Dorothea's Journal

Suzette Schear  That’s tough Dorothea.  I volunteer for an app called be my eyes.  He would have to ring the app and use his phone for as a viewing lense while the person on the other end would guide him using the phone.  It will help with simple things but not the other stuff.  Maybe through his insurance there’s some kind of disability program that can help with nursing caring.  

Marie Myers  Even if you have TAVR, you probably should line up some help. You may only be in the hospital a short time, but you should have help at home when you return.  Keep us posted!

Rose Madura  I agree with Marie.  You should start to line up some people to help you both. Please keep us updated.

Susan Lynn  Dorothea, you are a wonderful wife and caregiver. As Marie and Rose recommended, you'll need some help. Hope you find someone who is a good for for you both.

Kimberly Eisenhut  I agree with Richard, it never takes that long to get results. If you have an online portal for your Dr you should be able to see the results from the tech that read your echo yourself. Call your hospital or cardiologists office, these tests are read quickly. Let us know what they say

Rose Madura  We have MyChart and you can see the results right away.  Definitely call the cardiologist or doctor who ordered the test. On the bright side, if there was an emergent issue, they would have called immediately.  Please let us know how it goes.  

Kimberly Eisenhut  I have MyChart also, it really helps with getting messages to Dr offices and I get responses quickly.

James Roberts  MyChart has blood sample results after a few hours however I've found that echos can take a few days sometimes to get on there

Dorothea Jenkins  I did go on mychart and it took about 2 weeks and now I have a TEE scheduled. I got moderate-severe on the echocardiogram with doppler. I am very tired that I'm not bothering with Christmas decorations

Susan Lynn  Dorothea - I'm so sorry you're feeling weak. Whatever the reason, your doctor needs to get to the root cause and address it. There are a number of possible conditions - we folks with heart issues forget that we are susceptible to many health concerns that aren't related to our valve diseases. If your doctor isn't giving you any satisfaction and treatment to address your low hemoglobin and feelings of extreme weakness, it's time to find a new one. You don't need to live your life and care for your dear husband with these symptoms. I'm sure it must be frightening. Prayers to you. Please keep us posted.

Dorothea Jenkins  Thanks Susan, It works like this, he says talk to your primary which I have a primary APRN. I see her next Wednesday. I have gotten to know this doctor and he sometimes makes me laugh. He told me I was 90% more intelligent than his other patients. I laughed and thought my whole life I was dumb and told him I did poor in school and he said it was not because I wasn't smart it was because you had no interest. He commented on me as I told him my EKG said I possibly had a myacardia infaction old. He said you read everything. I said when it is my heart, that I'm interested in a lot. I want to get back to my art and hopefully I can by reading. I had my son get me some raisin bread at bakery for the iron in the raisins. I mean I have eaten the whole loaf and still tired. I read that plant food iron like peanuts had a lot of Amega 6 which cancels out Amega 3 as it is not proportion. I never went to college but after my husbands  and my health problems I think I'm getting close to a degree that is not on paper. Ha Ha of course joking!!. 

Dorothea Jenkins  Haven't written for awhile. I checked my medical record and it had no to things that should have been yes. I have started coughing when laying down. I walk and have to sit a lot. Today I walked about 6 ft and grabbed the door as I felt I was going to fall. I have a video visit Thurs. I don't know how bad you get before replacement. 

Grace Mason   Hi Dorothea,
I just learned post surgery I also have a PFO. Most people that have them don't need surgery to repair it. They did not repair mine.
My cardiologist confirmed to me that it was not normally repaired. I would question your cardiologist about whether it could be causing any symptoms.

Ana Brusso  I had a PFO closure in 2009 which at the time they thought could have cause my TIA. Who knows. It was done through my groin. 

Dorothea Jenkins  I read it was no big deal if the blood flowed left to right but mine flows right to left where unoxygenated blood mixes with the oxygen blood going through the body. My blood test shows low on a lot and also low platelets.

Grace Mason   Dorothea, I'm so glad to hear you were able to get the TEE and get a closer look at your valve. Keep being your own best advocate. I hope you can find some answers and start feeling better

Rose Madura  Hi Dorothea, I'm sorry you are having all this at once.  There is a surgeon finder on this site and I came up with six. I can't vouch for them since I'm from Ohio but at least it will help in your research. Please keep us posted.  I couldn't post the results here but look for the surgeon finder. On my phone, it's in the upper right corner.

Dorothea Jenkins  I also have low platelets so Sat I am having a blood test which I never had this kind of blood test. Tuesday I will have a TESS test and Dr. Pagni which I got off this site said right after the TESS test to make an appointment. I figure it will be soon. I am a little scared of having something put down my throat and could cause bleeding. 

Marie Myers  The risk is pretty low for bleeding with the tube-in - throat test. Your doctor will advise you on that, and hopefully you can get that done so you can plan your next steps. I had sedation for that test and it was very easy on me. Keep us posted!