12 Day's away and getting Bronchitis!

[Ross]

Here I am, 12 days away from surgery day and it looks to be I'm developing some sickness.

Anyone else gotten sick just before surgery?

Looks like I'll be heading to the Doc before this Friday for some Antibiotics. :mad:

[Christina]

Hi Ross,

I got Bronchitis a year ago and 5 weeks ago again. Would this be called a chronic condition? Antibiotics did not help at all. Still have Larengitus to deal with and it won't go away. Am feeling better though!
Hope you won't linger as I am lingering with this.
Good Luck!

Christina
Congenital Aortic Stenosis
AVR's 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
St.Jude's Mechanical

[sylviayasgur]

hi ross!
joey got a sore throat and cough right before his surgery. they did a blood test to make sure his white blood count wasn't too high and found it to be borderline. we talked with dr. stelzer, who didn't seem too concerned. when we asked him what he thought, he said we could go ahead. he did, ultimately, leave that up to joey though. the only bad thing was that he had a residual cough after the surgery (and by now you know that's not what you want to have... no coughs, no sneezes, etc).
lots of tea and 2 good night sleeps later he went in for the surgery still not feeling 100%, but strong enough.
hopefully you will have sufficient time to take the meds and fight this thing off and go into surgery good and strong.
i will be thinking of you and hoping that these wonder drugs do their job quickly.
best wishes for a speedy recovery,
sylvia

[hensylee]

Now, Ross, you just cut that out and straighten up or I'll have to come up there, you hear? Lots of OJ, vit C, a trip to dr, rest, gargle w/warm salty water and drink MUCH water, some zinc lozenges and you ought to be in good shape by the end of 12 days. NO sickness now, it's just too late.

[Johnny Stephens]

Hey Ross, sorry to hear you are getting a bug. If you get on it quickly, I'll bet you'll be cleared up in time if it's not too nasty.

Listen to hensylee, I don't think you want her to come up there ;)

[weekycat]

while I'm awaiting my own surgery in a matter of hours.

Hi Ross, I'm pretty new here myself, but you were the first to respond to my post. I hope you get over that bug real quick! When I get back on the board, I'd like to see that you are still scheduled for your surgery.

I should be sleeeeeeeeeping! I really feel okay about the surgery, just took my Hibiclens shower and for some reason do not feel a bit tired, adrenaline? Probably. but in less than two hours, I'll be off to Fairview Southdale in Edina MN.

:eek: Oh well, hang in there and I'll see ya on the other side, Ross! Jean

[Ross]

This certainly isn't my own chosing.

The wife brought it home from work and as things go in this house, I just had to get it too. She's on day 4 and beginning to get better and so far, it hasn't hit me as hard, but I'll see what the Doc has to say anyway. I get the feeling that this is one that I'll have to deal with, without antibiotics. As long as I'm not coughing my chest apart, I'll be happy! This is the first illness, bugwise, that I've gotten this year. That is a new world record in itself. The timing is messed up though.

Hensylee, you know I'd do anything to make you come up here! :D

Jean: Too late to post to you, but I'll do it anyway.
I'll keep you close in thought and prayer as you go through your surgery. I hope someone can post on your behalf, but if not, be sure to let us know how your doing when possible. ;)

[Mb]

Hi Russ:

I can just imagine your worry. Don;t want that surgery postponed. Are you certain it is bronchitis? As Nancy always says, everything that happens to you guys ends up being related to your heart disease. Make sure your surgeon and your PCP really know what is going on. Perhaps you have some fluid backing up??????????
Sounds like you are on the right track....call your doctor, and take it easy!

Best wishes, agian for your upcoming surgery!

Marybeth

[Perrster]

Ross,

I'm hoping things improve quickly and you can go forward soon.

Take care!

:p

Regards,

[Ron K]

Hey Ross,

You'll have to do better than that to postpone your surgery! What happened to that positive mental attitude you were supposed to be keeping up?

See the doc, take your medicine, get lots of rest, follow everyone's advice, and get over this thing. I'm sure you'll be feeling fine in 10 days or less, just in time to get ready for the hospital. :)

' Hope you're feeling better real soon. (and your wife, too.)

Ron K

[Bill Hall]

Hi Ross - I had the flu and bronchitis just after I left the hospital after my surgery. My opinion is that you are better off getting sick before the surgery than after it. However, not getting sick on either side is a good option too.

[Nancy]

Hi Ross-

I agree with Marybeth. One time, Joe was diagnosed with bronchitis (not by his cardiologist) and was treated for it for several months. It turned out to be fluid in his lung, not bronchitis. So see the cardio and check it out with him. Fluid can also collect in your neck veins, distending them and causing hoarseness.

I can assure you, we will never let that happen to Joe again. The longer I go down this bumpy road with Joe, the mouthier I become (and I was already mouthy, LOL). You have to be your own best friend.

So buddy, have the heart man take a look.

[Zipper]

Hi Ross,

Well it's all been said, so I can only add my best wishes for this 'bug' to be mild and leave you quickly!!! (We don't want to 'shoot' you yet..LOL!)

Zipper *~*

[John Cochran]

Ross,
You have time to get over this, and I just know you will. Times of stress make us all more susceptible to bugs, and this surely qualifies as a time of stress for you!

I just found out today I'll beat you to the operating room...my surgery is now scheduled for June 5. So don't breathe on me now, ok? LOL

Get well quick and listen to all the good advice everyone gave above.

--John

[Ross]

I have an infection. The Doctor started me on Biaxcin and the surgeons office is going to call toward the end of next week to see how I'm feeling. I'm ticked! I haven't gotten any bugs all year until now. :mad:

[Nancy]

Doesn't it just figure. All this long wait and then you have this to deal with. It stinks, but I'm sure they'll move Heaven and Earth to get you well for surgery. Most bugs are killed by antibiotics within the first 24 hrs and then all you hve to do is get over the symptoms. You can do it!

Wishing you a quick recovery.

[sylviayasgur]

hey john!
great news that you have your date. and, not too much time before to think about it.
i'm glad you finally have that "end in sight".
you will be in our thoughts and prayers that day, but in the meantime we'll be here keeping you company while you wait.
be well, sylvia

[Ron K]

Ross,

How are you doing? Did you get some Rx meds for your problem? Any improvement? Please post soon and let us know you're okay. I sure hope they don't have to postpone your surgery.

We're all pulling for you. :)

Ron K

[Ross]

Thanks for the thoughts Ron

7 days away and I'm actually worse! Whatever this is, the antibiotics don't seem to be phasing it. Maybe too soon? I just got them Friday. I feel almost like I have Bronchitis/Pneumonia. Feverish, head and chest congestion to the max, can't talk right, half deaf and terribly space brained.

At this point, it looks like I'll be rescheduled. :mad: I suppose I'll know for sure Wednesday. :(

[John Cochran]

Hey Ron,
With my own surgery just a couple days away now, I know how hard it would be if it had to be rescheduled (this already happened once to me when they didn't have the right size valve).

I recall Jennie Harris telling me how she got through all this, and it was by taking one day--one thing--at a time. They will get this illness figured out, and you will get well. If your surgery has to be rescheduled, so be it. You will get through all this, and I really look forward to the time when we are both on the other side of that metaphorical mountain, and can focus once again on enjoying life.

Hang in there, Ron...I just know this will all work out for you.

Warmest wishes,
--John

[Nancy]

Gosh Ross-

That's terrible. I'm still hoping for you, that the bug leaves ASAP. When you're psyched for surgery, rescheduling is pretty tough to handle.

But you wouldn't want to get even sicker afterwards, so if that's the way it has to be for your safety, you can deal with it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[sylviayasgur]

hey ross!
i'm sorry to hear that there's no improvement... if you do end up postponing the surgery, it will only be for the best and safest. i would hate to see my husband go into any surgery, least of all ohs, not feeling 100% or close to it.
i truly believe everything has it's reasons. if you do postpone, try and think of it as "found time".
who knows, though, you may start to feel better in the next day or so.
please let us know what happens. wishing you a speedy recovery, sylvia

[Johnny Stephens]

Ross, don't get too disappointed if you wind up postponing. I'm sure you don't want to compound your risks by going into major surgery already compromised. You will be better for the waiting if that's the way it turns out.

Relax and let yourself get better. I'm pullin' for ya!

[JenniferO]

Ross:

So sorry you're feeling as bad as you do. They say all things happen for a reason, though we don't always know what that reason is.

Ride the wave since there's nothing you can do about it and the chips will fall into place where they will.

Hopefully the delay, if it happens, won't be for long.

Are Lyn's symptoms as bad as yours or do you seem to have a worse case?

[Ross]

Hello all and thanks for the kind words.

Lyn originally got this bug. She is just as bad as I am. It's one of those "Hang On Forever" types or so it seems.

I'm going to call the Doc again in the morning as I was supposed to go for pre testing Wednesday. I think I can safely rule that out.

Jennifer, I sat and thought about the reasons why. I'm not going to fight it and I will ride the tide. There is a reason for everything. ;)

[Ross]

I talked with the surgeons office today concerning pre-testing and they want me to go anyway. They hope that the testing might reveal the cause of this infection. As it stands now, it doesn't look good at all for a Monday surgery.

As bad as I feel right now, they may even admit me after pre-testing tomorrow. I'm certain that they aren't going to like the oxygen levels in my blood. They are going to do arterial blood gases, which I've been through more times then I care to think about. I know already that they're going to see a really messed up PO2 and PCO2 levels.

If you folks don't here from me tomorrow afternoon, you'll know that they kept me!

[hensylee]

Thinking of you and sending my prayers, Ross. If we don't hear tomorrow, I have the hosp name, etc and will check it out. God bless

[Granbonny]

I'm sorry to hear all your bad news but I feel like the doctors will know what is the best thing for you.......I remembered Monday because it is my birthday...Let us hear from you...Good Luck..Bonnie

[Nancy]

Wishing you all the best Ross. God Bless.

[sylviayasgur]

hi ross!
looking forward to hearing from you whether it's because you were sent home after pre-testing, or whether it is after the surgery.
my thoughts and prayers are with you.
all the best, sylvia

[Beverly]

Ross,

Sorry to hear that you are not feeling better. If the decision is to admit you tomorrow I hope they are able to find the right medication to bring you back to health. You are in my prayers

[Mb]

Ross.

Hi: hadn't been on for a few days, just saw the post that you weren't getting better with the anitbiotics.

Please post, if you can, for an update. You have been one very patient man.

Best wishes.

Marybeth

[Ross]

They didn't keep me today, but I think that's only because the Radiologist hasn't seen the X-ray yet. The technician sure had a strange look on her face. She asked me if I was short of breath and of course, I said that I was. The Pulmonary Lab went just as I thought. I bet my phone rings just as soon as the specialists reviews are in!

Still with all of you for the time being. ;)

[JenniferO]

We're waiting with you Ross in spirit and in prayer and will keep checking here for updates.

[Zipper]

Thinking positive for you, Ross! Keep calm...it'll all happen when it's right!

Take care,

Zipper

[Nancy]

Hi Ross-

Well, there's a good side to this. You'll get priority treatment for what ails ya, and they'll get down to business and make it go away.

My thoughts are with you.

[Mb]

Ross:

Just think of it........you've gotten 35 replies to this thread. That's because we all see how much you have posted, and showed your concern for others.

We are all really rooting for you, and hope this clears up quickly!

Marybeth

[Granbonny]

36 now Ross......Good Luck with everything..Bonnie

[sylviayasgur]

hi ross!
just checking to see how you're feeling today. any better? do you see an end in sight or is this bug just lingering (as they sometimes do). please let us know how you're doing.
feel better, sylvia

[Ross]

Hello all

This bug is still lingering. I've almost completely lost my voice, still congested and coughing terribly hard, trying to bring the junk up and out. If I cough much more or harder, they won't have to open my chest. It'll explode on it's own. Maybe this is my physical conditioning for surgery? OUCH.

I have to call the surgeons office in the morning and see if they got the pre-test results back and if it sheds any light on what is going on. I cannot see this surgery happening at this time. I'll have to wait and see what the surgeon has to say.

The tension in this house can be cut with a knife. I think were all pretending that this isn't going to happen. Now, that the date is almost on top of us, we're being really choppy and mean to one another for no real reason. Neither my wife nor I have felt good enough to do much in the way of cleaning etc, and tomorrow is our sons graduation ceremony and our 22nd wedding anniversary. Maybe it's just all this stuff that is hitting at the same time? Judging from my visit for testing at the hospital, I'm wondering if I can even make it to my sons grad ceremony.

I guess that's my rant for now. I wish I could pinpoint the problem and resolve this stuff.

[Nancy]

Hi Ross-

I was so wishing that you had some good news for us about the "bug". I can imagine the stress is getting to everyone, it can certainly take its toll. It's hard enough to have to face this surgery, then have the ups and downs of postponing it, then to have a terrible illness come to visit on top of everything.

If you can, do your best to concentrate on the good things for a moment, your son's graduation and your anniversary. Maybe some pleasant things are just what is needed at this time. We all have to live our lives as normally as we can throughout all this chaos. This is only a moment in time, nothing more, tomorrow is a different day.

Happy anniversary to you both and congratulations to your son.

[Rain]

Hey Ross,

Happy anniversary! And congratulations on your son?s graduation.

Please know that I am thinking about you. :)

Rain