Geoff Owen
The full journey from discovery, diagnosis, operation and recovery (hopefully!)
WARNING - If you have any pains - especially in the chest area or difficulty in breathing - get them checked out by a professional medical person - don't be an idiot like me & ignore them!
The Lead Up - the start of the journey
2019
I first started to notice a slight lack of energy and difficulty in getting a good lung full of air about 3 years ago - approx 2019 (no specific date!).
This was when I was cycling home after doing some instructing (cycle training at schools) - there is a very slight incline in a road leading to a hump backed bridge - I always dreaded that little bit - so most of the time I turned off the road, got on to the canal towpath (for about 300 yds (meters if you prefer), then got off the bike and pushed it up the steps at the side of the bridge!
2020
In early 2020 when I was running - I used to do 3 - 6 miles most weeks I was finding it harder to do - I just put it down to getting older - It's a long time since I did 36 minute 10K races!
Then a few times just prior to the Covid bug appearing in the UK (early 2020) I noticed it was not just struggling to fill my lungs with air - I was also getting a pain in the chest - so I slowed down and walked for a bit.
This continued each time I went for a run - I remember roughly when it was as we had now started to go into the first UK Covid Lockdowns, so it must have been about March.
Each time I went out my runs seemed to get shorter - so short in fact that I was only getting to the local Railway Station and ended up jogging or walking around the car park - then jogging or walking back home - a total of about half a mile!
So then - I STOPPED Running.
As I didn't really do any other strenuous exercise I cannot remember through 2020 ever getting the bad chest pains again.
2021
In about mid 2021 as Lockdowns eased I decided to go a for a run - only a 3 mile as I'd not done anything for a about a year.
I set off as normal - got as far as the railway station - about a quarter of a mile and got the chest pains again - that reminded me of why I'd stopped running in the previous year! I put it down to starting off too fast or indigestion (despite leaving at least 2 hours after eating before running).
A few days later I tried again - the same happened at about the same place - I forgot to say previously - I thought it was bad indigestion as it made my arms ache as well.
This time I decided to do something about it - I purchased some indigestion tablets (Rennies - other brands are available!), so now I was prepared if it happened again!
In about June I bought a new car. As it was new (to me) I decided to look after it & treat the paint work to a good clean and polish treatment - this I did but found that I got my chest pains when doing it - no problem - I got my indigestion tablets - sat down for 5 minutes while I sucked on them and the pain went away.
Every week I went through the same routine - clean, sit, suck and then I was recovered. I was getting used to it.
I continued like this for several months - I was earning Rennies a fortune! When I'd finished them I got some Gaviscon to try.
I also noticed the pain when I was dropping recruitment flyers & catalogues in different areas - I did this for my business (VivaMK) - I used to run or walk very fast when doing this ( the more you do the more you get in return + it was good exercise) - sadly now I wasn't going quite so fast & had to stop 2 or 3 times an hour to suck on a Rennie and let the pain subside - it was now always chest & arms!
Later in the year I was cutting an old Christmas Tree down in the garden - firstly I took the lower branches off with the loppers - got my chest pain - so back to the Rennies!
A couple of weeks later I sawed (with a bow saw) half way through the trunk, it was only in preparation for the full cut at a later date. Once again - the Rennies came to the rescue!
I finally did the final cut when the area was clear a few weeks later - yes, I got the pain as usual - but the job was done.
Throughout the next couple of months when doing the Flyering or dropping my catalogues at 'normal fast pace' pace I had to have my rest and a Rennie as I'd now become accustomed to - I'd even started to change my eating habits - cutting out salty food (dry Roasted nuts, Pot Noodles etc) in case this was causing the indigestion - it didn't make any difference!
The realisation that there may be something wrong!
2021
One day I was walking down the road and a neighbour said - "I don't see you running anymore now Geoff - have you stopped?" to which I replied - "Every time I run I get chest pains - like indigestion.
Without hesitation he said - "It sounds like you've got Angina"!
I didn't question him, I think I just laughed as I thought that was something to do with the heart & not indigestion.
Later that night I decided to do a Google search for "Angina" - to my shock I saw the symptoms and came to the realisation that - YES, I think I had got Angina.
Chest pain, dead arms, neck & shoulders, rest or sit for 5 minutes to relive the pain - I had the symptoms and the cure. So, it seemed that me going to the car to get my Rennies, eating them and resting wasn't curing the indigestion (that I hadn't got) it was easing the Angina.
Saturday 13th November
A few days after suspecting that I may have Angina I walked to a party at a local pub, about a mile away - I set off early as I knew I'd need to walk at a lot slower pace than I normally do - I got about half way before the chest pain & the arm aching started - I still took a Rennie just in case!
I was OK at the party - until I got overcharged for a pint of beer - then the stress kicked in and a tightening of the chest - I thought it was probably best to leave (after a sit down for the pain to go) rather than drink more!
On the way home I got the same symptoms as on the way there, so then I thought I'd better do something about it. The following week I rang the doctors to see I could get an appointment or a Zoom call.
Friday 19th November (yes, I've now got specific dates as things are starting to happen & records are being kept!).
I rang the surgery at 8.30am as advised, I said I may have Angina - the receptionist gave me a face to face appointment for 11am.
I don't like going to the doctors unless I feel as there is something that they can see - so, I was not sure if they would find anything and they would put me down as another time waster.
The appointment happened - I walked in, had a quick chat with the doctor and then she took my blood pressure - it was 194/87, apparently this was high - I think she said it was off the scale - I felt better then as it seemed like I wasn't wasting her time!
Lots of questions, filling forms in and then another doctor came in to review everything - bloods were taken to send off immediately as there was a possibility that I may even have had a heart attack! An hour and a half later (I felt sorry for anyone in the queue behind me - my 10 minute appointment had been extended!) I was released from the doctor and sent to the nurse to get an ECG done.
The ECG was pretty good - nothing too drastic showing - so I was sent on my way with a prescription - it looks now I'll be on pills & potions for the rest of my life!
I started with Aspirin & Statins as well as a spray for under the tongue in case i get another Angina (not indigestion attack).
A few days later I thought it best to tell Diane (my wife) - I didn't do it before as we'd spent 24hrs in A&E with her mum about 2 hrs after me getting home from the doctors.
Wednesday 24th November
Today I had to go to the Redditch Hospital Chest Clinic.
Here most of the questions I'd been asked at the doctors were asked again, another ECG was taken and a Blood Pressure check (it was better today - only 192/87).
The nurse there had a chat with the consultant - the dose of the Statins was doubled and I was also prescribed with some Betablocker tablets - yes I was becoming a proper pill user!
She also said the consultant had recommended that i have an Angiogram done as soon as could be arranged.
I came away with LOTS of information booklets - thankfully I had to wait nearly an hour for my pills to be dispensed so it gave me a chance to read them before I went home.
Monday 24th December
I had to go to the nurse at the surgery for a Blood Test - specifically for a Cholesterol check. 2 days later results came back and All were clear. So does that mean I can eat what I want again!
2022 - Yes we are into a New Year!
Tuesday 4th January
Worcester Royal Hospital - PCR check prior to my appointment - all clear.
Friday 7th January
Worcester Royal Hospital (4pm) - Angiogram
Very well looked after there - great staff - a bit of a delay due to workload but had the Angiogram access through the right arm.
While in the post op artery sealing room (2 hours) the consultant came in to explain that I had got to severe blockages in 2 arteries but due to their positions they could not successfully insert stents. so the best & safest option was to do a Double Bypass (CABGx2). The next step was for the Multi Discipline Team to have a meeting to decide the way forward.
Wednesday 19th January
It seems as though there is definitely something wrong with me now! Apparently if Id continued pushing myself in my physical activities I may have not been here to be doing this so the first thing I thought of was a gift (yes it's only small) for John (the neighbour who said I may have Angina) - I can honestly say - he probably DID play his part in Saving my life!
Thank You John!
Now things seemed to have slowed down - nearly 3 weeks without hearing anything
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Tuesday 25th January
A letter arrives - I've now got an appointment for 16th February at 9am - at the Cardiopulmonary Department at the Kidderminster Treatment Centre.
It looks like it may be D Day!
Decision day - for my case to be discussed and for me to meet the Cardiothoracic Surgeon from the QE Hospital Birmingham.
It looks like they want see if I'm worthy of being sorted!
Thursday 10th February
It's just a waiting game! Yes other than getting a text yesterday to remind me that I've got to attend the appointment next Wednesday at Kidderminster Hospital, I've heard no more!
I have talked to a lot of customers about it & they re all supportive, also it's amazing how many have had or know of people who've had Bypasses, doubles, triples, quadruples & even 5!
So hopefully I'll be able to do a proper update next week but until then it's business as normal (almost!).
Sunday 13th February
Just having a play with my laptop to see if I can update this website & my Facebook page - if they will let me take it in the hospital and I'm fit enough to use it and there is WIFI available it will make it easier for me to do updates!
Hopefully on Wednesday I may be able to get answers on some of these things!
Anyway - I was lying in bed last night thinking of things that I should write on this site and the FB page - loads of Random ideas came into my head - so get ready for some RANDOM THOUGHTS!
They'll not be in any order, sequence and may not have anything to do with the operation but they are just my way of doing a brain dump - getting the info out of my mind to clear it thus making space for other weird thoughts & ideas! 😂
RANDOM THOUGHT
My doctor & Chest Clinic nurse recommended to me that if I had an Angina attack to use the spray - if I had to use it twice and still had the chest & arm pains, dial 999 immediately and if I could take a 300mg Aspirin as that's the first thing the paramedics would give me.
So as I like 'inventing' things I've come up with my own emergency spray featuring an Aspirin dispenser!
NB - please note the aspirin is taped to the bottom
There was an early prototype but that was rejected - the pill kept falling out when the lid was removed! 😂
NB - This is only my solution to what my doctor recommended - please seek & take your own advice!
RANDOM THOUGHT!
When this first got diagnosed it made me think of something that I'd been going to do for a long time - check my Will and decide on funeral arrangements - just in case!
Are yours sorted?
It's easy to do and there are lots of cheap or even free options (Will not funeral).
Will - simple Wills can be done for free or with charity donations. Ideal if you have no kids and want to leave everything to to 1 or 2 people.
Funerals - a customer of mine who lost her husband on Christmas day told me how she sorted the funeral with one phone call and it only cost £1,200!
Search for Direct Cremations - but shop around and ask questions.
Simple cheap and effective - that's what I'm going for Thankfully Diane agrees!
No fuss, no crying and no messing friends and family about
Have you planned your departure?
NB - Don't worry - I don't intend to pop my clogs yet - but it is good to plan!
Wednesday 16th February
D DAY!
Yes - this WILL BE Decision Day - the meeting with the surgeon (& other people) to see if I'm worthy (or fit) to have the operation - or to say they've come up with a miracle cure & I only need to drink this magic potion to be put back to how I was health wise at 25!
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I've had it confirmed today that I WILL be having a CABG (heart Bypass - OHS (Open Heart Surgery).
It was the meet the surgeon day - a surgeon and 3 of his team - the surgeon asked the questions - I answered and ALL in the room took note - I really should have asked if I could video them all - it looked so funny! 😂
I must say that the Kidderminster Hospital I went to were very good - I got there early, so they started on me early - ECG - blood pressure, weight etc
I was also impressed as this is the first time in 3 months that my blood pressure was out of the red zone 😂 looks like the pills do work!
💔I thought it was just a double bypass I was having but it may be 3 or 4, but we'll have to wait till he gets in there & sees what needs doing!
The bad news is that it will be 6 - 12 weeks before he's got a slot for me - the good news is that he things there is the possibility that after about a year depending on what medication I can come off - I may be able to donate blood again! 😂 ❤️
Before I can have the Pre Op I have got to have a few more tests done - neck & artery scan (Carotid Doppler/Ultrasound Study) and Pulmonary Function Test (puff test of my lungs).
They answered all of my questions including the ones about being able to do Facebook Lives & document as much of it as I could - I didn't dare ask if I could set my tripod & camera up in the operating theatre! 🤣
So really those will be the next things I can post on here & the website as now it looks like it's back into the waiting game!
🤣 You cards out to all of the hospitals & doctors who have helped - now we can see that they all did their bit to give me the potential of a 'new life'.
A bit of pain to come for a lot more gain in the future! 🤣
RANDOM THOUGHT!
Friday 18th February
Played it safe today - staying in the house - so I don't get tempted to do any heavy lifting or tree removal! Storm Eunice Day
But I finally got my Thank You cards done to send to all of the NHS teams who've helped so far with my journey - without them I'd probably still be sucking Rennies & Gaviscon (or dead).
Someone said to me that they were only doing there jobs so why send a Thank You card for that?
My reply was - they may have only been doing their job but they've had a part in saving my life (as long as I survive ) and we all need to give praise where we feel it's due - one small gesture may mean a BIG thing to someone.
Tuesday 22nd February
A phone call from the Vascular Unit at the Birmingham QE - they've had a cancellation for Wednesday - could I get there to have my neck, arm & legs scanned?
Appointment booked - it's easy when you have no boss & run a flexible business 😂.
More of an update tomorrow.
Wednesday 23rd February
Well today I went to the QE for the Vascular Scans. It was a bit blowy & thankfully the car park (multi storey - thanks Sue) had quite a few spaces on the first couple of floors - a pity they charge unlike the previous 3 hospitals visited! 😂
Another step closer to having clearance to have the operation - all veins & arteries that were checked (legs, arms & neck) were well within the limits of what they needed to be.
So it looks like the surgeon has a got a good choice of donor tubes to do the Bypasses! 😂
Here you are - take a look through the magic scanner!
Friday 24th February
I believe in Pills & Potions!
As yesterday was a nice sunny days I went out to drop a load of catalogues and do some Flyering - I also allowed myself some time to go out with my camera!
After dropping the catalogue I went to a local reservoir that is about 0.7 miles if you walk around it.
Last year in August/September I was walking (I am/was a fast walker) around it I regularly had to stop as I was getting my 'indigestion'.
Later in the year I even had to stop on the first side & turn back due to the 'indigestion' despite sucking on my Rennies!
However - yesterday I walked all of the way round it with no 'indigestion', only the occasional little tweak in the chest.
The only difference from last year was the Aspirin, the Stains & the Beta Blockers that I was taking - so yes I now have faith in Pills & Potions!
Here are some of the pictures I took - first ones for many months!
Hiding Magpie
Describe your image
Sunday 6th March
Well we are into another month now - March has satrted and here is an Update - there is no update! 😂
Still waiting for a hospital (it could be anywhere going by past records) for an appointment to have my lung and breathing checks done at this rate I may even get the Pre Op letter before the lung test! 😂
However up until I get the call it is business as usual.
Here's the Facebook Live I did:
Sunday 6th March
It has all gone a bit quiet! 😂
So today I rang the Worcester Royal Cardiology Department to see if there were any updates!
They put me on to the dept who do the Lung Function testing (as far as I know that's the only tests I'm waiting for!) - they said I wasn't even on their waiting list!
They told me to ring the consultants PA and ask her to chase it up. Ironically as I was on the phone to the Lung people I heard our post come - I took a look and it was a copy of the letter that the surgeon had sent to the consultant - nearly 4 weeks after seeing the surgeon! 😂
So, at least now I know who my consultant is - so I got put through to his PA and she found the letter and was going to chase up the Lung Function testing.
So, yes here we are still waiting - but carrying on doing the business while I can. 😂
Thursday 24th March
I had a phone call last night at about 6.30pm when I was out delivering - it was Sharon, from the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch - she wanted to make an appointment for my Lung Function test - I said tomorrow - she seemed a little shocked, but it was good as they had a couple of slots available, I arranged for 9.30am 😂
A nice early start - Michelle who was doing the tests was busy setting things up when I arrived - bang on 9.30am she called me in.
A quick intro and a measurement of my height - I did notice that I've shrank 1 cm since my last official measurement when I was 55 😂
Michelle explained what we needed to do and gave me a couple of practices - then we were ready for the BIG BLOW JOB - yes all I had to do was put a tube in my mouth - grab it with my teeth - squeeze my lips around it - have my nose sealed with a clip (the not so nice bit).
Then I had to relax and breath normally - when I was ready it was a BIG SUCK in of air (through the tube) - as much as could get in to fill my lungs, then a BIG BLOW OUT to empty my lungs completely, finished with a 6 second countdown to make sure ALL of the air was out.
Yes all nice & easy - we did this 3 times and then one more time with a visual aid - blowing the candles out that were on the screen (this reminded me of a training I'd done in the past! 😂).
Here are a couple of videos so you can see where it was and the results (which were apparently quite good).
The findings will be passed to the Surgeon & his team and if he's happy with everything he's seen I could get the call up at any time (days, weeks, months or years 😂 - only time will tell 😂)
In the Lung Function Room:
Back in the fresh air - NB First Facebook Live with my new camera/phone! 😂
Monday 11th April
It's just another no update update 😂
All the tests the surgeon wanted doing have been done - ALL good so I'm clear to have the operation.
Now it's just waiting for all of the pieces to fall into place before I get the call:
The surgeon, and all of his team (there are quite a few I believe) are all available
The Operating Theatre has a vacancy for a few hours
The ICU bed is available for the immediate post op recovery
There is a bed available on a ward for me to get into after leaving the ICU
Priority cases will go before me
Emergencies will get top priority
Plus probably other things.
It will probably be like all of the times I got called for the tests - a panic phone call saying they've got a slot would I be available! 😂
So until I get the call there may not be many updates on here.
However, when I do get the call that is when the panic will start 😂
Anyway, here's the FB Live video I did today - checking on my recovery walking route!
Thursday 21st April
Finally after quiet a few weeks I've got a proper update - with some news!😂
I had a phone call this morning from Lisa the Waiting List Manager - she had a date for me to have the operation - 6th May 2022.
However 15-20 minutes later she rang back - due to EID and Bank Holidays it had to slip to May 13th (only a week later!).
So, that's it Operation 'Keeping The Customers informed' can go into full flow now. Yes I cannot have 2 or 3 full months off I need to keep our business ticking over! 😂
So if you are a customer of ours get ready for emails, texts & catalogues - all of that was planned a long time ago! 😂
If you are friends, team, family, colleagues & neighbours you can keep up with the Journey by visiting this site, following the Facebook Page (link below) and the You Tube Channel.
SO, this section will soon be finished IF all goes according to plan and there are no last minute cancellations or other changes - then the next section will be interesting - The Operation.
The Operation section may have a couple of delayed days at the beginning depending on how long they need to keep me asleep! 😂
Friday 6th May
After what seemed an age after having the phone call with an Operation date I finally received letter from the hospital with my admission detail!😂
I take that as confirmation that everything is going to happen now - Pre-Op then the Operation.
So now the next thing you should see is an update from the hospital as I arrive (or as I leave) with a view of my new home for a week 😂
Apparently it's VIP treatment there with exceptional menus & food, single rooms with en-suite and a TV (not that I watch that much), but one thing I did read in the intro pack was that laptops are allowed, whether I'll be fit enough to use it is another matter 😂
So, it's going to be a strange weekend this weekend not doing my normal routine of picking catalogues, turning them, putting orders on & dropping catalogues! However I have got a few more to drop for some customers to keep hold of until I'm fit to start my catalogue routine again.
Lot's of emails, texts & calls to do, plus a list of DIY jobs & house prep ready for an invalid to move in in a couple of weeks time! 😂
Monday 9th May - part 1
Well it's definitely getting close now - Pre Operation Assessment and Covid PCR Test done!
This was done in the Edgbaston Hospital:
Blood Pressure
BMI checks (height & weight)
Urine sample
Blood Samples
ECG (including a free chest shave! 😂)
LOTS of questions, chat & paperwork
It was quite good and reassuring as the nurse who did it all told me that her dad had recovered from a bypass 7 he was 81.
Monday 9th May - part 2
End of a busy morning - a trip to the Priory Hospital for:
A Chest X-Ray
It was good to come here as this was a sneak preview of where I will be having my operation!
It looks very nice! 😂
Thursday 12th May
Well - Here's Some GOOD NEWS! 😂
If you've been reading this page, stayed awake & got this far - it's nearly finished! 😂
On the video I posted last Friday (6th May) I said about taking photos & I'd post them - I forgot to - so for all of you who may be interested here are a few!
Describe your image
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I called this page & my website - "My Journey through a Bypass - Heart".
It was mainly to show how the whole thing from start to finish is a journey - bare in mind it will a different journey & route for everyone.
Someone asked me how many different hospitals I'd been to - well I decided to plot them on a map - here's a little video showing that part of the journey.
😂