Good thoughts needed

[chicgeek]

So, my husband has had a shitload of health problems for several years now.
Started with a stroke-which started because even with insurance the blood pressure medicine wasn't affordable, and rather than tell me, he went without. *bangs head against wall*. His first day home from rehab, he went into congestive heart failure, and had to be kept in an induced coma. Kidney damage, severe neuropathy in the feet. A stent in his heart.
A few years later, diabeties.
More heart failure, milder this time. Always bounces back. On disability, which meant he was a stay at home dad. November, kidney failure finally became bad enough that he had to start thrice weekly dialysis. His doctor reccomended him for the transplant list.
Transplant list means a ton of testing. They have to be 100% sure you're healthy enough. Daughter and I both want to give a kidney, assuming we match-he's unsure about that. Normal wait time in our region is 3 years, although it's possible to get the call at any time.
The last round of testing, they found an anyurism in his heart.
On the 8th he sees a specialist about it, to find out more.
I am scared shitless. All I know about anyurisms is that you can go at any time, instantly.
A lesser fear is that it will make him unsuitable for a transplant, and how long can you live on dialysis?
I'm afraid to look any of this up. I'm going with him tuesday, even though he says I don't need to,
He's bounced back and kept on going from so much....
I'd hoped, that me or kiddo would be a match, and that we'd plan the transplant for summer when she was home from school.I know, overly optimistic. Now I'm just terrified, and keeping a positive face for him.
So, good thoughts, please?

[Dave]

Damn. That's a very, very unfortunate set of circumstances.

Good thoughts? You've got 'em! I'll be rooting for you, all three of you.

A person can live for quite a long time on dialysis, but the long-time survival rates are a good deal better if you get a kidney transplant. Having other, major medical issues at the same time... doesn't help.

[chicgeek]

Yeah. We'd been hopeful, because, despite everything, he was reccomended for the program by his doctors, that they thought he was still a good candidate for it. But this latesr piece of news...
Thanks, Dave.

[Hansontoons]

Many good thoughts, positive waves, electronic hugs with a nice, warm hum.

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And Jasper dog sends best wishes...

[chicgeek]

*ruffles Jasperdog's ears*

[TazManiac]

Strong Support Delivered. Hang in there...

[Hansontoons]

*ruffles Jasperdog's ears*

Hers loves the ear ruffles, chest scratches, belly rubs, loves in general. And loves back with dogsmiles.

Hopefully you have a sweet soul that can give love and comfort unconditionally.

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[GlytchMeister]

From what I know about aneurysms in or near the heart, there are a few types... only one is as bad as you are afraid.

The aneurysms you're thinking of are the ones in the brain - when one of those pop, the unfortunate victim can be dead before they hit the ground.

If you want, you can tell me which type he has... He's probably not as bad as you think regarding this.

There is hope.

...

Y'all live too damn far away. I can't bring comfort food to anyone.

[Just Old Al]

Good thoughts sent - definitely goin' with the positive waves.

As Glytch said, there are many types - and once it is repaired then life is good. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV, but I don;t see where a simple mechanical repair of that type pwu;ld negate his suitability for a transplant. This is a bleedin' tyre patch...

Al

[chicgeek]

"Tyre patch". Ha! Thanks, Al, I needed that grin!
The edge is off the panic. I can't fret at home, need to be positive for him, you know?
Anyurism is a scary word. And I refuse to look online, and find more fear fodder.
Panic squashed down, y'all got my first 'ohshit' response to the news.
I'll fret, and we'll know more on the 8th.
I mean, they didn't say 'get thee to a hospital RIGHT NOW', so that's good.
HUGS.
Thanks, all.

[Catawampus]

Yeah, television and movies tend to hype up the scariness factor of aneurysms for dramatic sake. While having one is certainly not a good thing, it's also not something to go into total despair over. It's just a swelling in some part of the circulatory system. Many, many people go for years with one and never even realise they have one, and treatment for it is well worked-out and practiced. Even in the worst-case scenario where it ruptures, it's not a situation where all hope is lost. People with ruptured aneurysms often have plenty of time to notice that something is wrong, have an ambulance called (or many times even call for one themselves), get taken to the hospital, and undergo treatment. So it is certainly something to be concerned about and keep an eye on, and it can indeed be dangerous, but it's far from being any sort of portent of unavoidable instant doom.

I knew one girl who had a severe birth defect in her heart, and two entire chambers of her heart catastrophically burst with absolutely no warning. That's likely a lot worse than most aneurysms. She was taken to the hospital and survived the experience, and that was with the medical technology and knowledge of the 1980's and nobody at first having any idea what could be wrong with her. Things can only have improved since then.

[GlytchMeister]

I knew one girl who had a severe birth defect in her heart, and two entire chambers of her heart catastrophically burst with absolutely no warning. That's likely a lot worse than most aneurysms. She was taken to the hospital and survived the experience, and that was with the medical technology and knowledge of the 1980's and nobody at first having any idea what could be wrong with her. Things can only have improved since then.

Holy shit. I... I am struggling to understand how she survived her heart literally popping. That should be an enormous amount of internal bleeding. How the hell did she not die?

"Tyre patch". Ha! Thanks, Al, I needed that grin!
The edge is off the panic. I can't fret at home, need to be positive for him, you know?
Anyurism is a scary word. And I refuse to look online, and find more fear fodder.
Panic squashed down, y'all got my first 'ohshit' response to the news.
I'll fret, and we'll know more on the 8th.
I mean, they didn't say 'get thee to a hospital RIGHT NOW', so that's good.
HUGS.
Thanks, all.

Let us know if you need anything, be it a shoulder, a distraction, or a vent.

[Catawampus]

Holy shit. I... I am struggling to understand how she survived her heart literally popping. That should be an enormous amount of internal bleeding. How the hell did she not die?

Good doctors who did the right things with the right equipment, I expect.

[chicgeek]

Thanks, all. Venting here has helped, and big hugs to you all for your kind words.

[chicgeek]

Good news!
They've decided to do a cat scan every year to keep an eye on it. If it ever reaches a certain size, then they'll talk about surgery. But for now we're a ok!

[Just Old Al]

Good news!
They've decided to do a cat scan every year to keep an eye on it. If it ever reaches a certain size, then they'll talk about surgery. But for now we're a ok!

Bravo!

They will use cat scans to track it with dogged determination.

[Dave]

*phew*

That has to be a huge relief!

From what you've said about your husband's medical situation, having them decide that he's eligible for "watchful waiting" on this issue is very good news indeed. It really didn't sound as if doing invasive surgery (even for a "tire patch" job) was something he ought to be put through unless it was urgently necessary.

They will use cat scans to track it with dogged determination.

And here I thought that you were the one who was objecting to puns today...

[Just Old Al]

And here I thought that you were the one who was objecting to puns today...

That thing you came up with was not a pun it was a crime against humanity.

GLYTCH! Where's that paintball dart gun design!

[GlytchMeister]

And here I thought that you were the one who was objecting to puns today...

That thing you came up with was not a pun it was a crime against humanity.

GLYTCH! Where's that paintball dart gun design!

Unfortunately, after fabrication and testing, it has been found to be rather prone to jamming. The sabot isn't playing very nice inside the gun - sometimes a chunk will stick inside the receiver. They're looking into it now.

In the meantime, you can always use a regular blow-dart or a normal air rifle made to fire darts... Though they are a bit more difficult and expensive to get...

[Sgt. Howard]

And here I thought that you were the one who was objecting to puns today...

That thing you came up with was not a pun it was a crime against humanity.

GLYTCH! Where's that paintball dart gun design!

Unfortunately, after fabrication and testing, it has been found to be rather prone to jamming. The sabot isn't playing very nice inside the gun - sometimes a chunk will stick inside the receiver. They're looking into it now.

In the meantime, you can always use a regular blow-dart or a normal air rifle made to fire darts... Though they are a bit more difficult and expensive to get...

Phah! 32 gauge special is common as dirt and about as cheap.