Currently....

[looneytunes]

Just a quick update on our situation here in Looneyville....

We do have a part time hired hand.  It has helped quite a bit just in the 2 weekends he has worked so far.  Fence is getting built and fencerows cleaned out and I AM NOT DOING IT!       The hired hand has committed to working every weekend through September and possibly beyond that.

Hubby's graft quit working again last weekend and so this past Monday we were at the hospital getting it fixed up again.   This was the fifth time since January 27th that we have had to do this.  We saw his neph yesterday.  Bottom line after this recent round is that the graft is failing and it is imperative that another access be built immediately.  Evidently there is some problem with his blood (duh...really?) and the cells that are supposed to create a slick lining inside the graft are not doing their job and the lining is in shreds.   The IR doc said the inside of the graft looked to be several years old instead of just a few months.   They found and broke up some thrombosis in the apex of the graft, ballooned out an area of stenosis and then cleared another blockage near his heart.  That one is a repeat area that has already been ballooned twice before.  So it's off to another vascular specialist next week to see what can be done. 

The issue now is that with a failed fistula in one arm and no viable vein left in that arm (per the vascular surgeon), and a graft in the lower arm on the other side, if they try again to build a fistula in that upper arm and it fails then they will look at his groin (he has PAD already) to see if one can be placed there.  Worse case scenario...another AV catheter.  With the staph lurking in his bloodstream and several prior rounds of sepsis...that sounds like a ticking time bomb to us.  I think his biggest fear right now is that a graft in his groin may divert enough blood flow from his legs and he will lose the ability walk at all.  I just hope and pray for a good outcome on this one.   So..situation normal..kind of a mess!

But...at least I'm not building fence in this heat! 

[jbeany]

 

[tyefly]

I too am glad you are not building that fence......   stay strong...we are thinking about you..

[Pam]

   Stay out of that heat! It is only good for 2 things, crowder peas and okra!
Pam





EDITED - icon error fixed - Bajanne, Moderator

[willowtreewren]

Awww, Looney.

This must be weighing you down.   

I'm hoping that the new access will be successful! 

And I'm so very glad that you have some part-time help around the farm! 

Aleta

[MooseMom]

I'm really glad you have been able to get some help around the farm.  That's one less load off your very full plate.

[boswife]

Im sooooooo glad your getting help and the same sad at the other stuff going on.  Lesson here for me is be so very grateful when things are good and soak um in cause those downs need a heck of a bunch of strength.  Sending prayers for some of that strength needed now, and hugs to help lift ya up.   

[Poppylicious]

Yay! for getting help and not having to build the fence in nasty heat.  I hope that hubby gets sorted soon.

*huggles*

[RichardMEL]

I'm really glad to read you've got help around the farm which was so important for your sanity - even more so at this time when you're under so much obvious stress worrying about hubby's medicl situation, which definitely would be a cause for concern. My best wishes on that front and so glad you have the help around the place you so badly need.

Thanks for keeping us updated!!

[texasstyle]

I'm glad you got help too. Wow, I can't imagine running a farm. You've got it pretty hot there don't you?

[billybags]

Looney, what is the saying "It never rains, but it pours".some thing like that. Stupid saying. Are things getting sorted out? You must be out of your mind with all this going on. It must be really tiring both of you out keep going to the hospital. I am sending lots of hugs and prayers your way. I hope they find a solution quick.

[del]

Glad you got some much needed help!!

[texasstyle]

How is your help going? Good I hope.

[Bajanne]

I empathize with your husband.  I have had my graft changed about 4 times.  3 times, it was because of an aneurysm.  Well, I have had an aneurysm now for more than 6 months.  This time, the vascular surgeon did not haste to change the line - he said we would wait and monitor it.  So far, no problem.  The nurses just make sure not to cannulate it.
You just hand in there.  Your IHD family is with you all the way 

[texasstyle]

Oh geez, I don't know what to say. It's always something isn't it? Isn't there a semi permanent port they can put in that is just on the outside of the body not having to graft? I thought I'd heard of this once. ***thinking of you***

[looneytunes]

TS, I truly wish there were!  But, from what I understand, those type of ports either don't allow for enough bloodflow to dialyze or they are prone to infections (which we've had way too many of...).  But thanks for thinking of us. 

So far, we are now on hired hand #2.  The first one failed to show up so we replaced him.  I am hopeful this one will work out and stick with us for a while.  At least through the fall.   

The vascular specialist we have been referred to is out of the country till Mid August.  So, we are set up to see him on 8-26.  The hemotolgist appointment is set for August 30th.  I sure hope that between the 2 of them, they can figure out what is going on with hubby and FIX it!  He has been feeling pretty bad for the past week, no energy, naseaua, weakness, etc.  But, maybe we're due for a good few days soon. 

 

[Jean]

You are sooooo way overdue for something to go right. Glad at least you have the hired help. Hope all goes well with hubby.

[billybags]

Looney how are things going ?

[looneytunes]

Aw BB, had you asked me yesterday, I'd have said "status quo".  But...today his graft quit working again.  It's been 3 weeks since the last time.  So...our neph consulted with the radiology surgeon and they made a decision to not work on it again given it's history, risks and condition. Tomorrow they are going to put in another chest catheter.  With his history of blood infections (VRSA).....I am almost beside myself with worry right now.  But...guess we'll see what tomorrow brings. 

[MooseMom]

Oh no, that's not happy news!  Since he has a history of VRSA, is there something they can do right off the bat to help prevent re-infection?

[billybags]

Looney this is shit, you are not having a good time at the moment or should I say your husband, but you are very positive. Keep battling on, we are all with you. Hope every thing goes OK.

[boswife]

Dang it Looney      Sure hope somethig good comes soon..  So sorry 

[looneytunes]

Hubby now has another AV catheter, put in Wednesday.  This is catheter #7.  It's on the left side of his chest as the right side can not be used anymore due to problems with that vein.  So far, we have had nothing but trouble with pressure alarms and I am having to run him backwards due to the constant red 11's and red 24's.  (NxStage).  We will try to get along with it until the 26th when we see the vascular specialist.  Sure are hopeful he can "pull a rabbit out of a hat" for us. 

Until then, I will be watching him closely for any signs of infection.  If I see a temp over 99.1, it's going to be another wild ride to the hospital and I won't be listening to him tell me, "oh...just let me rest a while and see if it goes down any...".   I am putting my cattle prod right by the door to use it if I need to!    

[Bajanne]

  I am putting my cattle prod right by the door to use it if I need to!   

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!! 

[billybags]

Looney, what can I say? I hope this cath works OK. I hope the vascular people do pull a rabbit out of the hat, You and your hubby have gone through so much just lately you could do with a break. Thinking of you both.