Text 11095, 88 rader
Skriven 2014-03-19 23:02:08 av Nancy Backus (1:261/1381.0)
  Kommentar till text 10993 av Stephen Haffly (1:396/45.27)
Ärende: Re: status update
=========================
-=> Quoting Stephen Haffly to Nancy Backus on 13 Mar 14  22:52:38 <=-

 SH>> The bad is that there is no approved device to close a patent
 SH>> foramen ovale (the hole in the heart that is supposed to close when
 SH>> we are born which in my case, is open). This opening is not uncommon,
 SH>> and it does not seem to cause problems with most people. However, in
 SH>> my case, it appears to have now been associated with two strokes.
 NB>> Not so good.  I take it it can't (or is unwise to) be surgically
 NB>> closed?

 SH> I don't think I want them cracking my chest open for surgical closure.
 SH> It would have to be done though the heart wall with the risk that
 SH> entails.

Ah.

 SH>> Since there is no approved device to close it, I will be on some
 SH>> form of anti-clotting medication, whether the low-dose aspirin I am
 SH>> now taking or something else, for the indefinite future.
 NB>> As long as those meds don't give you problems, that isn't all that
 NB>> bad.

 SH> So far, so good. I have problems with NSAIDS when taken for long term
 SH> Aspirin does not seem to affect me as bad as pyroxicam or meloxicam
 SH> did when I tried them for longer term use. After about a month, my
 SH> mouth started breaking out with chancre sores and food started to taste
 SH> bad. The only thing that fixed it was to discontinue use of those
 SH> medications. When I tried again after things cleared up, the chancre
 SH> sores came back. I am not talking about just one or two either. I have
 SH> not noticed this problem with the 83 mg Aspirin. Hopefully, it is
 SH> different enough that it will not cause the problems.

Hopefully...  :)   I have problems with nsaids, too, but mine are more
just that they don't touch pain, and make me dizzy or lightheaded... the
81mg aspirin makes me bleed, though, so it isn't a good idea either for
me... 

 NB>> Kinda a Catch-22...  But friends are a very good thing... :)  One
 NB>> hopes that the DMV will move more efficiently than normal, and that
 NB>> you won't be kept in limbo for too much longer...

 SH> I have verification on the medical form getting to the DMV. That is a
 SH> step forward.
 
Progress... now, hopefully they will be efficient in getting back to you
and scheduling whatever testing is needed....  :)

 SH>> Otherwise, I have been feeling okay. I am waiting now on an
 SH>> appointment with a neurologist to discuss whether to continue with the
 SH>> aspirin or to use some other form of medication. Because these increase
 SH>> the risk of bleeding, the neurologist would need to evaluate whether
 SH>> the stroke area is stable enough that I would not be put at risk of a
 SH>> hemorrhagic stroke on top of the ischemic stroke I had.
 NB>> Quite the balancing act, isn't it... :)  

 SH> Yes it is. At least I do not have to deal with Warfarin.

That is truly a blessing.  Richard is on warfarin... and I had to deal
with it with MJ before she left... ;)  Another balancing act... and
regular monitoring... :)

 NB>> I'm glad that you are feeling ok, despite the circumstances... has
 NB>> the back finished healing, btw...?

 SH> The back is doing well. I still have some numbness in my leg and
 SH> periodic tingling in my foot. However, my leg regained the strength
 SH> it was losing, so I am happy with the outcome.
 
Back surgery is another iffy thing... I'm glad it worked out for you,
and that it did what it was primarily meant to do... :)

 NB>> I've been passing updates to my church family... they are glad to be
 NB>> able to help by continuing with their prayers... and are even more
 NB>> glad to hear of progress and praises... ;)

 SH> Please relay my thanks. I appreciate their prayer support. While I am
 SH> unlikely to regain more of the vision that was lost, I am thankful to
 SH> have what eyesight I do have. Things could have been much worse, in
 SH> which case, I would not be even able to think about getting back on
 SH> the road in the driver's seat.

I will...  Yup, things could have been much worse... 

ttyl         neb

... Whatever awaits you around the corner, God is already there.
--- Blue Wave/DOS v2.20
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