Ummm, well, crap!
Last edited Fri Jun 5, 2026, 02:08 PM - Edit history (3)
I had a rare call with my best friend and immediate superior in Texas two days ago, and asked if things were going well "back there." He said, yeah, great, "it's a pretty good time to be us (present company included)." Well, I know for how many people that is NOT the case, so that put me in a good mood until I got a call from my cardiologist, and he said a routine 24-hour EKG showed up some serious extra heartbeats, and I needed to schedule an angiogram, possibly get an additional stent, or more serious intervention to correct the problem. He said it shouldn't be anything overly drastic, but the extra beats would continue weakening the heart muscle the longer I let it go untreated. I never let things like this drag on. In Germany, a cardiologist has no financial incentive to send me to a cardiac clinic to get procedures done, so I take such diagnoses seriously.
I don't mean to involve the DU board in my own little medical battles, but there are a few people that could conceivably ask what became of me if I should drop off the radar suddenly, and I don't want them badgering my wife about it. If I can get this done soon, and it goes well, I shouldn't be gone long anyway. If something goes wrong and I'm gone longer than expected, at least you will all know why. It will NOT be due to my disgust at some post or seeing some idiot primary result that I think shouldn't have happened, or whatever. Shit happens. If it should turn out NOT to happen to me this time, well, you'll hear no complaints from my end!
= new reply since forum marked as read
German cardiology programs and cardiologists in general is that they are impressive (likewise many of their orthopedists, but that is an aside)...
So, I feel great confidence--as do you-- in the care you have and will receive. Catching it at this stage based on cautious screening of a continuous EKG monitoring, is optimal.
So, I wish you the best and all the healing thoughts and wishes possible. We will be waiting to hear back from you, but now must be YOU time, so concentrate on yourself. Be well and return to "tell the tale."
issue is easily treated and you can get back to your normal activities worry free .
hoping for a good outcome if you need to be away for a spell.
A good experience and a quick recovery!
Wishing you strength and calm as you go through this.
Let us know how you do!
Please know we're all here with you.
but cardiac care is so amazing now, and it sounds like you have a great cardiologist there. I'm hoping you'll need only a minimal procedure, with a quick, easy recovery that will seem more like a mini-vacation from your incredibly busy schedule.
Sending hugs for you and your wife.
Thanks for letting us know! I do look forward to reading your DU posts, so it's reassuring to know the reason why you might be offline for awhile. Take the time to get healthy, and enjoy your month of June.
We'll be thinking of you and waiting to hear of your return.
you and your family. 
I hope to see you on DU again soon.
Please take care of yourself.