I’m Thankful for an IQ Test

4xoddic

Well, actually 2 IQ tests. I’ve never expressed this thankfulness. It’s not an easy subject to reflect upon. Even less easy to share. From the reactions of the family, friends & medical personnel I’ve discussed my test results with, I suppose my reluctance has been reinforced.

Before you conclude that I’m about to brag about my acceptance into Mensa = I’m full of myself (which certainly is true); I will suggest a link to have under your belt:

http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/bypasssurgery/a/pumphead.htm

My coronary bypass surgery took place on June 6, 1998, at the age of 45. By that time, I had spent 34 years as a Type I diabetic. I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy at the age of 25; and lost sight in my left eye ~ 1981.

I returned to work in August, and soon was rotating as an “intern” through the other divisions of the Army civilian personnel operations center I’d started at that January. Nine months later, I was back at my job in Training & Development.

It would be a few more months before I began to experience difficulties performing the tasks of my job. My boss, coworkers, doctor & I interpreted my problems as diabetic-related fluctuations in blood sugar levels. I was placed on an insulin pump and those levels stabilized. However, many of the problems remained. I began to experience depression (common among bypass patients) and my MD referred me to a psychologist. At no point did anyone bring up the topic of cognitive impairment.

I began to miss work. On some days the decision to stay home was not made until I was about to leave for work. My MD saw the physical symptoms as based upon anxiety. On Sept. 20, 2000, she advised me not to return to work until I was “better.” That day turned out to be the last day I ever worked. I took a disability retirement in Feb. 2001, based upon 10 years of service.

The type of retirement I took also required me to apply for a Social Security disability retirement. I told SS I didn’t think I met their standards. The state of KS agreed, & eventually required me to take a computerized aptitude test. I didn’t think the test was any too difficult; but the test administrator told the other 2 being tested to go into the next room. He turned to me & said that in X years of testing, he’d never observed anyone take so long for the test.

I brought up the test with my psychologist, who suggested I take the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) test in the fall of 2001. The results were a big surprise. In areas not requiring visual cognition skills I scored in the 90s. In areas requiring
those skills, my scores were in the 30s.

Current labels for such low scores kindly refer to scores of 69 and below as “Extremely Low.” ~ 1924, those scoring 25–49 were labeled “Imbeciles.” Morons, 50-74; Idiots, 0-24.

At this point in time, I realized I was “disabled.” The Kansas Dept of Disability Determination made every effort to label me as “blind,” as that was easier to document. It would take a lawyer & appearance before an adjudication judge before I was eventually deemed disabled in March, 2003.

To follow up on the IQ test, I was referred to a neurologist. He gave me the usual 10 Questions for dementia; and said I’d taken the least time of anyone he’d ever questioned. He suggested a brain MRI; which came back negative.

~ 2002, I listened to a NPR interview with a Canadian talk show DJ. He’d had bypass surgery and soon found himself lost for words that were on “the tip of his tongue.” He described such behavior as “pump head.” The broadcast mentioned that in 2000, Rice U. completed a study of cognitive impairment following bypass surgery.

I Googled for the study and came to the belief this was what was I had. There are no diagnostic tests for this condition. At the time of the study, the belief was that “pump head” is caused by tiny bubbles introduced by the heart-lung machine, resulting in microstrokes. Recent studies refute this hypothesis. As improvements in bypass surgery have encouraged cardiologists to recommend bypass surgery to older patients, it is believed the increase = a greater number of cases of cognitive impairment.

I brought up “pump head” with my cardiologist & just got a blank stare. I walked across the street to my thoracic surgeon’s office & left a note re: “pump head” & my cognitive impairment. He called me up and said this could possibly be the problem.

Around this time, hospitals began offering “beating heart” bypass surgery which would have you back at your desk in short order. Cardiologists are reluctant to bring up the topic of cognitive impairment to patients.

My psychologist administered the WAIS IQ test again a few years back. My scores showed no significant change; which I took as good news.

I have learned that the brain interprets visual perception from birth. We fix on a few facial characteristics to recognize mom from dad, and develop this ability to determine people & objects instantly. Our brain soon develops shortcuts to determine what we see rather than go through the entire process of vision -> optic nerve -> brain + thinking = bird, plane, superman.

This routine works very well. It just so happens that my cognitive impairment has derailed the expected conclusions. I often read a sentence & it doesn’t make sense. When I go back & reread, I discover my brain substituted a similar word for the actual. I sometimes find physical, hands-on tasks to be incomprehensible. It took me ~ 6 months to change the water pump on our 1988 Land Cruiser, with the hood up on our identical LC alongside as a visual reference. I may walk thru a doorway and bump an elbow rather than realize I’m not on the correct path. Assembling my Marantz TT-15S1 is still a challenge in process.

Cognitive impairment following bypass surgery, if it occurs, strikes every individual in unique ways. It may involve memory, the appreciation of lettuce, or simple mathematics. The only way to determine what’s occurred is by IQ testing. It has come to be my belief that, although I’m alive today thanks to my bypass, I sure wish I’d had an IQ test beforehand. I would recommend anyone faced with bypass surgery to complete an IQ test; and then retake the test 18 months following surgery. It is much easier to accept one’s inability to function knowing there’s been a cognitive impairment.

I don’t know why I felt compelled to share this. IF you’ve read this far, more power to you. I’m not expecting comments from Club Polk members. IF it turns on a light bulb for you, that’s fine. As we gather around tables this Thanksgiving, there are a myriad of things we’re thankful for. I never thought it would be an IQ test for me.

Joe

GlennDog

Thanks for sharing Joe. Best of luck and have a great Thanksgiving . . .

G

Jhayman

I'm scared to do one as they might have to rewrite the test as they might think no one can be that stupid...
Feeling funny today..

cnh

Heck of a story. Glad things worked out for you.

I'd say there are more than a few on this site who could rack up a Mensa score. If I'm not mistaken that's over 140 on the standard test.

It also goes without saying that, as Isaac Asimov (a member of MENSA) said, these tests are fabricated by people who are looking for people like themselves. lol And modern Psychology has enumerated MANY kinds of "intelligence" of which only an "extremely" limited array are tested in a standard IQ test.

But in this case, it really does mean something. Kudos to you and welcome back!

cnh

schwarcw

Greetings Joe!

This is a very interesting read. I was not aware of this type of condition could exist. I'm troubled to know that many people like you may have this same condition. It sounds like you have had a tough life based on what you have written about your medical history. Since you and I are the same age, I can't imagine how I would have struggled like you did for these many years. I do feel very fortunate for my health. I have some minor issues that pale in comparison to yours.

I am curious, do you use voice recognition to so typing for you? Also, do you feel that your visual impairment has improved your hearing? Good luck with your medical issues.

Regards,

4xoddic

THANX to all who have read.

Carl - you asked a couple of good questions.

I've thought about using my Mac's ability to vocalize text. I don't read magazines & newspapers much anymore; nor watch foreign films' subtitles (too slow to keep up). Reading on the WWW permits me to take my time & reread when something doesn't make sense (not applicable to politics).

I get my vision checked twice yearly. Corrected, I usually score 20/20 or 20/25; but due to eye surgery in 1978, I have only a 40 degree field of view. A friend has asked me if my vision has improved since retirement. The answer is no, from the standpoint that my brain has not improved at deciphering what I see. I have learned to "throttle" quick decisions my brain makes when I think I see something out of the ordinary.

Charlie Rose on PBS has a continuing series on the brain. What scientists/doctors have discovered is changing rapidly. In one show, they discussed "brain plasticity," the ability for the brain to change an area's function to fill in for a damaged area that previously fulfilled that purpose. The brain has a high level of "plasticity" during childhood; but they believe this doesn't happen beyond the age of 26.

I would say that I pay more attention to sounds, particularly when out in nature. But I wouldn't chalk that up to plasticity.

I feel pretty fortunate. The laser surgery I had in 1978 was crude by today's standards; but it was top-notch & performed by Leslie Naismith, a grandson of James Naismith, who invented basketball in 1891, & came to the U of KS in 1897.

When I became a diabetic in 1964, I received warnings from nurses as they'd point out someone missing a leg, and say that's what I could expect if I didn't take care of myself. Hasn't happened. When I asked for more info on diabetic retinopathy in 1978, Dr. Naismith handed me a textbook open to a page stating most diabetics became blind by the age of 28. My vision has remained stable in that eye since having the surgery, another sign of good fortune. My bypass surgery was successful & I've gone 15 years without additional surgery. I lead a pretty fulfilling life; that's the attitude I took at age 11. I miss the camaraderie of work. That's something I experience here on the forum.

drumminman

Thanks for sharing Joe. What a rough time you've had, but a great attitude. Glad you're here on the forum.

schwarcw

Greetings Joe!

Interesting information. I'd say you have more survival instincts than most of those game show participants. And you seem to making the best of a bad situation. Your courage and love of life make you more "alive" than many people who have excellent health who are wasting their time watching Kardashian jumblees or talking trash on sports forums while fueling up on barley pop. I work with a man who has been totally blind for the last 20 years. He amazes me with so many things that he can do. I reward him by taking him to topless bars, and giving the girls a few extra bucks and quietly explain his disability to them. The girls go out of their way to do wonders for him! Don't tell his wife LOL!

Keep on trucking Joe!

Regards,

Carl

tonyb

Joe,
Well you certainly didn't need to put it all out there, But I understand talking about it offers some relief. I guess we all need to find ways dealing with the cards dealt us. Making lemonade out of lemons, as they say. As long as your enjoying life, that's all that matters. I guess my only advice I can offer is to concentrate on what you can do, not what you can't. At this point in your life, I'm pretty sure you know the differences and obviously have accepted them for what they are.

May the powers at be smile down on you for continued health and happiness.