New Member - Hi!

[waltswife]

Hello.  My name is Deby, and I have been reading so many of the postings on this wonderful site.  My husband Walt is still paralysis.  But when it was first mentioned that he was probably going to need dialysis I thought the worst, until I found your site and started reading more about dialysis.  And what some of the members go through to lead their lives.  Then I thought, well no one is in Walt's condition.  But yes, there are people who have the same things Walt has, and this is how they get through all this medical stuff.  This site gave me valuable information, support and comfort.  So thank you,

Anyways, here's our story.  We are both retired government workers.  Back in 2009 we were going through tough financial times.  Just like millions of others.  So hubby decided to stop taking his medicines, including his insulin.  He was doing this to save money.  Now I had never been involved with his health, he went to the doctors alone, and took care of himself.  So I thought well, that will make things a little easier I guess.  And his health started a steady decline.  By October 2010 I thought there is something seriously wrong with him.  And even though we've been married forever, sometimes the hardest thing to do is talk.  And we did, and we decided that he would start up with doctors again, only I would go with him.  But it was hard scheduling things with my job in retail. 

At this point it was getting too much to watch him, he was confused, and having a hard time talking.  And losing weight, but being older types, I had no idea how much.  Because we older types sometimes like our privacy and don;t see each other unless we're dressed.  And I had to stop him from driving, which made up my mind, I have to leave this job and take care of my family.  So I put in my notice and said OK which doctor do we see first.  And he decided the foot doctor first.  So the week leading into Thanksgiving we go to the foot doctors.  And I was sitting in the waiting room, and got called back to the examining room.  And there is Walt with his black toe.  And all heck broke loose.

We had to see a vascular surgeon.  That day.  The foot doctor called in a few favors to get us in.  The vascular doctor said we're going to do an angiogram and hope we can do something to save his foot.  We got to the hospital.  Hubby is convinced he will be home that night, and they should hurry this whole thing up.  I was thinking when they see his labs he will be admitted.  And I was right.  We get the angiogram done, and Walt gets taken to a room, to stabilize his numbers.  And over the next few weeks things got pretty scary.  He has a heart attack, then a TIA.  They put a stent in his leg.  And they tell us he needs a triple bypass, but they have to get him a little healthier first.  His lungs fill up with fluid, joy of joys congestive heart failure, and they have to put a breathing tube down his throat.   

They have to do an angiogram on his head, which leads to a stent in his head because his arteries are in bad shape - everywhere.  Before they can do that he "codes" twice so now the stent is imperative so that he will make it through the heart operation.  So they get the stent down and say we're ready for the heart bypass.  I ask, can't he get a few days to recuperate?  And we're told he's already died twice, we don't think he's got a third time in him.  So we're ready to get the bypass.  They tell us we can't do it here.  He has to go to a different hospital for the surgery, if they agree to take him. 

So this is all pretty dramatic.  They do the bypass, and hubby is in a medical coma for a week.  And from there everything start improving.  And after 2 months in the hospital hubby comes home, with all sorts of medicines and doctors.  But through all of this his kidneys are taking a beating. 

So now he's not in bad shape, not really.  His GFR is 23, his creatinine is 2.77.  And his other numbers are wonky.  And they would have upset me more, except for this website.  I'm not scared when we see the neph doctor, and if I'm not scared neither is hubby.  So we;re doing what we can to keep his numbers good.  The neph thinks maybe in January we'll start talking fistula.  And I can see other issues in our future, with parathyroid and anemia and all that jazz, but I now know other people get through this.  Enlarged prostate,  seen that folk get through it.  This site shares so many personal stories and valuable information , I don't know how I would have gotten through without you. 

Thank you all for sharing everything you all go through.

[JennyGirl595]

Wow, Deby... what a scary ordeal you have had with your husband's health.  It is plain to see how lucky he is to have you to help him through it all. 

Regarding your finances and skipping medications because you can't afford them, you may want to check with the American Kidney Fund (www.akfinc.org).  I know that this organization, and many others, offer financial assistance to kidney patients.  If your husband is unable to afford his medications, there must be a place to turn for help.  I wish I knew a little more about where to have you look, but start with AKF and see if they can help you.

I will keep you both in my prayers.

Jenny

[waltswife]

Hi Jenny,

Thank you for the information on medications.  Since this all happened, I took over our finances, made some changes, switched insurance and we get his prescriptions filled the beginning of each month.  With all the things going wrong for him at the time I guess he wasn't able to think things through.  And since I didn't know how bad off he was I thought all was well. 

I also wanted to say in the beginning of my message I said he was still paralysis.  I meant to say still with us.  Fumble fingers strikes again.

But thank you again for the information.

Deby

[MightyMike]

That is so horrible all that happened to him.  At least he is doing better now.  I hope everything else works out for the both of you.  Best wishes.

[MommyChick]

Well first I want to say  Deby!

But wow you guys have been through it all! I am glad he is doing better & will keep your family in my prayers!
Also I would check with what Jenny said about help with medications also I would ask your social worker. When I had financial problems my social worker was a huge help to me.
Wish you the best of luck & God Bless !!

[Leanne]

Wow Deby, what an amazing story.  So so glad he made it through!  Its terrible in this country that so many of us have to struggle to afford medical care and medicines.  Hopefully that will change for our children and grandchildren if not for us.  Hugs to you and welcome!

[boswife]

welcome Deby ,.from boswife,,hehe 
I have to say that this site saved my sanity too!!  I was a wreck thinking everything we were going through was 'IT".  No comming out of it.  But watching and reading how others go through and 'get' through it all gave me such reliefe and comfort.  Im so glad you found your way here and hopfully to some better health as well.  Sending you  , and  and all the best wishes for some continuing upwards health.   

[Poppylicious]

  Deby.

[chinksnicky]

Welcome,I have a friend at center who is battling many of the same issues,he had his leg amputated a year ago,and has a bad toe on his other foot now though they just told him that it should be alright now ,though they have to put a stint in his leg soon as he's not getting enough flow.He also just had a couple in his heart.This man is truly amazing,he has such a good attitude and will not let anything get him down!He is getting around great now and bowling again,which is his greatest passion,not to mention he's on dialysis.I wish you the best ,and your husband strength.            Nick

[lmunchkin]

Welcome Waltswife.  You guys are going through a rough time.  Just settle down, learn as much as possible.  There is light at the end of this tunnel. I will be praying for you both.

Again welcome & God Bless,
lmunchkin

[Grumpy-1]

    Wow what a ride.  As been said, this site is a wonder place for information and to ask questions get support and be a support.  Log on often, share your feelings, rant if needed, let off steam and again learn as much as you can.  Grumpy