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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: silverhead on February 07, 2009, 07:23:07 AM

Title: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: silverhead on February 07, 2009, 07:23:07 AM

Hi Gang,
Sharon had heard Kidney removal surgery as planned and everything went pretty well, the surgeon used the laprescopic equipment, but had to make a large enough incision to get his hand into the cavity to finally grab” the kidney and remove it (she has a tremendous amount of scar tissue in the abdomon that caused removal problems) That was on a Monday and she was discharged to home on Friday. Things went well until the next Monday during her dialysis treatment she started having a lot of breathing difficulties, I took her off the machine and did my best to assess what was going on, finally had to call 911 and the local firefighters sent 2 ambulances to the house, they did a really professional assessment and it looked to them that she was having heart problems, so off to the ER we went, once we got her in there it was apparent her heart was in rapid, irregular beating, they were able to stabilize it eventually and moved her to the heart floor, I feel she got really top flight attention from a wide variety of specialists in just about every possible testing procedure there is, the latest diagnosis is she has Congestive heart failure caused by a heavy fluid overload in her system (Wednesday afternoon they removed almost 2 quarts of liquid from her lungs, her heavy breathing returned to normal and she was finally able to rest much more comfortably) this morning they did a heart catheterization, where they thread a wire from the leg femoral artery up to the heart and inject a dye and check all the arteries feeding it and the good news was that she looked excellent in that regard, so her prognosis is pretty good if we can do a better job of fluid removal during dialysis in the future. We both feel bad that this has happened because we missed the fact she was overloading, but all the points we watch for fluid retention were actually looking like she had to much removed (swollen ankle and dry wrinkled skin is what we had been watching). Hard lesson learned, but a good education I guess.
I have to start making room in the living room for a hospital bed for her to use and to be next to the dialysis machine, but am taking just a little time to catch my breath, have been averaging maybe 2 hours sleep per day for 2 weeks and am wiped out right now. She may be able to come home Saturday.

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: 2_DallasCowboys on February 07, 2009, 07:40:38 AM

I can't imagine how terrifying this had to
be for you, and of course for her!  Thank God
the medics acted quickly, I do hope that everything
is up and up for you both from here on in.

Sending prayers your way,
Anne

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: willieandwinnie on February 07, 2009, 08:09:53 AM

Oh Lord silverhead. Tell her that our thoughts and prayers are with her. I have been through the same exact thing with my hubby and I know how terrified you must of been. Bless your heart. Please keep us updated and take a break for yourself.  :cuddle;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: okarol on February 07, 2009, 08:12:02 AM

When fluid collects in the chest it's really hard to recognize, especially after she'd just been through major surgery. Don't blame yourselves, thankfully she was treated quickly!
Sending good wishes - hoping things improve now!  :grouphug;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: breezysummerday on February 07, 2009, 09:35:30 AM

Chief cook and bottle washer, indeed!

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: paris on February 07, 2009, 10:26:09 AM

It sounds like you did everything right for her.  Thank goodness you called 911 and didn't wait for things to get better.   It is good the hospital did so much for Sharon.  Hope she comes home soon and you can get back into a routine.  Give her our good thoughts   :grouphug;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: kitkatz on February 07, 2009, 10:27:57 AM

I hope everything is going to go smoothly from now on.

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: Tinah1968 on February 07, 2009, 01:27:20 PM

Praying for you and hoping she gets well soon

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: jessup on February 07, 2009, 02:28:54 PM

Sending my love and wishes to you both
 :grouphug;
It is great to hear that the firies, ambos and hospital were so helpful

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: Bajanne on February 07, 2009, 03:03:58 PM

Wow!  what an experience!  I am glad that you are now through it.  Our caring thoughts and prayers are with you and Sharon all the way.  Please give her our love and a big IHD hug (when you can)!

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: pelagia on February 07, 2009, 04:30:19 PM

Sounds very scary.  Thank goodness for the EMTs.  I hope Sharon feels better soon and that you get some sleep. :cuddle;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: paddbear0000 on February 07, 2009, 08:39:03 PM

Please let her know she is in my thoughts and prayers!!   :cuddle; :cuddle; :cuddle;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: G-Ma on February 07, 2009, 11:26:39 PM

 :grouphug;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: Joe Paul on February 08, 2009, 05:24:25 AM

Hope she is doing better, and you  are getting some rest...Take care  :thumbup;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: Loretta on February 08, 2009, 08:49:10 PM

I hope you can get some rest.  Remember that you need to take care of you. :grouphug;

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: silverhead on February 08, 2009, 09:44:40 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies, it means a lot, Sharon was brought home yesterday (Sat) and has been pretty much sleeping the whole time, they said this would happen so not too concerned, the combination of what she has been through and the meds she is on will do this, she will have to go in in 2-3 weeks and have a defibrillator installed and they feel she can back off of the meds and hopefully regain some needed function-ability and wakefulness. I have been getting a little more rest, but one son from Oregon and the other from Alaska came home yesterday and with our Daughter being nearby, we have all been spending time together, Good to see them, but had to call it quits early tonight to get some more rest. Still wake up every 2 hours to check on her, old habits are impossible to break don't you know.........

Title: Re: Some Days All You Can Do Is Shake Your Head
Post by: paddbear0000 on February 09, 2009, 02:11:04 AM

 :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug; :grouphug;