“There’s good news and there’s bad news…”
So which would you ask for first?
When confronted with that scenario in the cardiologist’s office, I went straight for the jugular. Give me the “bad news” first. And then I lapsed into such a deep shock at that first “results” appointment, I didn’t have the presence of mind to grasp, and even celebrate, all the good news. And there was plenty.
Yes, yes, I’m soon to be having open heart surgery to remove a tumor in my right atrial. A tumor I was “most likely born with” but has now grown to become a nuisance that must be removed. Definitely a case of “ignorance is bliss,” I was going merrily along, living my life, unaware that this tumor… polyp… ugly muffin top… call it what you will, was on the verge of turning me into a blithering puddle of senseless babble, all of which starts with “WHAT IF?”
All that aside, the “GOOD NEWS,” now that I have taken a step back and a deep breath to assist me in hearing more acutely, is this:
- I do NOT have congestive heart failure
- There is NO water around my heart
- My valves are “excellent,” according to my cardio doc
- My atrium, and/or heart, is not significantly enlarged.
- The walls of my heart are a normal thickness
- The size of the tumor “may have” contributed to the A-fib, and removing it “may” resolve that issue
- While they’re “in there,” they will do any bypasses that appear necessary on the angiogram (which my doctor says is unlikely they will find), AND do a “maze,” which is rerouting electrical synapses to correct the A-fib.
So would you just look at all those positives?? Other than an errant myxoma, my heart’s in pretty darn good shape, and taking out the little bugger will be a lot like taking out a gall bladder… except for the lengthier recovery time. They’ll take it out, I’ll mend, and then I’ll go on with my life even better than before.
That’s the plan, and I’m sticking to it.