Put on the brakes and switch gears....................

We went to the VA in Madison yesterday for Dan's appointment. We were figuring on hearing news about the upcoming surgery as to when and where. Dan's appointment was at 1:00 so we left here sometime between 8:30 and 9:00. Best to allow about one and half hours to get there and beings we were in the last part of our snowstorm ...................... we wanted to allow time. We averaged around 40 miles an hour. I guess we got around 11 inches in Milwaukee area and probably close to that around here. More is on the way................ (wonderful)

Any how................. after the Cardiologist looked over and talked about Dan they've decided to hold off on surgery. With his heart being enlarged and weak they are wondering if the greater problem being a weak heart. One of his test showed severe where another test showed moderate. They've decided that the leakage is between moderate and severe. They are starting Dan on blood pressure medicine to lower his blood pressure and pulse. I think this is to help the heart not work so hard. Then they plan to put him on something to strengthen his heart. He does not normally have high blood pressure but this medicine is often used for mitral valve problems and other heart problems. One of the side effects of the medicine is tiredness which he has a severe case of already. He is also to see a heart specialist there that specializes in heart failure and weak hearts.
So................ we do have mixed feelings over the news. We are glad that surgery isn't needed at this time but Dan was wanting a quick fix. He is tired of being tired all the time. We can understand they are wanting to save us from doing the surgery if it turns out that surgery might not be the answer.
Now we start the waiting again...................... we are looking at two months maybe three to see some results.
Another side effect is lack of circulation to hands and feet which will cause coldness. He is already complaining about is feet and hands being cold. In this weather..................... not a good thing.