Update on Joe

[Nancy]

We've been on a little bit of a journey these past couple of days. Joe had an appointment scheduled for this Monday in the afternoon with a new specialist in CHF and pulmonary hypertension, because his CHF was destabilizing. He had been in the ER twice and even hospitalized once in the past month. Well, over the weekend, he slipped into Class 4 CHF, SOB at rest, and he was very fatigued and sleepy much of the time. His legs, and abdomen were swollen, his arms also. He was a very sick man, and I was afraid he would slip into a coma. So first thing on Monday, I called the new specialist to see if I could bring him in early, and I mentioned that he was in serious trouble, and would probably have to be admitted. They did take him in early, did an exam, and admitted him directly into the hospital (Albany Medical Center).

He's in a very high-tech ICU type unit, and they are going over every aspect of his conditions. He will be having a right heart cath on Thursday, and had a CT scan today, plus a pulmonary function test. They'll probably also be doing an echo. We're hoping to get to the bottom of his pulmonary hypertension and get his CHF under better control.

I don't have any answers yet, because the testing is not completed, but he is feeling much better, due to IV Lasix several times per day. He was alert, funny, and sassy, actually felt good enough to be sarcastic, which is his "old" self. He still has a lot of fluid on board, in his ankles and stomach area, but it seems to be "draining" pretty well.

I'll know more in the next couple of days.

Happy New Year everyone!

 

[alicia]

Oh my Nancy. Im so sorry. I will pray for you both, You need to be strong for him, but you already know that. Im concerened as well about myself having PPH due to the elevated pressures in my heart and lungs. Its an issue that me and the cardiac surgeon are going to address Thursday at my catherization and preops.

God bless you both and hopefuly he will get to go home soon.
You take care of yourself. We all care about you and Joe.

 

[Creed3]

Nancy,
I'm so sorry to hear about Joe! I was praying things would be getting better. At least Joe is in the hospital where they can take good care of him. I am sending both you and Joe my prayers. I wish there was more I could do for you both; you have been through so much. Please continue to let us know how you both are doing.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[hensylee]

Dear Nancy - Sorry to hear that Joe is still in dire circumstances. I know you must feel helpless at times, but you seem so strong and will be his protector as much as you can. You are in my prayers. Please take care of Nancy, too. God bless

 

[sylviayasgur]

oh nancy...
i'm in aruba vacationing with my entire family (i was born and raised here and we all return each xmas) .
when i checked to see how all of you vr.com-ers were, i was so upset to see that you and your joe are still dealing with this.
i hope they finally get down to the bottom of this and find a way to treat it.
you are in my thoughts and prayers. wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
all the best, sylvia

 

[wlaldridge]

As everyone else is saying, we are praying for you both.

Hope they can get to the bottom of Joe's ongoing problems.

An we certainly want you to take a good a care of yourself as you can. Thanks for keeping us informed as you go through all this.

Wish there was more I could do or say, to help.

Best wishes now and for this new year.

Bill

 

[EVELYN]

Nancy


You and Joe will be up front in my prayers, starting right now!!! I was so very sorry to hear about Joe---I knew he had been in the hospital, and then I went offline forever it seems and now this. If there's anything at all we can do, I'll drive up to Albany......and this I truly mean!!! You have been so absolutely wonderful for all of us on vr.com, I just wish there was something I could do for you and Joe.

He's where he needs to be now, and that's for sure. YOU just take good care of yourself. We will both be praying for you, girlfriend. Please keep us posted.

Evelyn and Tyce

 

[Arlyss]

Thinking of You This New Year's Day

Thinking of You This New Year's Day

Dear Nancy and Joe,
I just wanted to join with others to tell you that you are remembered with wishes for only good things to come. Although no one ever wants to be in the hospital, I am glad for both of your sakes' that Joe is there under expert care now when he needs it.
We cannot do what the doctors, nurses, and other staff are doing for you, but we can surround you with love and caring. May you both feel it there in the hospital, coming to you from your friends near and far.
Arlyss

 

[bpolly6]

Nancy,
I am so new to this sight. I haven't contributed much to it yet but I have read and re-read all the posts and I want you to know that both you and Joe are in my thoughts and prayers. I will be thinking of you both. I wish I could do more. Hang in there.

 

[wweir]

Nancy,

I join your other friends in praying that Joe has a fast recovery. It sounds like Joe is in good hands at the hospital and soon he will be back home.

We are thinking of you.

Walter

 

[Lorraine]

Nancy,

I was so sorry to read about Joe. It is good that he is where he needs to be at this time, with all the professionals and you by his side as always. Take care of yourself too. I know you are Joes "ROCK"! You are such a wonderful contributer on this site and I know we all just want to be there for you as well.

I will keep Joe and you both in my thoughts and prayers. We all will be praying for you both. Take care and God Bless!

 

[Granbonny]

Will be praying for Joe

Will be praying for Joe

I hope we can hear from you soon again and hear that Joe is much better. Take Care. Bonnie

 

[deborahj]

best wishes

best wishes

nancy ,you are so kind when people come by this site, I sincerely hope that Joe recovers from this latest tribulation.its good to hear that he is returning to his 'sassy' self.thanks for all your input here, to the site and to valve replacement members.i wish you a healthy and happy 2003 for you,joe and your family.

 

[R0Y]

So very sorry to hear of Joe's problems. You and he are in our thoughts and prayers for a favorable outcome and a healthy new year.

-- roy --

 

[Vicki448]

Nancy, my thoughts and prayers are with you both. It sounds good that Joe is feeling sassy and sarcastic - that's a very positive sign! I know you will take care of Joe and I hope that you remember that Nancy needs taking care of also. Our God is a merciful God.

 

[Guest]

Hi Nancy & Joe,

Just a quick note to let you know that I have both of you in my prayers at this time. I pray that you are both filled with peace and patience while you are waiting for treatment. Take care!

Julia

 

[Ron K]

Hi Nancy,

I was sorry to hear about Joe's latest health problems. I hope he recovers quickly and fully and that 2003 is a happier and healthier year for both of you.

We will keep you and Joe in our prayers.

Ron K

 

[John Cochran]

Nancy,
Happy new year to you and your family. I'm sorry it is off to a rocky start. All my best to Joe...being sassy and sarcastic is a good sign!

John

 

[Nancy]

Hi everybody-

Thanks for all your kind words.

I think I have some positive news to report. There is some preliminary hope that Joe's pulmonary hypertension is a reversible condition. He'll maybe have to take several pills a day, but it looks hopeful. They did a right heart cath today, and he has a neck Swan in with the heart catheter in place, and it'll be there for several days. They tried a couple of different meds in the cath lab, and they helped his condition. They are doing a very meticulous study and will be continually monitoring him while they try various meds. Because of the super nursing care and the ICU environment, he is able to be sitting in a chair, and is not confined to his bed. But the Swan looks quite uncomfortable.

His CHF is slowly improving, and as that is improving, his renal function is as well. His lips are pink now. They were blue when I took him to the specialist. His appetite has returned with a vengeance. His CHF had made him anorexic, but now, he's eating everything in sight.

This is all preliminary, and not the "official" report, so I'm hoping that it stays on the right path. It will be a miracle.

 

[Ross]

I've been out of circulation for the past couple of days. I'm happy to hear Joe is doing better thus far and I too, hope he continues on the current improvement trend. I'll continue in thought and prayer, in hopes that all works out and he gets home soon, but not until they nail the ailments.