Medical update and request
Posted: April 6th, 2008, 7:44 pm
It seems the right time to provide a little personal medical info that had been, up until today, known to only a few people.
For some time I have been experiencing unexplained fatigue during/after any exertion. Thinking back, it seems I may have had some early indications as far back as the '06 Assembly in Nashville, but I attributed it to southern heat, humidity, and lack of adequate rest.
Upon visiting the doctor at my HMO, he did blood tests, X-Rays and put me on a low daily dosage of Atenolol + Simvastatin to control slightly elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. The symptoms -- uncharacteristic fatigue, reduced physical stamina, shortness of breath -- persisted, and the doctor ordered a Nuclear Cardiolite Stress Test. I went for that last Thursday.
They were unable to do the treadmill version of the test because I have a just-discovered Left Branch Bundle Block. Instead, they did an IV Chemically induced stress-test, infusing a chemical (Thallium) that immediately put the heart into heavy stress mode, while they monitored my physiological responses. That was a very long six minute chemistry lesson. That was followed by 20 minutes laying perfectly still, flat on my back, with my arms extended over my head (you know... that relaxation position we all love.
) while they imaged my heart in action. Those pictures were pretty amazing... like something from an episode of "House." But they revealed an area of my heart that is causing the doctor (and me!) some concern, so they will likely schedule me for a diagnostic cardiac catheterization within the next few days. Big fun!
This has, obviously, put a serious crimp into my lifestyle. I have been forced to slow way down, and my wife has had to take up the slack. (I can't even lift and carry the groceries from the car right now.) My professors have been very understanding and have extended some deadline grace on assignment submissions, as I can only work for brief periods without rest. I am supposed to leave for Korea two-weeks from today, health permitting.
At the conference I attended this weekend, one of my friends, Jordan Seng, was teaching on healing. I went to his session, and was seriously impacted by his teaching and Biblical view of healing. He said a few things I had to chew on, and did not readily accept, which I may post later, but one thing stuck with me: nobody in the New Testament petitioned God to heal people they prayed for... they spoke healing... they commanded healing, in the authority given by Christ.
For some time I have been experiencing unexplained fatigue during/after any exertion. Thinking back, it seems I may have had some early indications as far back as the '06 Assembly in Nashville, but I attributed it to southern heat, humidity, and lack of adequate rest.
Upon visiting the doctor at my HMO, he did blood tests, X-Rays and put me on a low daily dosage of Atenolol + Simvastatin to control slightly elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. The symptoms -- uncharacteristic fatigue, reduced physical stamina, shortness of breath -- persisted, and the doctor ordered a Nuclear Cardiolite Stress Test. I went for that last Thursday.
They were unable to do the treadmill version of the test because I have a just-discovered Left Branch Bundle Block. Instead, they did an IV Chemically induced stress-test, infusing a chemical (Thallium) that immediately put the heart into heavy stress mode, while they monitored my physiological responses. That was a very long six minute chemistry lesson. That was followed by 20 minutes laying perfectly still, flat on my back, with my arms extended over my head (you know... that relaxation position we all love.
) while they imaged my heart in action. Those pictures were pretty amazing... like something from an episode of "House." But they revealed an area of my heart that is causing the doctor (and me!) some concern, so they will likely schedule me for a diagnostic cardiac catheterization within the next few days. Big fun!
This has, obviously, put a serious crimp into my lifestyle. I have been forced to slow way down, and my wife has had to take up the slack. (I can't even lift and carry the groceries from the car right now.) My professors have been very understanding and have extended some deadline grace on assignment submissions, as I can only work for brief periods without rest. I am supposed to leave for Korea two-weeks from today, health permitting.
At the conference I attended this weekend, one of my friends, Jordan Seng, was teaching on healing. I went to his session, and was seriously impacted by his teaching and Biblical view of healing. He said a few things I had to chew on, and did not readily accept, which I may post later, but one thing stuck with me: nobody in the New Testament petitioned God to heal people they prayed for... they spoke healing... they commanded healing, in the authority given by Christ.
