Today I had an appointment with the Cardiovascular Medicine group in Ann Arbor to go over some of my prescriptions and to be better educated on my blood pressure. Just like all the other doctors, he was amazed at me having a dissection at this age, and the inability to pinpoint a cause for the dissection. We spent a lot of time going over my blood pressure requirements, and what it means to my heart and aorta. I was overwhelmed with all the information, but was very pleased with the thoroughness.
The doctor made some prescription changes. He doubled my dose of the DioVan and now I only have to take it once a day opposed to twice a day. He also changed the beta blocker medication I was on to a newer medicine. I also can now take this once a day instead of twice a day as before. He explained that this beta blocker lowers blood pressure in two different ways. It lowers your normal outer pressure like the one you take from your arm, yet it keeps my pressure around my aorta a different, lower pressure. Another way he explains it, is that the medication keeps your heart from banging too hard on your aorta. This sort of technology amazes me. I thank God daily for leading me to Ann Arbor and this whole grouping of doctors. They are all certainly cutting edge.
I rode my bike for the first time since the surgery last night. I only did two miles and it took me sixteen minutes. I am extremely frustrated with the forced limitations of my body, but I do feel blessed to be able to get on my bike. I had plans to ride in a few bike tours next spring and summer. Although that looks to be impossible at this time, at least I have something specific to pray about. It would be an incredible answer to prayer as well as emotional for me if I am able to do only one of these tours.
As long as there are no complications, I do not have to go back to Ann Arbor until February. The appointments in February are going to be important in determining my progress. I am having an Echo Gram and CatScan done as well as being fitted for a Holter Heart Monitor all in February.
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