Topic: My story and where it is now..... - page 7. (Read 7176 times)

It's good to know that you are still fighting the boss. You chose the right option and I am grateful that you have been moved to Status 2. I am a strong believer in fate, if I am the one that was destined to die for you to get a heart, then that's my destiny. Dying empty by giving all I can give to humanity has been my greatest desire.
I don't know how painful the pump stuff is but be strong and bear it, because hopefully, you would soon get a donor. I pray you to get the love and assistance you require in this temporarily immobile state. I just remembered a Nigerian footballer named Nwankwo Kanu that did heart surgery (although not a transplant) and he returned to football and had a more glorious after-surgery career. Hopefully, you would have more glorious years after the surgery.

There are 7 status levels here. Status 4-7 are non-hospitalized and less severe while Status 3 and below are your more serious cases. Status 1 being the most severe. I hope to be transplanted well before they have to make me a status 1.

Dont worry about replying brother, we understand your situation and everyone here actively reads your updates and praying for you from the heart.
Sorry, I was unsure about status 2, but upon searching I found among 6 statuses, status 2 patients (along with status 1) are on top priority in the list as they are very severe cases!?
Thats good if this can get over soon and you're back in the old form. Just stay strong!

Sorry to all whom may have replied since my last post. I'm mobile so I will not be quoting anyone and responding. Just here for an update.

I decided to let them do the pump although it's not awesome. I am stuck laying here til the transplant. I did get moved up to status 2, so let's hope this is over soon.

I completely agree. While it is unfortunate that organ transplants often rely on the tragedy of someone else's death. However, it is a selfless and noble decision to choose to be an organ donor, and, as someone who has also made this decision, I can only hope that my donation will bring hope and a second chance at life to others in the event of my own untimely passing. It is important to remember that receiving an organ transplant is not something to feel guilty about, but rather a way for an individual to survive and live the life they deserve, made possible through the generosity of the organ donor and their loved ones.

As it is, I really do not like the word surgery and I do not wish any of my loved ones to be in a situation of doing surgery and I myself do not think of doing such as I pray to be in good health always. I pray that everything involving your surgery takes place successfully.

Looking at the options here, it is very tough one to make decision as you will have to wait coupled with inconveniences just to get set for your surgery.

All I could say is get well soonest.

I didn't read this topic till now figured it was something about being a campaign manager and things around that.

Sending good thoughts your way. Heart issues suck, they run in my family too.
Keep a positive attitude, it really does matter.

-Dave

Lately, I have had quite limited access to my computer, so I haven't spent much time online, but because of my empathy I had to look for an update here


this is a really complicated and ungrateful decision, solving one problem often creates another new one. There is the factor of the urgency of the problem and the shortening of uncertainty but lying motionless for a long time will certainly cause some other problems and significantly complicate recovery after all (I know that from personal experience). one hospital day requires a minimum of 3-5 days of rehabilitation. With heart problems, recovery can certainly take longer due to the limited allowable fatigue.
I can only guess what kind of mental hell you and your family are going through and it is really necessary to stay strong.



you should try to get rid of similar thoughts. thoughts about the fairness of the life cycle, they only burden you further, and it is impossible to close this topic in your head.

Dear yahoo62278, it is good to see that, mentally speaking, you are still strong and even willing to talk here. This is really amazing... I don't know how many other people would keep contact with their forum acquaintances from a hospital bed.

I read the options you were given and, indeed, each has pros and cons. I am not able to understand medical techniques, as I don't have any knowledge on this field, but what I do understand is that you may choose between having a "status 2", combined with staying flat until the new heart will arrive, and having a "status 3", which implies the ability to move, combined with a longer wait. (I believe that you won't take into consideration the option to have the "normal" balloon pump (meaning not the one inserted through your groin area), as this would mean to have "status 4", which means an indefinite waiting period).

Therefore, if there should be made a choice between status 2 and status 3, I would go with status 2, no matter the implications... At least I would have to wait a shorter time... This is also why I asked in my previous post if you have an ETA for the arrival of the new heart.

Based on your answer,


if a status 3 could last even six months, then I'd definitely choose a status 2, in order to not stay for months inside a hospital... I understand, it would be very difficult to lay down all the time, especially when you have to go to bathroom but I would try to encourage myself in different ways... I would tell myself that this may be first time, after an entire lifetime, when I can actually rest as much as I want, after 20 years of hard work. At same time, when I would be awaken, I would read. Now I don't know if you like to read, but I am a huge fan of reading books (physical books). So I'd think that, if I have to lay down anyway, why to not take advantage of this time and read as much as I can? There are so many nice books which you can read and some can really make you not realize how time passes anymore...

Indeed, all of what I said above is from my own perspective. After all, you are the one which takes the decision. I just wanted to let you know what I would do...

Then again: even if you'd choose status 3, nothing will prevent you from reading. And this activity may take your mind away and also relax you for a while...

We are here with you and we'll keep being here with you. But what matters the most is that you to be well and make the choice you believe it will suit you best...

A Swan-Ganz catheter is its full name. The bit that you will see will look similar to all the other IVs that I'm sure you are used to by now, except it will have (usually) 5 of them, and it will come out of the (usually) right side of your neck. Obviously I don't know your case, but I assume their reasoning behind leaving it in is that it would allow them to constantly keep a very close eye on your heart function and then either bump you up the list or put in an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) at a later date if needed.

That's the wrong way to think of it. The way we explain it is not "someone has to die", but rather "someone is going to die anyway". That person will still have had the best possible care in the lead up to their death, but death is a fact of life. Whether or not their organs are being donated will have made absolutely zero difference to that person's care up to the point of death. The only question now is whether those organs are buried in the ground to rot, incinerated to ashes, or used to give the gift of hope and life to other people and other families. I know which of three I would choose for my organs.

Some families want to make the organ of their deceased useful to other people since they want to help the other peoples life extend, then also they are happy to see that they can see that the heart of their love ones is alive from other persons body. So there's nothing to be guilty about that situation since everything happen for a reason.

@yahoo62278 hopefully the message you get from this thread uplift your spirit to fight the challenges happen in your life.

I can imagine how painfully your time is moving. Hang in there. After few months everything will become past and you will have story to tell to your grand children, an inspiring story to make them to feel proud to be your grand children.

All of us are looking forward to your quick recovery.

Oh, but it's not.  Whoever gives you their heart wanted to be an organ donor, and there's a waiting list so you're not exactly accepting a heart that should be going to someone else.  You're going to feel whatever you feel regardless of what I say, but I'd advise you to let go of any feelings of guilt regarding the transplant.  You don't need that stress on top of all the other stress you've got going on, right?

Not going to give you any suggestions on your options, and it's hard to try to put myself in your shoes, but if it were me I think I would probably opt for those kinds of inconveniences if it got me to the operating table sooner.  But I'm not in your shoes and it sounds like your situation in the hospital just sucks overall. 

Whatever you choose, we're all here rooting for ya.

Think of the next two to four weeks as a mini vacation before the main work begins.

Get well and enjoy life.

See you back here when you feel up to it. Nothing is that important it overides your recovery. We'll all still be here.

Thank you

Thank you

I'm skipping a few replies as I feel like they were replies from users who didn't actually read the thread or philosophers.

UPDATE

Today has been a fairly rough day in terms of got to the hospital and had the heart catheter 1st thing this morning. After that I went to recovery(wasn't sedated, just wasn't a bed open yet so they put me in the cath lab to wait) and was visited by my doctor's boss and a team of what I assume were residents in training. They mentioned the balloon pump. Basically, I was told I can stay status 4 and have a super long wait because there are so many on the list. Not exactly what was said, but that's how I took it.

The other option was a balloon pump which is inserted through my groin area. I will help my heart pump better as well as return blood to my heart when exerting myself. This option also moves me to status 2 and puts me much higher on the list. Likely the 2-4 week wait on average. There are cons as well. I cannot move. I'll be flat on my back til they get me a heart. Gotta use the bathroom laying down, eat, everything. Flat the whole time. It's not a perfect option but it is an option.

About an hour goes by and the boss lady came back alone and offered another option. They can insert basically a heart cath in my neck and leave it there sticking out until I get a heart. It's called a swan. I don't know exactly what it will look like, just got a general description. Haven't googled any of it as I came to the hospital with no sleep. Once they put me in a room I ate and took a nap.

Option 2, the swan, puts me as a status 3 which means a longer stay in the hospital, but I have the ability to move around and go to the bathroom. I am already on the surgical schedule in the morning if I choose the balloon pump, if not we will talk about the other option and when it can be done. Needless to say, both options are not awesome, but none of this situation is.

@yahoo62278 We could learn 3 item things from sir's topic.

1. Health is wealth.  No substitute for health is considered an invaluable asset unto itself.  If your health is not properly managed then we don't like anything in this world.

2. Money is not our main concern.  We all have to go to God one day.  As much money as there is in this world, the curtain of death will not be of any use.  From this we will start taking care of health.

3. In order to protect our health, we have to pay attention to food.  We will never drink, smoke, smoke, or inject any unique drug into the body.  Because they seriously injure our body which causes us to die.  And exercise at the right time every day.

I just stumbled upon this post and to be honest I felt it down to my spine while reading. It touches that you are suffering from what you never bargained for. Although it is hereditary which is very reason you had all these surgeries before. It is not your fault you are going through all this pains just to make sure you are fine. I checked your profile and I found out you have been very much active here irrespective of your health challenge. This makes me believe people are going through lots without any notice not until they voice it all out.

I pray for you that you recover very much stronger than you ever have been. You are a good man and a kind man as I see from the numerous comments here. It is my prayers that God takes the lead in the operation that it scales through successfully with you coming out healthy, strong and sound.
I am looking forward to seeing you here more often.

From your advise, it would be nice one gets regular check-up to know if they have any ailments unknown to then so as to treat it immediately to avoid it escalating.

Get well soonest!

Hi yahoo62278

How is your health condition so far. I always pray that your health is getting better and you can continue your activities and get closer to God for worship.

I feel like visiting you now and helping in some way that can ease your wife's burden. I understand very well and can feel how it feels to be tired while looking after a loved one in the hospital because I have experienced where my first child was treated for 1 week. It was purely my fault, so your message telling me to check my loved one's health condition regularly is a very valuable message.

Btw, did you hire a housekeeper while you were in the hospital?
I think it would have helped a bit with the housework.

You answered yourself already. Yes, that's the reality. Don't feel selfish, please. You are not killing anybody.
We don't know how long we will survive. But, we have to keep hoping for the best. Wish you the best of luck, man.

Can't recommend him to reduce his activity in front of computer since if that one makes him happy and feel not bored well that's fine, imagine you will not do anything on your bed then most provably you will get worried about everything thinking on your condition, so if his stays in this forum will make him more comfortable or at least he feel strong here then its really fine.

BTW @yahoo62278 hope everything is fine at your end and we hope to see an update that you are healthy.