CABG

is Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Come, take the CABG trip with me. I had it done on July 3, 1996. It was a shocker to me and my family.

How it all started in1991. I used to love biking around the farms and neighborhood and on the Long Prairie Trail. Suddenly, my right arm would go numb when I first started on the bike. I'd put my arm behind my back and pedal one-handed for a few minutes and it would go away and I'd go on for hours with no problems. I went to the local clinic and was diagnosed with bursitis. After a shot of cortisone I was OK for a few weeks. But the shoulder soreness would always return. I went to more doctors...same results and still sore. Last year, the other shoulder became sore also. During this time my local clinic diagnosed me with arthritis, rheumatism, adhesive capsulitis, and a number of other ideas from the arthritis base. I'd been to stress tests ( I can pass them easily), I had no high blood pressure, no high cholesterol, normal EKG, or no other problems you could assign to the heart. About 9 months ago I'd get a tightness in the throat/chest upon exercise/ work, but it would go away after 5 - 15 minutes.

Then I heard about Heart Check America (1-800-new test). This is a rapid cat scan of the heart and a very new test...so new that most cardiologists didn't know what to do with the results. I called Heart Check America and they said I'd have to wait 3 months to get in....about planting season. I told them if they get a cancellation to call me and I'd go in. About the first of March they called and said come down 1st thing Saturday morning to U of Ill. @ Chicago hospital. I took the early morning train from Harvard and was there on March 9. About a week later they sent back this form letter saying that I was in the 91st. percentile for calcium formation in the heart given my age group. 'Better see a cardiologist', they said.
I went for Thallium scan at my local hospital. It proved mostly normal with a possibilitiy of s small blood flow reduction. Again, all the other tests were normal.

A friend of mine..Steve Mason...had been seen by a cardiologist from Janesville's Mercy Cardiac Unit. I went to see Dr. Christian Posner. He basically went over my physical symptoms for the last five years....numb arm, sore shoulders, throat tightening...and diagnosed me with "walk through" angina. He said that my heart rate would increase on exercise but the blood flow would reach it's maximum quickly, ..then the pain. After a few minutes the heart rate would decline to match the blood flow....No pain. 'Come in for a cardiac catherization right now.' I said I'll come in when I can. I'm a farmer and planting season was here and after all the rain that year the season was extended by another month.

I went in on July 2, 1996...was found to have at least 4 heart arteries plugged 90% and was recommended that I have open-heart surgery. I've never smoked, have been fairly athletic, and I love to do physical work.

On July 3 the Surgery was done by Dr. Robert Gordon and his team. No complications and they sent me home in 5 days. Thanks to all have sent prayers and best wishes. Thanks to the Mercy Cardiac group that did this so well (although not painlessly) to get me through the operation. And thanks to my wife and family for helping get me throught this. I'm ready for the next million miles.

Conclusion: Many of the tests to diagnose heart disease are "indirect tests" based on the "normal" results. It appears that one can still get "normal" results from these tests and still be at very high risk for coronary hearty disease. The rapid cat scan is a "direct" result based test for calcium accumulation. I believe the machine brand is Imatron. The cardiac catherization is a "direct" result test based on the cardiologists observation of blockage. It appears that the rapid cat scan should be included in every cardiac hospitals battery of tests...and it possibly could eliminate many of the "indirect" tests...thereby saving many lives. It could also eliminate many of the indirect tests...thereby saving much time, medical resources, and offering more accurate diagnosis.

Update Nov, 13, 1996

My recovery and return to normal activities has been miraculous. I'm able to do almost all tasks and jobs that I was able to do in the past...and I feel great. I'm now able to walk, bike, jog, and run without angina pain. I can work just as hard, and I'm more productive. I'm more energetic than I've been in years, and my ambitions and curiosities have all returned.

Exercise

I underwent Cardiac Rehab at Beloit Memorial Hospital. The nurses and therapists were competent and helpful. A male my age (52) is supposed to get the heart rate up to 120 -140 beats per minute and sustain that rate for 15 minutes via exercise.

Diet

My eating habits have changed quite a bit since the CABG. I try to eat only 3 grams of fat per meal, ie. 9 grams. per day.

2007 Update: It's been 11 years since the surgery. I'm doing good...a little hypertension but am watching the salt content of foods more than before. This is a learning process and an experiment. I'll keep it going as long as possible.

Since the CABG I've had 2 hernias, and both shoulders repaired for rotator cuff impairment. Looks like the body is going to need maintenance periodically. I can do about anything I ever could..including bike, ski, play music, work, and enjoy life.

I like this saying....can't give the author credit as I don't know who penned it......Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift....that's why we call it the 'present'.

July 2008

It's been 12 years, I now see two cardiologists, plus my internist, Dr. Brodkey. The goal is low and slow. Blood pressure is around 110/56 and the heart rate is around 50 beats per minute. In winter I work out at the Northpointe facility, and in summer I bike and am very active.

Gene Shepherd (g44shep2@seedfarm.com)

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