My kidneys killed my heart

[kickingandscreaming]

I saw my cardiologist today.  Although my A fib has improved some over the  last 6 months, my mitral valve has become more calcified ( a direct result of kidney failure).  I become winded from doing practically nothing  ( all this on top of my DX of serious arthritis of the L. knee and R. hip that makes it very hard to walk).  This means that am no longer a candidate for the relatively non-invasive catheter-based surgical approach (what Mick Jagger just had).  I am only a candidate for full-blown open heart surgery which will probably kill me (I'm 77).  I'm totally depressed about this and now have to try to find a therapist who can help me navigate end of life issues (hospice, etc).  If you think that kidney failure is only a major life nuisance, think again.  And protect your heart.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

  So very sorry to read this, K&S. Here's a hug that well... you can't feel.

It's very true that we, as kidney patients, need to protect our hearts. The message was drilled into my head by my first (scary) nephrologist but, I got a reminder at tx evaluation. Giving the nitty gritty, they said they said the major cause of their loss of patients was cardiac failure, due to the CKD, at various stages in life.

Man, feeling so sad for you. Please take care as well as you can.

[MooseMom]

Thank you for the reminder that renal problems affect the heart.  I am so very sorry that you've had to be reminded yourself of this.  I wish I could make your life better. 

[iolaire]

kickingandscreaming Sorry for your added worries and complications.

[Charlie B53]

I prefer to think that issues and events, life choices have made me what I am today, rather than to identify one particular affliction or event as causing one of my more major problems.

As humans our bodies are very very complex and there are so many things that can go wrong.  Sometimes it's a wonder that very many of us get to much age at all, considering some of the things we do, what we eat.

I have problems that very well could drop me but there is only the One that truly knows how long I have.  And it certainly ain't any of my Dr's, nor I.

I've no real words, only that when it does become my time I hope it is quick and relatively pain free.

[cassandra]

O KaS I am very sorry to read this. I hope you find a therapist soon, it will take some strain of the pressure you feel inside you, I hope.


I send you strength, and good healing vibes, and as always lots and lots of love.


Keep strong, Cas


   

[Rerun]

You are here today, and that is what counts.  Live like you're dancing.  I have a contact at Palliative Care (Hospice) and we talk about once a month.  She assures me that when it is time I can stay home or go to the Hospice House and they have drugs to make me very comfortable and they just put it under my tongue so I don't have to have IV's. 

That gives me comfort to have for the back of my mind.  Although, Today I'm still here.  I have the power to say "when" unless the Good Lord takes me in my sleep.  (Please Please)

My friend John chose to quit dialysis because of just too much wrong..... and he said he had a nice room and people were there and he could eat or drink anything he wanted.  "it ain't bad dyin' "  He said.  That also gives me comfort.  But, today I'm still here.   

[kickingandscreaming]

Rerun-

I've been reading up on the experiences of kidney people on hospice.  The "good death" that we supposedly get from hospice death is illusory.  A fiction.  So, be careful.  Unless you have a hospice where they pump in morphine until you stop breathing it is not a pleasant death.

[Michael Murphy]

Remember they will not operate on cardiac patients unless there is a better chance of survival then a bad outcome.  After 2 widow maker heart attacks and a bout of vtac and a fib  I survived 3 major cardiac operations in 2016.  2 angioplasties and a 7.5 hour abalation I am doing better now after the last heart attack my ejection fraction was 20%  that’s a tad over dead.  Now 2 years later it’s 40% not good but livable.