BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure

Subject: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 01:25 PM

Well, this was unexpected. They postponed the operation. Yesterday I got up *way* too early for the second day in a row, and a girlfriend (that angel) drove me to the hospital in good time. I was gowned, on the gurney with nifty sheaths on my legs gently squeezing them to keep my legs from swelling. I could learn to like these. They had the IV in the back of my hand and everything, and the anesthesiologist came in. He knew about my atrial fibrillation, but was concerned that I hadn't had a stress test - ever - to see if my problem was caused by arterial blockage. This seems like a legitimate concern to me, but I do wonder why three doctors' offices in three or so years hadn't thought of this.
The good news is that my workplace is changing the (officially posted, so it should be carved in stone) schedule for next week, so I don't have to kiss a week of sick time goodbye when I'm not recovering from anything yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 01:37 PM

So would I........I figured that was something that probably happened a few years ago at least. You need to have one every 3-4 years if you have a low ejection #. You'll probably do a chemical stress but either way they have a few moments of "unpleasntness." Its not long......just an uncomfortable bit for a few minutes. Keep us posted on what's happening!


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 01:48 PM

Oh my... that really sucks. Odd about three docs not getting it right!

Spaw... low ejection #... Whassat?

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 02:18 PM

Well, it beats perishing on the table before I get the $#@! in my house sorted and organized, and with Amy in the middle of midterms. I hate needles at the best of times, as in injections and blood tests, so the injection itself will probably take care of the preliminary unpleasantness. I'm thinking that this would be better than exhausting myself on a treadmill and keeling over, though. Thanks for the heads-up, though. Yeah, what's a low ejection #? I ythought that was a guy problem.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 06:21 PM

All in Divine Order, Dear One...it will happen when the time is just perfect.:-)

Thanks for letting us know and keep us posted, please?

luvyakat

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 09:10 PM

The ejection fraction is a measurement of how much blood is expelled (pumped) out of the ventricle when it is filled and then pumps. Specifically it measure the main chamber, the left ventricle. Normal runs at 55% and above up to about 70%. When it drops down to the thirty level they suggest an impalnated defibrilator because you are at a higher risk for V-Tach. They usually get the figure from an echocardiogram or catheterization although several other ways work well too including MRI.

The stress test measures exactly that......stress......how your heart reacts to physical stress. This test takes several hours as you are injected with a dye which takes awhile to go through. You then have CAT scan and the test then another CAT scan. During the monitored portion in the middle they have an IV in and inject through it a thing or two. One of these lasts about 2 minutes and creates serious pressure in your chest and a bit of nausea. As long as you know its coming its fine and most techs and Docs will stay on top of your condition at this point. The feeling leaves as quickly as it came and the monitored part of the procedure finishes shortly thereafter. The second scan is done..... and you're finished!

As an aside......in 2006 we went with the implanted defibrilator (ICD) when my cardiologist told me my ejection fraction was below 30.   Back last January I had an echo (and a stress test) and found out that my number in 2007 was 22! The test in January I was 35!!!! I couldn't believe it but the number can also fluctuate but I think I need a giant button that has a 35 on it! You too can have one if you need it for only $85,000.......I dunno' how people can get by without insurance in this country..........

They need the stress because your chart probably mentions "heart failure" which is a trigger.


Spaw (Completing my degree in Cardiology from the Igotit School of Medicine at Hard Knocks University)

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 09:56 PM

Foxy, I still recall that great connection with the kids. If anything ever happens, you might like to pre-assure them sometime-- I would definitely come over there to lend a hand, and am just a PM away.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Janie
Date: 14 Apr 12 - 10:05 PM

Keep us posted, dear Lady. Glad the anethesiologist (spelling?) was on the ball.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 03:27 PM

How could a storyteller like me keep a yarn like this from my friends? No fears there, I'll let you all know as soon as I know anything. WYSIWYG. m'dear, you're welcome anytime, but the house looks like the wreck of the Hesperis right now - but that's another story.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:14 PM

WYSIWYG. m'dear, you're welcome anytime, but the house looks like the wreck of the Hesperis right now - but that's another story.

One of my specialties. Deploy me at will! Hugs to all,

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 09:24 PM

Is it health care or health care-less these days??? I donno???

Hope you get thru this...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 16 Apr 12 - 10:09 PM

Gee, Spaw. Yer health care is different from ours. My stress test was a treadmill that sped up until I broke a sweat and didn't fall down and the doc said, "Yer good."

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Apr 12 - 08:27 AM

Sheesh. Another of us going under the knife. Do well.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 May 12 - 03:09 PM

WYSIWYG. m'dear, you're welcome anytime, but the house looks like the wreck of the Hesperis right now...

Just had a great chat with Foxy Daughter. :~) She'll be along with an update shortly, but about that visit-- I camp in my van nowadays so the house can look like Hell itself and I can be in peace and plenitude right nearby, over at the ole truckstop.

Hardi and I will be touring Ohio July 23-Aug 23 and we'll look y'all UP! This time WE cook.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: GUEST,Foxy Daughter
Date: 07 May 12 - 03:52 PM

Hullo!

Sorry that she hasn't updated; things have been rather busy around the old homestead. Her surgery is scheduled for the 16th, right before one of our SCA events. Naturally, we're going anyway, but you can be sure that I'll have both eyes on her.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 May 12 - 04:39 PM

GRRRRRRRRRR!
But kat is right. When the time is right it will happen.
I hated those breathing sheaths and managed to get them and my socks off without being able to move. Really pissed off the nurses.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: bbc
Date: 07 May 12 - 05:30 PM

Mary, we'll be in Maine, but I hope all goes smoothly for you! Do you expect to be at Old Songs this year?

love,

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 07 May 12 - 06:58 PM

I hope all goes well on the 16th. I'll be looking for this thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 07 May 12 - 11:35 PM

FoxDau:

I'll have both eyes on her.

But will that be enough of a costume for her? :~) Yah, watch her like a sparrow hawk. We wants our chickie back in full strength and giggliciousness! And please tell the docs for me that a Hollowfox is not really hollow-- it has and needs a wonderful heart right there inside it.

OTOH we haz some near-surgeons at Mudcat iffen the docs'd rather we take a turn fixin' her up.... no? Well, then they need to top the MudDazz and git 'er done!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 08 May 12 - 08:51 AM

Sitting here twiddling my thumbs along with y'all, %#@$ reduction candles at the ready! Foxy, thanks for keeping us posted. Any chance there will be enough recovery for avisit to Old Songs?

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 May 12 - 10:19 AM

only 8 days to go

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 08 May 12 - 04:15 PM

I'm planning to be at Old Songs. I was also planning to post something longer, but I've run out of afternoon break-time. Let's see if I can manage something tonight. We had a beautt of a thunderstorm last night, which sort of pre-empted any plans to use the computer.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 May 12 - 06:23 PM

Yeah, we had a killer storm here too.

I started all this because yesterday I got really worried that there was NO word from you at all and then I realized I'd lost your number. So I called Wyzzy's church and she called back. By the time I got back here and ready to call I saw she hadd already talked to the young'un. Glad to hear things are not as bad as I was imagining......


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: GUEST
Date: 08 May 12 - 08:33 PM

Wel, bless your collective hearts! I got home from work last night, and Amy told me that Wysiwyg had called! So, at last, I have a chance to post. I didn't mean to worry you, I'm just a contender for the world's worst correspondent.
So, yeah, the new date is the 16th. The nurse told me the operation is scheduled for "noonish". Really technical medical terms here. Everything else should be an encore - except the delay, of course.
Sins, what's this about a breathing sheath? My cat-loving supervisor has mentioned those veterinary Elizabethan collars...and Wyzzy, as for your Mudcat surgeon suggestion, that reminds me of when my middle youngun was just about due, and I was at the National Storytelling Festival. One friend told me that if I went into labor, I should go to the performing area where she was working, as one of the found crew there was also a doctor. A performer friend said to come see her as she had some shoelaces and a pair of scissors handy. The baby waited until we got home, but it *would* have made a good story.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: EBarnacle
Date: 08 May 12 - 09:43 PM

My ex and I went to Mystic as performers in '91, veryshortly berfore my son was born. Our hosts' canine had just had a large litter, so they kept the whelping box in place for us, just in case. 'Twasn't needed, tho.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 09 May 12 - 08:15 AM

Oops, I thought I set my cookie on Foxy Daughter's laptop, but I guess not. The above Guest was me.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 16 May 12 - 08:10 PM

Don't let the moniker fool you; it's Foxy Daughter here.

Mom's surgery went well, firstly. She's staying in the hospital overnight so that they can keep an eye on her, but everything went smoothly, and the cyst(s)(so we discovered) were removed without much incidence. According to the doctor, they were even shifting her trachea off course, and crushing her vocal cords.

Seems like we got there in the nick of time, however, because when they let us in to see her and she was given a drink of water, her voice sounded largely the same.She was awake but sleepy, able to walk, cognizant, and her sense of humor wasn't dented any, so I have high hopes for her recovery.

Keep the candles burning; she comes home tomorrow. Cheers, mates!

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 16 May 12 - 09:15 PM

HOOOOORAY, mate

sandra in sydney

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: maeve
Date: 17 May 12 - 05:25 AM

Wonderful news, Foxy Daughter! Thanks for letting us know.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 May 12 - 06:10 AM

Hiya' Kid and thanks for the update! Good thoughts and allthat stuff from KAren and I....


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 12 - 09:07 AM

!!!!

See ya's in July/August.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 May 12 - 09:12 AM

Counting down to Old Songs. Expect to see you there.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: SINSULL
Date: 17 May 12 - 12:59 PM

Breathing sheathes - plastic tubes that go around your calves and breathe in and out to massage and improve circulation. They went on over the socks. I couldn't stand either and managed to get them off despite being immobile. LOL
Where there's a will there's a way.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 May 12 - 03:39 PM

I dunno' Sins....I managed to pull out a PIC line but failed in my attempt to pull out a Foley catheter.......thankfully. I wanted too get out of bed and go home or something.....that was a tough time......


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 May 12 - 04:54 PM

The cat's home from the vet, er the 'Fox is back on the 'Cat! I don't know why they'd call something on my leg a breathing sheath, but I loved those things. When you're groggy after surgery, they feel like somebody's giving you a very friendly leg massage. I also had one of those beds that shifted a bit from time to time (to prevent bedsores?). It would give off a low sound that sounded in my imagination a bit like a distant, old fashioned foghorn. It's a pity I don't read cheap romance novels, or I could have written a pretty good story. *g*
The doctor was surprised at how well I'm doing so soon after surgery. Besides not being dead a small risk, but...), I'm getting a lot more oxygen, picking something off the floor doesn't make me feel winded, I feel my mental capacity coming back (I felt like I was loosing my wits one brain cell at a time), and I'm a lot less fatigued.
Before, I felt like I was lazy for not wanting to move or do the smallest thing I might want to do, and that pissed me off. Now, I'm starting to do stuff. I'm starting small, though, not going to push it. Thanks, all of you, for your good thoughts and the huge variety of prayer and juju of all sorts. I love you all, Mary

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hollowfox
Date: 17 May 12 - 06:02 PM

Oh, yes, I can sing much better today than yesterday. Sorry Kendall, you and Julie Andrews will have to stay a duet. You both sound good without my backup anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: gnu
Date: 17 May 12 - 06:12 PM

Great news!

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 17 May 12 - 08:41 PM

All right! I'm glad to read that you are doing well.

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Janie
Date: 17 May 12 - 08:48 PM

Great to hear you sounding so chipper and to have, it seems, sailed through with flying colors!

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: georgeward
Date: 18 May 12 - 12:27 AM

Now that's great news! - G

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 May 12 - 02:49 AM

keep up the good news & the slow & steady recovery

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: Hawker
Date: 18 May 12 - 04:58 AM

hreat news, Glas all went well x
Lucy

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 18 May 12 - 07:34 AM

Oh, excellent! Isn't better health wonderful?

Looking forward to seeing you next month!

Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Operation Adventure
From: bbc
Date: 18 May 12 - 11:01 AM

So glad to hear you're doing well, Mary! We're just back from spending a week with Mom in Maine. Next big event is Old Songs! Hope to see you there, with bells on!

love,

Barbara & Duane