From the patient:
Well, two weeks ago tonight was when all this happened to me. Beth tells me that it is the type of heart attack that they call a "widow maker" because it hurts so much most people just lay there. Like Tommy Spoon was a tough man he could handle the pain. I was not as tough as Tommy.
Beth tells me to take baby steps and I am trying. But when you are used to trying to do things for your family it is awful hard to stop. A joy today was greeted with a negative. They tell me that stopping the Dobutamine potentially could have put my heart into shock and kind of started everything all over but the injection fractions remain good and my BP is around 88/55 which is good. They are supposed to begin my Coumadin therapy tonight and I have been on heparin to help remove the blood clot in my heart. Anyway that all seems good. The down side is I have a lung infection of some sort. I guess just sitting too much and not being active enough. I continue to fight to go home, in fact today I said that today was the two week anniversary and it would be nice to go home.... I don't think he really cared. Barrett is with me tonight, she fixed me a wonderful dinner of potato soup, homemade bread (from the Farlows!) and a coke! Beth has taken the night at home. She is a real trouper. They told me to go "NPR" after midnight. They haven't told me what procedures they have left before I get home, but I am willing to do whatever.
Thanks to all of you who have written. The office staff said its amazing how many of you have called, patients, colleagues, and friends. It sure does mean a lot to me.
In closing, I am hanging on. Thought I would be home by now, but baby steps. It makes me appreciate that old saying, you don't know what you had in your health till its gone and I will work hard to get mine back. I will be in touch soon. Thanks again to Beth and Barrett for keeping this updated. Beth is usually with me most of the time and Lawson is the afternoon man. Barrett is my evening nurse and blogger with Beth. This has already meant a lot to me but as the years go on it will be mean even more how much of you care. Friends that I don't see very often like Ron and Elaine White are still there. Even though I suck at golf Steve Slott still likes to play with me. Its just a nice thing. I will be in touch soon. Hope I get a chance to hug you all soon! Goodnight.
Reid
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Glad to hear from you, friend. Do what you want your patients to do...listen to the doctors. Hang in there. --Michael
ReplyDeleteMonday greetings friend. Glad to hear that you are progressing well. Please take care of yourself. We continue to lift you up in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteComfort and peace,
Sarah Beth
Hang in there, man. In the scheme of things this is just a blip on your radar. Actually I would prefer a two week vacation in the Caribbean, myself, but.....I guess Duke runs a close 8,945th on the list of most desirable vacation spots. Baby steps, absolutely, but from what we're getting two or three times per day on this remarkable blog, your progress is phenomenal, to no surprise of anyone except maybe the docs over there. Enjoy the peace now, though, cause soon as Barrett gives her okay we'll be over to harass and otherwise make your life as miserable as possible within the confines of your current situation!
ReplyDeleteSteve
Reid, its great to hear from you and to learn your progress is positive. Those baby steps will lead into big steps with patience. Easy for me to say huh.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the Coumadin Therapy and Heparin. Once stabilized, it becomes a part of everyday life and most importantly it works.
Again I have to stress how Beth, Barrett & Lawson have been so grateful to take time to update us followers.
Thoughts and prayers from the White's.
Ron
Reid, glad to hear you are keeping that great positive attitude alive and well. Everything I read and believe says that attitude is the main key to recovery...and you sure have that!!! Thanks to Wendy who sent us the link to this blog. Beth, Barrett & Lawson...Steve and I are close by... what can we do to help you? We sure appreciate this blog and your bloggers who are keeping us up-to-date. You sure are in our prayers....even scientific studies are showing how powerful prayer is. Looking forward to hearing that you are home!
ReplyDeleteHey its Anna from the Roxboro Office...we all want you all to know that your in our hearts and prayers. We all read about your progress daily and cannot wait until your back to the Dr. Patty that we all love.
ReplyDeleteLove all the crazy gurls ;) Anna, Jenny, Jenny, Carla
hey its cindy triplett just wanted to let you know i was thinking about you and continue to pray for your progress. Its good to hear things are slowly getting better. You couldn't be more lucky than to have Beth, Lawson, and Barrett by your side. And much thanks for all the blogs to keep us updated.
ReplyDeleteMany prayers from me....