Bob's Profile

About 15 yrs ago, I noticed some palpitations while working-out...having been a US Marine for 20 years prior and never having this issue before, I had it checked-out. I was then told I had a murmur and that in 10 yrs I'd need surgery. I retired from the Marines with 30 years service (at the level of fitness required) and was able to make it longer than the 10 years predicted but, it's now time. In June of this summer, while planting a tree, I felt chest pressure (I had just put the root ball in the ground) and, moments later, pain in my left shoulder...a couple minutes later, the fingers of my left hand were tingling/getting numb and I was breathing shallow and rapidly and sweating profusely. I knew what was happening and, fortunately, my wife was there with me planting the tree. I got to the hospital in a few minutes time and they cleared a blockage and put a stint in. Since, I've been short of breath by simply walking fast. I was scheduled for 11 December but, there was an issue with sterilizing equipment so it is now postponed. The hospital will call me first week of January and schedule the procedure for mid to end of the month. If VA Ann Arbor's sterilization process isn't satisfactory by then, they'll schedule me for U of M. Ann Arbor VA hospital has been fixed...I'll have my surgery there on the 8th of Jan.