Loading ...
Bypass to Back Surgery
Last week I wrote a brief comment in closing the newsletter that the bypass done by Dave’s surgeon in February of last year didn’t really fix anything. A few email correspondents questioned that, some wondering of my meaning and others flatly disagreeing.
Still others wrote to ask about his recent surgery, or how we felt about his lengthy chelation treatments now that we have the benefit of hindsight. This seems like a good opportunity for an overview of his medical history of the past couple of years so we’ll have it all in one place for later review.
In June of 2006, we went with a number of other IronOnline forum members to a small bash event in Juneau, Alaska. Dave was a month or a bit more into a problem with occasional numbness in his legs, and on the trip he discovered it was bad enough to keep him from walking with our fellow travelers.
Along with the tingling and stinging in his legs came a shortness of breath, and because of his past history of heart disease, including stents his cardiologist embedded in 2000 to open an artery, we began this drama again at the cardiologist’s. We didn’t get much of a response from the doctor who had taken over the practice a couple years before and with whom we didn’t have a relationship, and lacking confidence in his shrug of the shoulders, in November we went to another cardiologist for a second opinion.
The new doctor sent Dave for the normal list of cardiac testing, ending with an angiogram in January, 2007. His recommendation was a referral to a cardiac surgeon for a quadruple bypass, and as long as his chest was open, the suggestion was to fix a heart valve that was damaged during his 1983 near-fatal congestive heart failure. Both the bypass and the valve repair were done about a month later, February 22, 2007.
The results of this major, sternum-opening surgery were disappointing because he didn’t get better after it. In fact, within a few months he’d had a heart attack, decreasing his heart function even more. Would he have had that either way? Of course, we’ll never know.
This is not to say he didn’t need bypass grafts — that also we’ll never know for sure. The disappointment was his breathing didn’t get better, which was one thing the bypass was expected to address.
The major benefit of the valve repair would have been if he’d been able to go off blood thinners, but since his heart is regularly in atrial fibrillation because of the earlier heart failure, he’s not able to enjoy that aspect of the valve repair.
Meanwhile, his cardiac surgeon knew of his original complaint of trouble walking, and sent him off to a vascular surgeon after bypass recovery, thinking perhaps his arterial blockage was systemic and a case of peripheral artery disease (PAD) was causing the stinging legs, what PAD sufferers recognize as intermittent claudication.
That made sense to us, but two months and two vascular surgeons later, the agreement was that he had a mild case of PAD, but they did not think it was enough to cause his worsening leg problems, and they both recommended no further action.
At this point, about a year into the process, we were beginning to wonder about nerve blockage in the low back, but with the choice being back surgery or another stab at clearing the arteries, we went toward the less aggressive alternative medicine option, which was the point you began to hear Dave’s stories of sitting in the doctor’s office during his twice-a-week, three-hour intravenous chelation treatments.
Three months later, with the leg pains still worsening and the chelation treatments finished, Dave next went to a back pain specialist who ordered an MRI. When he got an offer of cold laser treatments with little assurance of success, Dave made an appointment with a physiatrist, who read the same MRI and told him nothing but back surgery was going to help.
The physiatrist’s referral to neurosurgeon in February, Dr. Jim Kohut, led to further cardiology workups, including installation of a pacemaker, before the surgeon was comfortable performing such a major back surgery on a guy with an ailing heart.
Incidentally, this involved another cardiologist, Dr. Raj Singh, with whom Dave enjoys a newfound confidence and to whom his medical files were permanently transferred. In the process of getting Dave ready for the back surgery, Dr. Singh did another angiogram and a bit over a year after the bypass declared his newly grafted arteries completely clear.
During bypass, two mammary arteries in his chest were moved into place, one artery from an arm was used and a large vein from his leg. Were those arteries and the vein clear when moved from their natural spots? Or did the chelation treatments clear existing blockages? Unfortunately for those of you who were following the chelation adventure for your own purposes, we’ll probably never know.
As it turns out, what he needed to address his leg symptoms was back surgery – laminectomy at L2, L3, L4 and L5, which was done five weeks ago. We’re now two years and a few months from those initial days of increasing disability, and today, after a variety of medical visits, he’s finally on the upswing in terms of normal, pain-free walking.
Laree Draper
on September 16th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Wow ,Dave really endured quite alot of pain and discomfort and for so long too. I am an ostrich when it comes to problems i just hide my head in the sand and wait things out,hoping the problems go away on their own if i wait long enough.lol My hats off to Dave and you for keeping on track to the road for recovery.
on September 16th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Back behind the control panel and in the skies, like the Bomber we have all come to know and love. Yall are great, Laree. Thanks for sharing.
on September 16th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Thank You Laree for sharing with us about the Head Bomber’s trips to the inside of the Hanger. Glad to hear that he is finally enjoying some benefits from the mechanics messin’ around and is beginning to wheel it around pain free.
on September 16th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
dave–we love you and are enthusused with your upswing!! your website has encouraged med (I am presently suffering leg weaknessd–had 4 mri’s, 2 days ago a muscle biopsy to try and diagnose my problem) i have been working out as much as my muscles will tolorate!! also pontoon fly fishing in montana with great success!! keep bombing!! tim
on September 16th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Since I have only recently been receiving Dave’s weekly Wednesday e-mails and likewise not taking the time to investigate past archives, I must admit I was completely shocked to hear of the Bomber’s near fatal health issues and additionally his elusively ambiguous leg/back problems coupled with his suffering of chronic pain!…I thought I was the only one! Dave you bring me hope, as I am in the final stages of spinal decompression treatments for the hopefully successful eradication of chronic pain with it’s epicenter within the first five lumbar discs of the lower back. I know all about numbness and associated weakness in the lower extremities as I suffered a disc herniation back in 2002 (pain beyond imagination, I thought my right leg would explode from the surge of electricity coursing through my leg!). Likewise, I ended up with a blood clot in the left shoulder/chest area within the sub-clavin vein also in 2002! (the doc blamed it on military presses). So life long blood thinning meds are a daily ritual….but at least the doc’s saved my left arm and prevented a pulmonary embolism which I am greatful for! Well, when all this lunacy is over with, I am hoping to finally get back to pumping the weights again! Hoping your recovery is everything your suffering wasn’t! Like I said Dave, you are keeping me going, as tomorrow is yet another glorious day!
on September 16th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
What a story. This is remarkable. Dave moves forward
as a true champion. Still gives his valuable time to us bombers. I am blessed to have met the man. His books saved my life. He is paving the way. This could happen to any of us. But we have insight through his forum. Thank You Dave.
on September 17th, 2008 at 4:42 am
wow, we think that we are immune to these things, and we are not. So far i’m still trainig 6 days a week, but w/ far less intesity.I recently learned that my blood pressure is up some. bummer; thought i was doing everything right. Dave I will pray for you. I have used your testimony on alcohol mis-use in our
Wed. night Bible study ( Titus, the Creatans has drinking problems ) had wanted to visit you in the fall but will have to postpone this. I Christian Love,
Bill Kother. ( Eliz. NJ YMCA )
on September 17th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Thank You for sharing
on September 17th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Thanks for keeping us up to date Laree, I have a signed autographed picture of in my gym of Dave doing an arm curl taken by Chris Lund which has been an everyday inspiration, I tend to think that if Dave hadn’t pursued a life of body building he would not have survived these ordeals the way he has, that and the love of a caring family.
My father is 76 and over the years has endured some major surgery, basically having a lot of his insides removed, today he is still upright and intact and giving his free weights and York weight machine a good thrashing every other day, this has been key to his survival and recovery.
All being equal we should still be reading Draper .com by our hero for a good many years.
on September 17th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Your dtory about DD’s back has me wondering.In Sept. 1991 I had a triple by-pass. In Dec. 2006 I had a stent put in. I hurt my back in Mar. 1981 and have had no relief since than. I have been through the gammit of doctor;s pt, chiro, shots etc. A back surgoen told me surgery but since the injury was back in 1981 the success rate was very low. I too had shortness of breath and no one semms to know why. DD’s journey has opened my eyes to a possible reason why and I wll disscuss with my doctors’ very shortly. Thanks for your help again
God Bless and keep hanging and banging
JW
on September 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Dave/Laree;
Thanks for the update. I have been a fan of both of you for years, and never would I have guess the pain and anguish you both have suffered ( physical, mental, and spirtual ). I have been lifting for years myself, and have enjoyed reading about the “great body-builders”, including Dave. I am in my 60’s , working out about 4-5 times a week , and having the usual aches and pains from years of lifting…but nothing like Dave has endured.
Pain is definetly a “wake-up” call to all of us. I am not a giver of advice, however, when I get my pains the next day from lifting ( ugh…damm latic acid build up), I will remember what Dave has went through ( whew !!! ).
Both of you stay strong, and keep inspiring people the way you have been for all these years…..:) God speed…………..TTB