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Off topic....but you guys have such strong powers....
 |
Apr 17, 2013 - 12:35 pm
My beau of 22 years is not doing well. He was dx'ed in 1980 with heart problems that, over the years, have come and gone...always knew a day was coming when there would be a big event.... While we were on the cruise the end of February, he slowed down, barely making the tour of Jerusalem. He was short of breath, and his abdomen was distended. He was always cold, and skin itched. Those of you with liver problems are already nodding, I know...and many of the meds to keep his heart going cause liver damage... Last Friday he was in the hospital to have fluid removed from his abdomen....they took almost a gallon! He felt immediately better, shedding 20 pounds in 2 days, and was breathing much better (the fluid was pressing on his lungs). We thought it was a one-time thing, but when we saw the cardiologist, he said it was the beginning of something new...and that we needed to do more to find what was going on.... We are both nervous (read frightened) about what this new development is, and truely as of last night (4 days after the 'tapping'), he feels the fluid building again... If you could spare a prayer, we are hoping that there is a simple answer...he has been thru 5 procedures and 3 surgeries (one to implant a pacemaker) since I was dx'ed with my cancers. We are worried that this is cancer...
Hugs, in advance!!! Kathi |
Joined: Oct 2010
We are sending our thoughts
We are sending our thoughts and prayers for an answer and solution for your husband. We are saying prayers for you to have a complete remission.
Best Always, mike
PS That was really neat placing all the names in Israel! Thanks Again!
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dear Mike!
I'm good...we just need to get him stable again...
And I felt honored to do the Israel journey for all of you!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Jun 2009
Sorry, Kathi:(
But, I think you've already stumbled on the answer yourself....it doesn't sound like cancer to me.
You've already hinted at it....he's been fighting heart problems for 33-years....it sounds like it has not been an easy ride. The cold you described makes me wonder how much blood his heart is pumping to his extremities? Inadequate bloodflow can equal an internal body coldness is the way that I understand it.
It really sounds to me like this could be the beginning of congestive heart failure...
I'm sure that testing and or catherization of the area will help to reveal the anomalies he is experiencing. There is some type of dye or stain that they inject during a stress test that can show partial or full blockages etc. Hopefully, the answer will be found with some testing.
With that much fluid on the lung, no wonder he was in pain....on my last surgery, the tumor was so large it had embedded itslef into my chest cavity very close to the spine and was cutting off my breathing too. I was severely out of breath and gasping and bent over at the waist in pain.
Not the same thing....but I get a feel for what you are saying. Wish I had powers, but I don't.
Best wishes going forward!
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dearest!
Yes, he was dx'ed with restrictive cardiomyopathy back then in 1980.
And, in 2004 (the year I was dx'ed), the diagnosis was changed to congestive heart failure. I don't speak much about it here, because all of you have so many other things to worry about, but we have been through it with strong support from so many sources...
This time, the echo showed increased fluid around the heart. We are to see a specialist at Loma Linda Med Center (just down the street *smile*) about possible surgery to cut a 'window' in the heart covering to allow fluid to drain off....
I felt like I was in another world during that discussion...one worry is to choose the best procedure to 'keep him with the strongest possibility of receiving a heart when the time comes"....sigh....
Thank you for your kindness, my dearest gentleman cowboy...
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Sep 2012
Hi Kathi Your comment at the
Hi Kathi
Your comment at the end completely surprised me. I was not thinking cancer at all. I'm thinking a heart related complication. Hopefully one that can be easily solved. I really don't think it's cancer. Keep us updated.
Good luck
Chelsea
Joined: Aug 2005
I hope you are right, Chelsea....
One side effect of pancreatic cancer...and can also be from other abdominal cancers...
But, you are right, it is not a common one....
He has a GREAT cardiologist, I think he is more worried than we are...we have not only a patient relationship, but my beau being a physician himself he has a professional friendship with him for years...
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Nov 2001
G'day Kath
I have often woken up in the past twelve months unable to breathe. It is a scary feeling. I had a chest scan that showed my heart was at the max of normal size and fluid around my heart and lungs. The dx was congestive heart failure and pulmonary odeema. I have since had an echo cardiograph that shows some thickening of the heart wall. This was followed by a stress test that showed veb's ,ventricular ectopic beats. When I take my pulse I miss about every third beat. My problems are not helped by the loss of 4 gramms of protein a day thru my kidneys. None of my doctors really wants to deal with anything as they suspect it is all as a result of long term toxcicity from the chemo I had.
I understand what you are going thru and you both have my best wishes,Ron..
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, Ron!
It's good to know even with all your problems, you are still alive and kicking!!!
I am honored to call you friend!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Oct 2010
CAM intro
Kathi, if you want to try an alternative regimen for several weeks, you might want to read this article and compare notes with a naturopath or alternatives oriented MD. I usually do not buy supplements at LEF, $$$, but sometimes.
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you for the info!!!
At this point, I will do any and all research!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Jan 2010
Dearest Kathi
I am so very sorry to hear that your beau is having such difficulties. Is the fact that you are both in US now causing any difficulties with the docs?
You and he both have all the prayers and good thoughts possible that a solution can be found soonest and that you both can settle in to an easy time.
Hugs and love,
Marie who loves kitties
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dearest!
We are happy to be back...Loma Linda Med Center is close by, and our cardiologist has all the background info, so it's good.
BIG hugs, Kathi
Joined: Mar 2013
Prayers are coming from Chicago......
And hoping for simple answers and good results. ~Ann
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you for the kind words, dearheart!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Apr 2010
Every
Good vibe I have in me, and every prayer sent your and your beau's way.
Hugs back at you,
Winter Marie
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dearest Winter!!!
We are hoping for the best....
Hugs, kathi
Joined: Apr 2009
Oh, Kathi
I'm so sorry. I started to logoff and saw your post. I hope so much they can solve this new problem. Is he currently on Lasix? It is part of my hubby's regimen, but there have been many times in the last eight years that he has been hospitalized for IV Lasix to eliminate fluid and ease breathing. Even though he also has a pacemaker/defib & a stent, the ol' heart just doesn't pump hard enough. My hubby is not a candidate for a heart transplant due to diabetes and now cancer, but I hope your beau is.
I'll be thinking of you & I am chastizing you for not telling us sooner. We are family.
Luv,
Wolfen
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dearest, for your kind words!!!
As a fellow caregiver for a heart patient, you know the drill.....it's not an 'if' it gets worse, it's a 'when'.....
At the point 2 years ago that he had his 4th (and final, as far as I'm concerned!) ablation (the hospital over medicated, and he stopped breathing for 3 minutes...lost all short term memory for 3 months, and all memory for 2 weeks), his implanted defib device was 'turned on' to being a full-time pacemaker. It went well since, until now...
He is on Lasix, but even a strong dose (recommended by his doctor in The Netherlands) really didn't work as well as we had hoped...so, upon coming back to The States, his cardiologist first tried another, stronger diuretic (can't remember the name), and then when that didn't work, went to the tap...
I really didn't feel I wanted to bother everyone here with our troubles...they are not on topic, after all, but I am REALLY getting frightened, and so I turned to my family...selfish, I know...but I was scolded by another German friend when I told her...she said the same as you...
Thank you, darling, for your warm thoughts....we will see what the next step is...it may be that our trip to Israel (thank GOODNESS we were able to take it, it was at the top of his list of places to see!!) will be our last....but we have made many, many memories!!!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: May 2008
Sending
good vibes, aww i hooe he feels better soon
michelle
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dear Michelle!
Your good vibes mean alot!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Mar 2012
oh my dear Kathy
So sorry you didn't get better news and plans now you are back home. Thinking of you both and sending all the best wishes and an extra warm special hug to you. Wish I could do more. Will be back online on sunday when we are back from Strasbourg. The Hotel web is not the best. Keep going! Your fried Petra (saw the typo but it made me smile so I left it)
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, darling!!!!
Have a great time in Strasbourg!!!! We are here when you return!!
BIG hugs, Kathi
Joined: Feb 2009
Prayers
Prayers on the way. I'm sorry that he is going through all this, and you too. Praying that it will be easily resolved and he feels better soon. Please keep us updated.
Hugs! Kim
Joined: Aug 2010
Ooohhhhh! Kathi feel sorry to be so late !
But lately I'm not very often in the forum! Please send him a big hug from my part! He is such a nice, friendly ,kind and polite people! I have the best memories about you both during your visit to BCN! I pray for a fast recovery and to can see you again in your next cruise ( I'm sure about) boarding in BCN.
Big hugs to both.
Joined: Apr 2011
So familiar
dear Kathi,
i so know what you are going through, I lived it with mmy husband for 30 years. Hear attacks, strokes and amputation.
heartvalve replacement etc. He kept on going and we had some nice trips and memories.
enjoy every moment together and hope for recovery and more trips in the future. Hope and positive thinking is all you can do.
vergeet niet ook voor je zelf te zorgen. You are on my prayer list,
hugs, Marjan
Joined: Aug 2005
Ik zal dat doen, liefste!
Thank you for your prayers....
And, you are correct....we live each day more from his health than from mine...which, thankfully, I am keeping in very good health and strong (I have to now do all of the lifting of suitcases, etc...*smile*)!!!
Knuffels, Kathi
Joined: Aug 2005
Thank you, dearest Kim!
Sadly, we are playing the waiting game....his belly is slowly filling again...sigh...BUT we see his cardiologist on Monday....
I will keep you posted!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Joined: Jan 2009
Kathi
Kathi,
I am sending you hugs, love and prayer. I hope they can find out what is causing the fluid build up and that there is an easy solution.
Aloha,
Kathleen