It May to Turn Out to Be Rathet Difficult to Burn Coal.

Post Reply
 
User avatar
freetown fred
Member
Posts: 30293
Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
Location: Freetown,NY 13803
Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sat. Dec. 21, 2013 7:16 am

Hey BB--a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS to you & yours my friend.


 
User avatar
Hambden Bob
Member
Posts: 8535
Joined: Mon. Jan. 04, 2010 10:54 am
Location: Hambden Twp. Geauga County,Ohio
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman 1998 Magnum Stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Blower Model Coal Chubby 1982-Serial#0097
Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air

Post by Hambden Bob » Sat. Dec. 21, 2013 7:55 am

Hey Beemerboy ! Crunch It,Scrunch It,Crawl To It,Whatever 'Ya Gotta Do To Keep Rollin' Into Another Wake Up,Do It ! Merry Christmas To You And Yours ! Easy For Me To Say,Harder For You To Do,But Dammit,Keep Going Big Boy ! Keep Posting When You Can ! People Here Have Inquiring Minds,And Do Appreciate You Sharing In These Tough Times That You're Camping Out In ! :flex: :up:

 
beemerboy
Member
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat. Feb. 23, 2008 11:11 am
Location: North East Connecticut

Post by beemerboy » Sat. Dec. 21, 2013 11:19 am

Thanks for asking and a Merry Christmas to all of you as well. May next year be better than the last.

I've been "floating along", but at least I'm not sinking. The doctors keep changing my meds and dosages and every time they do I end up having more blood tests. My arms feel like a pin cushion. I just can't regulate fluid buildup.

Last Monday, as I was leaving the hospital after a blood test I get to the end of the driveway, I feel a bump in back of my car. Not hard, more like a tap really.

Some lady driving a new Lexus SUV, not paying attention, bumped into the back of me. After a few unkind words, I got out for a look. Its a good thing I still have the drawbar in the hitch as she hit straight on. No damage to my car, but her bumper is going to need to be replaced :P

I just looked over the situation and rather nastily told her to "pay attention and be careful". I wonder what she is going to tell her husband...

Its not that I wanted her car to be damaged, but I'm not disappointed either. Things could have been worse for both of us if this happened on the main road.

 
beemerboy
Member
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat. Feb. 23, 2008 11:11 am
Location: North East Connecticut

Post by beemerboy » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 8:37 pm

My, my, where does the time go? In another week or so I will have been on the transplant waiting list a year!

And the crap never stops.

The beginning of the week my weight started increasing faster and faster. Fluids you know. I had an appointment in Boston with my cardiologist on Friday anyways so when I got there he took one look and told me that I was staying. I had another (#5) right heart cath and went to ICU with tubes coming out of my neck. They are now pumping me with dobutamine to increase heart function and diuretics to remove fluids.

So, now there three options for treatment:

Plan "a" - Get rid of the excess fluids and send me home. Only a short term temporary solution.
Plan "b" - Put in a permanent IV port and have a pump with a constant infusion of dobutamine.
Plan "c" - Put in a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) heart pump like dick cheney had before he got his transplant.

I should find out which plan in a day or so. It's frustrating to not know what is going to happen. Probably plan c would be the better option.

Last night I had leg cramps again. First in my upper right thigh, when that eased up my left ankle cramped up and when that eased up my right ankle cramped up. Boy what a miserable night. They ended up taking a blood sample and found out my potassium levels were very low and I got a double dose to bring the levels back up.

I should find out which plan in a day or so. It's frustrating to not know what is going to happen. Probably plan c would be the better option. Looks like I may be here longer than a week this time.

 
Mark (PA)
Member
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 9:40 am
Location: South Central, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1953 EFM520 Highboy

Post by Mark (PA) » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 9:17 pm

Hi there. First time posting on your thread but felt the need to tell you that I will certainly be thinking of you going forward to when you get that new heart to win the battle soon!.

I think option C sounds like the best route also. Let us know what you make out.

 
User avatar
Hambden Bob
Member
Posts: 8535
Joined: Mon. Jan. 04, 2010 10:54 am
Location: Hambden Twp. Geauga County,Ohio
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman 1998 Magnum Stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Blower Model Coal Chubby 1982-Serial#0097
Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air

Post by Hambden Bob » Sat. Jan. 25, 2014 9:37 pm

To be Honest with you,BB, I cut Class that Fateful Day back in '78 when we covered Cardiology....But,in trying to be Tactical and Practical about the three outlayed options,I too would vote for "C". Granted,it's Upfront the Most Invasive of the three Options. However,if it could eliminate or minimize these week or two Campouts at the Hospital,it should be a worthy Procedure. Check your Infection Control Risks and Exposures that all three present. For the long haul,it would seem to this Street Neanderthal,the way to go. Keep us in the Loop ! Head Down,Moving Forward,Moving Toward The Daylight,Mister! :box:

 
beemerboy
Member
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat. Feb. 23, 2008 11:11 am
Location: North East Connecticut

Post by beemerboy » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 12:13 pm

This not really good news.

I talked with Cindy Cunningham (one of Dr. Kociol's NPs) this am about the LVAD heart pump.

Within the next day or so, The doctors will be testing the right side of my heart to see if it will be strong enough for me to even get a pump.
Fluids are coming off pretty well. So far about ten to fifteen pounds.

If I get the pump Ill be away from home for at least two to three months. After I get the LVAD I would be in hospital for at least two to three weeks then I would have to go to a rehab facility in Boston for a couple of months. I will need someone to live with me 24/7 as long as I have the pump. Apparently, having someone come in to check on me once or twice a day is not enough. They prefer a family member but mom is too old. Maybe there is a state program to pay. Know anyone interested in the job?

Family members or who will be my caregiver will have to come to Boston to learn all about the LVAD. they will have to learn about how to
change batteries, changing the dressings and care of the pump and stuff... Its a big commitment.

I will see the doctor and social worker today and they will give more info.

No more living at home alone. I may have to move to an assisted living facility if I can't find someone to move in.

And on top of that, I'm probably diabetic.

I'm NOT happy.

Wayne.


 
User avatar
SMITTY
Member
Posts: 12520
Joined: Sun. Dec. 11, 2005 12:43 pm
Location: West-Central Mass
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520 Highboy
Coal Size/Type: Rice / Blaschak anthracite
Other Heating: Oil fired Burnham boiler

Post by SMITTY » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 12:28 pm

WOW don't know how the hell I missed this thread! Sorry to hear all this Wayne. Not a hell of a lot I can say that'll make you feel better ...

After reading through this from page 1, I can safely say you've got more grit and determination than I ever will. That alone will keep you going. ;)

God bless you brother - you'll be in my prayers.

 
beemerboy
Member
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat. Feb. 23, 2008 11:11 am
Location: North East Connecticut

Post by beemerboy » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 12:47 pm

I have to admit, I'm having a pity party right now and I'm the only in the room now.

 
User avatar
SMITTY
Member
Posts: 12520
Joined: Sun. Dec. 11, 2005 12:43 pm
Location: West-Central Mass
Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520 Highboy
Coal Size/Type: Rice / Blaschak anthracite
Other Heating: Oil fired Burnham boiler

Post by SMITTY » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 12:50 pm

Yeah we all do that when left alone to think. It's hard not to. At least you've got the forum here to keep you occupied for the time being. :)

 
Mark (PA)
Member
Posts: 390
Joined: Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 9:40 am
Location: South Central, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1953 EFM520 Highboy

Post by Mark (PA) » Mon. Jan. 27, 2014 2:39 pm

Buddy I don't know ANY human being that WOULDn't be having a pity party dealing with the decisions and situation you are in.
We all would be hard pressed to not feel a bit sorry for ourselves and the situation.

But as always its how your react to the news and see where it goes.

I know here in PA the state will pay for a family member to be an in home caregiver for certain types of disabilities. My father in law also has heart issues, open heart surgeries, Pig valves, and low blood pressure issues. Right now the United Cerebal Pulsey Organization has a care giver with him daily although my Wife could do that as a job should she choose too. Its been a long road for him also. At 56 years of age he lost everything due to a virus that attacked and killed 65% of his heart muscle. Needless to say he had to quit work, driving, everything. Its been almost 7 years though since then and he is making out as best as can be. Keep Fighting Wayne.

 
beemerboy
Member
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat. Feb. 23, 2008 11:11 am
Location: North East Connecticut

Post by beemerboy » Fri. Jan. 31, 2014 8:36 pm

The operation is scheduled for Feb 10. After. I will be in sicu for a few days then to the heart failure unit for a couple of weeks then I will go to a rehab facility for a while.

This Monday, I have a training meeting with my caregivers and my mom along with the doctors, nurses, social worker and other people. After the meeting I'll go home until the next Sunday when I come back for the old slice and dice. While I'm home I'll be able to post after that, I may be off for a while.

 
User avatar
Carbon12
Member
Posts: 2226
Joined: Tue. Oct. 11, 2011 6:53 pm
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KA-6
Coal Size/Type: Rice/Anthracite
Other Heating: Heat Pump/Forced Hot Air Oil Furnace

Post by Carbon12 » Fri. Jan. 31, 2014 8:42 pm

Prayers are with you. Did you find someone to come look after you after the LVAD is placed?

 
beemerboy
Member
Posts: 451
Joined: Sat. Feb. 23, 2008 11:11 am
Location: North East Connecticut

Post by beemerboy » Fri. Jan. 31, 2014 9:12 pm

Carbon12 wrote:Prayers are with you. Did you find someone to come look after you after the LVAD is placed?
kinda, sorta, maybe, probably. My two cousins and my friend will take turns checking up on me.

Once everything is done, the training person will come to my fire dept to give a class on what to do encase of an emergency and I will take part in the training. This all new to us and there is a lot of crap to cover.

 
User avatar
Hambden Bob
Member
Posts: 8535
Joined: Mon. Jan. 04, 2010 10:54 am
Location: Hambden Twp. Geauga County,Ohio
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman 1998 Magnum Stoker
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Blower Model Coal Chubby 1982-Serial#0097
Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air

Post by Hambden Bob » Fri. Jan. 31, 2014 9:55 pm

No Decision Is A Decision. You've stepped up and made a hard one. Keep moving forward. You're in the Fight Of Your Life! Keep Swinging,Beemer! :up:


Post Reply

Return to “Health”