Sarah here. Phil posted a short time ago, so go read his ramblings as well.
I'm in the traffic circle again, or, aside the circle as it were. Mom, Amos, and I are keeping ourselves together as we wait for Dad to have his angiogram right now. It's also called a cardio catheter, but it basically is a catheter inserted through the femoral artery in the groin up to the heart. They will inject dye into the cardiac arteries to find blockages or whatever there might be. Although it is a common procedure, there is a 1 in 1,000 chance that something will go wrong. And that's what we're trying to avoid thinking about.
His CT scan showed nothing except for the fluid around the chest cavity and lungs that we already knew was there. So, here we are in the circle, waiting for that old man to survive his catheter.
Things are mostly well otherwise. I've managed to drive about 600 miles in a week and a half. I was scheduled to fly home today, and folks, that just ain't happenin'. Gasoline is ungodly expensive, and I'm starkly aware again that living in the boonies requires a great deal of fuel. I curse you, oil companies.
Amos and Mom have bonded nicely, and last night we marveled as Hilary took Texas in the primaries. I stopped at Whole Foods in San Antonio last night. It was nice to be in a place that was at least somewhat familiar to my usual routine.
Well, Amos is cranky and I must eat. Thanks again for all of the thoughts, prayers, and comments. It really does make make a lil' lady feel better.
Also: A question was asked of me via Twitter. Lasix, one of the diuretics given to my Dad, is working wonders. He has lost 21 lbs of fluids from his body so far. Good grief, eh?!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
I dreamed of a circle
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7 beautiful people muttered something back:
That is great news. If your dad isn't one of the "I feel ok, I don't need to take my lasix today" types (ahem), he'll probably do fine for a while. Taking it daily is terribly important. I learned this the hard way. Twice. His cough will go away when his fluid is down.
Hopefully they told him that he has to restrict his fluids and he CANNOT take ibuprophan, only tylenol, due to water retention. And goodbye to salt. Sigh.
It is hard living with HCM, and he needs to be prepared for some days when just getting out of bed is too hard. I know it sounds all dramatic, but it's true.
I'm glad to hear about the dramatic weight loss. Lasix, the best diet pill ever!
You say about the cost of gas. We pay almost $8 a gallon over here, the cost of petrol plus 70% tax.
It cost me £40 ($80) a week in petrol to get to work.
I will stop now before I start ranting.
You're doing good work down there, lady, but Wilbur and I sure miss you and the little man.
I'm so sorry, my mother has heart problems and I have been in your position many times, stay strong and we'll keep praying for you all.
Yes, the diuretics are interesting. I agree with margalit-if he decides to follow doctor's orders, he'll do well.
Fortunately, there are plenty of spices that give great flavor without using a bit of salt. I did it for years (iodine allergy).
I hope you are able to get some rest between caring for everyone else...
Life has a way of never just being easy for long, doesn't it?
You have our prayers. I hope the news is ever better and never worse.
I've waited twice while Ed had this procedure done. Then I had to have it done a few months ago. It's a bit scary to contemplate, but usually very easy to undergo. I hope everything goes well for your dad and for you, his family.
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