Update on Joe

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Here's the report from Joe's TEE and a lot of other tests. He doesn't need heart surgery. His valves appear to be working OK and his heart muscle is squeezing well. There wasn't any evidence of vegetation, which I was afraid of. They have ruled out any cancer in his lungs. His tricuspid valve is still regurgitating, but that is apparently from the high pressures in the heart, and it doesn't need surgery.

They will be working on his pulmonary hypertension, CHF, anemia and lung fibrosis, which is from scar tissue buildup. It has caused his one lung to not function properly, and I guess the lower part is partially collapsed. His other lung has also had surgery. I think he will be going to some form of physical therapy because he's quite out of condition from all this. I don't think he'll need oxygen, at this point. If he does, it will probably be at night.

So all in all, not as bad as it might have been. He'll have some disability, but, so do an awful lot of others. I think once everything is stabilized, and we are able to keep it that way, he'll definitely be feeling better than he does, and for sure better than he felt when he went into the hospital. He'll probably be in the hospital for a little while yet, because they are still making adjustments and trying out things.

These doctors have been just great. Very professional and very thorough. I'm glad I brought him there (Albany Medical Center, Heart Institute)
 
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Nancy, I'm glad to hear Joe is coming along and some things have been ruled out. You're a real trooper and so very informative, caring and supportive to Joe (and all here). I hope you're taking good care of yoursef also.

Zipper *~*
 
I certainly understand the lung scar tissue deal well. It's no fun for anyone. Still plugging for the both of you and you better be taking care of yourself. I'm sure you are, but you do worry all of us. :)
 
Nancy,
I'm glad to hear that things are coming along with Joe. It is definatley a good thing that the docs are taking their time and not rushing to any conclusions. I too agree with the others and hope that you are taking care of yourself through all of this.

Take Care & God Bless!
Gail
 
Gosh Nancy....

This seems like it might be pretty good news. Another heart surgery for Joe could be a disaster. I admit I am surprised that his valves are ok, since the echo showed slight malfunctioning. I wonder if the tricuspid valve/heart pressures caused this at the time of the echo. As I had told you, at Wayne's last echo in early October, the tricuspid valve showed severe leakage, but his new mitral valve had a moderate leak as well. His cardio said this was due to the tricuspid leaking.

All in all, if they can get the lung problems straightened out soon with meds, it appears that Joe will be ok. Like you said, a bit more disabled....but at least not in critical shape. That's really good news.

He must adore you. You are such a great support for him.

Will be wishing you and Joe well for the weekend. - Marybeth
 
YAY NANCY AND JOE!!!! I'm so glad for the both of you....at least this is something you can deal with... I just sat down at the computer to check on Joe and Alicia on my way out to run the 4 leggeds. It's 39 here now and said to begin to get colder as the day progresses, so I digured we'd do it now. Will chat later, and again, so very glad to hear the good news.

Evelyn
 
Hi Nancy, I have been checking in on Joe everyday to see how he's doing, although I don't post that much, he's been in my thoughts. You must be a very strong woman to be dealing with all this so well. My husband told me yesterday that all my heart stuff is just so much to handle for him. I can only imagine how much all Joe's heart and lung problems are for you to handle. Take care of yourself, and I will check in again soon!
 
Hi Nancy and Joe!!!!

Glad to hear that the situation is better than first guess. You made a VERY wise decision going to a new medical facility. Tell Joe that Joann and I have him in our daily thoughts!

God Bless both of you!!!!

John & Joann
Still Clicking for over 31 years!!!
 
We're thinking of you, Joe.

We're thinking of you, Joe.

Hello Nancy,

Do you think Joe knows he has so many people thinking about him and wishing him good health? :) I?m one of them!!

He?s a lucky guy to have a lady like you by his side.
 
Nancy,
I'm glad to hear Joe doesn't need additional surgery, and that a lot of the scary stuff has been ruled out.

Nancy, you remind me of my dear aunt, whose husband has had a variety of serious health problems since WWII. As a kid, I recall my dad telling me how my uncle "was on his last legs." But my aunt is an incredibly caring, intelligent and proactive woman who loves my uncle dearly. In spite of several hospitalizations and scary times, my uncle is now 92 years old. In spite of some limitations, they still have a lot of joy in their lives and find many fun things to do together.

While I know the going is tough, Nancy, you should know that you are a tremendous role model for a lot us, and your strength and persistence in assuring Joe's best medical interests give us all encouragement that tough problems can indeed be conquered.

Big hugs to you, Joe and your family,
--John
 
Nancy, I am so sorry to hear of your trials lately but very glad to hear that you and Joe are evidently on an upswing again. My computer and server were being completely uncooperative for over two weeks and I have missed so much . Hope they can find an even road ahead for the two of you and soon! Take care.
 
Hi Medtronic and everybody-

Joe has a whole team of specialists including a cardiologist who specializes in pulmonary hypertension and CHF and is a member of the Transplant Team (Joe doesn't need a transplant, though, even if he did, he probably wouldn't qualify), a pulmonary specialist, a hematologist and a gastro specialist. He's being examined inside out, upside down, every freckle, mole, toenail, etc., every kind of xray, test (invasive and not invasive), lab. You can't imagine what a going over he's having. He's been in the hospital 2 weeks now, and more to come.

There probably isn't anything they don't know about this man, by now. So everything they do is being calculated and weighed on a daily basis.

The thoroughness is massively impressive.

His conditions are hard to treat. They're watching his oxygen carefully, you can be sure.

There is a new drug just on the market to treat pulmonary hypertension, and it's a possibility for him, but there will be a little wait. There's an application process.
 
Nancy, I don't know how you do it. You have the strength of pure granite for your Joe, and you still have time for helping all the rest of us.

Joe has people out here praying for him -- people he doesn't even know are "acquaintances" of his via your posts. God is with you both, I know.

I also feel He wants you both to spend more time in this world with us. . .

Love and Prayers, and Peace be with you.
 
You don't have to answer....

You don't have to answer....

Nancy,

Would it be really rotten to ask... how old is Joe?

I think you both must be the most wonderful people. I just love how you stand by him, and he must be pretty darn awesome to have a woman like you so dedicated to him.
 
Nancy,

Been out of touch, but still been thinking of you and Joe. I'm so glad to hear he's getting such a thorough assessment and that some of the things you were really fearful of have been ruled out.

John is right; you are a great role model for the rest of us. We will all go through more and more of this stuff as we age, either as the immediate victim or close to someone who is.

Keep up your good work for your beloved Joe and thanks for sharing all this with us and at least letting us pray for you two.

God bless!
 
Update on Joe

Nancy,

Been away for awhile..so sorry about Joe. I am also so worried about you since I know the stress and anxiety you are under.
Please take care of yourself and we'll say a few prayers for Joe.
.....and remember the "universe is unfolding as it should"
God Bless we'll pray for you and Joe.

Jack ( Welland )
 
So sorry to here. Chris E. and I have been out of touch ourselves with "chatting" on line (got a new computer and many problems getting it to work - imagine that) but I think SRWIELAND said it best and I can't think of anything more to add other than we're saying our prayers. Take Care, Ter.
 
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