(sung to the tune of "Tomorrow" from the hit Broadway show, "Annie")
The stents will go in
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
Dave is done
Just thinking about
Tomorrow
Makes him feel so happy that tomorrow
Is the one
(chorus)
Tomorrow, tomorrow
We'll leave here, but not tomorrow
But leaving's only 2 more days away.
Yes, I'm getting a little more slap-happy and goofy as the days wear on. I am blessed with an intellect that would've taken me through law school or med school or maybe even into space...instead I use it to rewrite show tunes and create crass poems for friends' birthdays.
As you've inferred from the above foolishness, Dave's second heart cath (with stent placement this time) is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 a.m. His kidneys are about as good as they're going to get, from the creatinine perspective. He has to drink this horrid medication called MucoMist to protect the kidneys from the contrast dye; it is apparently a cross between rotten eggs and cow manure. The nurses even apologize for having to give it to him.
Assuming the stent placement goes well, it is very likely he can go home on Friday, or Saturday morning at the latest. WOOOO HOOOO!!! Before they'll discharge him, though, he and I have to attend "Heart School" together. Apparently this is where they will indoctrinate him with the diet, exercise and medication regimen necessary for stabilization of his heart and kidney disease. I'm told I will also receive carte blanche authorization to nag the stew out of him whenever I feel he has gone astray. So that'll be fun.
Leaving shortly to pick up children from school then bring them back to the hospital for a visit with Dad. Then it's back home to hand out candy to neighborhood Spidermen, Batmen, Cinderellas, hippies and hobos. And to keep an eye out for any miscreants with eggs or toilet paper - my man may not be at the house right now, but actually I'm the one they should be scared of. I am one mean motorscooter. Just ask my kids.
31 October 2012
30 October 2012
Impatient In-patient
A wise friend once told me that it isn't a good idea to pray for patience. Unlike other prayer requests, prayers for patience aren't usually answered with a yes or a no. Instead, they are answered with ridiculously challenging opportunities to practice. God doesn't just strike you with patience...
The Mister was admitted through the emergency room last Wednesday, October 24th, six days ago. He has never been in the hospital for more than outpatient surgery or diagnostics, so he is becoming increasingly irritable and discouraged with each passing inpatient day.
I went out a while ago to cast my early vote for next Tuesday's election and to request an absentee ballot for him. When I returned, I got a surly "welcome back" and a smattering of curse words, amidst which he informed me that he will be here until at least Friday. The cardiologist stopped back by while I was out and explained that they cannot inject him with contrast dye two days in a row.
So regardless of whatever his creatinine looks like in the morning, the soonest they can do the stents will be Thursday. As previously mentioned, they will not discharge him until 24-48 hours after the stents have been placed.
We went for a little walk around the 5th floor, where he half-jokingly identified the locations of all emergency exits and the elevators. I'm thinking I should take his street clothes back home with me to discourage any attempt to escape. In the event that you come across a goateed, bare-bottomed man in socks and a blue hospital gown making his way towards the nearest Subway, give me a jingle.
The Mister was admitted through the emergency room last Wednesday, October 24th, six days ago. He has never been in the hospital for more than outpatient surgery or diagnostics, so he is becoming increasingly irritable and discouraged with each passing inpatient day.
I went out a while ago to cast my early vote for next Tuesday's election and to request an absentee ballot for him. When I returned, I got a surly "welcome back" and a smattering of curse words, amidst which he informed me that he will be here until at least Friday. The cardiologist stopped back by while I was out and explained that they cannot inject him with contrast dye two days in a row.
So regardless of whatever his creatinine looks like in the morning, the soonest they can do the stents will be Thursday. As previously mentioned, they will not discharge him until 24-48 hours after the stents have been placed.
We went for a little walk around the 5th floor, where he half-jokingly identified the locations of all emergency exits and the elevators. I'm thinking I should take his street clothes back home with me to discourage any attempt to escape. In the event that you come across a goateed, bare-bottomed man in socks and a blue hospital gown making his way towards the nearest Subway, give me a jingle.
Not So Good News.
A friend recently told me that, when you are waiting for a loved one who is having cardiac catheterization, you can project the general outcome by the amount of time you are left sitting in the family waiting room. The longer the wait, the greater the likelihood of a good outcome - it takes longer to give a fully confident opinion that there is little or no blockage.
The Mister went in at 7:50 a.m.
They came to get me at 8:20.
The good news is that the cardiologist was able to go in through the radial artery in his right wrist - no groin puncture, which is a bright shiny silver lining.
When they brought me back to the recovery area, the Mister was resting quietly but awake. We waited together for the cardiologist to come tell us his findings. I held my husband's hand for a few minutes, then noticed a restroom right across from his bedside. Having had two large cups of coffee to jumpstart my morning, I succumbed to the biological call and said, "I will be RIGHT back, do not talk to the doctor without me."
Ninety seconds later, I returned to the bedside, where the Mister informed me that the doctor had already come and gone. As my frustration mounted, he said, "yes, and he told me that I am in urgent need of custom intervention from Five Guys Burgers and Fries." It was then that I smacked him.
The cardiologist came shortly thereafter and gave us the not so good news. The Mister has cardiac disease throughout his heart, with two major areas of significant arterial blockage (one is 95% blocked, the other 80%). Because his kidneys are still underperforming, today's cath was limited to diagnostic purposes only - the cardiologist did not do any stenting because it would've required more dye than his kidneys could safely process today.
In other circumstances, a bypass would be a preferable option but because of his kidney issues and combined with the location of the blockages, the MD thinks that the stents in those two areas are the best option with a very high likelihood of successful restoration of open arterial flow.
Unfortunately, they cannot place the stents until his kidneys can flush today's round of contrast dye, then recover enough to process a larger quantity of dye so they can pinpoint where the stents should go. We would be most grateful if you praying types out there would pray for healing of his kidneys as well as his heart; he can't go home until 24-48 hours after the stents are placed, and they can't place the stents until his kidneys can handle the dye. Tomorrow will be one full week as an inpatient; while I may be disappointed, he is extremely discouraged.
In a half-hearted effort to practice what I preach, I am working hard to find some gratitude at the moment. But I am working on it...
1. My husband is alive and alert and loves his life and his family and his Savior.
2. There are things to do to help improve his other blockages (medicines, cardiac rehab, more weight loss).
3. Everything about Northside Forsyth Hospital is fantastic - nurses, doctors, room and facilities, housekeeping, food, parking...you name it, it has been awesome.
4. We have health insurance. (worth repeating frequently)
5. God is in charge, not me, and His plan for our lives is always perfect. You'd think I would be clear on that fact by now.
He respectfully and lovingly asks that we keep visitors and calls to a minimum today and tomorrow; he knows how very much his friends love him, and it is absolutely not because he doesn't want to see anyone. But he is very tired and doesn't feel particularly well.
I may well blog again this afternoon just to purge some of the gunk in my own head at the moment but am signing off for now. Thanks again for your prayers and affection.
The Mister went in at 7:50 a.m.
They came to get me at 8:20.
The good news is that the cardiologist was able to go in through the radial artery in his right wrist - no groin puncture, which is a bright shiny silver lining.
When they brought me back to the recovery area, the Mister was resting quietly but awake. We waited together for the cardiologist to come tell us his findings. I held my husband's hand for a few minutes, then noticed a restroom right across from his bedside. Having had two large cups of coffee to jumpstart my morning, I succumbed to the biological call and said, "I will be RIGHT back, do not talk to the doctor without me."
Ninety seconds later, I returned to the bedside, where the Mister informed me that the doctor had already come and gone. As my frustration mounted, he said, "yes, and he told me that I am in urgent need of custom intervention from Five Guys Burgers and Fries." It was then that I smacked him.
The cardiologist came shortly thereafter and gave us the not so good news. The Mister has cardiac disease throughout his heart, with two major areas of significant arterial blockage (one is 95% blocked, the other 80%). Because his kidneys are still underperforming, today's cath was limited to diagnostic purposes only - the cardiologist did not do any stenting because it would've required more dye than his kidneys could safely process today.
In other circumstances, a bypass would be a preferable option but because of his kidney issues and combined with the location of the blockages, the MD thinks that the stents in those two areas are the best option with a very high likelihood of successful restoration of open arterial flow.
Unfortunately, they cannot place the stents until his kidneys can flush today's round of contrast dye, then recover enough to process a larger quantity of dye so they can pinpoint where the stents should go. We would be most grateful if you praying types out there would pray for healing of his kidneys as well as his heart; he can't go home until 24-48 hours after the stents are placed, and they can't place the stents until his kidneys can handle the dye. Tomorrow will be one full week as an inpatient; while I may be disappointed, he is extremely discouraged.
In a half-hearted effort to practice what I preach, I am working hard to find some gratitude at the moment. But I am working on it...
1. My husband is alive and alert and loves his life and his family and his Savior.
2. There are things to do to help improve his other blockages (medicines, cardiac rehab, more weight loss).
3. Everything about Northside Forsyth Hospital is fantastic - nurses, doctors, room and facilities, housekeeping, food, parking...you name it, it has been awesome.
4. We have health insurance. (worth repeating frequently)
5. God is in charge, not me, and His plan for our lives is always perfect. You'd think I would be clear on that fact by now.
He respectfully and lovingly asks that we keep visitors and calls to a minimum today and tomorrow; he knows how very much his friends love him, and it is absolutely not because he doesn't want to see anyone. But he is very tired and doesn't feel particularly well.
I may well blog again this afternoon just to purge some of the gunk in my own head at the moment but am signing off for now. Thanks again for your prayers and affection.
Houston, We Have A Problem
It may not be a big problem, but it's a tad unnerving to say the least.
The Mister's creatinine went up last night (2.3 from yesterday's 2), meaning that his kidneys may have problems processing the contrast dye necessary to do the heart catheterization this morning.
However, the cardiologist and nephrologist decided to move forward with the diagnostic element of the heart cath. They will use a very light amount of dye in order to evaluate the location and degree of blockage, but they are not going to do anything in the way of angioplasty/stent today. Today's procedure is diagnostic only; in order to do any repair work, it would require more contrast dye than his kidneys could handle.
To say he is disappointed is an understatement. He was expecting to go home later today or tomorrow; the cardiologist reset his expectations to be at least 48 hours, depending on what they find. He did say that, if they find nothing at all, then he could possibly go home tomorrow, but he felt that was highly unlikely.
Those who know him will agree that the Mister is one hairy bear, and they had to shave a good portion of his arm and groin (not sure which they will use for the cath entry). Grump factor escalated to DEFCON 3. Yet he didn't seem scared when they took him back; quite frankly, he appeared more concerned about my impending flood of tears. Somehow or another I manage to make every doggone situation all about me. Selfish.
I'm in the family waiting area as I write this; my dad is on his way from Knoxville to wait with me, which is a pretty good egg thing to do. I could use a little company right about now.
Will follow up with an update after the procedure. Prayers appreciated.
The Mister's creatinine went up last night (2.3 from yesterday's 2), meaning that his kidneys may have problems processing the contrast dye necessary to do the heart catheterization this morning.
However, the cardiologist and nephrologist decided to move forward with the diagnostic element of the heart cath. They will use a very light amount of dye in order to evaluate the location and degree of blockage, but they are not going to do anything in the way of angioplasty/stent today. Today's procedure is diagnostic only; in order to do any repair work, it would require more contrast dye than his kidneys could handle.
To say he is disappointed is an understatement. He was expecting to go home later today or tomorrow; the cardiologist reset his expectations to be at least 48 hours, depending on what they find. He did say that, if they find nothing at all, then he could possibly go home tomorrow, but he felt that was highly unlikely.
Those who know him will agree that the Mister is one hairy bear, and they had to shave a good portion of his arm and groin (not sure which they will use for the cath entry). Grump factor escalated to DEFCON 3. Yet he didn't seem scared when they took him back; quite frankly, he appeared more concerned about my impending flood of tears. Somehow or another I manage to make every doggone situation all about me. Selfish.
I'm in the family waiting area as I write this; my dad is on his way from Knoxville to wait with me, which is a pretty good egg thing to do. I could use a little company right about now.
Will follow up with an update after the procedure. Prayers appreciated.
29 October 2012
No-Go. Rats and Phooey.
Good news and less good news.
The good news is that the Mister's creatinine level has fallen again today (which is a very good thing); this morning he is at a 2. The goal was to get him down to a 2 before the physicians felt it was safe enough to move forward with heart catheterization.
The less good news: both the cardiologist and nephrologist agree that, since he does not seem to be in immediate danger of another heart event, they are going to wait another day to do the heart cath. If his creatinine has been decreasing every day, then it stands to reason that it will probably stabilize at 2 or maybe even go down again tomorrow. The thinking is that if it's safe today, then it should be even safer tomorrow. Last thing he needs is to mess up his kidneys while they're trying to fix his heart.
But the discouragement in this room right now is palpable - this being his sixth day in the hospital. He has never been an inpatient before (well, except a pneumonia stay when he was a baby), and he is beyond ready to go home.
The kids and I are ready for him to come home too - the three of us have concluded that I would be a disastrous single mother. The Mister spoils me with hot and regular meals, clean laundry, balanced checkbook, lawn mowed, lightbulbs changed, homework done, discipline doled out...while I'd like to think that I haven't taken him for granted, I'm getting a crash course in understanding how much that I have done just that - for years.
Not kicking myself too hard - my contributions to the health and operations of our household are also of value - but I have a new appreciation for all that he does to keep us solvent and hygienic.
With the cardiologist's blessing, today we are going for a walk around the 5th floor both for a little exercise as well as a change of scenery. There is only so much t.v. a person can watch before they go completely crazy.
More news and/or general blather forthcoming. TTFN.
The good news is that the Mister's creatinine level has fallen again today (which is a very good thing); this morning he is at a 2. The goal was to get him down to a 2 before the physicians felt it was safe enough to move forward with heart catheterization.
The less good news: both the cardiologist and nephrologist agree that, since he does not seem to be in immediate danger of another heart event, they are going to wait another day to do the heart cath. If his creatinine has been decreasing every day, then it stands to reason that it will probably stabilize at 2 or maybe even go down again tomorrow. The thinking is that if it's safe today, then it should be even safer tomorrow. Last thing he needs is to mess up his kidneys while they're trying to fix his heart.
But the discouragement in this room right now is palpable - this being his sixth day in the hospital. He has never been an inpatient before (well, except a pneumonia stay when he was a baby), and he is beyond ready to go home.
The kids and I are ready for him to come home too - the three of us have concluded that I would be a disastrous single mother. The Mister spoils me with hot and regular meals, clean laundry, balanced checkbook, lawn mowed, lightbulbs changed, homework done, discipline doled out...while I'd like to think that I haven't taken him for granted, I'm getting a crash course in understanding how much that I have done just that - for years.
Not kicking myself too hard - my contributions to the health and operations of our household are also of value - but I have a new appreciation for all that he does to keep us solvent and hygienic.
With the cardiologist's blessing, today we are going for a walk around the 5th floor both for a little exercise as well as a change of scenery. There is only so much t.v. a person can watch before they go completely crazy.
More news and/or general blather forthcoming. TTFN.
28 October 2012
Go / No-go...We're a GO!
It's a GO; Dave's cardiac catheterization is going to happen tomorrow. The cardiologist and nephrologist agree that he's probably not going to go a whole lot lower than 2.3 or 2.2 (especially since he was at 1.9 a couple of months ago), and it's becoming more important to find out what's going on with my sweetheart's heart.
Apparently cardiologists like to stay nimble from the scheduling perspective. I need to know what time the procedure will occur so I can be sure to pack the kids off to school and get to the hospital. Just like Comcast or Ashley Furniture, it will be sometime between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
As soon as I know, you'll know. Let's plan on praying for him the whole day, just to be safe...
Apparently cardiologists like to stay nimble from the scheduling perspective. I need to know what time the procedure will occur so I can be sure to pack the kids off to school and get to the hospital. Just like Comcast or Ashley Furniture, it will be sometime between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
As soon as I know, you'll know. Let's plan on praying for him the whole day, just to be safe...
Big News from the Front Lines
This just in:
The Mister's creatinine level is
2.3
this morning, down from 2.8 yesterday! Praise the LORD!
Heart catheterization tomorrow we hope. Sounds kind of funny to be excited about somebody running a camera wire up through his artery, but what can I say. We're twisted, even on a good day.
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