Things That Remain Hidden

[Chris Parks]

A bit of a story here and I sometimes wonder about the common sense of some health professionals.

I was diagnosed about 18 months ago with what is called a Thymus Mass. They are pretty rare and generally not life threatening but do have a cancer component that is not known to spread and seeing as they reckon I have had it for maybe 15 years and it hasn't affected me life goes on. I had open chest surgery in which they tried to remove it but due to it being wrapped around the Aorta and slightly attached to my right lung they could not get it all which was a bummer and seeing they could not get it all they did not do the two bypasses as they could not access them. That was after they stripped the veins out of my leg BTW and had to throw them away, Bugger!

In the hospital I woke up with a fright one morning when someone dropped something in the ward and after that I had a heart rate of about 180 BPM for about 24 hours but they managed to slow it down and I came home. Ever since the op I have suffered from breathlessness and an elevated heart rate if I did anything but none of the doctors commented on it and I thought it was part and parcel of the recovery period. So life went on and I basically did nothing because I couldn't and then I started radiation therapy which before it began I was warned that my lungs would in all likelihood suffer some damage but it would be minor. By the end of that treatment I was more breathless and coughing every few minutes and the doctors scratched their heads, got splinters under their finger nails and never said boo. I must admit with subsequent hind sight that overlapping events most probably did not help here so I won't be too hard on them. I went to a cardio specialist some time later and he noted my still fast heart rate of about 115 BPM and he prescribed Beta Blockers. There was no further explanation from him either so life went on. I tried to get back into the gym but it was hopeless so I gave it a miss until I had recovered more.

Yesterday I had a nurse do a Cardio test on me after it was discovered that my heart rate is still too high and while waiting for the doctor I asked some questions which I should have asked months ago but hadn't because I thought the breathlessness was all part of the recovery. It turns out that I have Sinus Tachycardia in which the heart does not pump enough blood when required especially during physical activity and also leads to an elevated heart rate even at rest, mine was about 115 BPM. The light bulb went off then as it explains why I have never had a lot of physical stamina highlighted by when I was in the army where I had immense difficulty trying to reach a level of fitness they were happy with. I wonder why all the doctors I have seen recently have not bothered to investigate and comment on it since the op as I was at time very handicapped with breathing problems. The Cardio specialist, though he identified it, never bothered to tell me what was what and I still thought it was part of the recovery and I would stop taking the Beta Blockers when things settled down. A lot of things that I have had all my life like lack of stamina, light headedness, I have passed out several times with no explanation and no medical comment, sore legs when I was running long distances were all symptoms that were missed. Can I sue the Army for all the pain and suffering and there was a lot of that I had a mate who was discharged early when it was discovered he had a heart problem and thinking back I wonder if he had the same thing. It was discovered during a medical he had before transferring OS and they could not get rid of him quick enough. We are talking Vietnam War and National Service here BTW.

I wanted to tell the story to illustrate how sometimes we go through life ignorant of these sorts of things and it is generally only by accident or another problem that they get found. Life is indeed strange and full of mystery. BTW my cousin was diagnosed with the same thing very recently and this led to my questioning the nurse so this seems to indicate a genetic problem in the family. Her brother was a long distance runner so he hasn't got it. I think my son might have it as he had some comments from a doctor some years ago when he went for a medical for his Superkart racing license so I am going to suggest he go back and investigate further now.

Now I know what it is and why I have had life long problems I feel on top of the world with a big sense of release because I have an explanation.

[Fuzzie]

Medicine is not a science, it is an art form. If you are fortunate enough to find a good artist you are lucky, the rest of them just apply rote formulae they have memorized.

[Chris Parks]

I have always likened it to a mechanic, there are those who are tradesmen and those who are a step above. I saw my father fire one in the middle of a ward visit one day and the doctor was not impressed.

[ian]

Hi Chris

not sure what to say, bugger and best wishes doesn't seem sufficiently sincere -- but what else can one say ...

your Army mate

I had a mate who was discharged early when it was discovered he had a heart problem and thinking back I wonder if he had the same thing. It was discovered during a medical he had before transferring OS and they could not get rid of him quick enough. We are talking Vietnam War and National Service here BTW.

most probably has (hopefully he's still alive) a bicuspid aortic valve. from one of the many internet medical sites

The aortic valve is a one-way valve between the heart and the aorta, the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body. Normally, the aortic valve has three small flaps or leaflets that open widely and close securely to regulate blood flow. A bicuspid aortic valve has only two leaflets which means the valve doesn't function perfectly, but it may function adequately for years without causing symptoms or obvious signs of a problem.

having known several people with the condition, the main symptom is breathlessness when exercising vigorously, but it didn't stop then living into their late 80s.

[doug3030]

Can I sue the Army for all the pain and suffering and there was a lot of that I had a mate who was discharged early when it was discovered he had a heart problem and thinking back I wonder if he had the same thing. It was discovered during a medical he had before transferring OS and they could not get rid of him quick enough. We are talking Vietnam War and National Service here BTW.

Hi Chris,

I am ex-Army too, but I served after Vietnam and got out before East Timor so no actual wartime service. I am currently going through the process of applying for a Department of Veterans Affairs pension for injuries sustained during my service. I have been out for nearly 18 years. The RSL have Advocates who will help you with an application at no cost to you.

If there was anything at all in your Army medical records that could indicate that you had the condition while you were serving the advocates will find it. The gentleman assisting me is very thorough and I believe they all are. If you served in Vietnam the bar is set lower for you to make a claim than it is for me.

Get in touch with your local RSL sub-branch and ask them to put you in touch with one of their advocates.

Good luck

Doug

[BobL]

Sorry to hear about all this Chris. I can't imagine a life like this and it make me feel a bit crap for not doing more with a comparatively healthier body although I never would have thought I would be setting up and running a small sawmill in retirement.

Back on the vet issue, that's something else I find hard to imagine. Demoing the wood work at RSL Care has given me few limited insights. I got one of the old boys to tell me about his experience about being on the Australia when it was attacked by a Kamikazee pilot. He lost the use of his right arm in that attack and has lived with it for 70 years. He told it like it was last year and very matter of fact as well.

[Chris Parks]

I was joking when I asked about suing the army. During those times if you had all legs and arms you were in, no real medical investigation was done or even attempted as they needed cannon fodder. I did not even get to go as Labor came to power and every one got to get out early.