Well and truly scared

jfkoc

with you tomorrow...please update when you can

-Judith

M1

Thanks judith, i will. Too much time to think about it. Overdid it today getting ready and paying for it. I've stayed away from MC to avoid any covid risk and that is not going well, she's agitated and refusing to shower. Exit seeking last night convinced "her animals" needed care. Darned if i do and darned if i don't.

Quilting brings calm

I’m sorry she’s agitated/ but you did the right thing. You don’t want things delayed by covid nor do you want to be sick with covid. I will be thinking about you tomorrow, post when you are able.

Is tomorrow a diagnostic type procedure, with further treatment to follow later?

ImMaggieMae

I will be thinking about you tomorrow. Take care of yourself and post here to let us know you’re ok.

JeriLynn66

As others, I will be thinking of you tomorrow and praying for both you and your partner.

Dio

May all good things come your way on Friday. Positive thinking brings positive outcomes!

Iris L.

Be strong, M1! My 91 year old neighbor just told me about her own heart surgery (getting stents in three arteries). She says she felt so much better after her recovery period, and she's glad she had it done. You will feel better too.

Iris

Joydean

Praying for the BEST for you tomorrow!! I couldn’t help but remember every times I’ve had to have some type of surgery I would end up working my buttie off , but I slept good that night!

Drapper

M1- you are in my prayers. You have been such a big help to all of us. We are all thinking of you.

MN Chickadee

Thinking of you today M1. Your partner and MC staff will get through this period one way or another; you have done what you can. Sending positive thoughts your way for a good outcome from your surgery.

GG06

M1, I'm thinking of you today too and hoping everything goes well for you. The advice and insight you've given me and everyone else on this site has been comforting and invaluable. As @Anna2022 wrote, "I really don't know you...," but even so, I'm sending you a big bear hug. Hope you're feeling it.

mommyandme (m&m)

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/191449#Comment_191449

I looked it up cause I was curious too:

“An arteriogram is a procedure that produces an image of your arteries. During the procedure, your doctor will use contrast material, or dye, and X-rays to observe the flow of blood through your arteries and note any blockages.”

So I’m guessing it’s diagnostic.

White Crane

Praying for you 🙏🏻

M1

Procedure over, results and optimal course still being debated. No critical coronary artery disease. That’s all I know so far…thank you for all the good wishes!

GothicGremlin

I'm glad there's no critical coronary artery disease!!

Continuing to send all good thoughts about everything going forward.

Anna2022

@M1 - Thinking of you today and hoping for the best today and in the coming days! Good information so far!!

Quilting brings calm

@M1 - that sounds like good news ( or at least the absence of additional bad news). Hopefully the optimal next steps are easier then you first thought.

jfkoc

Thanks for the update.... not medical so have decided that is good news!

Please keep telling yourself that you can not "fix" what is happening at the MC and keep your oxygen mask on tight.!!!

M1

Well...not sure what to say, which is a disappointing outcome, results were not definitive and so I am left in limbo, honestly it sounds like they are not sure what to do and that is almost worse..or perhaps it is just my frustrated frame of mind. The cardiologist was not definitive and said he'd have the pulmonologist call me. Pass the buck, holiday BS I think (beware getting sick between Thanksgiving and new Years). Screw it, I'm just going to try to relax and enjoy Christmas with the grandkids. I guess it's good news that they are not clearly recommending surgery, but I didn't get any explanation for the shortness of breath, and no plan as to how to proceed. It's not always good being a doc as patient, it's almost like they expect ME to decide what to do next.

Meanwhile I'm tired, i hurt, and they still won't let me do anything about my back. Gripey. What a crappy year it has been....

tetwoman

M1 - so sorry you are going through this. Last March I also had open heart surgery but my DH was and is still living at home. Setting up the logistics (what to do with the dog, the house, how to get to the hospital and home after discharge etc.) was difficult. I too live in a rural area 16 miles from a grocery store . My advice to you is the following: cook and freeze as many meals as you can. If you have the surgery, you may need visiting nurse service to come to check your wound. I had my surgery in NYC, but live 200 miles away in the mountains. The social worker couldn't figure out how to access the service in my county. I suggest that you call hospitals in your county, and ask them how to access visiting nurse service. Don't rely on the hospital you are going to. Get a list of car services that will come to you, and try to have someone stay in your house and take care of the dog. You will have one less thing on your mind if the dog is safe at home while you are in the hospital. After the surgery, do the breathing exercises as much and often as you can. Don't be surprised if you have insomnia, or experience psychological effects - messing with the heart has far reaching effects that the doctors don't mention or understand. I wish you the best of luck - maybe you won't need the surgery at all.

Fingers crossed ! I'll be watching for your posts.

Iris L.

M1, not having critical coronary artery disease is great news! Are you on oxygen? I have SOBOE, but I'm not on oxygen. My PFTs are inconclusive. I've been doing a bit better on Symbicort. You're right, take it easy now and enjoy the holiday and enjoy your family. Stress, pain and lack of sleep can cause a lot of medical problems.

Iris

Jo C.

So; here, there and nowhere - medical limbo! Comforting though that it is not the worst case cardiac scenario. Pulmonologist necessary.

Recently; within last month or so, I had abruptly exerienced onset of SOB with exertion out of nowhere it seemed. One day it abruptly became very, very difficult so off I went into the diagnostic whirlwind of multiple specialists, in hospital stay and tons and tons of blood and tests . . . . .

Cardiologist told me my heart is in excellent condition - no problem issue there whatsoever. So . . .

Pulmonary called into consult while I was in the hospital . . . more diagnostics and tons and tons of blood work taken each day ; some going to high speciality labs. NO SOB at rest, just when up and about . . . exertional . . .

Suddenly; there it was, so unexpectedly . . . Ideopathic Pulmnary Fibrosis! ????? What the dickens . .

No genetic family history; never smoked, not exposed to chemicals, absolutely no long term prescription meds in my life and none for years. What the heck . . .

What I have found after close, close examination of my life - what one thing or several things were "different."

Well; only thing was . . . I have had full complement of COVID Vaccines and Boosters . . . to my utter surprise, the literature is more and more indicating onset of Pulmonary Fibrosis after receiving COVID Vaccine (MAB); for some people . . . data slow coming in, but it is coming bit by bit more each week.

Who knows . . . .yet; this is the only single thing in my life that is different . . .

May not be, but it is a possibility for my situation; strange things happen in healthcare land.

So hoping your situation is going to be easily addressed; having Pulmonary step in is really importan and ensure he/she looks at EVERY possibility no matter how remote rather than trying to "make nice" one MD to another MD - this is important.

Okay; nuff of my stuff . . . am going to be thinking of you and imagining the delightful Christmas you will spend with those sweet granddaughters . . .

J.

White Crane

Dear M1, i’m sorry you’re having to go through this. It’s so hard when we want answers and they don’t come. I’m hoping you can relax and enjoy those grandkids and have a beautiful Christmas.

mrahope

Hi, M1,

I've got no answers, but know that enjoying your grandkids has to be a tonic for your spirit if not for your body. I hope you can set aside some of these things, even though I know that "limbo" is a very, very tough place to be.

Emily 123

That's a good attitude to have, M1. On the plus side you're home and you can do the holiday things. I hope your family spoils you rotten--you deserve it!

It's very frustrating when you want answers and a solution so you can plan. Sometimes being a physician can expedite testing, but there's a risk of everyone involved assuming the physician-patient is familiar with the procedures, results, and risks and benefits of any proposed treatments, forgetting how specialized medicine has become. They may skip some explanations or defer to you, waiting for you to weigh in. Push for clear communications. Maybe you're like me and write down any questions that you want to discuss as you think of them at home. Hopefully the pulmonologist will have a chance to review your results and get back with you this week.

Can your PCP offer you anything for your back to get you through the holidays?

ghphotog

Through all this I hope you still can relax your mind a bit and enjoy being with your grandkids. Best thoughts to you.

H

jfkoc

Almost off topic;

My non-medical mind has jumped to making a gingerbread house with your grand children. I wish I had done that. They are in their mid 20s now but may now be past the time when they would think it "not cool".

The 12 Best Gingerbread Kits of 2023, Tested & Reviewed (thespruceeats.com)

Anonymousjpl123

@M1 had no idea. I can only imagine how frustrating that must be. Especially if you are an MD - almost worse, the doctors probably think you either know everything already, or that you will be calling the shots. God I feel like that sometimes.

Anyway I hope it turns out ok, and that surgery or no surgery all goes smoothly. I also hope grandkids are a welcome distraction.

Right when my mom was moving I had a growth they didn’t like the look of on my lower back and they did emergency incisive biopsy. I had to wait for the results while moving my mom and thought well, if I have to go get chemo then visit my mom, that’s how it will go. It turned out to be benign but I just kept thinking how happy I was that I had the wherewithall to keep going to the doctor and taking care of myself in the midst of everything.

It’s really good you are too.

Mimi50

M1 so sorry that you are going through this. I hope you make full recovery.