Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

UPDATE - Yet More Doctors, Yet More Drugs

Tuesday June 22, 2015                                                                                              Previous Post Link:
Charlottesville, Virginia                                                                                             Pocosin Cabin and Mission, Down in the Hollow

 

* For the update, see my comment following Erin’s.

 

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Last night we left Winnona in the cool air of Big Meadows Campground and took Ruby down the mountain in order to be at the hospital at 7am this morning.  Today is the day for the Cardiac Catheterization to find out more details about the blockage seen in the stress-echo test David had done last Wednesday.  They must really have thought he had a significant problem  the way they made this such a much bigger deal than the one I had back in October.  They even told him to pack a bag to stay over night.

The procedure itself took very little time, but the getting ready and all the tests and forms and the time afterward when they are busy with everyone else and forget all about you, took forever.  6 hours actually.  Mine was more like two hours but then I went to what I refer to as the Friendly Hospital in town.  David went to the teaching hospital where everything takes longer and is more involved. 

As you can see in this picture, he was none too happy to find out that he has an 80% blockage and a 99% blockage in his left anterior descending artery.  Normally they would put stents in but his 99% block is in such an awkward place that they couldn’t do it.  Instead they tell him his heart has been compensating pretty well, I think to myself “not well enough to avoid angina on exertion”.  Then they  prescribe a nitrate, a beta blocker and a statin.

So now he’s taking all the myeloma drugs and supplements plus the three cardiac drugs.  He’s set for a follow up appointment with his cardiologist next week to discuss what to do about these findings.  Of course that appointment is on the same day that he sees his oncologist to go over the latest plan for the myeloma.

I really did think only people in very bad shape, in poor health previously and over the age of 80 could possibly be this sick and that none of them could carry on with their regular life the way David does.  He repeatedly says he feels fine.  

This cardiac thing is having yet another effect on the quality of life for him though.  First running out of oral myeloma treatments means he cannot travel freely and now he cannot hike freely.

That’s about all the bad news I can tolerate for one post.  The only good thing to come out of it was that he did not have to stay over night and we were able to come back up to Big Meadows.  He won’t know what any of this means until next week.   Everything always seems to be next week in his medical life.

Despite what’s going on in life at any time, even a dreary sky makes a beautiful sunset.

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43 comments:

  1. I'm really sorry to hear about all of this and hope David is feeling much better and gets good news soon!

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  2. Crap.....So sorry that life is giving you two soooooo many lemons. I'm still holding out hope that there will be a way to carry on. Holding you both in my prayers..!!

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  3. This 2015 yr has been horrible for way to many. Can it be over now. Best of luck to you both

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  4. Oh Sherry. All I can say is I will keep you in my prayers. Give David a hug for me.

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  5. So sorry to read about David's added problems. Thankfully, you two have had a wonderful time traveling and visiting this beautiful country for some time and had your health. This is something that some people never had or were able to do. Count your blessings and remember all the good times. There are still so many places near by that you can enjoy doing an autohike:) Just spending time together is wonderful:) Hope David gets better news next week:) Meantime, you are both in my prayers.

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  6. Ugh. I see my previous comment was a fail. Will try again. Sending love and support...even a shoulder to cry on...which you both deserve. We need to get David's cardiac issues repaired so that he can be off hiking in this beautiful country of ours. We are following along closely. We are in Idaho now..close to Yellowstone. Hugs to both.

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  7. I'm so Very Sorry to hear about David's additional issues. I sure hope the cardiac doctor is able to come up with some good news so he can get out hiking again. Hugs and good wishes to you both.
    Nina

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  8. Boy do I look terrible in that picture! Probably because they did not let me have breakfast or even coffee!

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    1. You look great- ready to go dancing! Seriously I hope you get good news next week I know how important your hiking is to both of you. Prayin for you!

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    2. No Coffee?!?! That would make me feel and look bad, too. Our hopes and prayers are that you recover real soon.

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    3. Glad nobody was taking photo's of me in the hospital. It ain't good ever!

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  9. So sorry, Sherry, it just seems sometime that it is so not fair. I know life isn't fair, but it sure seems you two should get a bit of a break now and then. Wishing David well in this next thing, and wishing you both strength to deal with it.

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  10. Sherry, we will be praying for both you and David. What else can you do, but hang in there.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear this news, and I sympathize with all the problems encountered when dealing with the medical profession. Like forgetting you are there and making you wait - like your time isn't nearly as valuable as theirs is. Hang in there and look for the better days ahead for you both.

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  12. David can teach patience to a saint with all he (and you) have been going through. I hope that the doctors can give you definite answers quickly and a good course of action on this new challenge. I admire you both for continuing to make the most of every day and enjoy the wonders of nature.

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  13. Well, I have to say that David's comment made me laugh. Glad to see there's nothing wrong with his sense of humor! Hopefully the meds will help and you'll get this sorted out so that you can get back to the activities that you both enjoy so much. Hugs to you both.

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  14. Hopefully, you have had your followup visits by now and have gotten a bit more direction on available treatment plan. David, we hate that you have to go through all this. We have to agree that photo sure isn't the best...we really prefer seeing the "Dex Day David" ;o)) We are thinking of you both and hope you find a treatment that lets you enjoy some things you love!!!

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  15. David is a wonderful example of how to keep living life the best you can. He has a fabulous attitude and a very strong constitution. Hang in there David and Sherry! Lots of us are praying for you both and sending virtual hugs. Love, Jeannie and Eldy.

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  16. My husband had a heart catch done last September and was rushed to hospital for bypass surgery. After four bypasses he's doing much better with walking and life in general. There are ways to help clear plaque from the arteries using diet. Studies have proven that a whole food plant based diet can help tremendously. I'd be more than happy to supply you with websites and books to read

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    1. I have been a faithful follower of Dr. Esselstyn and have done several posts on his work and my success with it. David eats this way "mostly" and it does not seem to have had the same results for him. Perhaps it is all the myeloma drugs he is taking that are interfering or perhaps one has to adhere 100% in order to have the results.

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    2. My husband was a skeptic also. But he is eating less meat and more veggies. He has given up dairy with only rare small portions of ice cream. Other than nexium, he wasn't taking any meds prior to his bypasses, now he's on a statin which we hope to drop soon and he takes a heart med which we're told he'll have to take forever....we'll see! He's 72 years old while I'm only 67...I take no meds and plan to keep it that way! I'm 99 percent vegan while he's maybe 95 percent. When we eat out we have what we want and sometimes that includes animal products. I'm glad David is doing well and I'm sure your active lifestyle has a lot to do with that!

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    3. Would love to talk with you more about this off blog.......but I can't find your email address on your blog. I'm at RVdreamlife@gmail.com

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  17. Not sure I could have such a sense of humor! Praying for you and David.

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  18. I hope a solution is found for David's blockages. Sometimes "Life" piles it on and that's a tough river to float.
    Mark

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  19. I'm so sorry you didn't get better news or that they weren't able to put in a stent. I was surprised they didn't do a bypass, but I guess they had their reasons. I hope you get some better news soon.

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  20. David is one of the most inspiring people I know. He just takes everything and keeps on going, with a sense of humor on top of it! I hope his doctors can come up with a suitable and successful treatment plan to manage both issues and give him a chance to continue your journey and enjoy life.

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  21. I can only imagine how depressing this news must have been considering David's other problems. At least he still has his sense of humor!

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  22. I guess the good news in all of this is that David doesn't feel bad (other than some difficulty on exertion). Fingers crossed for some good news soon...

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  23. Everyone has already said what I could possibly say. I'll just add my thoughts that you guys really are due for some good news, and perhaps the follow-up visits have given you that.

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  24. Since Nancy has pointed out and Erin has reiterrated, because I am so far behind in the blog, the follow up visit has already occurred. So I guess I'd better say that it resulted in nothing. They merely want to up the nitrates to the highest levels he can tolerate. I wasn't with David and many of the questions I think should have been asked were not. I am trying to get clarification on why one would want to use the most intense dose possible rather than the least that is effective. I do not have the same faith in the medical community that David has and have a great deal of trouble just marching along in step. But as I have to remind myself, these are not my diseases they are his. I would not call any of this good news

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  25. Isn't it amazing how some people can be nearly bed-ridden and have very little they can find wrong with them, while others like David keep plugging along feeling mostly fine and be pretty darn sick? Being thinner has to help put less strain on his body overall, but he really is the poster child for the effects of positivity. Bill never asks the questions I would and it makes me crazy that he just takes what he gets from his doctor. Who I find to be barely competent in some areas by the way. At 99% I'm surprised they don't want to do a bypass, and I'd probably push for a second opinion. Seems that without the blockage he'd have a lot more energy to fight the big C. Geez woman, hang in there, and remember to breathe.

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    1. David was told that a bypass is just too radical an operation for him due to his myeloma and the fact that it takes 6 months to recover for a normal healthy person. His hemoglobin, white and red blood cell counts are too low.

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  26. I'm so sorry that David & you have to go through this...I'm at a loss for words and I will be praying for you both hang in there is all I can say....

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  27. Sorry to hear all this lousy news and also don't understand the increase to max on meds. Sure hope things get better for both of you yet glad you can enjoy the cool mountain air.

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  28. Sherry, I have been following your blog now for a couple of years. In fact, when I read your words, I can hear your voice as if you were sitting right here with me... Now I feel it's time for me to help comfort you both with my prayers.. I have faith that everything will be all right because you two have so many more stories to write, so many more adventures to share with all of us...God bless...Nina

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  29. It is always difficult to know what to say to all this tough medical news except that I love you and Dad and hope better news is on the horizon...May the sunrises & sunsets stay beautiful. Dad is a fighter even if he may be a bit in denial. You both are showing amazing strength...to me, it's impressive indeed.

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  30. I am so impressed with the way you seem to handling all this negative news. David is sure one tough guy:)

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  31. I am distressed about my brothers new condition. I think myeloma is enough to deal with by itself. Maybe the meds caused this problem - who knows. It's always good to have two in the room when talking with doctors - that way more relevant questions can be answered and what the doctors said (or didn't say) can be viewed from two viewpoints. In the end, doctors only advise, the final decisions are always up to the patient. I will pray f. or him.

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  32. Sorry to hear this- thanks for the update. Fingers crossed that the medication works well enough to allow him more activity.

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  33. So sorry for the negative! John and I are experiencing the same things. Hate, hate, hate it for all of us. Hang in there.....will pray for both you and David.

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  34. Well! This just sucks! David you are an inspiration to me! You are always in my thoughts and prayers!

    Love and hugs, Gin

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  35. Everyone has already said what I would like to express. But would like to add that I see both of you as practical, optimistic couple that fights the battle with courage. Hang in there, we, your friends in the blogosphere are thinking and praying for your strength and for Davids comfort during this very trying times.

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