By Steve Stricker

Columnist

No worries, I get it!  Reading my last few columns about my health stuff are like reading about your health stuff, HA! The last thing you want, right?

But I’m frozen in time.  An unexpected Echo on October 14, surprisingly revealed 25-30% EF, which resulted in the next procedure of a Nuclear Stress Test on, appropriately, Halloween.

When I meet with my equally aged friends these days, before we even say hello, it’s, “How are you doing?” “Have you received your test results?” “How’s your back?” “What doctor appointment is next?”

Writing this on Tuesday, November 12, 14 days since the stress test to let my wild imagination consume me, now what, stint, open heart surgery, life at end – I meet tomorrow at 2:00 pm with my Cardiologist, Dr. Mark Campbell, who I met in the emergency room at the old Baptist Hospital on June 22, 2017 to implant an emergency pacemaker, to get the results.

Lack of energy, interest in my car projects and most everything else, have screeched to a halt.  With my future blurred, it’s very difficult to write anything upbeat, or just anything facing death which I’ve done often, but without hope, there is nothing – especially being from the “Show Me” state of Missouri.

Wednesday, November 13 after 12:10 Mass, to the Stern Clinic 1:15 pm for my 2:00 pm appointment, just sit, chill and be there.  1:30 pm, Autumn, Dr. Mark’s Nurse, called me back, BP, etc., Dr. Mark, hero, came in – deep breath, “Great test, no blockage.” EXHALE! Thank You Facebook Prayer Warriors – Thank You dear, God.

Because the Echo of October 14, 25-30% EF, Dr. Mark seemed a bit confused at these great results, saying that there could have been “flyers” that day which could have skewed the results and that he would repeat the Echo in 6-8 weeks – meanwhile, keep doing whatever you’re doing and keep walking!

WHEW!!!!  Waiting for these results since Halloween, 14 bloody hell stressful days, my brain conjuring up multiple tragic results, has been hell!  There has to be a way that the tech, like Jeff who did my stress test, been doing for thirty years, can with the disclaimer that your doctor has final say, can give a hint of the results even if negative.

Meanwhile, tomorrow, uh Friday, November 15, (writing on Thursday, November 14), I have my regular three-month appointment with Dr. Mona Castle, hero, for lab work and consultation.

After many years with Dr. C as my GP, this could be wildly revealing of all our consults, because with many scripts from her and two other docs, after much research, my body and brain being totally messed up, heavy depression, and how all that crap was “getting along” in me, wee bit scary but I stopped all scripts, just kept my supplements, and feel great.

My blood tests have always been great, almost perfect numbers – how bad have I screwed this up?? Regardless, I had to know and as said, feel better than I have in years – body purged!

Then there’s fighting Glaucoma in my left, only eye, vision receding, so scary.  Working with Dr. Jonathan Zoghby, doc and friend from St. John’s, pressure in remaining eye good, but little I still retained in once dominate eye, growing dark.

In Vietnam, life precarious at best, gave to you my Lord,  But with pressure continuing to diminish in good eye, heart determined to be good, OH GOD, I WANT TO LIVE! Next Eagle column – Next!!

Steve lives in Oxford and has his PhD., in Counseling from Ole Miss..