16 May 2024
I debated as to whether title this “Everything Fred” or “Cancer Update.” I had my echocardiogram yesterday with Mary Ann. It seems she really irritates the receptionists because she doesn’t answer her phone. However, while she was giving me the echocardiogram, she answered the phone twice. I suspect they just don’t like her.
The results came back later in the afternoon to “My Chart” and, to me, they were a little disturbing. One of the side effects of Herceptin is that it can, in some cases, lead to heart failure.
On January 24, 2024 I had an echocardiogram with Mary Ann and the findings read “The left ventricle is normal in size and function with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 55%.” In males, the normal range is 55-65%.
Yesterday’s echocardiogram read “The left ventricle is normal in size and there is mild to moderate systolic dysfunction with an estimated left ventricular ejection fraction of 40-45%.” “Global longitudinal strain = -12.8%.” Normal globular longitudinal strain is -17-(-)24% for males. It measures the strain on sub-endocardial longitudinal muscle fibers which are prone to ischemic damage and heart wall stress.
Those ranges reported are the standard for Holy Cross. The Mayo Clinic cites the American Heart Association standards as follows:
“A left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction of about 50% to 70% is categorized as normal.
A mildly reduced LV ejection fraction is usually between 41% and 49%.
A reduced LV ejection fraction is usually 40% or less.”
By the American Heart Association, I’m borderline reduced and mildly reduced. It seems the Hereceptin treatments are having an effect on my heart. Add that to a coronary calcium score of 165 and I’m already at a medium to high risk for a heart attack.
By my count, I have four more Herceptin infusions with the last one coming August 6th for a total of 17.
Obviously, I’ll be talking to my (1) oncologist (2) cardiologist and (3) endocrinologist. So far, my endocrinologist seems to be the most concerned about my coronary calcium score. He’ll probably hit the ceiling when he finds out the echocardiogram results.
Last night’s movie was Hobson’s Choice starring Charles Laughton as Henry Hobson; Brenda De Banzie as Maggie, the oldest daughter; and John Mills as Will the boot smith who marries Maggie. It was produced and directed by David Lean. It’s an excellent comedic film with an outstanding cast. You forget how good the actors are in this movie until you watch it again. It’s a hard movie to come by. I got it from Amazon but at a steep price. It was worth what I paid for it.
I did manage to walk 0.98 miles today, so let’s call it a full mile. Rain is predicted and we need it. Yesterday’s downpour only whetted the appetite of the lawns in the area.
I’ll keep you posted on what the “experts” say about the echocardiogram.
Stay tuned!