Bill finally heard back from the dr. yesterday and he doesn't have to take the new medication. Of course a 3 month supply arrived in the mail yesterday also! But, it was only $3.00 so we're not out a lot of money.

The new med makes Bill sick after he takes it so he's checking with the dr. today to see if there is something else he can take. He takes this one with food and he is almost immediately sick to his stomach with heartburn and stomach cramps. This lasts about 4 hours and of course then it's time to take the next dose.

Walmart didn't have enough to fill the complete script last week and when we went to get the rest of it, it hadn't come in. Their only solution was to come back today, Monday, and they would re-order it. He should have it from express-scripts by that time, although if he's not going to be able to take it, it's kind of a moot point.

As I said earlier, on this journey nothing happens for a long time. But then, out of the blue...things change in a minute. No, Bill did not receive his new heart, but had a reminder that he is sick. Saturday evening he got dizzy and as soon as he sat down his device fired. It probably didn't help that I was sick (we ended going to er for me, strep). But, Monday morning he sent a reading to Memphis.

Dr. Lan looked at the reading and saw that he had been having several episodes of rapid heart beat but none of them had been fast enough to trigger the device. So, he increased his amiodorone again for awhile and put him on another one that is supposed to help stabilize his heart rate. Since he has started the new med, which he takes at totally different times than his other meds, he goes to sleep for 15-20 minutes almost immediately. He's also taking his blood pressure and checking his heart rate more frequently.

He still doesn't have to go to the dr. before his regular appointment, unless of course there are problems that come up or this new combination of drugs doesn't help.

Again I'm sorry that there haven't been any posts for a while. But, in this journey, just like any other, there are times when nothing is happening.

Bill has his 6 month heart cath in October and everything was fine. He responded well to the increased pulmonary pressure so there is again no reason for a transplant not to happen. Now, if a heart would just become available.

We're free of doctors until February so if there are no posts until then, you will know that everything is going smoothly.

I hope everyone has a safe and thankful Thanksgiving and a blessed Christmas. Every day of life is something we take for granted, but it is something to be truly thankful for every day.

Happy September everyone!

Bill has had an amazing month since the last post. No, he hasn't received a new heart yet but he has been feeling really good and has been more active. This remodel project, which has been so horrible, has been good for him as far as keeping track of expenses and schedules etc.

We also purchased a new vehicle for me, a 2010 Dodge Journey R/T. I absolutely love it and would really like to be driving it...but it's been in the shop already for the 2nd time! Transmission problems are apparently being caused by a bad speed sensor. Hopefully that will fix it and we can go get it!

Friday is a milestone for us...our 20th anniversary! Who would have thought 3 years ago that we would get this far after the last heart attack. I know the doctors are still baffled by his recovery since he wasliterally dead several times with that one.
We just thank God everyday that he's evidently not finished with him yet!

The summer is flying by and we haven't accomplished as much as we thought we would. BUT we also didn't think that a 4 day job for the siding would turn in to a 4 month job! It is finally as finished as Home Depot is going to make it finished.

We have now started on the inside and this contractor is a perfectionist. Instead of just painting the walls, his vision is to remove all the doors and refinish all of the hinges and doorknobs and "take it back to it's original style". WE JUST WANT THE WALLS PAINTED!!! He has taken a week in the hallway and hasn't put any paint on. It's going to break us and we aren't even going to get the floors done I don't think. They may have to wait until next year!

As far as Bill's health goes, transplant was pleased with his checkup. No more appointments until October! We're going to Kansas City in October for the Block Central Division Convention and we may take a couple of short trips in between. We need to go back to Illinois to spend some time with Mom and he's talking about going to the Tennessee River for a few days.

So all is well for now.

I'm soooo sorry that I haven't updated this in so long! But, when things are going well there's nothing to update! That's the good news.

We have had an interesting summer. I decided to take the summer off for the first time in 15 years and have not regretted it. I've been more relaxed since I don't know when. We've also been very busy.

After the drs. ok in April, we took a nearly month long vacation. We drove to Illinois and hopped a train to Chicago and on to Boston. From there we rented a car and drove through New Hampshire and Maine. I totally fell in love with both places, but I think I like Maine more. I told Bill I need to go back in the winter to see if I still like it when it's cold.

We've also been doing some remodeling and that has been a nightmare. Haven't even been able to start the inside yet, because of fighting with contractors about finishing the outside! Hopefully that will happen next week.

Bill saw Dr. Lan and Dr. Burnett in June and both were very pleased with him. He weathered all of the travelling well and Dr. Lan has released him, unless he has another episode of v-tach. Dr. Burnett tweaked one of his meds and doesn't want to see him until October. It will also be time for another heart cath then.

He did have cataract surgery in April and it did not heal well and he had to have some laser surgery in June to remove some scar tissue. That has now healed and is doing well.

He has an appointment with the transplant clinic on July 27th. They do periodic clinics to check conditions and make sure he is still healthy enough for the transplant. That seems kind of silly...you're sick enough to need a new heart, but you have to be healthy enough to get one!

We made a quick trip to Oklahoma over the 4th holiday. Our grandson was burned at work and we wanted to see how he was. He's out of the hospital but still has a long way to go.

That's it in a nutshell. I'll try to do better about updating this, even if there's nothing to say!

As you can see, I did bring my laptop to Memphis. I was surprised that I could get a connection since the cath lab is in the bowels of the hospital! I refer to the "C" concourse as the catacombs! Anyway, the connection is good and I'm able to update you.

Dr. Burnett called about 30 minutes ago and said he did fine. His pulmonary arteries responded well to the medicine that simulates the stress placed on them during the transplant procedure. Of course he still has to lay still for about 6 hours, but after lunch and some fluids we will get to go home. We also don't have to come back next week to see Dr. Burnett. He said he's maintaining well enough and he doesn't want to change any of his meds since he's doing so well. He does see Dr. Lan in June and of course if there's a problem he will see him, but as of now, he's free from dr. and lab appointments! Jackie, the transplant co-ordinator has said he doesn't have to have monthly labs anymore, he can go to every other month. So, except for his pro-time to monitor the coumadin he won't have to get stuck as much.

So,this was a "routine" procedure, if any invasive procedure can be routine!

Until next time, thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

It's heart cath time again! We're going to Memphis this afternoon and have to be at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Hopefully there won't be any complications and we can get home before dark!

Bill has had a little more pep lately. Since we're doing so much work on the house and he's co-ordinating contractors and electricians and plumbers he's back to "project" engineering and loving it. He and the electrician have really hit it off and understand each other. But, it has been good for him. He's been bouncing out of bed about 6:30 and has more color in his face and seems to have a little more energy. I guess we'll see what the dr. says tomorrow.

Haven't decided it I will take my laptop with me or not (probably will) so I don't know just when I will get this updated after the procedure. But I will get it updated eventually.

It's really hard to post anything during tax season! Sorry about that! I said that I would try to explain about the ablation in the last post and I haven't done that. Dr. Lan explained that electrical impulses travel from 1 side of the heart to the other. Bill has so much scar tissue that it has to travel around it and by the time it gets to the other side there's nothing left. That is why his heart starts to just quiver. In the ablation, a tunnel is made with a laser for the impulse to go through which gets it to the other side faster and makes a stronger heartbeat. So, that makes sense and made it a little clearer.

Bill saw Dr. Lan a couple of weeks ago and his Amiodorone was scaled back to the lower dose to see how he held up. His heart rate has been up a couple of times but not too high yet. If it gets to 100 we are to go to the ER if it is on a week-end. If it's a weekday he's to initiate a download and call the office.

His other heart cath has been scheduled for April 12. Not an ideal date but it can't be helped.

Sorry there was no post yesterday. I was having trouble with the internet connection at the hospital and my laptop was not co-operating. Anyway, here's the latest.

All during the day Thursday, especially after being moved to step-down, the nurses hardly came in. But at shift change, the nurse did not like Bill's bp being below 100and she was in every hour all night! Of course, his blood pressure stays between 90 and 100 anyway, which is what the drs. want so that his heart doesn't have to work as hard. She also didn't want to give him his Inspra since it is a blood pressure medicine. And if she wasn't in the room, the lab techs were in taking blood. So it was a very long, sleepless night.

Both doctors were pleased with his progress and decided to discharge him. Dr. Lan was in during the morning and said that if Dr. Burnett agreed, he could be discharged. He also told us some things to look for and what to do if we recognized that he was in an episode.

Dr. Burnett was in the cath lab so he didn't get in until about 1. He said that he had conferred with Dr. Lan and had spent some time in the monitoring room looking at Bill's numbers and his heart rate was staying steady. He also told us some things to look for and agreed with Dr. Lan's suggestions.

At 2:30 when one of the nurses, Patrick, came in, Bill asked about going home and he thought he was joking. We know that it takes some time to do the paperwork so weren't too worried. But, at 4 when Patrick came in again, he again asked and told him that both doctors had said that he could be discharged. Patrick got the other RN, Connie, and when she came in she had his chart and said that it didn't say anywhere that he could be discharged. She even said that Dr. Burnett himself handed her Bill's chart. She then called Dr. Burnett and when she asked him about it his response was "Oh my God!" He had forgetten to write the order!

Since there was only 1 medication change, it didn't take long to get the paperwork done and we left the hospital at 5. So, drove through Memphis during rush hour, not as bad as Atlanta, went through the drive-through at Zaxby's for supper and got home about 6:30. We managed to watch the opening ceremonies of the olympics, were in bed by 11 and I slept until 6:47! I haven't slept all night in so many years that I can't give a number. Bill said he slept until 5.

So, this morning we are more rested, have had breakfast and will decided what the day will bring.

He's to see Dr. Lan in March to see how the additional amiodorone has worked and then see Dr. Burnett in April for a check-up and a right heart cath again for the transplant team. If another ablation is needed, Dr. Lan will do it then. Dr. Lan also explained a little more about what the v-tach is and what the ablation does which makes it easier on us to know what is going on. I'll post something on that later.

Bill got moved to a step-down room right before lunch today. His main cardiologist said that if it was up to him he could go home today, but Dr. Lan, the pacemaker doctor, wants him to stay at least 1 more night to see if he continues to respond to the medicine.

He's had a little reaction to the medicine IV and has a rash on his arm. They have moved it to the other arm and so far so good, but who knows. Otherwise he feels pretty good and wants to move around some. But, until they get the IV out that will be a little tough.

I ran home this afternoon since he had been moved and picked up a few things for him and changed clothes. Sleeping in jeans in not recommended for the long haul! So now it's sweats and good comfy clothes.

We're supposed to get more snow tonight. I've heard all kinds of reports from a dusting in Memphis with the heavier amounts to the south, to 3 inches at home. We will just have to see. It's still all snow covered from the first part of the week!

Don't know if the drs. will be in this evening or not. If there's anything new to tell I will post it.

The dr. finally came in a little after 8 last night. Said he wants Bill to triple his amiodorone for a month to see if that helps. He's supposed to move to a regular room sometime today and this afternoon or evening the dr. will make a decision about going home.

For my mother and daughter, I did manage to sleep some last night and feel pretty rested this morning. Don't know how long that will last but we shall see. And as soon as I finish this post I'm heading to the cafeteria for some breakfast.

The dr. did tell him some things to do to recognize the different types of being tired. He's to monitor his blood pressure and pulse more than he does, especially if he's really tired in the morning. And if he feels anything is not quite right, he's to call the office and then initiate a download from the pacemaker.
He also said that if the medication doesn't help he will do another ablation. Of course, maybe a hew heart will become available before then and solve all of the problems. But, before anyone can say it, that's a whole new ballgame with a new set of rules.

All for now, I can see Bill at 9 and I'll update everyone then.

It's another up-and-down time. Bill had his check-up with the transplant clinic on the 28th. They did a pretty thorough physical and other than him being tired again (like he was before the procedures in October) they seemed to be pretty pleased with his condition. Because of the fatigue he will probably be bumped back up on the list.

He also enrolled in a study by the company that manufactures his pacemaker to monitor it's effectiveness. More on this a little later.

On the 29th, he finally had his appointment at the VA for his disability evaluation. We were actually quite pleased with them. All we had heard was that the VA was terrible and you had to wait and wait and wait. His appointment for an EKG was at 9:30 and at exactly 9:30 they called his name. He came out about 10 minutes later and motioned to me and said the EKG showed he was in the middle of a heart attack and we were headed to ER. The nurse kept asking him if he was in any pain and he said no. But, if seemed that if they were that concerned about him, they would not have had him WALK to the ER. It turned out that the technician had not compensated for the pacemaker even though Bill had told him about it and it really messed up the readings. He got to his other appointment with 5 minutes to spare and at exactly 11:00 the dr. came out to get him. She wasn't supposed to tell him her opinion, but she said that since his condition does not just happen overnight, it was definitely service connected. So we should hear something about that before long.

Now, about the pacemaker people. They were doing a reading from his pacemaker and saw that he had an episode of v-tach on Dec. 10 but the pacemaker paced him out of it without the diffibulator firing. His heart rate had gotten to 182 and the upper level of the device is 140.

Today, at his regular check-up with Dr. Lan, the Dr. came into the room immediately, even before the nurse. We had walked by him in the hall and evidently he saw something he didn't like. He listened to his heart and started a reading of the pacemaker and then looked at me and said that he was admitting him, that he was having another episode of v-tach. He called 911 and we rode across the road to the ER. They did not have to shock him this time, the amiodorone worked by itself. Everyone was wondering why the pacemaker did not kick in and the reason is the high limit setting. Since it was set to 140 and his heart rate did not get past 134 it did not trigger the vigorous pacing. So, the limit has been changed to 128 now.

He's in CVICU for at least tonight. I don't know what the plan of action will be yet. Dr. Lan had not come in the last time I saw him and I can't see him again until 9:00. So, that's it for now. I'll keep this updated as I know more.

I'm finding it's hard to think of things to write when nothing is happening that pertains to this blog! I guess I am my mother's daughter and take to heart her saying "No news is good news" when it comes to something like this!

Not much has been going on as far as Bill's health goes. He is maintaining wonderfully with the new pacemaker and ablation. He still doesn't have a lot of energy in the mornings, but he's learned to pace himself and try not to pack a days worth of errands or chores into a couple of hours.

Out of the blue he heard from the VA about starting his claim for disability! It has been almost 2 years of sending records and resend records and now he's been told that this has been going on for too long and it needs to get settled! I just hope they remember who has been dragging their feet! Anyway, he sees a VA doctor in Memphis on Thursday to start the evaluation process.

Wednesday he goes to see the Transplant nurse Jackie for his 3 month clinical. When he received the letter about that we noticed that he is now at a status 2 on the transplant list instead of 1b. Status 2 is lower than 1b and I think he has been downgraded because the last 2 procedures have been so successful. We were told that he could move up and down on the list several times so I wasn't real surprised. I have to look at it 2 different ways. It's a good thing because it means that his condition has improved after the new pacemaker and the ablation. But, because he has such a small timeframe before he reaches the cutoff age of 68, it's a bad thing.

It seems like we have been waiting a long time, yet he was only listed in April of 2009. When I look at it that way, it hasn't been long at all. I guess I date it from 2007 when it was first mentioned as a solution.

Anyway, didn't mean to make this a book! I will post the results of the doctors appointments this week.

Happy New Year everyone! This year, I guess I mean last year, has gone by so fast! Maybe because it was so busy.

We are looking forward to a wonderful new year. Bill is still doing very well since the ablation and the new pacemaker implant. He has also recognized his limits finally and knows when to quit and to pace himself. That makes it a lot easier on me. I'm finally sleeping most of the night now.

We have made no resolutions for this year. We're just going to "live our lives" as we were told and whatever happens, happens. Our faith and trust in God will get us through anything, and of course we have you, our wonderful supportive family and friends.

I hope you all have a wonderful year!