Science

...I learned a great deal about heart disease, as well as about my genome and my family's medical history. All of this was fascinating. I got access to a new expensive drug, covered by my insurance that will do what statins do (but better) which is wonderful since I developed resistance to statins.

I learned a lot about proteomics and the genomics of LDLs, for which statins are somewhat ineffective.

This is all good stuff.

I also learned that I should change the cardiology practice with whom I've been working since, well, the less said, the better. They got the tests I needed done; I was able to get a valuable script that should add a few years to my life; and I was able to interpret the results with their less than ideal input.

I scheduled a follow up appointment with a new group in July to check on progress of my condition, with a doctor with hundreds of five star ratings. It's a research institution and, if I ultimately do need surgery, they are one of the top institutions in the country for performing it.

It's all wonderful. I was frankly terrified, not so much with a fear of dying but with a fear of stroke, the biggest risk for the surgery. I don't want to be a burden to my wife and sons. When I die, I want to go cleanly.

Thanks for asking.