You will sure be in my prayers Tuesday Mister S! That's great that you've been able to keep somewhat calm! I'm a nervous wreck when waiting for any type of surgery.
Bless your heart Storri for all you are going through too! It would be very hard to know just what to tell your sons but I know they right words will come! The waiting is the pits too. You are in my prayers too! Hugs and God Bless, Pat
Mister S has got a lot of info, Cathy, so take note! :) He's one that'll have been there and done that and can probably (and I hope!) answer a lot of your questions.
2 years ago my daughter was in the waiting room when the Dr. told me that I had heart failure. So when she was 15 and saw her Mom come out of the Dr.'s office in tears, she knew something was up. She wanted to know. So when we got to the car I told her everything the Dr. told me, including the fact that only 50% of all heart failure patients are alive past the 5 year mark. (Since then that number has gone up for the good guys!!) I told her that I would try and pass that marker and more and that I might need her help with this! My son was 28 at that time and he took it the worse. I guess being a bit older they realize more of what this means. Recently my daughter did an essay for one of her classes and her pick of the topic was CAD, coronary artery disease! Now she's really asking questions and really understanding more. It does make her more scared now. I don't know how your son's will react, but my philosophy is truth. That's all I can say. Perhaps others here will have a different take on this...Anyone??
Re your stepfather and his scarring and stents. Yes, I had my first stent put in my LAD after my heart attack and it just filled with scar tissue. So a couple of years later it was 99% blocked again and they inserted a medicated stent inside of it-it actually helped! The 3rd stent last Aug. was placed in an offshoot of the LAD and the artery ruptured, so ergo the bypass...another possibility that can happen.
I had chest tubes in for drainage as well, and a tube(pick line, I believe it's called) inserted in my neck, too. The drainage tubes came out one at a time. One within a couple of days, the other taking a day or two longer. The pick line stayed in my neck til the day they released me which was the 5th day. The pick line is like an IV tubing...
Hope this helps and to the both of you, remember...my Dad used to tell me "Wet birds don't fly at night!" If that helps as your being wheeled into surgery, consider the reason why? I don't know!! lol
Big Hugs, Teri :)
xoxoxo
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
2 years ago my daughter was in the waiting room when the Dr. told me that I had heart failure. So when she was 15 and saw her Mom come out of the Dr.'s office in tears, she knew something was up. She wanted to know. So when we got to the car I told her everything the Dr. told me, including the fact that only 50% of all heart failure patients are alive past the 5 year mark. (Since then that number has gone up for the good guys!!) I told her that I would try and pass that marker and more and that I might need her help with this! My son was 28 at that time and he took it the worse. I guess being a bit older they realize more of what this means. Recently my daughter did an essay for one of her classes and her pick of the topic was CAD, coronary artery disease! Now she's really asking questions and really understanding more. It does make her more scared now. I don't know how your son's will react, but my philosophy is truth. That's all I can say. Perhaps others here will have a different take on this...Anyone??
Re your stepfather and his scarring and stents. Yes, I had my first stent put in my LAD after my heart attack and it just filled with scar tissue. So a couple of years later it was 99% blocked again and they inserted a medicated stent inside of it-it actually helped! The 3rd stent last Aug. was placed in an offshoot of the LAD and the artery ruptured, so ergo the bypass...another possibility that can happen.
I had chest tubes in for drainage as well, and a tube(pick line, I believe it's called) inserted in my neck, too. The drainage tubes came out one at a time. One within a couple of days, the other taking a day or two longer. The pick line stayed in my neck til the day they released me which was the 5th day. The pick line is like an IV tubing...
Hope this helps and to the both of you, remember...my Dad used to tell me "Wet birds don't fly at night!" If that helps as your being wheeled into surgery, consider the reason why? I don't know!! lol
Big Hugs, Teri :)
xoxoxo
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Hi everyone! Wow...you take a couple days off and a lot happens! It just took me a half hour to catch up :)
J...welcome! I will be thinking of you on Tues. Reading your story was a little like deja vu...I had the sheet soaking 6 week illness too and after that everything was just a little "off" I had pressure in my neck with any amount of walking...I also have a weird sensation in my abdomen...it was hard to bend over...just a discomfort...due to my liver. I didn't pay attention to it at first because I had just had a baby so I thought it was residual...but my liver was enlarged which is what tipped them off to a bunch of tests. I also was sent to a hematologist and found to have a vitamin deficiency which caused a clotting disorder...luckily it is reversed for me with vitamin replacement...but I was really worried about that for a while because I have a young brother who has had many strokes...
J...welcome! I will be thinking of you on Tues. Reading your story was a little like deja vu...I had the sheet soaking 6 week illness too and after that everything was just a little "off" I had pressure in my neck with any amount of walking...I also have a weird sensation in my abdomen...it was hard to bend over...just a discomfort...due to my liver. I didn't pay attention to it at first because I had just had a baby so I thought it was residual...but my liver was enlarged which is what tipped them off to a bunch of tests. I also was sent to a hematologist and found to have a vitamin deficiency which caused a clotting disorder...luckily it is reversed for me with vitamin replacement...but I was really worried about that for a while because I have a young brother who has had many strokes...
Anyway...enough of the details 2 days before your surgery...but our stories sound very similar. I will keep you in my prayers all day Tues...can't wait for this to be over for you...you won't believe it! Do you have pressure in your head...does it feel "full"? That was gone the minute I woke up...it was great. Good luck...you'll be on the other side of this soon!!!
Regarding tubes and pick lines...the neck line is just a needle and small tube...and was in for 3-4 days...my chest tubes were the last to come out...after 5 days. I celebrated every single tube getting out and absulutely hounded the nurses to get them out! The bladder cath comes out right away...and the temporary pacemaker comes out last with the tubes...So when you are walking laps around your unit...you carry your chest tubes, your EKG and push an IV pole :) It takes some coordination :)
Cathy...I worry about you!!!! Your a-fib sounds stressful...I'm glad you are taking it easy...keep that up! Sorry I've been out of touch. It seems if you don't post and just read...then you stop getting notifications...I was surprised at how much I missed...sorry!
I wrote letters to my kids before surgery...but it sounds like you've exceeded that with your journals...You'll know how much to share with them by the questions they ask. I'll pray for you guys.
I found what you guys were saying about beta blockers fascinating! They gave them to me twice and both times just knocked my on my butt...I felt just full of lead...it was horrible. They wanted me to keep taking them in the hospital and I refused. hy would they give those to me if it seems to be well known that they don't mix with CP? Makes me kind of mad now...
Anyway, very interesting to catch up on everyone...Teri...you rock...you encourage everyone and that is such a gift. Glad Betsy is doing so great so soon!!! It's great you have such great follow-up...I still haven't seen my surgeon or my cardiologist and it's almost 6 months! I'm not that thrilled with my follow-up care. Les...hang in there! J...good luck!!! Cathy...SOON!!!!
I'll check more often...I think about you guys and hope you are well...
Nan
Nan! I was hoping you'd drop in. I really enjoyed (I know that 'enjoyed' isn't really the right word...) reading your posts, because you've got a gift for describing things clearly.
And yeah---what, exactly, was that illness? What kind of virus from hell can do such a thing?
Re: the pressure in the head, I don't know if my head feels 'full' per se, but it does definitely feel sort of 'foggy.' And I don't have nearly the sort of neck distension that you and others have described. I can see my pulse along my neck, but it's not especially prominent or anything. But you say that feeling was gone, despite all the anesthesia and etc.?
You went to a hematologist too, eh? My trip was a *real treat*, because he promptly ordered up a bone marrow biopsy, which was prob. the most painful test I had to endure. It's over quickly at least, but it just plain feels wrong---like they're sucking out a piece of your soul.
I wonder if that temp. pace maker is de rigueur for everyone?
I can understand the logic behind why they prescribe beta blockers---to slow down a fast heart rate---but it just seems that that medicine would be interfering with the body's healthy reaction. The heart starts beating faster to *compensate* for the fact that the circulation is messed up.
Early on in my diagnosis, when my GP thought I might have CHF, he put me on lisinopril---an ACE inhibitor. Later, when I went to see my cardiologist for the first time, he threw a fit. "That's ridiculous!" he said, practically waving his fist in the air. He objected to prescribing a medicine like that without first clearly establishing a solid diagnosis....
Until later,
---Mister S.
Nan, it is soooo good to see ya back!! Hope all is going well in your part of the world?! Please don't take so long in between reading one post to another! lol
Hugs always, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
Hugs always, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
(((Mister S))),I'm in your corner tomorrow and we will all be awaiting to hear from you as soon as you are able!! 
I'd like to have all of ya'll stick around and help like Nan, Betsy, and Michelle (who we haven't heard from recently-Michelle?!) does, kind of the 'support center'. It is sooo needed here with this!!
You will definitely be kept in my thoughts and prayers, be well!!
Bunches of Hugs, Teri
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Hey everyone...
so interesting...after three years, I finally find out FOR SURE that the "shake and bake" was the cause of this, and that is the "pericarditis", not ONE doctor out of all the states I have visited would confirm that the FEVER I had at 19 was the cause of this, but, now its easy to tell that it was, without a doubt. I went from such extreme hot and cold for so many day's, I still to this day do not know how many days passed...I have never been so ill in my life before that, or since.
More importantly today....
{{{{{{{{MISTER S.}}}}}}}}}}}
You have a lot of prayers coming your way...I already know that you will be on my mind from the moment I wake up tomorrow, until YOU POST AGAIN. and since I can hardly sleep, it will surely start tonight. I will be staring at the clock all day tomorrow. You are so tough that people like you breeze though stuff like this, because you are so strong. Your going to kick butt and take names! Just please do not forget to post as soon as you can...even if its just to say what a crappy mood you are in, and don't feel like talking about anything. So much for the theory that men are babies,and women are stronger. I admire you so much, you have shown so much strength. I hope I can follow in your footsteps.
Les, Teri-bear, Nan and Pat and of course Mister S....thank you so much for the information..I always read what you all write to my family; and we hang on to every word you all say. I guess because I have been alone in this for three years, to hear what will happen, you all know more than all the doctor's I have spoke too, what a blessing this site has been to me....all i can say is God bless the internet!
Thanks for the info on the neck vein, I am insanely crazy about needing to know everything..when my son's were born early, and were in ICU, first thing I would do
is grab the chart. OH do they hate it when you touch the "scared chart", they act like
its private information that no one should see...I just find comfort in reading it for myself. They always say so much more in the chart then what comes out of their mouths.
The pressure in my head is crazy, but mostly when I lay down...same with the breathlessness...can't seem to catch a breath. The cardiogist put me on Rythmol a few days ago to control the atrial fib, it has helped, but I have felt so sick the last few days. I was given this years ago when they thought I just had two leaky valves..it made me so sick, I threw up all nite..enough details, but for now, my heart has beat pretty normal the last few days, but the chest pain has been INTENSE.
Teri, thanks for the info on the stents, I will pass that along to my stepmonster...
as far as the boy's...I have decided after reading what you all wrote; and thinking hard on it, that I will just lay it on them. Worst thing is not telling the truth; and someday them thinking I wasn't honest with them.
Well guys, I just do not even have the strength to type anymore...ha, your all clapping now..so I will cut this short today..I cracked UP when I read about relatives CALLING and wanting to TALK about THIS ENDLESSLY....I so can't deal with that either...you hear..hello..how is your heart today? And its like, can you just wait and talk about something else for a moment...you just want some normalcy. In all actuality the only ones I like discussing this is with YOU GUYS...you all can relate...all in the same spot at one time or another...no pity..just caring...advice...and details..extremely constructive. I have a "going away dinner planned for me on the 12th..it makes me freak when I see the pity, or the "sorry for me look" in their eyes....its the worst..
Mister you rock, and i can't wait to hear all the gorey details...I look forward to the day when I can pass it along to someone like me, waiting in the wings...I will be hangin on your every word...God bless you, and it sound like you are in great hands!!
To everyone else...thank you for being so good to me, your patience with all my questions and babbling is so appreciated...you all hand me a bit of courage daily.
Cathy
again....{{{{{hugs for Mister}}}}}}}}
oh yea..sorry one more thing...
NAN.......what about the pacemaker?? where does that go? I had not heard that before? I am counting the things going in and going out...and a pacemaker wasn't one of them...will i need that? They are scraping off 18mm's of calcification, and they are sayng the surgery will take over 12 hours...what does the pacemaker do? It it under the skin? First I had heard of this, so, had to know!! also, so good to have you back...we all missed you as you can see!! Cath
also, I have read about deep depression after cardiac surgery, have any of you experienced that?
Mister,
Fascinating... I posted earlier here, lately I regularly read your posts...
I was diagnosed with CP less than a year ago... my symptoms are somewhat similar to yours...
I'm "foggy" - not that I am "out of it" - but it seems to me that I think very slowly.... maybe lightheadedness.. also I am doing much worst in the morning, nausea..stb... by noon I'm a bit better.. Storri is right, people tell me that "I look good"... when I barely can walk...
My scar is in the 4-6mm range, uneven, not calcified yet... I'm a possible surgery candidate..
Also, I spent lots of time trying to figure out how did I get this... I also had fever, dry cough, chills for several weeks, my doctors concluded that I had TB in 2004 - although no TB culture was ever identified...!!! (The diagnosis was supported by the fact that I worked in Asia for awhile..and reacted well to TB medication.)
I'm starting to wonder if there is a "mystery bug" out there; I'm reading tons about PC and moore than half of the cases never identify the underlying reason for it...
By the way, I highly recommend "The Pericardium" by Ralph Shabetai (Amazon or Libraries have it) even I understood most of it...
Mister...!!! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow! Good luck! Did they give you that awful pink soap to wash with and some goop to put in your nose for antibiotic? I remember that the night before...I was just like...let's get this over with!!!
To all...the pacemaker is no big deal...a little wire in the lower stomach...two stitches to stay in...they say it is standard. It was not really uncomfortable but I was still glad to get it OUT!!
I forgot to comment on the relatives thing yesterday...I too did not tell a soul what was going on...just because I couldn't stand to talk about it all the time!!! My coworkers didn't even know until 5 weeks before surgery...it was easier to lead that "double life"...now I can't seem to stop talking about it :)
I'm like you Cathy...the more gory details the better...I was really comforted to know as much as possible before going in.
One thing I forgot to mention that is kind of funny...you might find this Mister...(are they doing a sternotomy on you?) ...men understandably get their chest shaved...but what I didn't know is they also shave your pubic area. They had given me a Xanex or something during prep so I was foggy...but when they started prepping me "down there" I lifted my head and I'm sure with some slurring said..."you guys do know I'm having HEART surgery right?" I totally cracked myself up...I still laugh about that. Maybe you had to be there but I was sure I was the funniest patient they had ever had :) So be prepared for that little treat :) Took me by surprise...
I'll be cheering for you!!!! Post as soon as you can! You'll be feeling better soon!
Nan
To all...the pacemaker is no big deal...a little wire in the lower stomach...two stitches to stay in...they say it is standard. It was not really uncomfortable but I was still glad to get it OUT!!
I forgot to comment on the relatives thing yesterday...I too did not tell a soul what was going on...just because I couldn't stand to talk about it all the time!!! My coworkers didn't even know until 5 weeks before surgery...it was easier to lead that "double life"...now I can't seem to stop talking about it :)
I'm like you Cathy...the more gory details the better...I was really comforted to know as much as possible before going in.
One thing I forgot to mention that is kind of funny...you might find this Mister...(are they doing a sternotomy on you?) ...men understandably get their chest shaved...but what I didn't know is they also shave your pubic area. They had given me a Xanex or something during prep so I was foggy...but when they started prepping me "down there" I lifted my head and I'm sure with some slurring said..."you guys do know I'm having HEART surgery right?" I totally cracked myself up...I still laugh about that. Maybe you had to be there but I was sure I was the funniest patient they had ever had :) So be prepared for that little treat :) Took me by surprise...
I'll be cheering for you!!!! Post as soon as you can! You'll be feeling better soon!
Nan
Teri-Bear?! lol
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
Mrozek, I know what you're talking about re "the foggy brain" syndrome! :) I get that, too when my Heart Failure starts up-like now-it sort of feels like you're in another zone and I, too, have been getting that light-headed/dizzy feeling. Sometimes, I think that can be from the B/P highs and lows, or even from the edema...
Nan, you rock!! I'm so glad you are here to lend your support and 'gory' details that Cathy loves to hear!! lol
Cathy, I love your long stories, they're the best!! Tell your boys that we all say Hi!!
Mister S, if you're still up and reading this...go to bed!! We'll all be praying and wishing for only the best for you!!
With Love and Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
Nan, you rock!! I'm so glad you are here to lend your support and 'gory' details that Cathy loves to hear!! lol
Cathy, I love your long stories, they're the best!! Tell your boys that we all say Hi!!
Mister S, if you're still up and reading this...go to bed!! We'll all be praying and wishing for only the best for you!!
With Love and Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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NAN!!!
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
first time I have laughed out loud in so long....you totally cracked me up...that is too too funny!!
thanks for the laugh! Cathy
Hi Gang:
Thanks for all the information. It really helps since the doctors don't have any actual experience themselves. They only know what they read and guess on their own.
I laughed when read about the prep Nan. When I had the bypass two years ago they shaved me from chin to toes. I'd had a beard since I got out of service and I was more worried about that than anything else. They weren't sure they could tape the trach tube down with the mustache and all but I told them to just tape over it. shucks, I had tape on my face for three weeks before I could get scissors behind it to cut it off. Also, you left out the part about the itch when that hair starts growing back. You friends are going to think you picked up some critters from all the scratching you'll be doing.
Storri: I had the neck tube too and I never knew it was there until I was able to look in the mirror. The only problem ones where the chest tubes because they were the size of sewer drain lines...or at least looked to be...but they weren't all that bad either. I had two of them in and never could remember not to step on them when I stood up. That eventually came with practice (and a few choice words) as did managing all the smaller ones and dragging the IV stand down the hall while the hospital visitors looked at me in horror. I'd just look back and tell them "Resistance is futile." I think I resembled one of the Borg at first but none of it was uncomfortable. When you add a heart monitor, the cath tube and the electrode pads, you look pretty impressive strolling along. You'll feel pretty impressive too because the problem will be gone.
All of you take care and I'll be pulling for Mister today. Later dudes and dudettes.
Les
Thanks for all the information. It really helps since the doctors don't have any actual experience themselves. They only know what they read and guess on their own.
I laughed when read about the prep Nan. When I had the bypass two years ago they shaved me from chin to toes. I'd had a beard since I got out of service and I was more worried about that than anything else. They weren't sure they could tape the trach tube down with the mustache and all but I told them to just tape over it. shucks, I had tape on my face for three weeks before I could get scissors behind it to cut it off. Also, you left out the part about the itch when that hair starts growing back. You friends are going to think you picked up some critters from all the scratching you'll be doing.
Storri: I had the neck tube too and I never knew it was there until I was able to look in the mirror. The only problem ones where the chest tubes because they were the size of sewer drain lines...or at least looked to be...but they weren't all that bad either. I had two of them in and never could remember not to step on them when I stood up. That eventually came with practice (and a few choice words) as did managing all the smaller ones and dragging the IV stand down the hall while the hospital visitors looked at me in horror. I'd just look back and tell them "Resistance is futile." I think I resembled one of the Borg at first but none of it was uncomfortable. When you add a heart monitor, the cath tube and the electrode pads, you look pretty impressive strolling along. You'll feel pretty impressive too because the problem will be gone.
All of you take care and I'll be pulling for Mister today. Later dudes and dudettes.
Les
Les, that was pretty descriptive :) and I think anyone would be prepared after that!! lol (A Borg?! haha)
You sound so chipper and I'm very glad to hear that-Please keep in touch!!
Mister, thinking of you, too and looks like you have a lot of fans here wishing and praying for a good outcome today!!
Big Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
You sound so chipper and I'm very glad to hear that-Please keep in touch!!
Mister, thinking of you, too and looks like you have a lot of fans here wishing and praying for a good outcome today!!
Big Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating:
:::::faint::::::
sewer drain lines....
::::thud::::::
oh boy, I guess I won't be asking for any mirrors in the near future while I am there.
They just upped all my meds, and I am sicker than a D O G.
The nausea has hit; and I am a bit green under the gills.
oh well, gonna get worse better it gets better.
If my ulcer decides to calm down, I will be a bit better.
I am 42, and feel like I am 142...I can't imagine what it will
be like to walk across a room and be able to breathe and talk
at the same time. Whoo hoo, what a treat that will be.
Thoughts and prayers are with Mister, thought about him all day...
Today is June one, so its offically twenty days away for me.
The big count down...
I am locked, loaded and ready...
maybe I will hit the salon and have a brazilain bikini wax before I
go...I don't want to have the "critter crawl"....
have a great day guys,
Cath
Hang in there Cath. I was exeragerating on the drain lines. None of it is bad and all of it is better than what you experience on a day to day basis now. Just think, afterwards you'll be 42, feel like you did when you were 22 and, with the bikini wax, look like you did when you were two. Less than three weeks and you're gonna be even better than new. It'll be spring time every day. You have friends out here pulling for you so keep us informed.
I'm still waiting on my call. I'm hoping it comes this week.
Hello to the rest of the gang.
Les
I'm still waiting on my call. I'm hoping it comes this week.
Hello to the rest of the gang.
Les
Good Morning Everyone! :)
Wishing Mister all the best and waiting for him to come home and let us all know how he did through this!!
Cathy, mirror, or no mirror, you are still the fairest in the land! :) Hope this ulcer and nausea settles down for you, I know it's just adding more discomfort to your wait!!
Les, 'waiting for the call'? They haven't set a date yet? That, too, must be keeping you on your toes! Best wishes to you, too.
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
Wishing Mister all the best and waiting for him to come home and let us all know how he did through this!!
Cathy, mirror, or no mirror, you are still the fairest in the land! :) Hope this ulcer and nausea settles down for you, I know it's just adding more discomfort to your wait!!
Les, 'waiting for the call'? They haven't set a date yet? That, too, must be keeping you on your toes! Best wishes to you, too.
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
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Alright...I keep thinking I'll figure out what LMAO is on Cathy's post before last...but I'm stumped...I'm not up on the lingo I know. But I give, could someone tell me?
Mister should be off the vent by now and snoozing comfortably :)
Talk to you all soon...
Nan
Mister should be off the vent by now and snoozing comfortably :)
Talk to you all soon...
Nan
Welllllll, it's Laughing my blank off...some people use LMBO :)
Ya'll are going to get me in trouble here...let's keep this all to ourselves...shhhhh
Nan, I don't know a whole lot either, but I do have a 17 yr. old daughter that keeps me on my toes! :)
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
Ya'll are going to get me in trouble here...let's keep this all to ourselves...shhhhh
Nan, I don't know a whole lot either, but I do have a 17 yr. old daughter that keeps me on my toes! :)
Hugs, Teri :)
"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas
"I Hope You Dance".............LeeAnn Womack
Please allow HealingWell to continue helping others by donating: