Say a prayer for us please - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lora9584 · 01-13-2006, 05:29 PM

I just got home from the hospital. They have admitted my husband to run some tests and give him some IV Lasix. The doctor is afraid that he is in heart failure. I really hated to leave him, but he was so insistant that I leave that he was getting more and more upset the longer I stayed. Besides the hospital really doesn't like for people to stay past 8pm. I told him I would come home but would be back there bright and early in the morning. And to top it all off this is our sons birthday and we were gonna have a party for him this evening. Needless to say that didn't happen. My husband has decided that he does not want cpr if something should happen. I cried all the way home. I don't want to lose him. In fact the only way I got him to go to the doctor today at all was threaten to leave if he didn't go. He has gained 20 pounds since his last doctors visit and gets so short of breath he can't even lay in bed anymore. I could tell that his lungs were filling up and told him that I refused to set here and watch him drown. Thanks for listening.

txshopper73 · 01-13-2006, 05:31 PM

Oh, that's horrible!

Prayers are coming your way. Please keep us updated.

Snow Yorkies · 01-13-2006, 05:34 PM

Oh, sweetie what a terrible time for you right now.. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will put in double prayers for your husband and your family. You will be in my thoughts for sure.

Lora9584 · 01-13-2006, 05:39 PM

Thanks guys I knew I could count on you guys to make me feel a little better. The kids are so upset, my oldest one just left for a while and I sent my 17 year old to stay with a friend of ours. He is on the fire dept and they are having a breakfast in the morning. I have started laundry and make a pot of coffee, don't imagine I will be getting much sleep tonight.

SoCalyorkiLvr · 01-13-2006, 05:52 PM

I am sorry to hear that your husband is in the hospital and on your son's birthday too...

...I will keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers.

Patti · 01-13-2006, 06:19 PM

I'm so sorry to heat about ypur husband, At least he is where they can help him now. There are so many meds they can give to help with heart problems and get him back home! I will keep him in my prayers.

Lora9584 · 01-13-2006, 06:24 PM

Yes there are alot of meds out there. He currently is taking over 20 meds a day. He just keeps telling me that I don't understand how tired he is. This is a man that worked 10-12 hours a day and sometimes more. And now it wears him out just to walk to the bathroom. I know it is hard for him. He was never one to ask for help and absolutely hates it now. I forgot to mention that when we went to the doctor today he was walking back to the exam room and just fell down. Face first in the carpet and now has rug burn on his head. He does not remember doing it. He has a pacemaker and I am wondering if it shut down for a minute or something. I am really anxious to hear what the doctor has to say in the morning. Thanks again for all the kind words they really mean alot to me.

yorkieusa · 01-13-2006, 06:48 PM

I'm so very sorry. I hope that things aren't as bad as you think. Getting men to the doctor is so difficult. I'm wishing you the best. Take care of yourself, too.

gymbo68 · 01-13-2006, 06:59 PM

SO sorry to hear this- prayers to you and him as you go through this time.

RowdysMom · 01-13-2006, 07:21 PM

I'm am so very sorry to hear about your husband. I want you to know that I do understand, my husband was diagnosed with heart failure 2 years ago and age 55. Like your guy, he was used to working 10-12 hours per day and when he first got sick, he could hardly get from the bed to the chair. He was so very mad at everything and everyone. It is so hard for them to accept that there are things that they just can't do.

It sounds like you know that there are many different kinds of meds that can really help heart failure (if that is what it turns out to be - and it sounds like it is with the weight gain and not being able to lie flat to sleep). My husband is still pretty sick, but it is not due to heart failure - his failure is completely under control and is very stable. That means that he is very limited in what he is able to do, but he is able to do lots of things that bring him happiness. And one of his greatest joys is Rowdy!

If this does turn out to be heart failure, you MUST get him to a cardiologist that SPECIALIZES in heart failure - many cardiologists do not specialize in heart failure and it will make all the difference in the world to have a doctor that truly understands heart failure and is able to adjust his meds to fit his needs. The medication regimen for heart failure is NOT one size fits all. Meds that work for one person do not necessarily work for the next person. Some heart failure meds make you feel like crap - all these things can be adjusted, BUT it takes a doc with special knowlege of heart failure to be able to make the proper adjustments.

Another thing, because it is such a life changing diagnosis and people are usually very upset, mad, angry, etc - it is often VERY helpful for the doc to prescribe a small dose of antidepressants. My husband was very resistant to the thought that he might need a med for depression. He kept saying, "I'm not depressed", but the doc finally helped him to see that it might not be the classic depression, but the antidepressant could help him feel better about all the changes in his health that were making him feel angry and out of control. The antidepressant really helped and when things get very crazy for my husband, he will even ask the doc to up his dose till things calm down again. I NEVER thought I'd see that!

It is also very hard on us (you). It is such a helpless feeling to see your husband so sick and so unable to do all the things he is used to being able to do. You may have to do things for him that he cannot do and that will upset him and you. It is all very confusing and very difficult to manage at first. It does get better - you just have to take one day at a time.

If you need to talk - please pm me - I'll be happy to help you with anything - I'm also a nurse, so I know quite a bit about heart failure in general.

Good luck!

bettyeanne · 01-13-2006, 07:47 PM

So sorry to hear about your husband. We will keep you all in our prayers and please let us know if we can do anything!

Sherry Lynn · 01-13-2006, 08:40 PM

I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through and will cerainly add you to my prayer list!

Rowdysmom seems to understand, and it sounds like there are good treatments available. I hope she can help you through this. God bless.

red98vett · 01-14-2006, 05:58 AM

OMG ...I just went thru similar with my husband and was able to come home after 21 days....It's very very scary and my heart goes out to you - I really hope they can stabilize your husband and he can come back home soon....PLEASE Take care of yourself and I said a prayer for you and your husband - I'm here if you need to talk anytime !!...

Rowdysmom is awesome to talk to...she's helped me ...as with other members here too - WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU !!

munchkinsmom · 01-14-2006, 08:44 AM

My heart goes out to you at this very trying time. I will pray for you.

Lynn

Lora9584 · 01-14-2006, 01:17 PM

Well I came home for a bit to let the dogs go outside and make some coffee and some phone calls. My hubby is in heart failure and they are playing with his meds right now, but can't play with them a whole lot due to his other heart problems. The back half of his heart is basically dead, his pacemaker is doing the majority of the work for him. Of course his regular doctor is not on this weekend so the doctor on call is taking care of him which makes me nervous as heck. His IV went bad last night so the nurse just left it out. And it took 20 minutes for the nurse today to give him nitro for chest pain and she layed him flat on his back to restart his IV. The fact that I am a nurse makes this worse as I can tell what is going on and am so picky with his care. Vitals are staying good but the fluid is not coming off. I got a total of 2 hours sleep last night and have almost no coffee since I left home this morning so am very testy and stressed. I just had to come home for a bit to love on the dogs and collect myself before I can go back down there. Plus I had to call his Mom and brother to let them know what is going on. Will post more when I get a chance and again thanks for listening and the prayers they mean so very much to us.

01-13-2006, 05:29 PM	#1
Lora9584 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 322	Say a prayer for us please I just got home from the hospital. They have admitted my husband to run some tests and give him some IV Lasix. The doctor is afraid that he is in heart failure. I really hated to leave him, but he was so insistant that I leave that he was getting more and more upset the longer I stayed. Besides the hospital really doesn't like for people to stay past 8pm. I told him I would come home but would be back there bright and early in the morning. And to top it all off this is our sons birthday and we were gonna have a party for him this evening. Needless to say that didn't happen. My husband has decided that he does not want cpr if something should happen. I cried all the way home. I don't want to lose him. In fact the only way I got him to go to the doctor today at all was threaten to leave if he didn't go. He has gained 20 pounds since his last doctors visit and gets so short of breath he can't even lay in bed anymore. I could tell that his lungs were filling up and told him that I refused to set here and watch him drown. Thanks for listening.

01-13-2006, 05:31 PM	#2
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 14,226 Blog Entries: 1	Oh, that's horrible! Prayers are coming your way. Please keep us updated. __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley

01-13-2006, 05:34 PM	#3
Snow Yorkies Biewer Passionate Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern AL Posts: 1,684	Oh, sweetie what a terrible time for you right now.. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will put in double prayers for your husband and your family. You will be in my thoughts for sure. __________________ Dare to Dream Biewers Charter Member of BAPPC

01-13-2006, 06:19 PM	#6
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I'm so sorry to heat about ypur husband, At least he is where they can help him now. There are so many meds they can give to help with heart problems and get him back home! I will keep him in my prayers. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

01-13-2006, 06:48 PM	#8
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I'm so very sorry. I hope that things aren't as bad as you think. Getting men to the doctor is so difficult. I'm wishing you the best. Take care of yourself, too. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

01-13-2006, 05:39 PM	#4
Lora9584 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 322	Thanks guys I knew I could count on you guys to make me feel a little better. The kids are so upset, my oldest one just left for a while and I sent my 17 year old to stay with a friend of ours. He is on the fire dept and they are having a breakfast in the morning. I have started laundry and make a pot of coffee, don't imagine I will be getting much sleep tonight.

01-13-2006, 05:52 PM	#5
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	I am sorry to hear that your husband is in the hospital and on your son's birthday too... ...I will keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers.

01-13-2006, 06:24 PM	#7
Lora9584 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 322	Yes there are alot of meds out there. He currently is taking over 20 meds a day. He just keeps telling me that I don't understand how tired he is. This is a man that worked 10-12 hours a day and sometimes more. And now it wears him out just to walk to the bathroom. I know it is hard for him. He was never one to ask for help and absolutely hates it now. I forgot to mention that when we went to the doctor today he was walking back to the exam room and just fell down. Face first in the carpet and now has rug burn on his head. He does not remember doing it. He has a pacemaker and I am wondering if it shut down for a minute or something. I am really anxious to hear what the doctor has to say in the morning. Thanks again for all the kind words they really mean alot to me.

01-13-2006, 06:59 PM	#9
gymbo68 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,022	SO sorry to hear this- prayers to you and him as you go through this time. __________________ Max and Milos Dad!

01-13-2006, 07:21 PM	#10
RowdysMom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,624	I'm am so very sorry to hear about your husband. I want you to know that I do understand, my husband was diagnosed with heart failure 2 years ago and age 55. Like your guy, he was used to working 10-12 hours per day and when he first got sick, he could hardly get from the bed to the chair. He was so very mad at everything and everyone. It is so hard for them to accept that there are things that they just can't do. It sounds like you know that there are many different kinds of meds that can really help heart failure (if that is what it turns out to be - and it sounds like it is with the weight gain and not being able to lie flat to sleep). My husband is still pretty sick, but it is not due to heart failure - his failure is completely under control and is very stable. That means that he is very limited in what he is able to do, but he is able to do lots of things that bring him happiness. And one of his greatest joys is Rowdy! If this does turn out to be heart failure, you MUST get him to a cardiologist that SPECIALIZES in heart failure - many cardiologists do not specialize in heart failure and it will make all the difference in the world to have a doctor that truly understands heart failure and is able to adjust his meds to fit his needs. The medication regimen for heart failure is NOT one size fits all. Meds that work for one person do not necessarily work for the next person. Some heart failure meds make you feel like crap - all these things can be adjusted, BUT it takes a doc with special knowlege of heart failure to be able to make the proper adjustments. Another thing, because it is such a life changing diagnosis and people are usually very upset, mad, angry, etc - it is often VERY helpful for the doc to prescribe a small dose of antidepressants. My husband was very resistant to the thought that he might need a med for depression. He kept saying, "I'm not depressed", but the doc finally helped him to see that it might not be the classic depression, but the antidepressant could help him feel better about all the changes in his health that were making him feel angry and out of control. The antidepressant really helped and when things get very crazy for my husband, he will even ask the doc to up his dose till things calm down again. I NEVER thought I'd see that! It is also very hard on us (you). It is such a helpless feeling to see your husband so sick and so unable to do all the things he is used to being able to do. You may have to do things for him that he cannot do and that will upset him and you. It is all very confusing and very difficult to manage at first. It does get better - you just have to take one day at a time. If you need to talk - please pm me - I'll be happy to help you with anything - I'm also a nurse, so I know quite a bit about heart failure in general. Good luck! __________________ Rex & Rowdy's Mom

01-13-2006, 07:47 PM	#11
bettyeanne Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc. Posts: 9,031	So sorry to hear about your husband. We will keep you all in our prayers and please let us know if we can do anything! __________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://www.yorkierescuecolorado.com/ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein

01-13-2006, 08:40 PM	#12
Sherry Lynn Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 3,437	I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through and will cerainly add you to my prayer list! Rowdysmom seems to understand, and it sounds like there are good treatments available. I hope she can help you through this. God bless. __________________ Sherry Lynn Dublin and Widget

01-14-2006, 05:58 AM	#13
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	OMG ...I just went thru similar with my husband and was able to come home after 21 days....It's very very scary and my heart goes out to you - I really hope they can stabilize your husband and he can come back home soon....PLEASE Take care of yourself and I said a prayer for you and your husband - I'm here if you need to talk anytime !!... Rowdysmom is awesome to talk to...she's helped me ...as with other members here too - WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU !! __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE! Last edited by red98vett; 01-14-2006 at 06:02 AM.

01-14-2006, 08:44 AM	#14
munchkinsmom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Maylene AL Posts: 93	My heart goes out to you at this very trying time. I will pray for you. Lynn __________________ There is nothing sweeter than yorkie kisses! Lynn & Munchkin.....Pictures are Here

01-14-2006, 01:17 PM	#15
Lora9584 YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 322	Well I came home for a bit to let the dogs go outside and make some coffee and some phone calls. My hubby is in heart failure and they are playing with his meds right now, but can't play with them a whole lot due to his other heart problems. The back half of his heart is basically dead, his pacemaker is doing the majority of the work for him. Of course his regular doctor is not on this weekend so the doctor on call is taking care of him which makes me nervous as heck. His IV went bad last night so the nurse just left it out. And it took 20 minutes for the nurse today to give him nitro for chest pain and she layed him flat on his back to restart his IV. The fact that I am a nurse makes this worse as I can tell what is going on and am so picky with his care. Vitals are staying good but the fluid is not coming off. I got a total of 2 hours sleep last night and have almost no coffee since I left home this morning so am very testy and stressed. I just had to come home for a bit to love on the dogs and collect myself before I can go back down there. Plus I had to call his Mom and brother to let them know what is going on. Will post more when I get a chance and again thanks for listening and the prayers they mean so very much to us.