Eight months after the cardiac event

0n 17 January this year I had a heart attack and had three stents put in. This happened in Ireland. When I came back in Amsterdam I saw a cardiologist with all the information the doctors in Ireland gave me. After that my blood was taken (post 26 OLVG Spuistraat 239) and an ultrasound test of the heart was done. Another cardiologist saw me and told me that the pump function of the heart was not the best. Scarring caused by the cardiac event had done the damage. I knew that this could happen but the amount of damage done I had not expected. I thought the function would be around 90%, but it turns out to be closer to 60% and it won’t get any better, he assured me. No wonder my stamina has diminished considerably since before the heart attack. My Irish doctors had done everything that was necessary, he told me also and the medicines I’m taking are doing the job, but more clogging of the veins around the heart can occur. I have to monitor all the little agues and pains he warned me. And not put them aside and try to ignore them as I’m wont to do. The cardiologist was a younger and blonder version of Hugh Grant and an agreeable sight I must say. In the OLVG hospital Oosterpark I didn’t manage to make much of a sketch while waiting for the ultrasound, but I was luckier waiting for the cardiologist.

Myocardial Infarction

What do you know? I found this in my archives of hundreds of drawings I made for Stichting September, informative medical books for patients and carers. I had my heart attack at that same place but more places on the same artery had stents to be put in.

The Visitor part 3

Walking on the Greenway

I used to take a walk on the Greenway every day. The Greenway is right behind my home. In the summer I walk to it over the bog and in the winter when the bog is too wet, I take the car. No small wonder that I got the heart attack there too. For the cardiac recovery program taking a walk every day is a must. It wasn't easy to go back to the Greenway with the ghosts of past pains and discomforts still around. I sat in the car and hesitated and made a drawing first...

The last hours at ICU

After leaving the ICU I spent one more night in the hospital and was sent home four days after the 'heart event'.

Heaven or Galway

Time is running out

All the attention goes now to my neighbour. But I get some good news.

Until the morning comes

I never thought I would sleep with a steady Beep-Beep-Beep in my ear, reminding me that my heart was still working, but I did.