April 22, 2005
A Little Hospital Time
Well, had to go to a cardiac care unit today, but this time I wasn't the guest of honor.
It seems that my brothers GP thought that he was on the verge of a major cardiac incident and wanted to get him catherized and stented to forstall any real problems...He also was afraid that due to his MS, he would need major surgury to provide his heart some extra support, it seemed that the heart muscle was "sagging" due to nerve damage contingent to the MS and severe diabetes.
They were an hour late getting him into the Cath lab, and the procedure took about 15 minutes longer than usual. But the result was better than any of us had expected; the cath showed that he only had a 10% blockage in one artery and 12% blockage in another, minor vessel, and it could be easily handled with drug therapy; the heart was in great shape, considering his other maladies, and wouldn't require any furthur procedures in the forseseeable future; so someone was listening and answered our prayers.
The GP had been incorrect on his diagnosis, and for once it was in my brothers favor, instead of against him. He still has a difficult time ahead of him with progressivly wasting muscles (5'10" and 120 lbs!!!) and degenerating nerves (he now requires a power chair for him to go any distances without falling), but he is looking ahead with hope; and least he's assured that his heart will carry him through the trying times ahead.
He will die from the cumlative side effects of the progression of the MS and diabetes, probably within the next five years, maximum...but he intends to live that time given him with all the zest he can, and isn't that the best that any of us can do? Whenever I feel low about my own condition, all I have to do is look to my brother and realize just how lucky I am, and that life truly IS worth living to the highest level we can achive.
Sorry to hear of your Brothers troubles but glad he is in better shape then the Docters thought.Ill keep him in my Prayers.
The past few weeks have been hard in my life as one of my neighbors shot Two of my Dogs last week.
Made me realise How important it is to tell those we love ,what they mean to us as you never know when your time is up. My wife and Daughters where devestated .I feel lower then Whale shit and have to keep it together for them.
As Warren Zevon put it.Life will kill you.
Glad to hear the good news about your Brother.
Cheers
Sorry to heat about your brother, MS is a horrible disease that seems to take people in their prime. The good thing is his heart hasn't failed and he has some good time left. There isn't much a person can do except help out and offer encouragement. Make sure he stays on his medications, the last MS friend of mine would feel good and stop his Meds only to crash into depression and drinking. I pray he gets better and the medical profession can find a cure for this dreadful disease.
Posted by: Jack at April 23, 2005 06:20 PM