Category Archives: Malfunctioning heart valve

Just a little update…..

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Most of you are aware that my mother lives with us.We both love her to pieces, but she can be a handful. I will not deny when she makes biscuits, we both indulge. Mom has been wonderful helping around the house. There are certain things I love her assistance with and others I prefer to do myself. I want to be able to keep moving. When I slow down, I may not be able to speed up. I can barely keep up with Barry now.

Mom and I just hang back and watch Barry go and go and go……He has turned into the Energizer Bald Bunny with reading glasses. He is so cute.

We made a trip to Emory for a follow-up mammogram. Scheduled my thyroid scan for the first week in August. I will be radioactive for a bit, but hopefully they will get this taken care of and I can get a little rest. Barry and I both deserve it. Two other appointments on Monday.

To top our week off, I have pneumonia again. I have got to work on immune system. I can’t seem to shake feeling weak.

Pumphead

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In August 2013, my sweet husband passed out cold in our living room. In the process of falling, he struck his head on our front door and appeared to be having a seizure. Later we discovered the seizure-like activity was due to hitting his head. He had a concussion. The Cat scan showed he had swelling in the right lobe of the cerebrum. While I made sure he was safe, I got mom to call 911. The ambulance arrived and swept my sweetheart of to the hospital. We spent the next five months in and out of the hospital. Six months later, he is home, healthy and running circles around me. God is good! Numerous doctors tried to tell me that Barry would not survive. They did not know my hubby. Barry and I are strong-willed people and we do not give up easily. I was not about to let him give up! Once we settled into a routine,  I started to notice subtle differences in my sweety. At first, it put it off to what he had been. I then realized his body was full of medications floating around his body. He needed to flush his body with healthy food and fluids. His thought processes were slower. He lost his inhibitions. For the first few weeks, it was like I had married a seventeen year old boy trying to discover the world in 24 hours. It was hard to keep up with him. He is closer to normal now. When I had a chance to speak with his cardiologist,  he educated me on “pumphead”. The link below will go into more detail. I will miss the comical antics, but thrilled I am to have my Barry back. We spend our time in the kitchen discovering low-sodium dishes to keep us healthy. Mom lives with us. She needs the low – sodium dishes more than we do. http://www.heartdisease.about.com/cs/bypasssurgery/a/pumphead.htm

Echocardiogram Update

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echogram

 

Jill was with me when I saw my Cardiologist “Dr. B” a couple of weeks ago, and he said the echo looked good and in his words “you are cured”, I praise God for that comment.  As God is the only reason I am alive today.  He also said that doctors get what they call a “save” maybe once every seven to ten years,  he considers me as one of those statistics. Well I was so tickled that all the surgical repairs have held up,  “Dr.B” also mentioned that there was a time that the Doctors did not know what to do.

 

 

Echocardiogram

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I have difficulty with “the ease” cardiologist have when diagnosing heart conditions. The echocardiogram is done two different ways in today’s medical facilities.

Of course,  they know what they are looking for and how to find it. The actual sonogram of the heart is quite simple. As a woman, I am terrified of the sonogram.  The device has made a strange turn for women; you can compare the new procedure to the latest form of echocardiogram. As a patient, the versatility of the device amazes me. I am tickled pink there is a non-invasive procedure available to heart and other patients in need.

Barry had his second echo this am. He feels really good about the test. Now the wait is on for a call from the good Dr. C. He will be the man calling to pass the good news on to my Bear. We will not accept anything but good news. I feel good about the test as well. I have prayed daily that the good Lord is watching over us and that things will work. We both have faith. Thank you!

A recap of 2013 and it is behind us! On with a brighter, healthier year! Have a healthy, safe 2014 everyone!

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Photo taken Friday, December 27, 2013 at my sister’s house! Aren’t we lovely?

1/17- Jill’s genetic disorder confirmed
1/18- Jill referred to high risk breast center at Emory; 4th follow-up mammogram cleared from 2012
2/18-Pop in hospital after defibrillator went off at shop
2/20- lump discovered
2/21- mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy completed.MRI Scheduled.
2/28-core biopsy done, Pop home from Hospital
3/3- Barry retired to be home with me and due to stroke
3/4- DCIS diagnosis (breast cancer) received and surgery scheduled.
3/8-Pop back to hospital
3/15- surgery scheduled
3/18-Pop home
3/30-surgery, lump removed and margins cleaned
4/3- 9th wedding anniversary
4/15-2nd surgery, margins needed to be cleared
again
4/19- Pop back to hospital
4/20- spoke with hospice concerning Pop
4/30-3rd surgery, margins still not clear; Pop home from hospital
5/6-appointment with Medical Oncologist to discuss options.  Lab work to determine type of chemotherapy/radiation needed.
6/6- Port inserted for chemo, another surgery
6/7- Chemo started
6/28-Chemo
7/10- Barry stroke doctor
7/18-Jill appointment
7/19-Chemo
7/24-meeting with Hospice, Pop admitted to Hospice.
8/7-Barry passed out at home, to Eastside Mefical by Ambulance; admitted
8/8- overnight transferred to ICU and then transferred to Saint Joseph’s Hospital
8/9- last chemo
8/12-Pacemaker surgery
8/14- received phone call, 3 hours before Barry’s surgery, that my Father had passed away from Congestive Heart Failure. Valve replacement surgery and abscess clean-up
8/28-discharged home
9/9-admitted to Saint Joseph’s Hospital
9/20-discharged home
10/10-started radiation (M-F for 33 treatments)
10/11-radiation
10/14-radiation
10/14-admitted to Saint Joseph’s Hospital
10/15-radiation
10/16-radiation
10/17-radiation
10/18-radiation
10/21-radiation
10/22-radiation
10/23-radiation
10/24-radiation
10/25-radiation, discharged home
10/28-radiation
10/29-radiation
10/30-radiation
10/31-radiation
11/1-radiation
11/4-radiation
11/5-radiation
11/6-radiation
11/7-radiation
11/8-radiation
11/11-radiation
11/12-radiation
11/13-radiation, Barry admitted to Gwinnett Medical Center; after 3 days discharged. Got sick on the way home, taken to Northside Hospital ER. Transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital for admission (Jill’s birthday)
11/14-radiation
11/15-radiation
11/18-radiation
11/19-radiation
11/20-radiation
11/21-radiation
11/22-radition, discharged from hospital. Sent home for holiday to prepare for surgery before Christmas
11/25-radiation
11/26-radiation
11/27-radiation
11/28-radiation
11/29-radiation
12/1-radiation
12/2-radiation
12/3-radiation
12/4-radiation
12/5-last radiation treatment completed prior to Barry’s admission. Admitted to Saint Joseph’s Hospital in preparation for surgery on 12/9.
12/17-discharged home from the hospital after surgery.
12/19-Home Health following IV infusions to treat endocarditis

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What are they teaching in Medical and Nursing Schools these days?

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This admission was one pain in the rear after another! I’m not going to waste my time discussing the service and miscommunications that went on. The only thing that matters is we are home, nice and comfy getting into a routine of follow-ups. But I am starting to believe there will be no peace after this operation.

The home health agency is starting up now. But they are not going to stress me out either. I have had it with medical staff. So I am going to take care of Barry, better than he took care of me. He deserves the best!

Thank the dear Lord above, Barry is alive and healthy. The fluid was a bit slow to start coming off, but he has started dropping fluid like a leaky bucket at a watering hole. You know how kids grow so fast you can’t keep them in clothes, well….my Barry is doing the opposite. He is shrinking. I thought a large sweatpant would work, they look like ssomeone moved out of the rear of his sweats.

He at least has some color and is feeling better. The hospital issues are behind us. That is where they need to stay. Barry, Mom, Maggie and I are comfy and safe at home

Watching the strong get weaker one day at a time!

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This is turning into the hardest thing I have ever had to do. My sweet hubby is the strongest person I know on this earth and watching him grow weaker and weaker is killing me. My heart breaks a little more everyday.

I go through the scenarios about this illness and they do not help. Yes he can improve. I am well awarebof that! I just do not enjoy watching him feel so bad.

He is so weak, he can’t walk to the bathroom without getting short of breath. His legs and abdomen are so swollen you can hardly recognize him. He says he doesn’t hurt, but is just uncomfortable.

I have no doubt he is saved and going to heaven. That is not what my tears are for. My tears come from watching what this disease is doing to his body. I know the Good Lord has a plan and is watching over my sweeatheart. He is by my side as I take care of Barry.

If this procedure is what Bear needs to make him better, I pray that his kidney levels have improved and they can schefule it as soon as possible. If not, please give Bear the strength to accept the fact that they have to go into his chest s third time. He is scared and I cannot bkame him. The doctors have repeatedly told him all about the risk. It scares him to hear about it. It scares me too.

I feel like Barry is taking me through a trip down memory lane. We spent the weekend in his hometown. We took a million pictures of special places where he spent his childhood.  Is he trying to tell me something?

We are back, at least for the moment!

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In our earlier post, we stated we’d try to get a post in a week. Maybe more. According to how our day goes! Between radiation treatments, Barry’s doctors appointments and our energy levels; we are lucky to get anything posted. Have patience. I have taken pictures and written posts while sitting around the hospital. A lot of interesting things go on in local hospitals! Just wait……

Our September

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●get Barry home and comfy
●finish chemo
●setup radiation
●organize and get all medications (mine, Barry’s ans mom’s), make sure they take them
●coordinate with visiting nurses for home IV antiobiotics
●Coordinate my appointments, with Barry’s and momma’s
●arrange assistance with appointments
●get hospital bed for Barry
●Take Barry’s vital signs three times daily
●Keep dressing on pic line intact
●Take care of dog and cat
●make sure Barry tries to eat
●AM Care for hubby
●PM Care for Barry
●Dressing assistance when needed
●make sure he gets enough rest
●haircut regularly
●pay bills
●cook breaskfast, lunch snd supper
● do laundry when mom can help

I just wanted to see a list. Might I add that the calendar had no free days available by the first Saturday in September. Our new Jeep is getting quite a workout. It actually runs better since the repairs were made after I filled our new diesel with unleaded. What a Bonehead move to make.Have a great day everyone!

Our August

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  • My dad was on Hospice Care and not doing well. He had a nasty cold and with me on chemotherapy, I could not go see him. My immune system was too low.
  • The Eighth of August was the start of my nightmare month. While attempting to hook the computer to the television, Barry past out cold, hit his head on the front door and appeared to have a seizure.  I could not get 911 fast enough. He was admitted from the ER with an arrhythmia.
  • Two mornings later, I received a call from Barry letting me know they had moved him to ICU during the night and were now planning to transfer him to another hospital.  No hospital employee ever contacted me.
  • Once at the other hospital, he was admitted to their Cardiac Care Unit for close observation.
  • Within  2 days. he was having a pacemaker put in.
  • At my chemo treatment, it was discovered that I had a blood clot in axillary vein under my right arm. When I went in for my injection after chemo, the doctor felt I needed to go to the ER for evaluation. I was short of breath and had chest pain. At least I got to go to the ER at the hospital Barry was in. I was closer to him, although I couldn’t see him before or immediately after the pacemaker surgery. Our Pastor was the perfect substitute. He is such a gracious man.
  •  As it turned out, I had pneumonia, thank goodness the blood clot had not moved to my lungs.They wanted to admit me, but I wanted to be with Barry.
  • A fever, 103, kept me home for a few days
  • He was in bad shape and needed immediate heart surgery
  • I could not get there fast enough. I spent the night before with him.
  • I found out my dad passed away three hours before Barry’s surgery.
  • Our Pastor and an Associate stayed with me during his surgery.  They brought coffee and donuts.
  • I was driven home, after we saw Barry was stable, by my pastor that night. My fever had popped it’s ugly head up again.
  • Our Pastor and an Associate stayed with me during his surgery.  They brought coffee and donuts. It stayed with me for the next week.
  • Someone from the church, Jason W.  and our nephew, Derrek checked on Barry for me while I was out of commission. I was actually chewing on the front door wanting to get to the hospital.
  • Once my fever got out the door, I spent the next 4 days at the hospital and ended up being able to take my sweetheart home with me. 20 days after being admitted. I found out the surgery they did was a mercy surgery. Barry was close to death and almost died during the surgery.
  • I spent the weekend attending the funeral for my dad.
  • On the way home from the hospital, We stopped for gas. We have a diesel Jeep. The station we stopped at was making renovations and still had a diesel sticker on a now unleaded pump. Needless to say, I filled the Jeep with unleaded gas. We were stranded for 4 hours until a wrecker arrived. We arrived home at 11pm.

Is that enough to deal with or do you want more? This isn’t all. My poor pup was home taking care of mom and the house.

We would like to thank everyone that helped make it through this bad, bad month! We love you all!

Through the Grace of our Heavenly Father, we are both alive and kicking. Maybe a little grayer and a I know a lot tired. We are here! Thank you, Dear Lord!

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