Personal Update/ Nina Update

          After a 4 year gap in continuity of care, I was able to see a cardiologist again.  They went over my recent Echocardiogram and explained to me the findings.  Long story short, I’m getting closer to needing surgical intervention.  I’ll see them again at the end of the year, which is a big change from having to see them every 2 years.

        What they looked at and are concerned about is the enlargement of the heart and the aortic root.  The root is measuring 49 mm, they usually do surgery at 52mm.  The culprit is the valve that is leaking.  As my aorta is pumping all that fresh oxygenated blood to the rest of the body, it’s allowing in back flow, as the chamber is filling up.  To compensate the heart grows, which is the one muscle you don’t want getting bigger.  I know I’ve noticed certain physiological changes, but haven’t noticed anything severe yet.  So it’s on me to report any changes in symptoms.  Normally it is something I try not to think about, but since the meeting Tuesday, it has been at the forefront of my thoughts.  Also frustrating that 4 year gap, because I don’t know how quickly things have been progressing.

        On a lighter note, we’ve seen some really good improvements from Nina.  I’ve been taking her for semi regular grooming, and the last couple of times we’ve seen some real positive improvement.  She’s way less nervous and anxious.  First few times I would have to carry her down the stairs, now she goes down by herself.  She is a lot more relaxed and even happy to see the groomer.  The groomer remarked on how Nina was a lot more comfortable with getting her nails trimmed.  This time she was even able to grind and shape them better because Nina was relaxed and allowed her to work her paws more.  At home she is having a better time with control of her excitement.  When someone comes in she still really wants to be their friend, but she is getting better at listening to our commands of getting her on her mat and waiting for the person to come to her.