
I try my best. Now back to you. ( I think I’ve suitably disarmed him now.)
***** ***** *****
First, the bad news and housekeeping.
You have a mild leak, which is probably from the surgery, but that happens. As far as I can see, you have held up well.
I can barely hide my shock. Mild leak Doc? What does that mean in terms of life and death?
No situation is perfect, but yours is as near as possible to ideal. I see nothing that bothers me in terms of heart health, at this time.
(now, the good news.)
Enough that i should discontinue the clopidogrel Doc?
You know, I was already thinking about that, he replies agreeably. I can’t say you don’t need it, but continuing it would probably in the long run be disadvantageous to you than not, and I already said so the last time. So this is me (gesturing) officially telling you to stop taking it .
Wow. After four years, it was a load off my mind. And routine.
And one more thing, Noel. Anyone ever told you your cholesterol is a bit high?
Only all my previous doctors Doc. Uncomfortably high?
It may be a problem in five years, but I want you to take a test called Lipoprotein A. It will show you if you’re genetically predisposed to high cholesterol.
I think it was his way of telling me it wasn’t my fault I loved greasy cheeseburgers, chicken pork adobo and the fat on Pinoy BBQ, and I immediately agreed to the test.
In my professional opinion, and hopefully this won’t change, but I don’t think we need to meet in the next five years.
Double wow.
***** ***** *****
Finally, the moment of truth.
One last favor doc.
It would be an honor to have a selfie with you. Would you mind?
I don’t get a lot of that, but no, I don’t mind.
And that’s how my day was made, at half past eight in the morning.
Thanks for reading!
