divulgence // luke hemmings au

30

"Mr Hemmings I'm really glad you came in when you did, I wish I could've had better news for you but it looks like since the last time you were here (many years ago), it appears you've developed pulmonary hypertension. Which is when your pulmonary valve gets overloaded by blood going from the heart to the lungs. It's a serious condition and that probably accounts for a lot of your symptoms." The doctor explained, as Luke sat on the exam table softly swinging his legs.

"I just don't understand how this could happen. I run, I exercise. I thought getting a transplant would prevent any more problems."

"Well, it's great that you're very physically active, especially at the age that you are. But you also have an extremely demanding job that requires so much of your time and energy. You also haven't been in for a check up in at least five years, which I'm sure has a factor in why you're feeling the way you are." The doctor stood there clipboard in hand trying to be as helpful and patient as she could possibly be.

"I thought I was finally out of the woods." He mumbled to himself seeming disappointed.

"Unfortunately, many people who've received heart transplants wind up with having chronic heart issues for the rest of their lives. It's not uncommon. Just because a transplant is done doesn't mean everything's fixed. Based on the images and tests we've conducted on you over the last couple of weeks it looks like there had been some extensive damage done to your pulmonary valve hence why you feel the way you do after a run or exercise which seems to be a more recent occurrence."

"So what does this all exactly mean, Doctor?" He questioned furrowing one of his brows.

"It means that you're going to need a valve replacement. Thousands of people get this procedure done every year and it improves their quality of life. If you want to keep working as a paramedic you're going to have to keep your health in check." The doctor explained further Luke looking at her like she was saying the wrong thing to the wrong person.

"Are you sure? What if I cut down on the stress? The heavy exercise? The caffeine?"

"Making those sort of changes now would be great for your future health but it wouldn't reverse the damage already done. A valve replacement is usually no big deal most people qualify for minimally invasive surgery verses open heart and given you already had open heart it would probably have a lot more risks complications due to your health history and age. We like avoiding doing open heart as much as we can so you'd be an excellent candidate for the less invasive option."

Luke was looking at her like his worst nightmare was coming true.

"What happens if I don't decide to do this procedure?"

"Then I'm afraid you're at an extremely high risk of re developing heart failure or increasing the risk of having your heart going into a lethal arrhythmia and stopping it completely." The words echoed through Luke's brain as he sat there stroking his cheek to lessen the nerves.

"There's really no other option?"

"I'm afraid not, Mr Hemmings. I get that you're scared but these procedures and outcomes and recoveries have come a very long way. Things have changed since your first open heart procedure. Please put some thought into this, maybe discuss it with your family before going ahead with anything. They deserve to know this diagnosis and how you feel and what your decision might be. You can call me back when you're ready for the next step." She left leaving Luke in his thoughts, usually he had no problems in making the right decision.

Several weeks have gone by and Luke came to a decision and it was on his terms, the only way he was going through with this is if his wife and son can observe the procedure in real time and if his long time colleague can come into the operating room and help administer the anesthesia medications. He was doing things his way now, hoping it would lessen the trauma.