Landed at home.
Quick stop for dinner then on the way home to relax from travel.
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Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Angio Mend
Still recovering from everything. The Plavix and aspirin is making for a very colorful recovery site for my femoral artery access site.
Still on schedule to go home Monday
Here I am in front of the Barrow Clinic yesterday when we picked up a CD of my most recent CT and scans.
Here is a panorama of the hospital from the hotel we are staying in.
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Still on schedule to go home Monday
Here I am in front of the Barrow Clinic yesterday when we picked up a CD of my most recent CT and scans.
Here is a panorama of the hospital from the hotel we are staying in.
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
Home on Monday
Called again today and had some eventual success on getting home early.
First the travel agent had trouble getting a transferable flight for both of us (we had to be booked separately for billing reasons). They finally got us on a Monday flight.
But then there was trouble with my government travel charge card.
There was trouble when they initially booked the trip but my headquarters, the US Army Student Detachment Command (USASDC), assured me my account was current and active.
Turns out it was not.
I called the card company who told me I had to contact USASDC. I called them to find out everyone was already on Memorial Day break and would be back Tuesday. I explained that they were trying to get mr on a Monday flight and seats were going fast.
They called someone who then called me and took care of it.
Otherwise, medically, things have been going well. I slept much better last night and the headaches have lessened. My Angio site is stills rather tender which makes it slow to walk and difficult to sit up and down.
Getting up to 100 degrees in Phoenix tomorrow!
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First the travel agent had trouble getting a transferable flight for both of us (we had to be booked separately for billing reasons). They finally got us on a Monday flight.
But then there was trouble with my government travel charge card.
There was trouble when they initially booked the trip but my headquarters, the US Army Student Detachment Command (USASDC), assured me my account was current and active.
Turns out it was not.
I called the card company who told me I had to contact USASDC. I called them to find out everyone was already on Memorial Day break and would be back Tuesday. I explained that they were trying to get mr on a Monday flight and seats were going fast.
They called someone who then called me and took care of it.
Otherwise, medically, things have been going well. I slept much better last night and the headaches have lessened. My Angio site is stills rather tender which makes it slow to walk and difficult to sit up and down.
Getting up to 100 degrees in Phoenix tomorrow!
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
After the Angio
Day 1 after the Angiogram.
Feels like I got beat up and kicked in the groin.
It was a "fidgety" night. I both experienced it and heard a detailed review about my antics with the covers.
My bride rules for putting up with me through all this. :)
A day of rest.
Feels like I got beat up and kicked in the groin.
It was a "fidgety" night. I both experienced it and heard a detailed review about my antics with the covers.
My bride rules for putting up with me through all this. :)
A day of rest.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Status Quo
He's out! Artery 70% blocked and it's curved so they couldn't get to it with a stent.
He said 30% wasn't too bad (better then they thought) and they hope over time the clot will clear.
So no stent and no overnight stay. He has to lie flat here for a few hours. He will keep on the plavix and aspirin and have a repeat CT scan in 6 weeks.
I asked about the risk of it happening again and he said it very well could and so could the other side because a lot of these things can be bilateral. Yikes!
But he said it is more dangerous to force a stent in or do surgery so he'll just have to have regular check ups and keep his blood pressure low (he's always had low blood pressure already?)
He said 30% wasn't too bad (better then they thought) and they hope over time the clot will clear.
So no stent and no overnight stay. He has to lie flat here for a few hours. He will keep on the plavix and aspirin and have a repeat CT scan in 6 weeks.
I asked about the risk of it happening again and he said it very well could and so could the other side because a lot of these things can be bilateral. Yikes!
But he said it is more dangerous to force a stent in or do surgery so he'll just have to have regular check ups and keep his blood pressure low (he's always had low blood pressure already?)
In the Angio
Attempting to write on here from Steves phone.
Steve left for the angio at 12:40 PST after a long wait this morning. I guess our insurance finally cleared the procedure.
The Doctor said the CT scan from Friday showed decreased oxygen getting through his left side so unless it's cleared since then it sounds like they'll be going ahead with the stent.
He said regular a diagnostic angio (called an angiograph) could be as quick as a 1/2 hour but if they place a stent it will be a few hours and they will put him fully under for that. Since he's been gone for an hour and 20 minutes now I'm assuming they are stenting.
We asked about the bypass and he said they REALLY don't want to have to do that procedure so it will be a last resort. If they can't reach the clot or if the stent doesn't work, then we'll discuss that later.
Keep your fingers crossed!
The nurse set me up in his recovery room/area so I could have my own personal tv to watch (not that I'm really able to watch anything) but it was still nice.
Steve left for the angio at 12:40 PST after a long wait this morning. I guess our insurance finally cleared the procedure.
The Doctor said the CT scan from Friday showed decreased oxygen getting through his left side so unless it's cleared since then it sounds like they'll be going ahead with the stent.
He said regular a diagnostic angio (called an angiograph) could be as quick as a 1/2 hour but if they place a stent it will be a few hours and they will put him fully under for that. Since he's been gone for an hour and 20 minutes now I'm assuming they are stenting.
We asked about the bypass and he said they REALLY don't want to have to do that procedure so it will be a last resort. If they can't reach the clot or if the stent doesn't work, then we'll discuss that later.
Keep your fingers crossed!
The nurse set me up in his recovery room/area so I could have my own personal tv to watch (not that I'm really able to watch anything) but it was still nice.
Admitted!
I'm admitted.
We gave up waiting in the lobby so we told them to call our hotel.
We went back and got 2 hours of sleep when the finally called.
I'm now back in a gown with an IV in my arm. Waiting for my procedure.
The lady waiting for her husband has FOX News up full volume so it pretty much forces us to watch FOX News.
We gave up waiting in the lobby so we told them to call our hotel.
We went back and got 2 hours of sleep when the finally called.
I'm now back in a gown with an IV in my arm. Waiting for my procedure.
The lady waiting for her husband has FOX News up full volume so it pretty much forces us to watch FOX News.
Pending
Another "as predicted".
Our insurance is still claiming they have nothing even though the Doctor's office started faxing stuff to them on Friday. Doctor's staff doesn't officially start work till 9am.
Sure glad I woke up at 4:15am this morning.
Our next prediction is nothing will happen till Thursday.
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Our insurance is still claiming they have nothing even though the Doctor's office started faxing stuff to them on Friday. Doctor's staff doesn't officially start work till 9am.
Sure glad I woke up at 4:15am this morning.
Our next prediction is nothing will happen till Thursday.
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No need for 5am
Nothing in the hospital computer system regarding today's procedure. So "6 or 6:30am" till admissions can maybe get a hold of someone.
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And so it begins
Showed up at 5am as directed.
As we predicted, no packet/file on me in the morning admissions box.
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As we predicted, no packet/file on me in the morning admissions box.
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Monday, May 23, 2011
Moving Ahead
Friday the Doctor's office wanted me to go off all blood thinners an get tested again Monday.
They said they would call.
They didn't call.
So we walked over to the Neuro Clinic at about 11am.
After 5 minutes the nurse came out with my lab order with "STAT!" written all over it. She said she would call as soon as the results were in and that she was still working with my insurance who had "lost the fax the they sent friday." We walked to the lab; they did a great draw and we were off to lunch.
By 3:30pm they had NOT called so I gave the nurse a call. My blood, which was 4.8 Friday, is at a 1.1 today! (1.0 is normal blood on the INR scale). The nurse said she still had to talk with the Radiologist-Interventionist to see what he wanted to do.
At 4:40pm she called back and said the Doc wants to go ahead with the angiogram tomorrow. I am taking a dose of meds tonight and report to admissions tomorrow at 5am. No food after midnight.
As I stated previously, the angiogram coupled with the CT perfusion results (which we assume were fine) will determine if they go ahead and stent, block or status quo.
Hopefully I can update tomorrow morning while we wait around for the procedure.
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They said they would call.
They didn't call.
So we walked over to the Neuro Clinic at about 11am.
After 5 minutes the nurse came out with my lab order with "STAT!" written all over it. She said she would call as soon as the results were in and that she was still working with my insurance who had "lost the fax the they sent friday." We walked to the lab; they did a great draw and we were off to lunch.
By 3:30pm they had NOT called so I gave the nurse a call. My blood, which was 4.8 Friday, is at a 1.1 today! (1.0 is normal blood on the INR scale). The nurse said she still had to talk with the Radiologist-Interventionist to see what he wanted to do.
At 4:40pm she called back and said the Doc wants to go ahead with the angiogram tomorrow. I am taking a dose of meds tonight and report to admissions tomorrow at 5am. No food after midnight.
As I stated previously, the angiogram coupled with the CT perfusion results (which we assume were fine) will determine if they go ahead and stent, block or status quo.
Hopefully I can update tomorrow morning while we wait around for the procedure.
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Sunday, May 22, 2011
Another Day of Thickening
Met with Mary's roommate for breakfast this morning and parted ways about 10am.
Mary and I headed over to the Arizona Science Museum to see the "Body Worlds" exhibit. Very interesting. We were on the lookout for carotid arteries the whole time. :)
Headache persists but I feel more of myself today.
The Barrow Clinic is going to contact us tomorrow at some point about coming in to get blood tests done to see where I am on thickening my blood back towards 2.5 INR.
Mary and I headed over to the Arizona Science Museum to see the "Body Worlds" exhibit. Very interesting. We were on the lookout for carotid arteries the whole time. :)
Headache persists but I feel more of myself today.
The Barrow Clinic is going to contact us tomorrow at some point about coming in to get blood tests done to see where I am on thickening my blood back towards 2.5 INR.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Just hanging out
A day off here in Phoenix, AZ.
Looks like Mary's college roommate is traveling North to see us. That is cool.
We watched No Strings Attached last night. Don't waste your time.
Thanks again to everyones kind words and emails. It is nice keeping in touch with everyone.
Looks like Mary's college roommate is traveling North to see us. That is cool.
We watched No Strings Attached last night. Don't waste your time.
Thanks again to everyones kind words and emails. It is nice keeping in touch with everyone.
Friday, May 20, 2011
No More Thinners
WOW! My blood has thinned to a 4.8 on the INR scale. 5 is considered high, but one doc told us that 10-12 is where bad things start happening. I am now directed to take nothing all weekend. They are even worried I might still be too high on Tuesday for the angiogram. Monday they are calling to let us know when to come in for more blood tests to see how far I have come down.
Feeling a little better than crap at the moment.
Got up into the high 80's in Phoenix today.
Might get a visit from Mary's college roommate tomorrow to kill some time. She lives in Tucson where we dropped off on our way to Seattle 16.5 years ago!
Perfusion Delay
It took Tricare several hours to approve the perfusion CT. It's done an it made me feel like crap. Too much stuff pumped into my veins I guess.
I am being switched to different blood thinners today. Monday's blood tests will show if I am ready for the angiogram (and possible stent) on Tuesday.
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I am being switched to different blood thinners today. Monday's blood tests will show if I am ready for the angiogram (and possible stent) on Tuesday.
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Tests tests tests
We are here in Phoenix. We got in yesterday evening to find out Tricare had not reserved us a room at the Hampton Inn. They had room anyway, so we didn't have to stay in the stables.
This morning we saw the neurosurgeon at 8:30am (local time) and got lots of explanations and options based on test results.
1) They want to know how well and thoroughly the blood is flowing into my brain. I am waiting now to have a perfusion CT done for that.
2) I had my INR (blood thinness) taken at 10:30am to see what levels I am at. I will need to be at at most 2.5 before...
3) ...Tuesday they will do an Angiogram to see what level of blocked my carotid dissection is at.
If it is fully blocked (or "stumped") they will leave it as is if the profusion shows the rest of my arteries are working fine. Just like someone with one kidney, I can live the rest of a normal life with only my right carotid and various other arteries taking up the job.
If it is partially blocked (or a "string") then they will put me under general and either perform a stent or a block (I think that depends on what they see in the perfusion).
The string is bad because it provides conditions for breakaway clots to form and cause strokes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This morning we saw the neurosurgeon at 8:30am (local time) and got lots of explanations and options based on test results.
1) They want to know how well and thoroughly the blood is flowing into my brain. I am waiting now to have a perfusion CT done for that.
2) I had my INR (blood thinness) taken at 10:30am to see what levels I am at. I will need to be at at most 2.5 before...
3) ...Tuesday they will do an Angiogram to see what level of blocked my carotid dissection is at.
If it is fully blocked (or "stumped") they will leave it as is if the profusion shows the rest of my arteries are working fine. Just like someone with one kidney, I can live the rest of a normal life with only my right carotid and various other arteries taking up the job.
If it is partially blocked (or a "string") then they will put me under general and either perform a stent or a block (I think that depends on what they see in the perfusion).
The string is bad because it provides conditions for breakaway clots to form and cause strokes.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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