Reirei's Profile
Mood:
Reirei is
on a quest
About Me:
Female, 49, Baltimore - MD, member since Mar 2008
I am married to a wonderful husband and my best friend. I have 2 children with 4 grandchildren and expecting a 5th in October. I have a step son with no children. I work as an Occupational Therapist in home health. I am a caregiver for my mother who lives with me....
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May 2008
May 02, 2008 09:24PM
- 0 comments
May 2, 2008
I went to the cardiologist yesterday, Dr. Steven Mason. He did an EKG and a thorough examinaation. After listening and answering many questions patiently, he recommended I repeat the stress test on the tread mill. If I am unable to complete the stress test then they will inject a subtance (d.........) to try and get my heart rate up. The only med that may interfer with my heart rate is the dialtzam, so I am to stop it the day before, the day of as well as the lasix the day of. This has been scheduled for May 21, 2008. He did not feel any follow up was necessary unless there is a problem by the stress test. After reviewing my echocardiogram from last year and this year as well as other tests, he did not think it necessary to complete catherization. This is a VERY good thing, one more thing has been ruled out.
Today has been a pretty good day since I have been able to be productive. The weather in the 70's and the humidity below 50%. SOB continues to be a factor, but rest breaks are mandatory and sometimes long. Sitting down sedentarily I am just fine. I am grateful to have no major aches, pains, muscle spasms, etc., but I fear this is going to be my every day life which is depressing. If my condition does not worsen or no new problems arise and this is as good as it gets, then I am anticipating going back to work next month. I have mixed emotions, but feel it is necessary for my family's future.
until next time.......good night.
May 5, 2008
Today, my doctor called me with the results from the blood tests. Everything seemed to be ok but my thyroid was high. Therefore, she increased the synthroid .25 mcg. Weather wise was a perfect day. The temp was in the 70's with the humidity below 30%. I have been very productive today cleaning the bathroom which took me 2 hours needing rest breaks because of the shortness of breath. Another thing I did, and the outcome was diappointing was to bring the trashcans up from the curb. Our drive way is about 50-75 ft from the curb with at least a 30 degree slope. Going down always seems to be easier, but coming back up can be a chore. In addition, the trashmen didn't take all the garbage. They left 4 bags which contained grass cuttings, etc. They were pretty heavy. Instead of leaving these bags by the curb for an entire week. I decided to put them in the trashcans, back by the side of the house for next week's pickup. I was able to complete the task, but by the time I walked back up the hill pulling a heavy trashcan I was huffing and puffing so hard that I had to sit and rest for a good 20-30 minutes before I was able to talk. I must admit this was VERY disappointing and led to an emotional period of tears. I was hoping that it would have been better .
At this point, I have a gut feeling that this is going to be the best it can be which is very depressing for me. I want my life back again. However, lack of a salary or disability income will soon be here and I must make a decision about work. My tolerance to physical tasks is ****, but I wonder if enough modifications can be made on the job that I can go back at least part of the time. My next MD appt. with Dr. Thakur this will be discussed and decided.
In the mean time for this month, I have a stress test and a consultation with the Thoracic surgeon, Dr. Neri Cohen. I also have a follow up with the dietician, and Dr. Moe. The diet is going good so far. I am down about 10 - 12 lbs which is really good. Unfortuately, I have not noticed any change in the shortness of breath as a result of the weight loss .
Until next time........good night!!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
These last 3 days has been dealing with my husband's issues. He had lap band surgery yesterday. The day before he had a filter put in for protection of blood clots. That took up half the day, yesterday took up the whole day at the hospital. Today, he is home and I've been dealing with his recovery.
Yesterday, we had to be at the hospital at 5 in the morning for prep, surgery, etc. Once he was admitted and taken to the OR, I went to the dining area and got something to eat. It was a little bit of a walk fortunately there were benches along the path and I rested as I needed to for the SOB. After he was out of recovery and back in his room. I was able to see him. After making sure he was OK, I walked back to the dining room for lunch. It was about 1'30-2"00 and I was hungry. I walked to the dining room with no rest and had to push myself. I got my lunch and sat for a good 20 minutes eating and resting and I hurried back to the room. Once again, I was out of breath and I grabbed the pulse Ox meter and it beeped loudly. The doctor was in the room and turned and went ballistic because he thought it was my husband's pulse Ox, but it was mine. It was below 80%. The next reading was 82%. Since he is my doctor too for the weight loss, I explained to him that this is what happens to me after exertion. Clearly he was very upset by these numbers. After listening to my account of what has been done and what is scheduled to be done, he assured me he would talk to my pulmonoligist with these numbers and insist on further testing. He even suggested maybe a lung biopsey needed to be done. I have to tell you, those words were very disturbing to me.
My husband's discharge papers were being written up, but I had to pick up medicine down at the pharmacy in the hospital before he could go home. I had another walk in the opposite direction to the pharmacy. I think this walk was longer than the dining room walk, and once again I got short of breath and rested as needed. However, I found the doctor's words "lung biopsy" haunting and several times, my eyes welled up with tears and I became emotionally hysterical. I could not stop thinking about all the what it's in my life. A lung biopsy meant they were looking for cancer. Little sleep + stressors of the last 2 days + words of "lung biopsy" = ME <----very hysterical. It was more than I could handle. At the same time, I felt ashamed and embarrassed to let my feelings over come me this day. The important thing was my husband going home from surgery. It was ALL I could do not to let him see me cry. I was grateful for his own problems which distracted him from being too attentive to me. He usually can detect the least littlest crack in my voice to know when something is wrong.
After I got him settled and resting, I went upstairs and had a very long cry. Then, I took a long nap using the Bipap machine and felt better when I had woke up.
Today, I also felt emotionally intact, but my body felt drained. I just rested and took it easy not doing anything of too much, just sewing and going to the store. I also found myself with little tolerance for other people's problems. Especially my daughter's who seems to have a crisis on her hands every single day with 2 kids, a husband, and one baby in the oven. I also had little tolerance for my father in law who checks in 2-3-4 times a day just to see "what's new". I was able to keep these feelings in tact, but I was very short with both of them which is unusal for me. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a much better day physically and emotionally.
Good night for now.............
Thursday, May 22, 2008
It's hard to believe that it's been 3 weeks since I have entered into this journal. Although up to now I've had little to report since my SOB has not changed and continues to be impacted by weather/humidity and sleep. The Bipap machine definitely has it's place and I can tell a big difference when I use the machine and when I don't. When I use the machine I simply feel tired and SOB at times. When I don't use the machine I feel tired, SOB, and feel the need for more sleep. I find myself more dependent on the machine for a good night's sleep and I find that it encourages me to sleep with my mouth opened. Both of these concern me, but if this is what I have to do to regain my life, so be it!
On May 16, 2008 I went to Dr. Moe and lost a total of 11.5 lbs which is really good and I am pleased with this progress. Unfortunately, progress has not been enough to see a difference in the SOB. Maybe next month will be even better. However, weight loss progress from last week to this week has been null-little. Maybe because my period is due?? constipation has been a factor?? need to eat more salads and veggies?? Need to be more active??
IDK (My daughter's term for I don't know), but something has to give soon. In talking to Dr. Moe, he states if he does surgery he would only consider the open surgery for the band. At this time, he is willing to continue the Phentermine for weight loss.
Dr. Moe also sent a note to the doctor I saw today, Dr. Neri Cohen, Thoracic Surgeon. I was VERY impressed with him during the examination and gave a thorough explanation of the role of the diaphram and when paralsysis of the diaphram happens when it is usually seen, but this is very rare. In addition, it happens when the chest wall is opened for open heart surgery. As a result of that procedure, usually the left diaphram is effected because the phenic nerve has been disturbed. Unlike my diaphram, the right is effected. He feels there is no involvement of the phrenic nerve, which is good. He does suspect, since this has occurred since gall bladder surgery that it's an acute problem that will clear, which is good too. Unfortunately, time is a factor that can only be considered at this time. In addition, weight loss and conditioning are 2 other factors that should be my focus and can only help improve my ability to complete physical tasks with minimal SOB.
Dr. Cohen also suggested 2 other alternative solutions that should be considered with care and not immediate 1) Diaphramic pacing - my understanding is like the heart has a pacemaker, the diaphram can be hooked up to a pacemaker of sorts. The machine will then send electrical pulses to the diaphragm to stimulate movement. However, this procedure has ONLY been used for spinal cord injured patients and he really feels this will be a last resort since in my condition would have other problems associated. 2) Diaphragmic plication in which the diaphragm is tacked down by sutures to keep it from rising. This, too, has it's own set of problems. For example, once the diaphragm is tacked down, it doesn't move. He is skeptical about tacking mine down since I do have "some" movement in the diaphragm. (just a centimeter or 2, but it's still movement).
His thought about how this happened seemed to be logical, although he was very clear this is simply a speculation since he has not seen the operative report, nor was he involved with this surgery. He suspects possibly, the infection from the gall bladder, OR bile leaking caused the diaphram to be inflammed/infected/traumatized whatever. He comes to this conclusion since I had NO previous problems with SOB before the surgery, and the ONLY thing acutely happened was this surgery, and ONLY since then I've had problems. Regardless of the etiology, here are his recommendations:
1) Get back to my normal life's routine.
2) Try to stay as active as possible, but rest when I need to rest.
3) Continue to strive with weight loss.
4) Increase my endurance with a conditioning program.
and
5) If this does not resolve, and Dr. Moe proceeds with the lap band surgery, then he will plan to be there to see if possibly the diaphragm can be pulled down with a possible modified diaphragm plication if needed. No follow up is needed at this time.
After I left his office, my main question is regarding his suspected account of the etiology. I should have asked him, if either of these 2 situations were present (bile leaking, OR gall bladder infection) if the course of treatment should have been with antibiotics. I'm sure I received some kind of antibiotic once I came from surgery, but I was only in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. I do know that I did NOT come home with any type of antibiotic. Maybe this question should be for Dr. Thakur my next visit (Wednesday, May 30, 2008 at 10 a.m.).
One other thing to report, I had a stress test via treadmill yesterday and was able to complete it on the treadmill. Of course, the techs there cannot give any explanation or results and it must be read by the doctor. I probably won't know the results until I meet with Dr. Thakur 5/30. I do know that my pulse Ox dropped to 84% after 3.5 minutes and my heart rate hit the target which I think is 134. I do not remember the BP.
My next plan is to prepare for return to work in June. I will probably start out 2-3 days a week and progress from there if I have no problems. I'm excited!!!!!!
Upcoming MD appointments: Dr. Thakur 5/30 @10:00
Dr. Schwartz 6/16 ?????
Dr. Moe's appointment was changed from 6/19 - 6/26/08 at 1:00. In addition, I will meet with the dietician at 1:30
I went to the cardiologist yesterday, Dr. Steven Mason. He did an EKG and a thorough examinaation. After listening and answering many questions patiently, he recommended I repeat the stress test on the tread mill. If I am unable to complete the stress test then they will inject a subtance (d.........) to try and get my heart rate up. The only med that may interfer with my heart rate is the dialtzam, so I am to stop it the day before, the day of as well as the lasix the day of. This has been scheduled for May 21, 2008. He did not feel any follow up was necessary unless there is a problem by the stress test. After reviewing my echocardiogram from last year and this year as well as other tests, he did not think it necessary to complete catherization. This is a VERY good thing, one more thing has been ruled out.
Today has been a pretty good day since I have been able to be productive. The weather in the 70's and the humidity below 50%. SOB continues to be a factor, but rest breaks are mandatory and sometimes long. Sitting down sedentarily I am just fine. I am grateful to have no major aches, pains, muscle spasms, etc., but I fear this is going to be my every day life which is depressing. If my condition does not worsen or no new problems arise and this is as good as it gets, then I am anticipating going back to work next month. I have mixed emotions, but feel it is necessary for my family's future.
until next time.......good night.
May 5, 2008
Today, my doctor called me with the results from the blood tests. Everything seemed to be ok but my thyroid was high. Therefore, she increased the synthroid .25 mcg. Weather wise was a perfect day. The temp was in the 70's with the humidity below 30%. I have been very productive today cleaning the bathroom which took me 2 hours needing rest breaks because of the shortness of breath. Another thing I did, and the outcome was diappointing was to bring the trashcans up from the curb. Our drive way is about 50-75 ft from the curb with at least a 30 degree slope. Going down always seems to be easier, but coming back up can be a chore. In addition, the trashmen didn't take all the garbage. They left 4 bags which contained grass cuttings, etc. They were pretty heavy. Instead of leaving these bags by the curb for an entire week. I decided to put them in the trashcans, back by the side of the house for next week's pickup. I was able to complete the task, but by the time I walked back up the hill pulling a heavy trashcan I was huffing and puffing so hard that I had to sit and rest for a good 20-30 minutes before I was able to talk. I must admit this was VERY disappointing and led to an emotional period of tears. I was hoping that it would have been better .
At this point, I have a gut feeling that this is going to be the best it can be which is very depressing for me. I want my life back again. However, lack of a salary or disability income will soon be here and I must make a decision about work. My tolerance to physical tasks is ****, but I wonder if enough modifications can be made on the job that I can go back at least part of the time. My next MD appt. with Dr. Thakur this will be discussed and decided.
In the mean time for this month, I have a stress test and a consultation with the Thoracic surgeon, Dr. Neri Cohen. I also have a follow up with the dietician, and Dr. Moe. The diet is going good so far. I am down about 10 - 12 lbs which is really good. Unfortuately, I have not noticed any change in the shortness of breath as a result of the weight loss .
Until next time........good night!!!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
These last 3 days has been dealing with my husband's issues. He had lap band surgery yesterday. The day before he had a filter put in for protection of blood clots. That took up half the day, yesterday took up the whole day at the hospital. Today, he is home and I've been dealing with his recovery.
Yesterday, we had to be at the hospital at 5 in the morning for prep, surgery, etc. Once he was admitted and taken to the OR, I went to the dining area and got something to eat. It was a little bit of a walk fortunately there were benches along the path and I rested as I needed to for the SOB. After he was out of recovery and back in his room. I was able to see him. After making sure he was OK, I walked back to the dining room for lunch. It was about 1'30-2"00 and I was hungry. I walked to the dining room with no rest and had to push myself. I got my lunch and sat for a good 20 minutes eating and resting and I hurried back to the room. Once again, I was out of breath and I grabbed the pulse Ox meter and it beeped loudly. The doctor was in the room and turned and went ballistic because he thought it was my husband's pulse Ox, but it was mine. It was below 80%. The next reading was 82%. Since he is my doctor too for the weight loss, I explained to him that this is what happens to me after exertion. Clearly he was very upset by these numbers. After listening to my account of what has been done and what is scheduled to be done, he assured me he would talk to my pulmonoligist with these numbers and insist on further testing. He even suggested maybe a lung biopsey needed to be done. I have to tell you, those words were very disturbing to me.
My husband's discharge papers were being written up, but I had to pick up medicine down at the pharmacy in the hospital before he could go home. I had another walk in the opposite direction to the pharmacy. I think this walk was longer than the dining room walk, and once again I got short of breath and rested as needed. However, I found the doctor's words "lung biopsy" haunting and several times, my eyes welled up with tears and I became emotionally hysterical. I could not stop thinking about all the what it's in my life. A lung biopsy meant they were looking for cancer. Little sleep + stressors of the last 2 days + words of "lung biopsy" = ME <----very hysterical. It was more than I could handle. At the same time, I felt ashamed and embarrassed to let my feelings over come me this day. The important thing was my husband going home from surgery. It was ALL I could do not to let him see me cry. I was grateful for his own problems which distracted him from being too attentive to me. He usually can detect the least littlest crack in my voice to know when something is wrong.
After I got him settled and resting, I went upstairs and had a very long cry. Then, I took a long nap using the Bipap machine and felt better when I had woke up.
Today, I also felt emotionally intact, but my body felt drained. I just rested and took it easy not doing anything of too much, just sewing and going to the store. I also found myself with little tolerance for other people's problems. Especially my daughter's who seems to have a crisis on her hands every single day with 2 kids, a husband, and one baby in the oven. I also had little tolerance for my father in law who checks in 2-3-4 times a day just to see "what's new". I was able to keep these feelings in tact, but I was very short with both of them which is unusal for me. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a much better day physically and emotionally.
Good night for now.............
Thursday, May 22, 2008
It's hard to believe that it's been 3 weeks since I have entered into this journal. Although up to now I've had little to report since my SOB has not changed and continues to be impacted by weather/humidity and sleep. The Bipap machine definitely has it's place and I can tell a big difference when I use the machine and when I don't. When I use the machine I simply feel tired and SOB at times. When I don't use the machine I feel tired, SOB, and feel the need for more sleep. I find myself more dependent on the machine for a good night's sleep and I find that it encourages me to sleep with my mouth opened. Both of these concern me, but if this is what I have to do to regain my life, so be it!
On May 16, 2008 I went to Dr. Moe and lost a total of 11.5 lbs which is really good and I am pleased with this progress. Unfortunately, progress has not been enough to see a difference in the SOB. Maybe next month will be even better. However, weight loss progress from last week to this week has been null-little. Maybe because my period is due?? constipation has been a factor?? need to eat more salads and veggies?? Need to be more active??
IDK (My daughter's term for I don't know), but something has to give soon. In talking to Dr. Moe, he states if he does surgery he would only consider the open surgery for the band. At this time, he is willing to continue the Phentermine for weight loss.
Dr. Moe also sent a note to the doctor I saw today, Dr. Neri Cohen, Thoracic Surgeon. I was VERY impressed with him during the examination and gave a thorough explanation of the role of the diaphram and when paralsysis of the diaphram happens when it is usually seen, but this is very rare. In addition, it happens when the chest wall is opened for open heart surgery. As a result of that procedure, usually the left diaphram is effected because the phenic nerve has been disturbed. Unlike my diaphram, the right is effected. He feels there is no involvement of the phrenic nerve, which is good. He does suspect, since this has occurred since gall bladder surgery that it's an acute problem that will clear, which is good too. Unfortunately, time is a factor that can only be considered at this time. In addition, weight loss and conditioning are 2 other factors that should be my focus and can only help improve my ability to complete physical tasks with minimal SOB.
Dr. Cohen also suggested 2 other alternative solutions that should be considered with care and not immediate 1) Diaphramic pacing - my understanding is like the heart has a pacemaker, the diaphram can be hooked up to a pacemaker of sorts. The machine will then send electrical pulses to the diaphragm to stimulate movement. However, this procedure has ONLY been used for spinal cord injured patients and he really feels this will be a last resort since in my condition would have other problems associated. 2) Diaphragmic plication in which the diaphragm is tacked down by sutures to keep it from rising. This, too, has it's own set of problems. For example, once the diaphragm is tacked down, it doesn't move. He is skeptical about tacking mine down since I do have "some" movement in the diaphragm. (just a centimeter or 2, but it's still movement).
His thought about how this happened seemed to be logical, although he was very clear this is simply a speculation since he has not seen the operative report, nor was he involved with this surgery. He suspects possibly, the infection from the gall bladder, OR bile leaking caused the diaphram to be inflammed/infected/traumatized whatever. He comes to this conclusion since I had NO previous problems with SOB before the surgery, and the ONLY thing acutely happened was this surgery, and ONLY since then I've had problems. Regardless of the etiology, here are his recommendations:
1) Get back to my normal life's routine.
2) Try to stay as active as possible, but rest when I need to rest.
3) Continue to strive with weight loss.
4) Increase my endurance with a conditioning program.
and
5) If this does not resolve, and Dr. Moe proceeds with the lap band surgery, then he will plan to be there to see if possibly the diaphragm can be pulled down with a possible modified diaphragm plication if needed. No follow up is needed at this time.
After I left his office, my main question is regarding his suspected account of the etiology. I should have asked him, if either of these 2 situations were present (bile leaking, OR gall bladder infection) if the course of treatment should have been with antibiotics. I'm sure I received some kind of antibiotic once I came from surgery, but I was only in the hospital for 2 days after surgery. I do know that I did NOT come home with any type of antibiotic. Maybe this question should be for Dr. Thakur my next visit (Wednesday, May 30, 2008 at 10 a.m.).
One other thing to report, I had a stress test via treadmill yesterday and was able to complete it on the treadmill. Of course, the techs there cannot give any explanation or results and it must be read by the doctor. I probably won't know the results until I meet with Dr. Thakur 5/30. I do know that my pulse Ox dropped to 84% after 3.5 minutes and my heart rate hit the target which I think is 134. I do not remember the BP.
My next plan is to prepare for return to work in June. I will probably start out 2-3 days a week and progress from there if I have no problems. I'm excited!!!!!!
Upcoming MD appointments: Dr. Thakur 5/30 @10:00
Dr. Schwartz 6/16 ?????
Dr. Moe's appointment was changed from 6/19 - 6/26/08 at 1:00. In addition, I will meet with the dietician at 1:30