Where I've BeenMark's in the Hospital

As many of you know, Mark's been having health issues most of this year. In June, he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure and put on meds. Three weeks ago, he had a stress test. The cardiologist found some "concerns" so sent him for a heart cath. The next week, he went for the heart cath and they found lots of blockages in his heart. Last Thursday, Mark had triple bypass surgery. The only "bad" thing was that the doctor found that he's got skinny veins in his lower legs, so they had to harvest veins from both of his thighs. That causes a lot of pain for Mark when he walks or moves.

He's doing great! He's sitting up in the chair and already walking around the nurse's station. His blood pressure is returning to normal as is his blood sugar. He's not a diabetic, but after such an invasive surgery your body reacts by releasing stored up sugar, so they monitor that to promote healing. All of his tubes are out and all the IV lines in his arms are gone. He still has his central line (in the jugular vein in his neck) to draw blood and administer his last IV. He has a bit of fluid on one of his lungs and still has some fluid retention in his hands and feet. They are hoping the body will take care of that by him being more mobile. He is still in cardiac ICU, but we hope he's moved today or tomorrow.

Needless to say, I've been scarce as I've been splitting my time between the hospital and tending to everything at home. Thankfully, I've been able to take off from work so I don't have to worry about that. So, that's where I've been!!

Stephanie my prayers are for his speedy recovery.
Cheryl

I am so glad to hear he is doing so well and sounds like there are no surprising complications. Does he have one of the pillows? If so, sign a big flower and heart with friends from DG!

Stephanie, I am so sorry all of this has happened, I can imagine how upset you must have been.
I am also glad that his recovery is coming along well, I hope he will be back to normal soon and things will be less stressful around your house.
We will pray for him to get better and for you to have the strength to take care of things.
Josephine.

Thank you!! He doesn't have a pillow, but more of a bedsheet folded and taped into a soft rectangle. Go figure! LOL

He had a bit of a setback today. He came up anemic and he's got some fluid build up in one of his lungs as well as in his chest cavity. This is very disconcerting to me, but the doctors aren't overly concerned and are waiting to see if it takes care of itself. If it doesn't then the fluid will need to be drained.

Still praying for him and you. If I can help let me know.

Will make this day a day of prayer specifically for Stephanie and Mark. The miracles of God are at work.

Stephanie, my thoughts are with you and Mark. Sounds like Mark is in good hands and well on the road to recovery. Please keep us posted.

Carla

Mark's doing better today!! He was sprung from cardiac ICU and is now in the telemetry unit. He has more freedom and independence. He still has a low-grade fever, though. Pain's tolerable except when he coughs. He also has a small amount of fluid in his chest cavity that they are monitoring, but his lungs are clear.

It will help his lungs to stay cleared as long as he is up and moving. Good going on the progress. You hang in there too!

He will be OK. I had two 5-bypass operations in the summer of 2009, May and August, and made it just fine.
Don't ask why I had two.

Prayers for you and Mark (((HUGS)))

Keep the prayers and well wishes coming! Mark was released from the hospital yesterday late afternoon/early evening. We've survived the first night and he's doing well. I'm learning how to care for him in this new situation. I'm also learning that I need to nap when he's napping. LOL

Continual prayers amd best wishes
gomg out for both of you !!!

Yes, your rest is very important in being able to function and care for him. Praying you both can rest and he gets his strength back soon. If I can make a run to the grocery store (we go 3 or 4 times a week!) or any errands for you let me know please.

Steph,
You are Mark are on my prayer list! Praying for speedy and total recovery for Mark, and for strength and encouragement for you!

Hugs!

Linda

Stephanie, I've hardly been on DG all summer, so I just now read about Marks hospital stay. I'm praying for you. I live close, so please call if I can help. I'm retired, you know, and would love to be of service to you guys.

Stephanie, I've been away so I've only just seen this. I wish I could have offered sooner, but, like sybram, my schedule is very flexible and I'm often running errands in Fort Worth. So please reach out if you need help with anything!

Hugs from both Richard and me.

Kate

Thanks all! He's been home for about 2 weeks. He was released the Tuesday after his surgery on Thursday, 8/18. He's been doing well handling the pain, but due to his allergies and sensitivity to pain meds, he has to watch how much he takes. This of course mean he's in more pain than "normal". He's also having several of the side effects of one of the meds they put him on, so we'll be talking to the doctor about that tomorrow. All of his incisions are healing nicely, but his sternum has started clicking, which means he's been using his arms too much. We've started walking in the evenings now that it's cooled off. This morning while I was outside taking pics of flowers, he pulled a few weeds! LOL

Once a gardener, always a gardener, chuckl, glad to hear good progress in the news, blessings sent your way!

I am very glad he is coming along nicely, keep up the good work Mark.

kittriana, glad to see you are posting as well. Hope you are not in harm's way as I see that the wildfires have been in your area.

Steph, glad that Mark is progressing.

Gosh, I just got caught up w/this thread! Glad to see all is turning out well! My dad had the same thing two years ago--he's back to his old self and going strong! Hope the same for you.

Terri

Thanks everyone! He'll start cardiac rehab in 3-4 weeks. Everything else is going well. I'm hoping he'll feel well enough to come to the fall RU!

Wow, I just found this thread. How is Mark doing now? It sure brought back memories. I worked on a telemetry and general surgery floor right out of nursing school in 1980 (Ochsner in New Orleans)! They move bypass patients along much faster these days (like every other kind of surgery). I know the kind of pain he is having--it ain't no picnic for sure! Especially if they had to go into both legs--ouch. Hope all is healing well and you are taking good care of you both. Keeping you in my prayers. Janet

Mark continues to do well. He went for his initial stress test at the cardiac rehab place today. He did well. Next Thursday he'll go for his cardiac evaluation with the nurse, then probably start the actual rehab the following week. Maybe by that time he'll be driving and can drive himself! LOL

The only lingering problem he's having is this unexplained rash. We think it's related to one of his meds, even though the cardiologist doesn't think so. We're starting to eliminate things to try to figure it out.

Hmmm. Rashes are so TRICKY! If it's not obvious, like were tape is/was applied or if he's still wearing his "man hose" (tee hee!), and you didn't change detergent, deo, man scent, lotion, new food, etc., not sure. May be a med? I should have been a dermatologist--my mom was always asking me to check this or that mole, bump, rash, etc. LOL! Hope you find the culprit. My DD has a mystery rash also, after being in the hospital for respiratory emergency...

I know someone who got a rash from Irish Spring

Mark has a very sensitive system when it comes to medicine it's not even funny! It's extremely difficult for him to tolerate normal doses of meds, so it's tricky finding meds that will work for him. We're fairly certain it's either the baby aspirin or one of the bp meds.

I am a survivor of 2 open heart surgeries, for a total of 10 bypasses in 3 months. My primary care doc like to say I am a 10 bypasser.

I am allergic to many things, like meds, crab and wasp stings. I have been thru anaphylactic shock twice from taking Aleve before the doctors figured it out. I find alot of different pain meds, prescription and over the counter, cause a reaction, the common reaction is red itchy skin and cannot stand to be in sunlight. I have never found aspirin, I take a prescribed 325 every day, to cause a problem.

My list of thing I can't take grows longer the older I get. I have become very timid in taking a new drug and never consider a new over the counter drug.

I am still kicking and feel better and able to do more than ever. Praise modern medicine and the Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano. 20 years ago I would now be ashes.

Good luck on discovering the culprit.

I feel your Pain.

What a story, Wildcat! Your guardian angel was working overtime.

It occurs to me that some of the ingredients in medication pills and liquids can be causing allergic problems. If you have a compounding pharmacy, you can ask if it's possible to make a med with the active ingredient you need but without any extra stuff that may be causing a problem. Even Walgreen can make some liquids without artificial colors/flavors, maybe, ?? That's just another thought...

Good going ~ WildcatThicket... I'd bet your surgical scars look like you have been in a WildcatThicket too!

Podster I have 5 drain holes that look like gun shots scars. My middle scar is, well, rugged looking.

Mark will be just fine. When Mark gets out of rehab he will be ready for some football, at least that I thought. This summer I completed my first ever stress test going back over 30 years. I always had to quit early before the one this summer. I have surprised myself with my physical condition. I am in better shape at 67 than I was when I was 40.
Heart surgery allowed me to get healthy and now I work at keeping it that way. Cutting out red meat and only eat bird and fish has straightened out all my bad blood reports. If it has fat in it don't put it your mouth or at least think twice. Read labels. Read labels. Read labels.

Enough of my sermon.

Good luck Mark.

Ahhh... I know that 'rugged' look. DH has a scars wrapping around him. It is truly amazing what the human body can rebound from and what modern medicine can do.

Although I do agree with diet and health consciousness, some is indeed hereditary and those genes won't be denied.

This message was edited Sep 23, 2011 11:04 PM

I never mentioned the two attacks of bladder cancer 2 years apart. I had one tumor removed in July between my heart surgeries. Heart surgery in May, bladder cancer removed in early July, heart attack one week later, then a repeat of the heart surgery the first of August, Carotid artery scars on both sides. Carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists in the last year. I have gone to sleep 10 times in operating rooms since May 2009. Despite all of that I feel great, I don't make the girls eyes flutter anymore but I am too old to care.

Since I got my heart problems in order I almost never have a bad day.

We're working on narrowing things down. He's doing better, but still looks like some kind of plague has hit him! LOL