posted
Silver went in for an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test today. Echo went well, no issues. However just a few minutes into the stress test her heart began to hurt severely 7-10 in her opinion.
The cardiologist just happened to be in the office and came in too one look at the EKG and hearing her description of pain had the ladies in the room call 911 and Silver was taken immediately to the ER.
The doc, when he came in, was thinking about doing an angiogram in the morning but there was an opening this afternoon. After the test he told me that the artery on the left side of her heart had blocked itself off, but the blood decided to make its own bypass! So the heart “muscle” is in good shape [according to the doctor].
Now, the artery on the right side right where it splits into 2 is 80% blocked and not able to stent. So Wednesday or Thursday this week, the cardiac surgeon will be opening up my love’s chest and repair her heart.
The cardiologist is very confident that Silver is strong and young and that a week in hospital and 2-3 days in rehab will have her back in shape.
More to come as it happens – please keep her in mind. Thanks as I know you will.
-------------------- I still have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 138 | From Lost Wages | Registered: Oct 2016
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
Yes, as we age and the heart arteries start to get blocked, the body will make alternate routes or bypasses. That is why if you can live to age 60, you generally won't die from any heart attack you have after that age. You have made bypasses that will take up the slack.
And, with heart bypass surgery, anyone under age 80 is considered young. I found that out when my hubby had to have the surgery. They are doing this surgery on very, very old people!
If her legs are strong, then after surgery when they want her to stand up and get out of a chair on her own, she will be able to do it.
She should also walk as much as possible when she leaves the heart ICU and goes to the step-down unit. If she walks a lot and walks well, she could even go straight home and skip rehab.
These docs who do this surgery do about 300 per year. It is all they do. So, it has become a very routine surgery--unbelievably so.
Let us know the day of the surgery so we can all cover her and the doctors, nurses, etc. in prayer while they operate and in the recovery room.
This will solve her problems. She should have more energy and be able to exercise a lot more. Of course, that is not immediately after the surgery, but in a few months time. She will really notice the difference.
At home, she needs to walk as much as she can also, every day further and further if possible. This is the best therapy for recovery from heart bypass.
And, generally the patient doesn't experience much pain from this surgery. They keep you sufficiently doped up. But, she needs to keep a pillow on her chest any time she needs to cough, get up, sit down, etc. to keep the breastbone stationary. That keeps her from having pain when she makes these movements or coughs.
So, keep us posted. I am glad her problem was discovered and now it can be addressed and eliminated.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
My prayers already are and will continue to be with you both!
posted
I'm so sorry to hear this, but TF is right. She should be feeling much better once they get this taken care of. It must be VERY frightening though!!!
I was told in cardiac rehab that one reason we exercise is to keep those arteries making "extra" bypasses as needed. You will make more of them if you are exercising.
Keep us posted. It sounds like she is in good hands.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
Oh no, not sweet silver, this can't be happening.
Please Trekcord, tell her that this too shall pass and how sorry we all feel for her. I get so MAD when bad things happen to good people.
She has been such an inspiration for me with her grace, dignity, and humor.
You are her rock and together you will make it through this ! Much love, Bonnie
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi TrekC', sending healing thoughts your way and prayers for Silverwolfi.
Once she is out of the hospital, consider reading about BodyBio PC (Phosphatidyl Choline), it could help a lot to clear the blockages naturally and without surgery. I posted about it in a thread yesterday here's a link:
posted
Please let Silver know she (and you) are in our prayers.
Praying the Great Physician guide the surgeon's hands and the whole team to get her well. May He give both of you strength during this difficult time and healing for Silver, so she will be back on her feet in no time.
Haven't forgotten to include you, Trek, and pray you are well, too.
Love & hugs to the both of you from your Lymenet family. Ya'll come back now, ya hear! Posts: 8981 | From Illinois | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
Sending up prayers that God will heal Silver and give you both strength and comfort.
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8890 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Praying for Silver! Please keep us updated.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6145 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you all very much. We talked with the surgeon this afternoon and surgery schedule is really packed. He will try and get her scheduled for tomorrow [Wed] or Thurs.
Hopefully the nurses will know something and tell us.
posted
Thank God everything went well. Thoughts and prayers with you both.
Posts: 8981 | From Illinois | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
Bartenderbonnie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 49177
posted
Such good news ! Thank God !
So worried about you two the past few days. Post-op pain is the worst. Be sure to tell Silver to push that nurse button for pain meds before pain breaks through.
Time to heal. Well-wishes being sent your way guys.
Posts: 2977 | From Florida | Registered: Nov 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
So relieved that she made it through surgery. Good job, Silver!!
Hang in there, Trek. Stay calm and keep praying!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Sending healing love and prayers for Silver and for you, too, Trek (hard to get used to the new name!).
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you all. I got in to see her for a few minutes around 830 and she is still on the breathing tube. Hopefully if she follows the nurses encouragement she can get off of that and breathe for herself [although they told her she was already doing most of the breathing herself].
Now it is just time to let stuff heal up.
-------------------- I still have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 138 | From Lost Wages | Registered: Oct 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thank you all so much! Your support for her is wonderful!
Good news! The breathing tube was removed late last night so she’s breathing on her own. I talked with her nurse this morning and she was able to get up and move to the chair and sat for 2½ hours!
She’s tired and will be napping a lot for the next couple days, but things are looking good!
I’ll be heading up to see her in just a few.
-------------------- I still have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 138 | From Lost Wages | Registered: Oct 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
God is good! So proud of our Silver! She's one tough cookie! Aren't we humans amazing!?
Go Silver, Go!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
map1131
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2022
posted
Wow, you guys have had some tough times. But for this to have been found and taken care of is a true blessing.
This should help Silver feel better after the healing.
Pam
-------------------- "Never, never, never, never, never give up" Winston Churchill Posts: 6478 | From Louisville, Ky | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yup! I visited with her for quite a while this morning. She had a breathing treatment and the surgeon stopped by to let us know how well she is doing.
He also said she may get released Monday. However . . .
And I will now have the distinct honor of going to the store and buying her a front closing bra!
Just what every mother with a daughter in tow wants to see, a 65 year old, bearded man, in a wheel chair [everyone needs transportation!] asking "do you have a front closing bra in size X and cup size X?"
-------------------- I still have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 138 | From Lost Wages | Registered: Oct 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
LOL!! I think a front-closing bra would really hurt right now. OUCH.
Maybe she's too groggy to realize that? (Sorry, Silver!)
Is the scar above the area of the closure?
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
She needs to go braless for a good while. She will not want ANYTHING touching that incision for some time.
She should wear a real loose old bra (something a little big, in other words) for when she has to go out (like to the doctor for her 30 day checkup).
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
a good nursing bra might work!!! also she won't want to lift her arms.
my husband would never ever buy a bra for me. those puppies would end up in Antarctica before he'd do that!!!!
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Walkies!!! Silver walked around the nurses station with me this afternoon and then another just now [she called] - and now she needs pain meds! But the doc says she is doing great and thinks she can be released to rehab Monday!
And other good news, a good FEMALE friend from church has gotten Silver a bra and is bringing it over tomorrow! Yay! No creepy old man in the lingerie section!
-------------------- I still have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 138 | From Lost Wages | Registered: Oct 2016
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I am so happy that everything is going smoothly.
Tell Silver to keep up the walking! We are cheering her on !!!!!
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Have her on my mind and in my heart. You too!
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[woohoo]](graemlins/woohoo.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Holding you up in prayer as you get stronger each day.![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic