And on the 14th we'll know more

[robbie]

As I've hinted (and have told some) I am not well. I haven't been feeling well for about 9 months now. Something is wrong and I know it. I went to the doctors to tell them and at first they couldn't find anything. So after more and more visits of me still not feeling well and only as of late it seems to be getting a tad worse it seems as though they have found something.

As some of you know, I've had open heart surgery as a kid (I got some mean scares to prove it.) and I've always seem to have had a murmur. Well, over the past months I've been really starting to feel light heading and like I'm going to pass out. (for the past 9 months) Only lately I've been getting a burning feeling in my chest. I went for another EKG and this time they have notice that one of my valves that was a little narrow seems to be even narrower.

So on the 14th I'll go in for a heart cat to see what's REALLY going on with my heart. They are thinking that I'm probably going to have to have that valve replaced. This is going to be at least a couple of months of down time for me. (IE NO WORK UGGG)

I put off telling work (just found out last tuesday) because honetly... I really won't know anything until the 14th. But Kris told one of the girls at work who in turn told a manager and so on and so forth. So... to kill any rumors I told them what I know and that I would keep them in the loop.

And after I know, you'll know. I have to admit I am a tad scared (not sure why I've done this before )

Wish me the best as I've always wished all of you.

[danrok]

Hope that it all goes well for you. In the meantime, pace yourself and take it easy.

[Gizmo]

Be safe, my friend.

[piccoLEW]

good luck rob, I hope you pull through okay!

[Redroar]

I hope all goes well...

[fantomfreq]

On one hand, you have to hope your heart scan is good. On the other, still not knowing what's wrong with you is a scary thought.

I hope that everything turns out ok in the end. Oh, and that you've got good medical coverage because hospitals aren't cheap.

[robbie]

Originally Posted by fantomfreq

On one hand, you have to hope your heart scan is good. On the other, still not knowing what's wrong with you is a scary thought.

I hope that everything turns out ok in the end. Oh, and that you've got good medical coverage because hospitals aren't cheap.

It's going to be rough on me and mine, VERY rough... it's going to cost me $500 Just for the test. And if I have to have surgery!!! It's $500 a day in the hospital.

Oh and if my insurance doesn't cover 100% of the cost of the surgery... I'm really screwed. Not sure what a surgery like that cost, I would say what? $100,000? What if they only cover 80%? hell even 90% is still a good chunck of change.

[dabaerman]

hang in there robbie. you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sarah is a HA survivor and has you on her, get better fast, list.

Ron

[Áedán]

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Robbie.

[cloasters]

Robbie, please be easy on yourself until you know what's going on in the ticker department. The heat in your neighborhood is taxing, so take it light, please. The beauty part is that you have medical insurance. Worrying about the eventual bill isn't the right thing to be concerned with right now.
You are going to feel much better after the scary part!

[Repo Man]

A good thing to remember is that Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a heart valve replaced. Though it is still sobering to be facing such a challenge, he provides an example of a positive outcome.

[PorPorMe]

May God go with, my friend.

[robbie]

Getting ready to head out. Thank you for all the well wishes, soon we will know.

[fantomfreq]

It's the 15th! We're dying to know what news you've heard.

[cloasters]

I hope Rob is A-OK!!

[PorPorMe]

Originally Posted by cloasters

I hope Rob is A-OK!!

Yea-the fact that he hasn't logged in yet is a bother.

[robbie]

Well as you have seen. I'm home. I took today off (15th) to rest. I had some bleeding that needed to be controlled.

So on to what happen. I had the test. I was VERY nervous! Not really knowing what too expect. Although I have to admit they were very nice and very friendly and took great care of me. I don't know what drugs they used but they did the job. I couldn't really feel a thing. A pinch here and there but all and all I was fine.

So they got in and were not able to complete the test because of two things,

1) Prior work I've had done.
2) the valve is pretty narrow and leaking pretty bad.

So next step is a CT scan to get a better view. ( I should know when on Thurs.)
They had me pretty drugged up but toward the end I really start to feel some pain in my right arm. It might have been the IV. I might have bent my arm too much and dug it in some. Don't know. All I know is after I was in the ICU I think I was crying to the wife cuz it hurt. (remember I was pretty drugged up) SO I laid there for a while, (they want you flat on your back for a couple hours) and after a bit the food came in. Thank god cuz I was starving! (can't eat before this stuff) And I have to say the food was pretty good.

so after a couple of hours before they let you go they want you to walk for about 30 mins. No biggie... I waddled my way up and down the room. so I get dressed and ready to go and they have to check the dressing on my wound to make sure it's not bleeding. Well... it was... so back down in bed for me. At least an hour (might have been more I fell asleep) But this time they put a sand bag on it. (for pressure) I remember waking up in pain cuz this sucker really started to hurt. And yes I'm pretty sure I was crying again to the wife.

So the head nurse lady comes in to check it out. Now I have 4 women waiting for me to drop trow for them to have a look!! Well at least one of them was a total hottie! (wife ) She checks it and and it's actually not that bad. It's not the artery that is bleeding but the vain. (that's a good thing) So no biggie.... New bandaid and more walking. After about 40 more mins of walking they check it again. This time no blood. Good now I can go home and sleep some more!

So I ended up sleeping the rest of the day but here and there to eat something small or drink something. I stayed home today becuase of the bleeding they wanted me on bed rest for the next 24 hours. It's rough for me to just lye there. I can't do it. I get bored and have to move around!

So there is more to come with me. We are now waiting for the next test to see what the next step is, but I'm sure it's all leading up to replacing the valve. That's going to be the hard part. I can't stay still for that long and I can't afford to be out of work that long.

Soon we'll know.

BTW,
I'm up writing this cuz I can't sleep (as per usual my chest is bugging me ) God I can't wait for this to be over.
Thank you all for the well wishes. Best too you and yours. Please be safe.


PS,
On a side note. My arteries LOOK GREAT! So more pizza for me. I guess I'm immune!

[PorPorMe]

Deep dish super supreme extra cheese! Bartender!!! Keep the beer coming!
good to see the green light.

[cloasters]

Shazam, this is genuinely scary stuff. You are da man for hanging tough with this! I'm sorry that they couldn't fix the problem there and then, and sorry that you have to deal with the pain. There's no shame in telling them you need m