She met with cardiac rehab this last week and they said she was doing very good! Her B/P was great - before, right after, and after resting from a 6 minute walk.
She still gets a bit of a sting on the incision line [things healing] but she gets around fairly well.
She does get a little tired as the day progresses, but other than that she is doing well!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Great news! Does she overall feel better...as in very happy she had the surgery?
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
That's wonderful! Thank you for the update.
She needs to make sure she doesn't overdo it.
God bless the both of you.
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi there <<<<< Lymetoo, hopingandpraying, and all LymeNet Family >>>>>
I am starting to feel better a little at a time. Progress is slower than I'd like but much better than passing away, or being permanently disabled.
Lyme disease and Co's are tough enough, w/o damaging ones heart. I do wonder if the Lyme and Co's played a hand in this.
I am very glad they caught on to the problem, before my heart muscle was permanently damaged. I tho't most of the problem was the high winds and my allergies.
When they gave me the nuclear stress test, the problem became evident almost immediately,and I had to have the antidote injection twice.
The young lady monitoring my test, noticed my EKG going weird almost immediately, she got my cardio Doc' in the room quickly, and he called the EMT/fire-distress crew,and ambulance crew and TrekC, rather quickly [TrekC was in the waiting room ].
They got things stabilized, and got me to CV-ICU quickly, in a fantastic hospital. Then had a series of serious life and death Cardio-event emergencies. They had gotten me stable, but I still needed the testing to find out why my EKG went so crazy.
As my Cardio Doc' later said, " We don't normally have four serious, Cardio events at the same time, when we are bringing a Cardio patient in, thru emergency.
In the process of everything I got yet another urinary tract infection. My Cardio-test/Angio' had showed a number of blockages, rather severe.
They got me on a high tech ABX, before the surgery, to stop the Urinary issue, and did surgery , May 4th. It was Quintuple bypass, and the Aorta and another major artery were blocked dangerously.
All in all they ha to do five bypassed srape my sternum, to rid it of osteoperosis, and also confired the Mitrovalve prolapse Dx'd in 2006.
They are hopeful it will not worsen, I will be glad when it stops feeling like I got sliced w/ a knife covered in hot sauce, down close to a foot of my chest.
For me, with a low pain threshold, that is part of the healing. I have to be cautious, but still move around, and try to do some things. No heavy lifting of course.
We have been in the new place since late March, I think,but we are not moved all in yet. So working on that. Neither of us, can lift a whole lot. Things are in the works, to help us get the packing done finally, And get everything over here.
I wont be doing much, as my chest is literally wired back together, under the stitches. The stitches, were melt away-s, and are mostly gone. The burning is only bad part of the time at this point. It has to do w/ muscles and nerves healing I am told.
I go back to surgeon, in about a week and a half, and hopefully we can find out more about the blockages.
I have to pace myself carefully,as I don't want to have to go thru this type of surgical procedure ever again. Figuring out foods, that are safe to eat, GF, and Somewhat reduced carb' that wont flare up allergies is interesting.
Much of what they have down as heart healthy, is not for me. I don't care to have anaphylactic[sp.?] shock, I am allergic to a lot of things, and have an intolerance to many food items as well.
So TrekC' and I are working on things I can safely eat, still keep Diabetes in check, and so on.
Gotta stop and rest a bit, Thanks for the prayers,and healing thot's from all who've sent them!
I better post this, before it gets any longer... Jus' that Silverwolfi glad to be alive!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Jus' me again,
I noticed, this keyboard is skipping letters.
They literally had to scrape my sternum on the underside, lot's of osteoporosis. Also they cleaned out excess calcium from several area of my heart. We are still finding out info'.
The four cardio situations were for other emergencies that came in, as they had stablizied me, the non stable cardio event folk went first for surgery.
And as it turned out that I had the infection, it woukd have been dangerous to do my surgery w/ an active UT infection.
Okay, gotta go for a bit, jus' Silverwolfi
Posted by grakay (Member # 48057) on :
*hugs* Prayers that you heal quickly, Silverwolf. Take it easy!
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Hi Wolfie! So good to hear from you! You're in my thoughts and prayers and am so glad you're on the mend!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
So happy you are on the mend, Silver! Sounds pretty scary indeed!!
You might want to ask your doctors why you are storing so much calcium.
(They may not know why.. but good to ask!!)
Are you still taking plenty of magnesium (without calcium)?
It will help balance the calcium in the body.
Many prayers for continued healing!
Hope you get moved in soon!!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
ummm I've missed alot. what new place? aren't you still in the trailer?
Posted by gz (Member # 43818) on :
Yay Silver! Glad to hear things are improving, prayers for continuing to get better!!
A couple things about the calcium... Vitamin K2 is essential in directing calcium to the bones and teeth instead of soft tissues like blood vessels and organs.
It plays a vital part in synergy with calcium, D3, magnesium, and boron. The best form of K2 to take is from MK-7.
I didn't see it mentioned specifically, but if there's elevated blood calcium that can be indicative of boron insufficiency. It has to do with improper functioning of the parathyroid gland due to low boron.
Low boron will cause the parathyroid to overproduce hormones, which then causes excess calcium to be released from bones and teeth. That will certainly contribute to arthritis.
The body will tend to deposit calcium where there is inflammation. Maybe there is a connection between the heart issues (inflammatory) and the calcium deposits/osteoporosis behind the sternum.
Anyway, so, so glad the heart issues were identified and remedied. I hope the UTI stays away now and every day you feel better and better. Take it easy and big gentle hugs for both you and Trek Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Good tip, gz. I take Vit K2 and take boron here and there.
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi there <<<<< All'a'Y'all lymeNet Family >>>>>,
Good info' on calcium issues, K-2, and Boron. I take K-2, for awhile now, after tests showed I had a lot of calcium built up in the aorta [from early 2016, checking on why I was getting so many infections, barium dye etc].
I got the info' from you, Lymetoo! The boron may have been mentioned but I didn't catch it.I'll check on that.
We haven't been able to find out the why's of the excess calcium. It does run in my Moms side of the family. Grandpa,and an Uncle had calcium excess and strokes. And Grandma, had parathyroid problems.
Thanks so much for the info' Gz, and the prayers and healing thot's too from all!
Hey Randi' we've been moving hit and miss, much of our stuff is still in the trailer we used to be in [from late 2012- to this March]. In between trips to Seattle, and then the hospital stay,and heart surgery for me, we are still in process.
Part of TrekC's disability comp' came in, back in February. He's at Hospital at the moment, talking to his Knee Surgeon, they are trying to sort out some more issues w/ the knee. It doesn't seem to be healing properly.
So as can be imagined, all this makes packing and moving slow. I don't remember any other moves taking this long. But they were not complicated with heart issues and surgeries.
I better close for the moment, but I appreciate each replie-r,and all our Lymenet family.
Jus' Silverwolfi here
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
Yay Silverwolfi! Glad to see you back and that you're doing well
Jus' Jory here Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
THERE you are! Finally! Just stopped in tonight to see if there were any up dates from the man in the family, and YOU are posting.
Hot diggity dawgs!
So glad to have you back with us! You were certainly missed!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi there <<<<< LymeNet Family, Jory ,and Tinny >>>>>,
Had my second check-up w/ Cardio-Surgeon today, he is pleased so far.
Still have a bit of swelling in upper incision,and just above it [where ya swallow.]. We are told this is normal. I have one more Surgeon check-up mid'Oct.
Have had two Cardio-excercise classes now, my third will be Friday. Hopefully Mario will be able to start his soon too!!
We've been living in a 'construction zone' home for a week now, and have several days to go. Flooring,is being replaced, porch [steps were not to code],and some work being done soon in kitchen area, more flooring.
It will be much safer soon, as we try to get the rest of our things moved in. We have to get it done now,while the work team is available.
How is everyone doing? The heat here is rough right now,but at least it is under 118 again!!!
Gotta go, doing laundry,and then more resting...
Jus' that Silverwolfi here Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
So happy you are going to cardiac rehab!! I love it myself!! I've been going for 8 yrs now .. since my A-fib diagnosis.
It's always a nice place to work out. It will be great if the two of you can continue to go there once your initial class is over.
I pay a nominal fee each month.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Hi Wolfie! Thanks for the update. Happy to hear you're doing so well. My Mom had a heart attack in October and we still go to the cardiac rehab gym. Like TuTu we love it!
Keep getting better!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
anything you need hon?
Posted by lpkayak3 (Member # 43569) on :
Hi silver. I've been reading but not posting. You guys are tuff.
I don't understand the calcium thing either. I've had bad parathyroid test in past and when they redo its fine. I just found out a cousin a few yrs older than me tested high and they are making him take lots of calcium for that. I still don't understand but I guess I should figure it out since it may be in genes
My knee was revised in Feb...2nd replacement. And it hasn't been healing right either. Very swollen. pain near knee cap. I am walking...not using wc...well I w as until a few days ago podiatrist said the leg that had surgery is half inch longer than the other. I've been telling them I walk like gabby Hayes. Podiatrist gave me heel lift and after 2nd day I can hardly walk at all so have to talk to doc about that
I'm sorry your move has been so hard. I can't hardly go anywhere now because I need so many things just to function. And all those things are in my little house now...pretty close to the messiest house in the world
I sure hope you keep improving. Living in a construction zone is uncomfortable and downright dangerous. My siding project is on hold for awhile...hopefully this part done before winter
I 'll take my 20 below over your 118. I can't imagine.
Let us know what docs say about the knee. I had 3 good knee surgeries but ran out of luck this time
Take care you two! Love you!
Posted by TrekCoord (Member # 48888) on :
Sorry we haven't been on in the last few days but our net went down sometime around Fri and the tech didn't make it out until today.
Evidently there was an issue in the area and they busy repairing.
Silver is doing good, getting stronger bit by bit and also doing good at cardiac rehab.
So, it's good news for her! B/P is doing well too!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
That's wonderful! Glad you are up and running again!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< Lymetoo and LymeNet family >>>>>,
Between, Laptop issues, construction [70's carpet being removed, and new flooring being installed], working on Dads estate, while trying to get well and do cardio exercise...
... we needed to get away for a couple of days[pardon the run on sentence please!].
Flooring is still in progress, and I have an appt. early next week to check healing progress [ Echo of Heart].
If all is well,I wont hear anything 'til end part of August. Hoping that is the case, and I don't need more surgery, this has been an interesting several months.
I still tire much more easily than I like, but,am doing well,and told not give my self time.Guess I am impatient, I have to be cautious tho'. Especially w/ LD and Co-infections, my knees have been causing me some issues.
I am very glad to be alive, and am so grateful for every good appointment, and each one who has prayed and sent healing thot's our way. I'll try t check in again fairly soon.
More home redo construction tomorrow, so we'll be out for awhile,and trying to get more items packed from the place we were renting. Gotta get our stuff out, don't like paying rent over there.
We may have part of our things put in storage, don't know yet. we are limited in what we can move. And it might be better, to have are moving help store some items,untilall the flooring is in.
Gotta close for now, this is getting long... but I could just see us, walking into a maze of bookshelves and boxes. Me ' which way is it to the restroom?' ... Hubby' I think its to the right, past the black bookshelf...'. LOL!!!
Jus' Silverwolfi here
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
Yay Silverwolfi! Very happy to read your progress, I hope the rest of the move goes well too.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Hi! Glad to hear things are getting just a wee bit more normal. Still a lot on your plate.
....so was that 70's shag carpet? Or pile colored avocado or gold? Enquiring minds would like to know.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Good for you! Keep on truckin'.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Hahaha on the carpet, AK!! We bought a house in 1978 that had ORANGE, RED and GOLD shag carpet (a mixture of the three).. not real shaggy, but it was there!
We had new carpet put in right away and we loved the house. I kept a carpet remnant as a doormat in the garage just to show people what the old carpet looked like!! Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi there <<<<< LymeNet Family >>>>>,
About that carpeting, two bedrooms had avocado shag carpet from around 1973. The living room, dining area [a part of the kitchen]and the hall had a greenish gray sculpted pile from early 80's.
The back bedroom,has dark barn red carpet, old flattened plush [if that makes sense]. we presume it is from the 80's or older as well.it will be gone in a few weeks. It's all being replaced with wood.
Should be less allergy issue this way. We can at least hope so, as we went with what we could afford.
Still get tired easily, but having an echo of heart tomorrow,so we'll see how all is healing.And hopefully we can get a few more things packed. It is made more difficult by needing to be out to exercise [again tiredness].
And my knees are acting up, painful, the pain striking w/o warning. I suspect the LD and Co's are wreaking havoc again, after the surgery and shock to my system. My Cardio physiologist ,and his nurse are keeping an eye on things, when I am able to be at session.
Hoping I'll be feeling much better in a few more weeks. We are attempting to follow up a lead,on a possible Lyme Literate Doctor we might be able to get into. This is still in early stages,for us.
Jus' that Silverwolfi checkin' in...
Posted by hopingandpraying (Member # 9256) on :
Hi Silver (and Trek)!! Good to hear from you!
You absolutely did the right thing to remove the old carpeting and replace it with wood. Carpets are full of chemicals which out-gas and dirt and other nasty things which aren't removed by vacuuming and cleaning. I'm sure it will help the allergies.
Yes, your body has gone through a major trauma, so it's not surprising the bugs are acting up!
Just don't overdo it - your plate is overflowing with everything and you need to take care of yourself first! Do what you can, but be sure to rest and recharge the batteries!!
I pray everything goes well tomorrow with the test and that additional surgery won't be needed.
I hope the new lead you have for a LLMD pans out. Keep us posted.
God bless you always. Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I hope it is wood and not laminate .. you might need to let even the wood off-gas before moving in.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Just checking on you!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< LymeNet Family Repliers >>>>>,
Mt Echo was a bit painful, but I am 'ok' , wont know anything 'til the end of the month,unless they find something serious in the test results.
Tech' had some trouble getting the pics to read in some areas of my heart... so we'll see. I am praying for the best out come.
I am not sure about the off gas situation with the flooring. They do acclimatize it to the home so it wont warp and perhaps other reasons[?].
We have to live in the home, so we get out during the work as it is dusty. When they do the bedroom,we'll have to leave for a couple days, dusty,and noisy, plus redoing the closet for easier access.
That will be awhile in coming tho', right now they'll be finishing the living room Ell.
It needs to be done, but it is difficult while all is being accomplished. Tomorrow we may pack some more at the old place, small amounts.
This will be our last month of paying rent at the old place. So hopefully very soon we'll be out except to have it cleaned up.
I am looking forward to finding out about this LLMD, and hope it pans out. We'll have to see, not having to pay rent at old place will help free up a bit of the budget. . So far,we aren't having any issues with our new flooring. So it at least seems healthier than what was here.
It has been hectic tho', we had overnight company recently, that was really nice, I do wish I didn't get tired so easily tho', but I am trying to be patient.
I had cardio' exercise today,so I am still sore, but it went well. More Cardio' exercise Monday,and a couple outings during the week if we can.
Then I have to rest, since after a bit of rest,we have to coordinate our help,and get stuff moved over here. Getting the flooring in main home areas in tomorrow,will help hugely.
Right now, nothing is where it should be, except a few things in kitchen area.
Better close, love to You all of our Lyme Family!
Jus' that Silverwolfi
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Glad to hear things are moving in the right direction!
Talking about the types of carpet brought back fond memories...but not of vacuuming them!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< Lyme family >>>>>,
Hugs back to you Tinny,and all who may need them right now!
Well with the exception of our master bedroom the flooring is done. That is going to wait a bit,as far as we know now. Our floor and crown molding guys, have been doing this between other jobs.
And we have to plan for the master bedroom, we don't dare be in here,during that redo.One of our workers friends may be helping with a place for us to stay for couple days during that job [low cost or no cost].
Mostly now, it is trying to regain strength for us both. And more issues w/ the VA, which is an ongoing battle, So we'll see how things go.
When all the flooring is done, we'll only have to vacuum some area rugs. That will be nice, a lot less work. Dust mop the floors, and an occasional gentle mopping and that part will be much easier.
As soon as we get everything out of the other place, if VA doesn't cut back TrekCs disability funding too much [yeah,they're gonna cut it back part way in Sept...GRRRR ] we'll hopefully be able to find someone to help w/ housework.
Right now we are in the 'wait and see' mode.Hopefully my Echo test results were good, wont know 'til end of month, unless it is something serious. So I'm trying not to stress, at least the test proper is out of the way.
Better close for now, still a bit achy from Cardio Exercise yesterday,and fighting some sinus issues. But very glad to be alive,and to be able to check in!
Jus' that Silverwolfi
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Jus' the Wolfi' again,
Today,I was put on 'arm rest' by my Cardio-Physiologist-Doc'. My incision is healing a might slow, and using Hand Bicycle Pedaling machine,is causing some issue.
We've been moving a few smaller things at once,as we have to be out f old place by end of Sept.,and I won't be allowed to lift for awhile.
I've kept what I was lifting light weight but it wasn't enough. Cardio Phys' Doc' says some folk just heal slower than others.
We will be contacting our friends who've offered help to coordinate the move,and do actual hauling.
Part of the things we move will go into storage, far less spendy than continuing to rent the other place where we were living,and keep up with two sets of utility bills.
So when I get to Cardio next time, no hand pedaling for awhile. Having some edema issues too,we are watching that closely. I am taking mild herbal diuretic right now,after discussing it with Cardio'.
If it doesn't stop I have to go in to Cardiologist, and see if we can figure it out. I don't want fluid to build up around heart and lungs.
Other than that I am hanging in here .
Jus' Silverwolfi here
Posted by jory (Member # 50029) on :
Yay Silverwolfi! Glad to hear you're doing well Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Sounds good, Silver! You are making great progress!!
The VA is really enough to make you pull your hair out! GRRR...
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< jory ,Lymetoo, and LymeNet Family Reply-ers >>>>>,
Well, I finally made it back to Cardio-size, a bit worn out now.
TrekC' got to start today too, he went to choir practice, so will see how he is later this P.M.
I am having to be careful, and was warned, that some of us, heal more slowly than others. My upper incision is kinda a mess. Red, peeling, looks like 'fire weave' pattern going down the chest.
So I did treadmill,Nu-step,and Sci-fit stationary bike, today. I can still exercise some w/o hurting incision that way. I hated to miss some sessions, but sometimes my body refuses to cooperate.
We'll see how tomorrow is, if it isn't too bad, hopefully I'll be able to go to Mondays session.
Have to get some more strength, and maintain some sort of balance. We are getting closer to having Dads estate finished up. And we have to be out of other place completely by end of Sept.
I will be glad,and grateful, to have most everything completed. We will have a trip to make, one more time[to do with estate matters], but that will be later on.
And we should know soon when they will finish the last of the flooring.
LOL, right now, I feel like the 'wha... wha... wha...' adults in 'A Charlie Brown Christmas', paired with one of those 'meanwhile back at the ranch'... stories.
Oh well, I am glad things are going as well as they are. Fighting a bit of a headache [Wed. it was a rather bad Migraine], so trying to just take it easy now.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
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] we'll hopefully be able to find someone to help w/ housework.