Prayers.....

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Diana, with heart damage that extensive and permanent, 10 years is the average life span. I know, because that is Gary's. He is 6 years post diagnosis - so sometimes we think about, 4 more years....... and it is really hard.

She can have a wonderful life between now and then - and maybe they will decide to put her on the transplant list too. How old is she? That will determine a lot if she is eligible for a transplant. Gary is 60 and he would be on the transplant list, but his lungs are very damaged from asthma and a previous fungal infection - so a new heart would not solve all his problems.

Again, with good doctors, good medications, proper exercise, rest, and a positive outlook, she can do many many things in the next few years. Her life will change for sure. She won't be as active as she was before, she'll have to rest more and ask for more help. It is really really hard.

Gary woke up one morning in heart failure, it wasn't gradual, boom! it was there. His career was in building houses - he was a carptenter - and suddenly he had trouble walking from the bed to the chair. But as you know he can do lots of things now, with lifestyle modifications. It takes time and it is very very frustrating and upsetting, but this condition can be dealt with and she can have a very positive quality of life.

I hope she continues to improve and i hope she has a doctor that is a cardiologist who specializes in heart failure. A cardiologist who specializes in heart failure will know better how to treat her than a regular cardiologist. Gary has been with his heart failure specialist for about 5 years and he has felt MUCH better under her care than the first year with a regular cardiologist.

It will be a long road, but it can be a good road!

Gayle, have I told you how much I appreciate you? You are always so caring in your posts! I'll pass this information on to my son and DIL.

Patty is a very young 68 years old. She could always out work most of us!! This will be a big change for her and her family. I'm glad to hear that she will have some good years still ahead.

[gja1000]

Thanks Diana! I'm always glad when I can provide information that will help people - that's what nurses do. And being a nurse is not a job, it's a way of life. We just can't help ourselves!!! LOL! My personal experience with Gary helps a lot though, in this situation.

[Gina]

Diana I will say a prayer for Patty, I hope that alll goes well for her ... Gayle your a sweetheart.

[DianaB]

Feyn went out to Wichita today and he called to let us know that Patty did well with her stint and will be coming home tomorrow. I'll probably know more when I see Tammy.

[Janet]

Sounds good Diana. I'm glad she's able to come home so soon. Please keep us updated and let her know she is in our prayers.

[DianaB]

Gayle, I was wrong about Patty's output. When she got to the hospital she was a 8% and since they've done the stint she's at 20%. The doctors are hoping that with medicine to get her up to 40%. She's home but not able to do much at all. Tammy said that she's very bored. She's been such an active woman that I can image how bored she is. She goes back later this month to the doctor and it's going to be decided if she needs a pacemaker.

Please continue to remember Patty in your prayers. She is in such a fragil state that if she catches anything it could be really serious.

[gja1000]

Yes, those numbers are really low - but the docs are right, with meds, they will probably get higher and she will feel better. I know she doesn't feel like doing much at all with a 20, but I think she will improve and if not, she'll learn to live a very quiet lifestyle - which may be hard at first - but she can adjust! Gary felt awful the first year, but gradually began to feel better.