Jackie
Well-known member
Thanks Norma, sure hope all is well. You are the kind of friend that everyone needs. Thank you again.
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
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Dawn-Marie
Hi again ~
I'm so sorry i didn't get right back to you. I was feeling so lousy that i stayed in bed for a couple days. Then i was waiting for a couple phone calls so i couldn't get on the computer, as i just have dial-up and with that if i'm on the computer people just get a busy signal.
Dr. Ferraro had originally said he could perform a Valvuloplasty every year if need be, but after he did it he changed his mind and said my only hope is to have the percutaneous valve study open up to include bicuspid valves. He used 3 balloons to get my valve open and he said i bled really bad and had everyone scared. Plus he said that, unfortunately, he didn't get it open as much as he had hoped. He also told me they found i have severe pulmonary hypertension and that my right lung and right side of my heart are both very stiff. He put me on 25 mg of Metoprolol (beta blocker). He decreased my diuretics to l mg. of Bumex and 25 mg. of Spirolactone and decreased my potassium to 20 MEQ per day.
All i know is i was feeling better earlier, but then i started getting pain in my upper chest and down my left arm into my wrist again so my hand cramps up. I tried to tell Dr. Gutierrez's nurse when i talked to her that this is not normal. It happened for almost 45 minutes on and off Sunday and then again yesterday for a few minutes. Now it's been happening on and off again since around 6:30. At least they're going to check my blood tomorrow to see if my potassium is low (which i'm sure it is as 20 MEQ per day is not enough potassium for me, as my potassium is often critically low). I wish doctors and nurses would really listen to patients. I told her my legs and stomach are swelling too and she just said it ended up being a much harder procedure than he thought and my body is probably just recovering from the trauma. Oh, Dr. Ferraro said i have pneumonia in my left lung too and it will just have to work it's way out. I don't know how it will as i have no ability to cough.
I am so sorry to complain. It's just that i thought i'd feel so much better after this procedure and instead i feel much worse. Maybe it is just that it stressed my heart to have all the balloons blown up inside my valve. When i had cancer they took most of my ribs out on my right side and part of my right lung and that didn't even hurt as bad, so i didn't expect this. Of course, i was only 29 then, so when you're young you bounce back from surgery better than when you're 57, like i am now.
Hopefully, the blood tests will show what's going on with me. I'm hoping it's just that my potassium is low.
Thank you again for all your support and for your prayers. Knowing you care so much about me has helped me immensely!
Dawn-Marie
I'm so sorry i didn't get right back to you. I was feeling so lousy that i stayed in bed for a couple days. Then i was waiting for a couple phone calls so i couldn't get on the computer, as i just have dial-up and with that if i'm on the computer people just get a busy signal.
Dr. Ferraro had originally said he could perform a Valvuloplasty every year if need be, but after he did it he changed his mind and said my only hope is to have the percutaneous valve study open up to include bicuspid valves. He used 3 balloons to get my valve open and he said i bled really bad and had everyone scared. Plus he said that, unfortunately, he didn't get it open as much as he had hoped. He also told me they found i have severe pulmonary hypertension and that my right lung and right side of my heart are both very stiff. He put me on 25 mg of Metoprolol (beta blocker). He decreased my diuretics to l mg. of Bumex and 25 mg. of Spirolactone and decreased my potassium to 20 MEQ per day.
All i know is i was feeling better earlier, but then i started getting pain in my upper chest and down my left arm into my wrist again so my hand cramps up. I tried to tell Dr. Gutierrez's nurse when i talked to her that this is not normal. It happened for almost 45 minutes on and off Sunday and then again yesterday for a few minutes. Now it's been happening on and off again since around 6:30. At least they're going to check my blood tomorrow to see if my potassium is low (which i'm sure it is as 20 MEQ per day is not enough potassium for me, as my potassium is often critically low). I wish doctors and nurses would really listen to patients. I told her my legs and stomach are swelling too and she just said it ended up being a much harder procedure than he thought and my body is probably just recovering from the trauma. Oh, Dr. Ferraro said i have pneumonia in my left lung too and it will just have to work it's way out. I don't know how it will as i have no ability to cough.
I am so sorry to complain. It's just that i thought i'd feel so much better after this procedure and instead i feel much worse. Maybe it is just that it stressed my heart to have all the balloons blown up inside my valve. When i had cancer they took most of my ribs out on my right side and part of my right lung and that didn't even hurt as bad, so i didn't expect this. Of course, i was only 29 then, so when you're young you bounce back from surgery better than when you're 57, like i am now.
Hopefully, the blood tests will show what's going on with me. I'm hoping it's just that my potassium is low.
Thank you again for all your support and for your prayers. Knowing you care so much about me has helped me immensely!
Dawn-Marie
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Phyllis
As usual, your courage and your attitude is amazing, Dawn-Marie. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that potassium is the culprit and you will soon be feeling better.
pamela
Well-known member
Dear Dawn-Marie,
I hope you don't let them dismiss your signs and symptoms too much. If you were mobile and swelling, then you know you'd be at the ER recieving diuretics and other treatments. Please ask your nurse to slow down and listen, then if she avoids calling the doc/hosp call yourself. Anyone else presenting those problems would be hooked up on an EKG and IV's immediately. At the very least she could take a blood draw and be sure you're not suffering blockages from plaque.
Do you have anyone at all to act as a reliable advocate? Maybe, your attendant would be more apt to listen to a different voice.
My best thoughts and wishes for your comfort and peace remain with you, dear lady.
Take Heart,
Pamela.
I hope you don't let them dismiss your signs and symptoms too much. If you were mobile and swelling, then you know you'd be at the ER recieving diuretics and other treatments. Please ask your nurse to slow down and listen, then if she avoids calling the doc/hosp call yourself. Anyone else presenting those problems would be hooked up on an EKG and IV's immediately. At the very least she could take a blood draw and be sure you're not suffering blockages from plaque.
Do you have anyone at all to act as a reliable advocate? Maybe, your attendant would be more apt to listen to a different voice.
My best thoughts and wishes for your comfort and peace remain with you, dear lady.
Take Heart,
Pamela.
abbanabba
Well-known member
(((((Hugs))))) So sorry to hear you're having such a hard recovery Dawn-Marie 
I hope they can investigate the new problems you're having and find a solution to get you feeling on-track again.
Hang in there and do everything you need to get yourself feeling better soon.
Best wishes to you...
A x
I hope they can investigate the new problems you're having and find a solution to get you feeling on-track again. Hang in there and do everything you need to get yourself feeling better soon.
Best wishes to you...
A x
Nancy
Well-known member
Are they going to address your severe PH? Joe had severe PH. It can cause enormous problems with fluid retention, and many other problems as well, including of course, pulmonary problems and lung fibrosis which Joe had.
Here is a website that helped me to help Joe.
http://www.phassociation.org/Message_Boards/main.asp?board=1
http://www.phassociation.org/
This site has good basic information too including meds that can be used.
http://www.chfpatients.com/ph.htm
Here is a website that helped me to help Joe.
http://www.phassociation.org/Message_Boards/main.asp?board=1
http://www.phassociation.org/
This site has good basic information too including meds that can be used.
http://www.chfpatients.com/ph.htm
Jackie
Well-known member
Dawn-Marie, I am so sorry that you are not feeling better. My thoughts and prayers are being sent your way. ((((HUGS))))
EireCara
Well-known member
Dear Dawn-Marie, I am sorry you are feeling so unwell. I think of you often, and will keep you in my prayers, daily. (((((HUGS))))) x
hall
Well-known member
Sorry you are not feeling very good Dawn-Marie. My thoughts and prayers for you.
Ross
Well-known member
Some of us just can't have an easy go at anything. Wishing you the best and praying for it too.
I really hope that you get some relief soon......
Dawn-Marie,
I am speechless after reading your latest post. Again, I say you are my hero, you have been through so much, yet you continue to fight. I again will say that you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I hope you can feel the huge hug I am sending.
I am speechless after reading your latest post. Again, I say you are my hero, you have been through so much, yet you continue to fight. I again will say that you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I hope you can feel the huge hug I am sending.
hensylee
Well-known member
complain? not you. I have been offline for a few days and come back to find you not so well and I am so sorry. I keep you in my prayers all the time and think of you a lot. You are such a trouper and thinking of others every time you post. I pray you can get some relief. We appreciate Norma keeping us up to date. Thanks for taking the time to post to us. Blessins.....
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Dawn-Marie
Hi everyone ~ Laura (my nurse) took my blood this afternoon, but i never got the results, so i guess it wasn't that bad or she would have called me. Actually, except for swelling quite bad, i feel really good today. No strange pains in my chest and down my arm into my wrist and hand. She said she would call me after she got the test results and talked to my doctor. She wants him to up the diuretics as my left leg is so swollen it hardly bends. Maybe she just couldn't get ahold of him. I'll call her in the morning. Planned on getting in here earlier, but then my friend came over for dinner. My other friend and her pastor are coming for dinner tomorrow evening, so that will be nice. Thanks again for your concern and prayers. They must be working as i do feel much better and Laura said i have some pneumonia in my left lung, but it's not as much as the doctor had said, so it must be clearing up ))).
Hope to talk to Laura early tomorrow so i can get in here and read everyone's posts. It's such a pain not being on the computer and waiting for phone calls!
Hope you all have a good night! Dawn-Marie
))).Hope to talk to Laura early tomorrow so i can get in here and read everyone's posts. It's such a pain not being on the computer and waiting for phone calls!
Hope you all have a good night! Dawn-Marie
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Phyllis
Wonderful news, Dawn-Marie. Enjoy your company and sleep well tonight!
Nancy
Well-known member
Sounds like things are finally heading in the right direction for you.
What wonderful news my friend! Perhaps it is like they told you that being that they did so much to you, it would take a while before you started feeling better. We'll pray that this is just the start of how good you're going to feel from now on!
Sweet dreams!
Sweet dreams!
It was so good to read you post, Dawn-Marie and that you are start to feel a little better. God knows...that you deserve a little respite. Take good care, continue to get rest and as always keeping you in my thoughts and prayers...
Jackie
Well-known member
Dawn-Marie, Happy to hear the good news, keeping you in my prayers.
