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BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit

12 Mar 10 - 02:30 PM (#2862805)
Subject: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Hollowfox

This is Hollowfox's daughter, Amy. She asked me to let you all know that she's feeling rather daft, as her doctor conscripted her to the hospital for an atrial heart fibrillation.

She herself feels fine, save for a bit bored, and they want to stick her on blood thinners. She wanted you all to know, because she knew you'd wonder.


12 Mar 10 - 02:42 PM (#2862819)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: gnu

Thanks.


12 Mar 10 - 02:51 PM (#2862833)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: jacqui.c

Kendall has just been diagnosed with that and has started on blood thinners. the main concern is that AHF can lead to a stroke so it has to be taken seriously.

You have to watch your diet - not too much Vitamin K - I found this site quite useful..

Take care please.


12 Mar 10 - 02:59 PM (#2862843)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: SINSULL

No spinach? No cranberry juice?
Will life be worth living?
Do what the doctors tell you, Mary. You are lucky they found this before you started feeling the problem.
Be well.
Mary SINS


12 Mar 10 - 03:14 PM (#2862861)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: maeve

Thanks for letting us know. Mary is correct; we'd have worried. I have appreciated her kindness to me and others.

maeve


12 Mar 10 - 03:27 PM (#2862874)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: catspaw49

Well damn! Tell her to have you light a &%$@(*X^ Reducing candle for HER!!! She always handles that here!

Seriously, A-Fib can cause problems of course but I've had chronic A-Fib for almost 12 years so tell her that like any good "Ahian" she can live with it!

As far as Coumadin goes, it is a pain in the ass but not as big as most people think. Jacqui listed a site and there are many others as well to get to know what increases and decreases the thinning effect. While we all think of all the Vitamin K foods that thicken the blood (measured as a pro-time number such as 2.5 or 3.0) there are also a lot that will thin it to dangerous levels as well. Being consistent in your diet and having your pro-time checked at least monthly is the key to living happily with Coumadin/Warfarin.   There are other treatments for A-Fib that are often successful in getting rid of it altogether. ***

I'm glad you posted here. Karen and I spent a wonderful day with your Mom down in New Philadelphia a few years ago and we all had a great time. Heard a few stories about YOU that day too.Give her a big hug from me!


Spaw

***Doctorate in Cardiology from "Igotit University"


12 Mar 10 - 03:47 PM (#2862893)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: VirginiaTam

Adding Hollowfox (what a great name) to my good health and light recipients list. Will keep her in my thoughts.


12 Mar 10 - 03:52 PM (#2862900)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Thanks, Amy! Give her all our best, and tell her I still expect to see her (and you!) at Old Songs - just got my tickets yesterday!


12 Mar 10 - 04:28 PM (#2862936)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: katlaughing

Thanks for letting us know, Amy. Also, please thank your mom for thinking of us. We definitely would wonder and be concerned.

I wound up in the emergency room last summer with atrial fib. First time I've ever experienced fully aware. (The only other time was in an early day just after heart surgery.) In my case, the chemicals were out of balance, I'd had too much salt and had done too much on my own with my grandson. The docs made sure I was re-hydrated via IV and increased one medication and I was on my way home, soon. Have not had any other episodes, thank goodness. May it be so for your mom, too.

Please tell her I'll light one of those candles, but it will be a poor imitation of hers.*bg*

luvya Hollowfox!

kat


12 Mar 10 - 04:37 PM (#2862941)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

Thanks everyone! She's looking at Coumadin pamphlets right now, and definitely not liking the idea of life sans cranberry juice.

Stroke, huh? Mm, her grandmother had one...as one in charge of part of her diet, I really appreciate the list!

What I'm curious about is what they're keeping her in he hospital for...probably to see how the medication balances with the rest of whatever she takes.

Thank you all!


12 Mar 10 - 05:06 PM (#2862954)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: My guru always said

Sending positive thoughts, love & Hugs,
Hil xx


12 Mar 10 - 05:12 PM (#2862961)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: open mike

As another blood thinner patient, I learned some interesting info from one the visitors to my hosp. while i was it (from pulmonary embolism..
blood clot in the lung) that one form of the drug Coumadin is called Warfarin, and that stands for Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, the group that discovered the blood thinning properties from coumarin, improperly cured clover hay...www.warf.org/

info :

Coumarin is found in several plants, including tonka beans, lavender, licorice, strawberries, apricots, cherries, cinnamon, & sweet clover.
Properties
Coumarin has blood-thinning, anti-fungicidal and anti-tumor activities. .... Coumarin increases the blood flow in the veins and decreases capillary permeability. ...
Facts about Coumarin
Coumarin seems to work as a pesticide in the plants that produce it. Coumarin is responsible for the sweet smell of new mown hay.

(the good news is that it might also have anti-fungal and anti-tumor
properties, the bad news is that is used for rat poison)


12 Mar 10 - 05:56 PM (#2862985)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

She knew about the rat poison bit. But then, any excess of anything will kill ya, right? Still, that's a handy thing to remember! It looks like I have to be careful about her Vitamin K intake, though. Should I cut her off of bananas?


12 Mar 10 - 06:23 PM (#2863008)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: VirginiaTam

I think it is a misnomer to call it rat poison... it doesn't really poison the rats.... it just makes them bleed internally to death, which I think is cruel beyond belief.

Apricots eh? think I will add one or two to my breakfast ritual one and 1/2 weetabix, activia fatfree yogurt and sprinkle of flaked almonds.

now this has to be the weirdest post ever.


12 Mar 10 - 07:13 PM (#2863030)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: catspaw49

Amy.....She'll need to have some control over her diet as to BOTH the decreasers and the increasers which will make the blood too thin and cause excessive bleeding and easy bruising. The big thing is to adjust to something you can live with such as one salad or order of green K stuff a day and also watch the intake of cranberries and the like. Alcohol increases the effect of Warfarin as does horseradish! For me it takes less than a teaspoon of horseradish to increase the INR (protime) number to 4 or better.....not good.

BE CONSISTENT and HAVE IT MONITORED are the two golden rules. At first you may need to have it checked weekly or every two weeks but as things stabilize, monthly monitoring is pretty normal.

Other meds an supplements can both increase and decrease the effects so be sure you know the thinning effect of everything you take. I'm currently on an antibiotic that will thin the blood significantly by enhancing the effect of the Coumadin/Warfarin. So even though I just had a protime check last week, I need to go in Wednesday to see how I need to adjust until I am through with the med.

The real question here Amy is have they figured out what is causing the A-Fib?

Spaw


12 Mar 10 - 07:27 PM (#2863037)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: catspaw49

Also....How long is she going to be in and what hospital?

Spaw


12 Mar 10 - 09:46 PM (#2863082)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

Ah, I try, but she's a wily thing...But maybe she'll listen to you. (grins)

I don't believe they have figured out the cause just yet, or at least they haven't told me or her. I'll give her a ring to find out, update soon. She says she feels like 'Jabba the Hutt in a muumuu.' I've passed along the info, and she's taking it in due course. She also says again that she felt as good day before yesterday, and she says she's staying at least through Sunday.

She's at Northside Medical Center at 500 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown Ohio, 44505. (330) 884-5260, feel free to call her tomorrow!


12 Mar 10 - 11:18 PM (#2863109)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: LadyJean

Well, I'm glad I mudcatted tonight. Give your mom my best, and tell her that Gracie sends her regards too. Tell her it has been my long held belief that it ought to be illegal to feed hospital food to sick people.
Unfortunately, all my specialties are not good for the blood pressure, or I'd send you some gingerbread. (I think the Amish butter I use is healthier, but not that much healthier.)

Having seen my mother through 3 hip replacements, (One of them didn't work.) a mastectomy, the removal of a malignancy on her lungs, the subsequent chemo and her last illness, I can tell you TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Get your brothers in to help. Sleep, eat, hang out with friends, draw. (Amy is a first class artist.) Pat your cats.


12 Mar 10 - 11:25 PM (#2863112)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: ranger1

OK, Spaw has the candle bit under control...wait! SPAW and open flames?! I'LL light the damn candle!


13 Mar 10 - 12:00 AM (#2863119)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: catspaw49

That's good thinking Tami........Have you still got any of the skunk scented ones?   They'd have some powerful #&%#$*&@#X& Reducing mojo I'd think.

Spaw


13 Mar 10 - 02:08 AM (#2863145)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Liz the Squeak

Tell her there's a bed for her in the Mudcat Recovery Ward when she gets back... but to watch out for Severn... he's overdone it with the medication and can't stop punning.

LTS


13 Mar 10 - 02:39 AM (#2863150)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Sandra in Sydney

sending hugs to my 2009 Santa & her lovely daughter

sandra


13 Mar 10 - 03:07 AM (#2863158)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: georgeward

Much more heart wisdom here than I can offer, Amy. Do tell your mom I'm thinking about her....and about you too. Anybody who's in hospital needs someone else paying attention.
And LadyJean's got it right. Take care of yourself!

- George


13 Mar 10 - 03:14 AM (#2863161)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: georgeward

Much more heart wisdom here than I can offer, Amy. Do tell your mom I'm thinking about her....and about you too. Anybody who's in hospital needs someone else paying attention.
And LadyJean's got it right. Take care of yourself!

- George


13 Mar 10 - 03:14 AM (#2863162)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: georgeward

Oops!


13 Mar 10 - 07:25 AM (#2863289)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Morticia

sending hugs and love to one of my favourites, be well soon Mary


13 Mar 10 - 08:02 AM (#2863311)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Dharmabum

Hi Mary,
Wishing you well.
Hope to see you at Old Songs again.

DB.


13 Mar 10 - 09:03 AM (#2863346)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: kendall

Jabba the Hutt in a mumu! Now there's a picture!


13 Mar 10 - 12:53 PM (#2863448)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

Hospital or no, she's a good one for one liners, no? Should be released within 24 hours!

I am taking care of myself, don't worry. The night she went in, I was going out with friends for sushi and a hibachi. What did I do in hearing the news? Drop off the stuff she asked for and go out for Japanese. Being an incessant worrywart, I'm surprised at how mellow I actually am about all this...

Jean: Am not! The food's not bad there, actually, but she did ask that I eat the tomato soup. (No grilled cheese sandwich with it, either! Heathens!) I, however, have quite a healthy blood pressure...:3


13 Mar 10 - 01:04 PM (#2863456)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: catspaw49

Just got off the phone with Mary and she sounds great. Sounds like she will be home tomorrow......has to be cause she's out of books.

A-Fib can occur for so many reasons that it sometimes takes awhile to figure which direction to go. I imagine they'll be following along closely with her for awhile but for now it all sounds good!

Of course Amy, as you know you may have to beat her with a stick to keep her in line!

Spaw(;<))


13 Mar 10 - 02:09 PM (#2863502)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

A stick, you say? Handy that we live next to the woods. :) She's out of books? I'd brought her a five-volume series...Wow. Granted, they're short books, but still.

If they follow her closely, that's one less thing for me to fret about.


13 Mar 10 - 09:39 PM (#2863674)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: katlaughing

The books are going to follow her? Goodness! It's more than I thought...that could be a real pain in the arse...imagine the weight of them!**bg**

Amy, it's really a blessing for you to be there and take such care. So glad to hear they are turning her loose.

Spaw, thanks for your take on it, too. :-)

luvyaHF!

kat


13 Mar 10 - 10:21 PM (#2863691)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

Update: She's being released Monday. She's stubborn down to her blood, which isn't thinning like it should.


13 Mar 10 - 10:43 PM (#2863699)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: LadyJean

Amy! You are too a good artist! She does Anime' style drawings, and they're lovely. You should see her series about the kitten.

There is low fat cheese. True I wouldn't feed it to my sister's yap dogs, but it does exist.

If you're out of books, it is definitely time to come home. I'll hunt up a couple and send them your way.


13 Mar 10 - 10:49 PM (#2863701)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: katlaughing

Hmmm...they will get it sorted, Amy. I've got a stubborn streak, too. When their literature says the usual is to have one effect, I am always just the opposite when it comes to reactions to coumadin and its interactions with food, other drugs, etc.

Tell her I said, "Patience is a virtue for which we all strive!":-)

Now, is there anywhere online where we might see some of your artwork? Always love to see other people's creations.

Thanks, again, for keeping us posted.

kat


14 Mar 10 - 07:56 AM (#2863822)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Oh, rats- but tell her to buck up- you'll just have to bring some more books!

I'd love to see that artwork, too- I've seen you at Old Songs and you're a work of art, yourself, my dear!

Allison


14 Mar 10 - 01:59 PM (#2864006)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST

Series about the kitten? You mean Edith? (Edith, by the way, is merely rumored to be a cat. )

Low-fat cheese sounds...absurd.

*gulps* Y'do, huh? Okay...though I'm not sure it's really anyone's style here, here's a sample of anything worth mentioning.


14 Mar 10 - 02:50 PM (#2864029)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: gnu

Hope things go well tomorrow.


14 Mar 10 - 03:16 PM (#2864044)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Tinker

Lighting a candle to light your way home....


15 Mar 10 - 01:23 PM (#2864585)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: maeve

refresh


15 Mar 10 - 01:43 PM (#2864597)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: SINSULL

I fyou think low-fat cheese is bad, try no-fat. Totaly groos except for cottage cheese but that was an acquired taste.
Home yet?
I have an ancient rat shaped candle in need of burning. That must count as a %&%$@(*X^ reduction candle.
Doesn't look the same when I do it...


15 Mar 10 - 01:46 PM (#2864600)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

No, she's not...they're keeping her still. her pulse is up slightly and the blood thinners aren't working quite how they ought to.


15 Mar 10 - 04:57 PM (#2864752)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

Oh, rats- candles burning here, too!


16 Mar 10 - 12:56 AM (#2864989)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Sandra in Sydney

more good wishes heading her way.

Great pic of your cat & I also enjoyed seeing your artwork. Thanks for all your updates.

sandra


16 Mar 10 - 02:02 PM (#2865410)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: GUEST,Amy

No problem! It's rather fun.

And thank you...Edith's a character and a half.

The wishes are helping, though. Last I heard, one of the two doctors on this case gave her clearance to come home. Now to see what her main doctor thinks...


16 Mar 10 - 02:39 PM (#2865433)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: gnu

I don't do candles, just T&Ps.


16 Mar 10 - 05:55 PM (#2865590)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Ebbie

If she's ready to go home- Wonderful!


16 Mar 10 - 07:27 PM (#2865641)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: katlaughing

Great, fun artwork, Amy! I esp. loved your fav..the B&W of Gren, was it, in the garden?

Still giving thanks for the best outcome for your mom, for the highest good of all concerned. Please tell her I send {{{{{HUGS}}}} and love...kat


16 Mar 10 - 09:03 PM (#2865692)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Hollowfox

I'm Hooome! Thanks so much for all of your collective thoughts and advice. I'll study the link when I'm a bit more awake, and I'll have a much better diet now that I'm away from all that bleached flour and iceburg lettuce. That and the sleep deprivation. I don't think I got three good hours in a row the whole time. I figured out something though. I mean I can sleep in a tent surrounded by a few thousand loud happy drunks (no exaggeration), but I sleep well because I know they won't come into my tent, throw on the light, and expect me to be civil.
Rod Serling is watching this from above somewhere and laughing his ass off. Time for me to take a bath and get some sleep. Again, many thanks.


16 Mar 10 - 09:49 PM (#2865713)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: katlaughing

Yes!! Welcome back!!! Rest well and give your daughter a hug. She was a good doobie!:-)

luvyakat


17 Mar 10 - 03:41 AM (#2865797)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Sandra in Sydney

home is best (when you're well enough to be there!)

stay well

sandra


17 Mar 10 - 11:45 AM (#2866079)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: jacqui.c

Welcome home Mary. How's the heart doing now?


17 Mar 10 - 03:52 PM (#2866265)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: Dharmabum

Welcome home Mary.

DB.


17 Mar 10 - 04:30 PM (#2866291)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: VirginiaTam

YaY your'e home

Yay for 1000 happy drunks

Yay for Rod Serling


17 Mar 10 - 10:46 PM (#2866538)
Subject: RE: BS: Hollowfox's Hospital Visit
From: LadyJean

As my good friend Frothgar says, "Hospitals are a hell of a place to be sick in".