I went into the ER back in mid june with congestive heart failure, that in itself was an interesting experience because I initially thought I had a bad case of bronchitus that had been hanging on for the past month. After the initial diagnosis was finally made in the ER I was seen by a Cardiologist that ran tests and then sent me to another specialist to discuss implanting a difibulator. At the meeting to discuss the difibulator the doctor noted that they usually installed them in patients whose capacity was at or below 30% and since I was at 50% then we needed to wait and see if there was an improvement or decline in my hearts ability to pump.
I had an appointment yesterday with my regular Cardiologist and he called today with the test results. There had been an improvement but it was negligble, initially I was at 15% and am currently at 18%! Somewhere along the line there was a miscommunication, I was not aware myself that I was at 15%, I had never heard an exact number discussed and the specialist I saw about the difibulator acted like I was not that bad so I thought no worries. My regular cardiologist had told me that I would be unable to work and that I had to severly limit my physical activity but I had not really heard the numbers and have been worried but was still thinking he was being overly cautious.
I will be making another appointment with the specialist concerning the difibulator, meanwhile my girlfriend is freaking out since I was trying to detail the car yesterday after the echocardiogram. Oh well I guess everybody will be on the same page now, gonna call to make that appointment now.

------------------
Don't take life too seriously -- you'll never get out if it alive.

At 18%, I would try NOT to strain yourself too much.

Did the doc tell you to do anything to help strengthen your heart(increase capacity)? Anything to eat?

Sorry to hear you're sick.

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 09-26-2006).]

DAMN.... I am sorry to hear that.....


You don't smoke do you?

If so, you gotta stop....

Just try and take it easy and take care of yourself.

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: At 18%, I would try NOT to strain yourself too much. Did the doc tell you to do anything to help strengthen your heart(increase capacity)? Anything to eat? Sorry to hear you're sick.

I've been on Coreg, Lasix, Altace, potasium, magnesium, and aspirin for the past three months. I just finished up with two weeks of antibiotics for a bout of pneumonia. I assume by what the doctor has told me that I am on the waiting list for a heart and the steps they are taking now are to insure that I make it till one comes available.

Fifteen and fifty sound similar, but they sure don't look similar! Not sure how such a miscommunication could have occured. Glad nothing happened to you before you got the correct results. Hopefully you'll get the help you need soon.

quote Originally posted by intlcutlass: DAMN.... I am sorry to hear that..... You don't smoke do you? If so, you gotta stop.... Just try and take it easy and take care of yourself.

Yep a smoker, but the doctor said that it would not make any difference at this point although I would have to quit prior to a transplant. The main concern was alcohol and I have had no problems dropping it, over three months without a drink or even the urge to do so. I think one of the reasons he did not push me to quit smoking immediatly was because of the fact that I was dropping the worser of two evils and did not want to cause any additional strain by trying to drop the drinking and smoking at the same time. My lungs look fine other than the pneumonia that just went through the house, there are no blockages in the arteries of the heart, it appears that I have just worn out the heart muscle itself. Only a small portion of the muscle is still working and it isn't enough to open and close the valves properly, the valves just sort of flutter. I have the video from the cath lab, it's wild to watch. My younger brother is a cath tech and I should have known how bad it was by the look on his face, he was allowed in the lab when they performed the procedure (he actually had worked in that particular hospital before and most of the doctors and technicians knew him).
One of the first questions they asked me when this all started was do you do meth or cocaine and those two items are not even on my menu. Told my cardiologist I might partake of the herb every now and then and he informed me that it was not an issue and to feel free to continue LOL!

Well I hope things can get worked and you can get your heart working again. Keep me updated.

------------------

Just take care of yourself, David.

I would think that buffing the car would be way down the list...

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Just take care of yourself, David. I would think that buffing the car would be way down the list...

You would think...................
Kelly has been driving my car while hers is in the shop, just couldn't stand it any longer, she seems to look for things to park under!
I'm still alive and kicking, just not kicking so high, tired all the time but no pain.

Wow, I hope things go well for you.
It must be rather scary, but you sound like it's just another day.
I hope they find a new heart for you soon.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you

quote Originally posted by fierogirls-mom: Wow, I hope things go well for you. It must be rather scary, but you sound like it's just another day. I hope they find a new heart for you soon. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you

I was a little upset this morning after talking to the doctor but what can I do? I really don't want to make things any worse than they already are by getting all down about it. The way I look at it is the doctors are gonna do what they can do, my friends and family are very supportive, I'm trying not to over do things but at the same time I can't sit there like a bump on a log and get all depressed about my situation, so yeah, it's just another day and things will be what they will be.
I know it sounds silly but one of the biggest downers is that I am unable to work, therefore my car is not getting the work it needs done to it, thus I am not able to really enjoy driving it like I would like. Sometimes it's just the simple things in life that make the next day worth the wait, with me it's family, friends, playin' a little guitar, and driving/working on my car. Some guys were over a couple of weeks ago and asked me to jam, I finally gave in and after 15 minutes of playing (just getting warmed up) my hands started feeling all tingly and numb, I was feeling a little off balance, had to quit and go back to the easy chair. I never realized just how much energy it took to stand there and play guitar (we started out with Motorhead's Ace of Spades). Things like that have been very frustrating but I have tried to listen to my body and back off when things start feeling weird. Working on the car to get it drivable was very taxing even with suufmiester doing most of the heavy labor and I probably pushed myself harder than I should, actually I know I pushed myself to hard, but it's hard to just sit and do nothing. I've had some people ask me why I don't just sit back and let others wait on me, I tell them it's all good in theory but that just don't work for long, it gets old.
I'm just rambling now, I get kinda bored when everyone else is at work.

Glad to hear you are not letting it get you to down.

These things take time, to heal.

I know, I had a stroke in December of 04.

Still recovering, you need to just let things go.

You don’t need to detail the car, hell I never do unless we are going somewhere special.

Good luck, and get that second opinion.

------------------
technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

DRA, my thoughts are for you. Hang in there, never give up.

quote Originally posted by DRA: I know it sounds silly but one of the biggest downers is that I am unable to .................... I never realized just how much energy it took to .............. Things like that have been very frustrating..............

No, it does not sound silly. I feel for you.
My Mom recently had a stroke. About a month ago. Since then her kidneys have completely failed and she has to undergo dyalisis three times a week. She had to be re-hospitalized and just now was released. The smallest tasks tire her. I can see this depressing her as she loved to be so active. I am more worried about her mental state than her phisical being. Please do not let yours add to your woes.
As we have always had to do, sometimes we have to lower our expectations. Heck, the weather can cause it. Do what you love to do at whatever pace your body lets you. Enjoy. It is your life.
I am happy to hear you have some good Fiero support near you. Kudos to surfmiester.
Take care.

take it easy. listen to the docs.

if you can pm me in about a about a month my brother will be back. he works for a very well know hospital in MN. i can pass on your info to him.

take care.

The office (nurse) of specialist who was supposed to do the diffibulator was a real joy to speak to yesterday afternoon. I wasn't even gonna mention it here but I'm really wound up today.
She informed me that my regular cardiologist should not have tested me again this early (the echocardiogram), that the test should have been performed mid-october which she said would have been three months. The first test was done before the end of June so by MY reckoning it is was done just a few days shy of three months! She refused to give me an appointment with the office and said she would discuss the matter with her doctor.I told her I thought there might be some misunderstanding between the offices as to the actual numbers and that I thought her doctor had mentioned 50% and the person that was with me heard and wrote down the same thing. She said the notes they had put me at 30% and hesitated a moment then said actually it's 20%. I very politely asked her to please coordinate with the other office because the numbers I was getting from my primary doctor, who had performed the tests, were 15% and I did not understand how there seemed to be descrepencies in the numbers between the offices.
Well my mother was informed of how things had gone, by my girlfriend of course (women!), so she had to get in on the action so to speak. She called and talked to the nurse whom I had spoken to yesterday and I don't know how the conversation actually unfolded but had the following conveyed back to me via Kelly (girlfriend). According to the nurse, even at 15% I should be working a part time job of some sort and as far as speaking with her doctor she had not had a chance to do so yet but would today.
Meanwhile back at the ranch! In the meantime Kelly (the girlfriend if you haven't picked that up yet) has contacted my primary doctor to let him know what the situation is as far as making an appointment with the specialist to "install" the difibulator. Again this is al conveyed to me from Kelly so I do not know the exact conversation, she explained that the other office would not make an appointment for me to be seen and stated that my doctor had performed the test prematurely. She said this was all she was able to get out of her mouth before my doctor seemed to get a little unhinged and would not let her get a word in edge wise. The bottom line is that he told her not to worry and that I should not worry, that he would personally have a conversation with the other doctor and see that everything is straightened out. I take it he was not a happy camper.
Well. isn't that special....... I got a call an hour or so ago from the specialist office, they wanted to know if arrangements could be made for me to pay the balance on my last visit or if I needed a payment plan set up. Now originally both doctors had told me not to worry about payment until disability had kicked in and I could get assistance with the medical bills. I was thinking great, things aren't as bad as I thought, these guys actually care about their patients. Well the doctors may but it seems that the office staff of at least one of the two really couldn't give a rat's a$$. Now not to mention the stress of thinking information concerning my physical well being is not being conveyed between doctors accurately, I have them sending SSDI (disability) different information! I can see the person assessing my case, personally I would think some kind of scam was being run on the disability system.

Hey! at least I'm still alive and kicking.......... things couldn't get any worse or any weirder.......... could they?

The two faces of medicine.

1.) The Doctors, whom I think get into it becouse they care, and 2.) The office, a bloated body of bill collectors, gathering in a paycheck.

Reminds me of the biblical phrase, 'You cannot serve 2 masters, both money & God."

Yes, I know that both of these must co-exsist in medicine.
But here's the thing.
A doctor gives you bad news.
"This is going to be tough on you, your life will never be the same, and you might not make it."
Then you go out to the front desk, and they hit you with, "This is going to be very expensive, for a very long time. How do you plan on paying for this?"
You get hit twice within 15 minutes, without any time to come to grips.
All of a sudden, it's a whole corporation againest 1 man.
Then you have to start weighing your life againest your wallet.

I hope the best for you.
The least they could do would be to give you the correct information.
Without attitude.
Keep your head up & good luck.

I appreciate the words of support and advise, not usually one to be real public with things but I'm spending a lot of my day idle and alone, really need to take up model building or some other "relaxing" hobby.
Again, thanks for lending an ear.
David


Keep you Eye on the Ball,
Your Shoulder to the Wheel,
Your Nose to the Grindstone,
Your Feet on the Ground,
Your Head on your Shoulders.
Now ... try to get something DONE!

Thanks for showing me you can keep a positive attitude in the face of uncertainty.

quote Originally posted by DRA: I appreciate the words of support and advise, not usually one to be real public with things but I'm spending a lot of my day idle and alone, really need to take up model building or some other "relaxing" hobby. Again, thanks for lending an ear. David !

Would you please stop worrying about letting things out. I don't think there is a person on this forum who would be upset that you have, and if there is, they don't have to click on the thread. Please relax and if you want to type stuff out, let it out. It's better out than in! I'm sure there are a few of us on here that are keeping an eye on you. Updates are good, although, good updates are better than bad ones.

Keep us informed, kay?

Wow, I guess some heads rolled in someones office today!
I just received a very polite phone call from the "specialist" office and was told that I should check in at central registration University hospital on October 9th at 6:00am for the diffibulator procedure. The usual no food or meds after midnite the night before and bring an overnite bag with all of my current meds.
Kinda caught me off guard, was expecting a consultation at his office and then a week or two to get me in for the procedure.

Just kinda off balance right now digesting the news.

Does the defib mean that you won't be needing a transplant? <crossing fingers>

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 09-27-2006).]

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Does the defib mean that you won't be needing a transplant? <crossing fingers>

Nope, it's just to keep me from croaking before they can get a suitable replacement, preferably one from a young virgin who has never drank or smoked! J/K

that have those in Ga?

I hope you get better. Prayers and good wishes coming your way.

quote Originally posted by DRA: Nope, it's just to keep me from croaking before they can get a suitable replacement, preferably one from a young virgin who has never drank or smoked! J/K

I hope everything goes well for you. Keep ya head up as that is usually a lot of the battle.
You don't want a heart from a young female virgin. It might start racing looking at the wrong things.

quote Originally posted by AusFiero: I hope everything goes well for you. Keep ya head up as that is usually a lot of the battle. You don't want a heart from a young female virgin. It might start racing looking at the wrong things.

You got a point there! Might I'll have to keep that in mind.

[This message has been edited by DRA (edited 09-27-2006).]

i'm glad you could still understand what i wanted to say, i was hopping between 3 different windows and somehow i just didn't type the right words.

if i could do without it, i'd give you mine.

then again think i know of a few people that haven't used theirs in a long time.
i'll make a phone call...

quote Originally posted by buddycraigg: if i could do without it, i'd give you mine. then again think i know of a few people that haven't used theirs in a long time. i'll make a phone call...

Thats a whole other issue!
The thought that someone has to die to improve my quality of life is not a very cheerful thought to carry around.
My mother got me on a prayer list, a lot of the notes I got from folks said they were praying that a compatible heart would come available. I half jokingly told my mother that I wasn't completely comfortable with people praying that someone else would die so I could get what I needed. I know that wasn't the intention of the people that sent me the notes but it is in the back of your mind regardless.

When I woke up this morning my girlfriend was sitting on the bed weeping quietly, things like that don't help but I do understand she has to let it out sooner or later. She knows probably better than anyone else whats going on, she's made a point of being at every appointment I've had and has talked to the doctors as much as I have. I actually considered dumping her when all this started, wasn't sure I wanted to put someone through this that didn't really need to be put through it. I'm now glad I didn't be an a$$ and run her off, we really do enjoy each others company and it has made things easier on me. Most of the people around me with the exeption of my mother and the one brother who is a heart cath tech (have 4 brothers) don't really know how serious it is. I have a tendency to make light of things, smile a lot, and just not show how really tired I am at times.

quote Originally posted by DRA: Thats a whole other issue! The thought that someone has to die to improve my quality of life is not a very cheerful thought to carry around. My mother got me on a prayer list, a lot of the notes I got from folks said they were praying that a compatible heart would come available. I half jokingly told my mother that I wasn't completely comfortable with people praying that someone else would die so I could get what I needed. I know that wasn't the intention of the people that sent me the notes but it is in the back of your mind regardless. When I woke up this morning my girlfriend was sitting on the bed weeping quietly, things like that don't help but I do understand she has to let it out sooner or later. She knows probably better than anyone else whats going on, she's made a point of being at every appointment I've had and has talked to the doctors as much as I have. I actually considered dumping her when all this started, wasn't sure I wanted to put someone through this that didn't really need to be put through it. I'm now glad I didn't be an a$$ and run her off, we really do enjoy each others company and it has made things easier on me. Most of the people around me with the exeption of my mother and the one brother who is a heart cath tech (have 4 brothers) don't really know how serious it is. I have a tendency to make light of things, smile a lot, and just not show how really tired I am at times.

David,
The truth of the matter is that these people were going to die anyway.
I'm a potential organ donor. (At least my driver's license says so.) If I have something that's going to be of use to someone after I'm gone, they're welcome to it. I certainly won't be using it.
Remember... all of those people who have filled out donor cards have done so willingly, with the intention that perhaps they can help someone else live a longer or better life. So please don't feel bad that people are praying for a compatible donor. It's just one less organ that may have gone to waste, otherwise.

Kelly sounds like a very sweet lady.
Did I meet her at the last get-together?

quote Originally posted by Raydar: David, The truth of the matter is that these people were going to die anyway. I'm a potential organ donor. (At least my driver's license says so.) If I have something that's going to be of use to someone after I'm gone, they're welcome to it. I certainly won't be using it. Remember... all of those people who have filled out donor cards have done so willingly, with the intention that perhaps they can help someone else live a longer or better life. So please don't feel bad that people are praying for a compatible donor. It's just one less organ that may have gone to waste, otherwise. Kelly sounds like a very sweet lady. Did I meet her at the last get-together?

I'm a donor, feel the same way but the thought is still there that someone else had to die.

I can't remember if Kelly made it by last year or not. She has her own business and no help, a frame/gallery shop, her days off are Sunday and Monday. We have been lucky in that I've managed to get all my doctors appointments on Mondays and just out of shear luck the surgery will be on a Monday. She's good at what she does, her customer base is fairly small, most all are repeat customers. She framed a lot of pics for the John Deere plant here in Grovetown, that was a few grand. She also does the framing for Medical College of Georgia graduates, the school gives a group pic, a individual pic, and a drawn caricture(?), all framed nicely to each graduate. She's not cheap but have seen her materials price list and she really needs to increase her rates, don't think she has done that but once in the 18 years she's been in business.
She's a giver. I'm gonna insist she close up for at least a couple of hours on the 28th, I'm gonna tell her I might need her to be there LOL! Having a medical problem can work to my advantage sometimes.

I am sorry to hear about your plight.

People with an ejection fraction less than 20% have a higher risk of having the electrical system of the heart go haywire, and dropping over dead (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.) So putting in the implantable defibrillator would only come into play if that happened. It is like having the paddles on the chest and being shocked like you see on E.R., only it is INSIDE your chest and on your heart, instead of outside. It actually monitors your heart rhythm, and reads it, and if it sees ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, it shocks you. People describe it as a mule kicking them in the chest. But, hey, you are alive, as compared to dead on the floor.

Adrenaline is going to make the electrical system more likely to go wrong, so that is why they don't want you exerting yourself currently. The coreg is to help block that, but you wouldn't want to have your life depend on it. So you aren't. You are getting the defibrillator. Coreg can make you dizzy, though. Just be aware of it.

Altace "reduces the back pressure" on the heart, so can help the output increase. That is probably why the increase from 15% to 18%. I guess it would be like some of you guys that put less restrictive exhaust systems on to gain more horsepower. I wish you would have got a higher bump, but you didn't. It might be higher yet in 6 months, but maybe not. You should take as high of altace dose as you can. The limiting factor would be if it got your blood pressure too low.

Some doctors would put you on a blood thinner coumadin (or generic name warfarin) since your ejection fraction is less than 20%. But no point in you being on it now, since you are going to be having surgery to put the defibrillator in.

After the defibrillator is in and working, I would consider you safe to do detailing on your car, like buffing. Or to work on your car. But you just would have to take much longer, and take your time, as you would probably get tired or short of breath. The working on the car would be limited, though. No heavy lifting, straining too much, etc. Just pace yourself. Do what you can until tired, or short of breath. Then rest. Then start again when you feel up to it.

Smoking cessation goes on the project list after the defibrillator is in. Safe to do it then. Great job on the alcohol quitting. You should consider alcohol as permanently in your past. That means ANY. Forever. Not one here or there. None.

Regarding guitar, you'd better drop down to compositions by, say, John Tesch. Maybe Yanni. No more Motorhead. Ok. I made that part up.

quote Originally posted by frontal lobe: I am sorry to hear about your plight.

Pretty much nothing new in your post from what I've read and been told but I appreciate the typing! I can just refer any questions to your post.
I was up in the air about dropping the smoking at this point, really might try easing out of them right up to the day of surgery and since I will be in the hospital overnight and WON'T be able to smoke it might be a good time to quit. I'll talk with the doctor between now and then, he mentioned he wanted me to quit prior to the surgery but I think I'll be a little more at ease after the procedure is done.

Got the warning about the kicking mule and discussed driving with both docs, they seemed to think I should be fine to drive. That was a big releif since a few folks had asked me about that, they thought I might be restricted from driving.

quote Originally posted by DRA: Pretty much nothing new in your post from what I've read and been told but I appreciate the typing! I can just refer any questions to your post. Got the warning about the kicking mule and discussed driving with both docs, they seemed to think I should be fine to drive. That was a big releif since a few folks had asked me about that, they thought I might be restricted from driving.

That is a good thing that there isn't anything new that I posted. Because that means they gave you the correct information in a way that you could understand it. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen. So I am glad it happened for you.

Yes, absolutely you should be able to drive. Which is also great news. It would be hard to imagine life without being able to drive. Obviously, it can be done, but it would be a huge change.

The main thing I didn't know was if you got the message that you could carry on with activities you like after the defibrillator, as long as you just paced yourself.

Glad you are doing as well as you can considering the circumstances. Just keep plugging away! You are doing a great job.

Day after tomorrow is the big day, family and friends keep asking if I'm nervous.
Biggest concern is the discomfort of healing and adjusting to the new part I will have installed. I'm not really concerned about the procedure itself, I will not be put under, just local so no worries about going to sleep and not waking up! LOL
Been trying to eat better but plan on having some fried chicken from Popeye's on Sunday, gonna splurge a little before I have to start my fast Sunday night.Still wish this did not have to be done but am glad that they are going ahead with it now and not putting me off. There was a big concern that since I didn't have insurance that I might not get the attention that someone with insurance would get, but so far I think my primary cardiologist has really been good to me. He seems to care about his patients, it makes things a lot easier.
I stopped keeping up with the cost after it hit $15,000.00, thats hospital visits, tests, and doctors. I've been lucky enough that I have been able to get samples of my most expensive prescription, Coreg. I'm sure this next little visit will more than double whatever my tab is right now. Worst part of the financial side of this is that if I did not have my family and girlfriend helping me out financially I would probably be homeless and pennyless at this point. I am pretty much pennyless but my girlfriend slips me a little cash to keep in my wallet and is making minimum payments on credit cards. I'm living at my mothers house, big double garage that was enclosed with a full bath, like a little apartment almost. I am a very lucky guy, I feel for those that have to depend on the system to take care of their daily basic needs. I'm hoping that the fact that this procedure is being done will help expedite SSDI (social security disability income) and that in turn should make me eligible for medicare or medicaid. They may make a decision as soon as the end of October but I have been told repeatedly to be prepared to appeal the initial decision. Not looking forward to that.
I guess I've rambled enough, appreciate all the positive comments and suggestions and I will give you guys an update when I get back from the hospital on tuesday.

------------------
Don't take life too seriously -- you'll never get out if it alive.

I hear ya.
Money wise, If I was stricken with something like this, I would just have to go ahead and start building my box.
There's no way I could afford it.

quote Originally posted by Boondawg: I hear ya. Money wise, If I was stricken with something like this, I would just have to go ahead and start building my box. There's no way I could afford it.

I would be fine with a bonfire myself but I'm not sure if thats legal here, not sure I would want to waste what time I have building a box. My brother informed me last night that they would be test firing that little device they are going to put in me, thats something to look forward to!

Fried chicken is on the way!

I like your Sig. Never forget it. Live on Bro!!

I'm back, a little sore.
Doctor emphasized that this will not improve my condition but should offer some security. I was so out of it when they tested it that I don't remember what it felt like. Last thing I remember before the procedure was wondering how long the sedative they put in my IV was gonna take to kick in, next thing I remember was being pushed to recovery with the hiccups.
Tired but I'm home!

------------------
Don't take life too seriously -- you'll never get out if it alive.

Glad you are doing ok. The soreness should resolve fairly quickly.

Nope, the defibrillator is just a safety net. Isn't going to improve a thing. But that is what the altace is for. Hopefully THAT will improve things for you somewhat.