I had an appointment with my vascular surgeon today to go over the ultra sounds taken last week.



As I have mentioned before I have P. A. D.--peripheral artery disease in both legs--basically clogged veins--after years of smoking and not watching what I eat--consequently, after walking a few (5-6) blocks I get terrific pains in the calves of both legs. If steps aren't taken, like surgery, there can be very dire consequences.

The doctor told me I would have to have surgery in both legs--possibly a by-pass. I interrupted him to tell him he would have to get in line as I was going to be scheduled for open heart surgery to replace a bad aorta valve. He seemed to be taken aback and asked me when it was to be done. I answered him by telling him I was going to see my primary doctor tomorrow and would hopefully know more and that I was aiming for June 9th.

He said he would schedule an appointment for me to see him on Oct.28th and see where I stood as far as my rehabilitation from the operation.

Now don't anyone go jumping to any conclusions but I don't know if I want to spend what 'golden' years I have left undergoing operations, rehabilitating and so on. Yes, I am going through with the open heart surgery and IF that goes good and the afterward not to debilitating I am going to look hard at the leg surgery and decide if I really want to go through with it. I am not depressed or being negative--just looking at the facts before I come to or make any decisions.

As I've said before I don't know how much time I have left--who does???--but I would rather have one good year than a few lousy ones.

In any case I hope to have more info tomorrow about the open heart surgery--when, where, doctor, etc.