MINUTES OF THE NATAL BYPASS CLUB HELD IN THE ENTABENI HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOM, DURBAN ON WEDNESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2006
- PRESENT:
68 as per attendance register. Jack apologized for the lack of chairs and also for not having them arranged as required.
- APOLOGIES:
Muriel Adams who has recently suffered extremely poor health and is unable to climb the stairs
to our venue. (Unfortunately there is no lift), Athol & Shirley Willett, Norman & Hilda
McNally, Meryl Seymour, Muriel Flowers, Chris O’Flaherty, Jacqui & Dave Miller and Doug & Betty Paul.
3. TESTIMONIES FROM FIRST-TIMERS:
NICK LOMBARD (52):
Was always fit (non-smoker or drinker) but recently suffered what he thought was heartburn after eating, but because his chest pain persisted, visited his doctor when an e.c.g. showed an abnormality. Nick was referred to Dr.Rob Dyer who diagnosed 2 blocked arteries and a kink in another. After a double bypass, Nick is fine now and watching his diet very carefully.
4. MEMBERSHIP:
Still stands at 200 and growing steadily.
5. FINANCES:
Resulting from the increase in subs to R30 and generous donations, our financial situation is
sound.
- ANNUAL COUNTRY CLUB LUNCH:
This was attended by 60 but once again there was a total absence of any medical staff to whom
we wished to show our appreciation. A special venue at the Durban Country Club was set aside
and full use was made of the p.a. system with entertainment by way of stories from the
participants which promoted the fellowship and fun. A request that this should be an annual
event will be heeded.
- VISITATION TO HOSPITALS:
Currently these are being conducted at
a. St Augustine’s Ken Monckton is unable to carry on for the present, meanwhile Doug Tomes is visiting on his own. Thank you Doug.
b. Entabeni Chris O’Flaherty and Jack still doing their duties which are graciously and gratefully welcomed by staff and patients...
c. Westville with the sudden and sad demise of Vernon Wilson, Tony Ries has magnanimously stepped into this breach. Thank you Tony!
- RAFFLE:
Generously participated by everyone and realized R240. Won by Tony Schultz.
- GUEST SPEAKER:
Mr. Robert Kleinloog was invited to be our special last speaker for the year.
By way of introduction, the latest development of organ regeneration by means of stem cell therapy was discussed. There is great potential but much more research is required. Stem cells are primitive cells which develop in the embryonic age. Various cells are required for bone, fibre, muscle, bran etc. A major problem is that the cells do not stop growing and also tend to develop tumours which behave similar to cancer. As a result stem cell therapy has been put on hold. A notable exception has been the treatment of leukemia where all the cells are replaced with stem cells.
As regards bypass surgery, there appears to be no age limit as long as the patient is biological fit. As an example, Rob pointed out Natie Klein in our audience who had his bypasses at 80 and is now a fit and healthy 84. In America, a successful bypass was done on an 89 year old patient who is fine.
The same applies to Aorta bypasses. Stents are being used more extensively than ever but there is a slight problem due to the body’s reaction to a foreign body. Tissue is inclined to grow progressively around the stent which can lead to a blockage.
All the above developments were graphically illustrated by drawings on a flip chart and before the conclusion of his address, Rob answered numerous questions:
Q. Is chelation a successful technology?
A. No. The problem is that it removes all elements from the system and not only the harmful ones.
Q. How long do bypasses last?
A. You have members here who were operated on at Wentworth in the early eighties.
Q. Are veins still inferior to the internal mammary arteries as conduits for bypassing?
A. We have noticed that veins are lasting much longer and believe that heart patients who are taking drugs are strengthening the resilience and strength of their veins, as a result of medication.
Q. Is it ok to have the sternum wires removed when necessary?
A. The wires have knitted the 2 halves of the sternum and it is a strong as before. So yes, the wires can be removed. It is a painless and quick procedure.
After receiving an ovation and a bottle of good red wine for his presentation, Robert introduced us to one of his transplant patients,
TONY WILLIAMS is the M.D. of NORVO Construction and Property Developers and is an avid collector of golf clubs and to date he has 452 drivers and 58 Ping Putters! He is a keen sportsman (particularly golf) and a world renowned judge of dogs and has judged all over the word. At 54 he thought that he had picked up a flu virus as his heart started to fibrillate. He saw a general practitioner who prescribed medication. Tony says that we should not consult a G.P. if we are aware of a problem in any particular part of our body. His mistake was to allow himself to be treated medicinally for 12 months before his radiologist wife insisted that he sees a cardiologist.
Dr.David Gillmar examined Tony and after 20 minutes told him, “You need a new heart!” His heart was five times larger than normal! Thus followed a long agonizing wait to find a donor with the same blood group, tissue, and body build and weight.
After 9 months Tony had just about given up and was very very sick when at last a heart from a 30 year old donor was available.
At this stage he told the amusing tale of this very casually dressed (Billabong tee shirt, shorts and sneakers) unknown individual who came into his ward and told him that he was Robert Kleinloog and was going to give him heart transplant but it will have to wait until the rugby match between the Springboks and All Blacks was concluded that afternoon. The Transplant which took 1¼ hours was a great success. After 4 days in the ICU and 7 days in Cardiac High Care, Tony went home. As he puts it, in his humorous manner, Tony told Robert that the only pain he had was in his right trouser pocket from which he had to pay R9400 per month for medications which will probably prevail for good.
After 2 months, he was hitting golf balls and he played his first round after 3 months. His whole demeanor is positive and grateful and he is again touring the world and judging dogs. He is as active as ever in his work and to anticipate the question, told us that his sex life was as good as ever and here he believed the 12 pills that he took each day played a part.?!.
Well done Tony and thanks for a very entertaining talk.
Jack Piek
(Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer!!
Tel: 031-5633200
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