Gigi's Journal

Adam Pick  Geri, Thanks for mentioning the Heart Walk! Sound like it was a wonderful event with wonderful people and dogs supporting a great cause!!!

Eleanor R  I don't have firsthand experience with that, since I have never had headaches, but one of my nephews experienced something very similar. He's 40 and had suffered from migraines since his 20s, serious ones that would send him home from work and to the basement for quiet, cool and dark, which seemed to help him. In 2012 he developed congestive heart failure, very severe and was part of Invova Fairfax Hospital's transplant program, awaiting a transplant. It all came on in a matter of weeks. He was being seen by a transplant surgeon there, and the head of the transplant program, as they were mystified as what caused the sudden onset. Our hearts pump out blood with each contraction, pumping out between 60 and 65% of the content of blood in the heart. This is called the ejection fraction. His was 10. He was barely alive when transported from work (!!) to the ER. When he was sent home three weeks later, the ejection fraction was 25%, thanks to a rather difficult medication that was being pumped into him, a defibrillator, loads of medicines, etc. Very scary time for my family. He came to live with me, as there was no way he could go up three flights of stairs at this apartment. From release in March through June he began to improve, and improve, and improve. We were going to the transplant center almost weekly at first, and with the improvement they begin to lower the heart stimulant, which was never to heal, only to stimulate the heart. The transplant surgeon described it as being "a whip - it will make the horse run faster, but it is not a long term solution". Scary. God only knows how or why, but Paul began to improve, so they kept lowering the dosage of the pumped medication, his heart healed, he was released from the transplant program, his ejection fraction is back to 65% and no one knows how or why. The head of the transplant program would love to know, so they can try to replicate whatever happened. The result of all this is, no more headaches. Paul says over the two years he has had one or two minor headaches, but regular ones, no more migraines. The transplant people told him there is a correlation between the two events, and it may be that the better flow of blood has mitigated the headache program. Really, with that story, who knows! Right? He's very well, sees a cardiologist every 6 months, but otherwise is fine. And, headache free.

Gigi Snowflake  thanks, phenomenal news, sorry but your name didn't appear, I want to forward this info to my cardiologist,
I did consider the vascular aspect of improved blood flow to brain, so wonderful not to having headaches so often

Virginia (Ginger) French  Keep up the good work! We watched my valve for 10 years and then were surprised it was finally time for surgery! Well worth it!

Terrie Syvertsen  Ms. Snowflake. Good to see your post. I am jealous that as you brag of your mini-sternotomy I sit gazing down at the small child like rail road tracks in between my ample bosoms (15 staples in all and have to say "Hooray for you Lady as I wouldn't wish the staples on anyone as they add to the discomfort not to mention seem to glisten enough in the sunshine when out for my walks with Gary to draw the attention of high flying birds in the park (which can lead to other obvious problems!) So you are doing 40 minute walk today. Good Girl. Take your time and enjoy this weather! It is warm here in Manteca today too! Thinking of you! Terrie and Hi from Gary too!

Gigi Snowflake  Hi dear Terri, I was told by the surgeon and another surgeon that they do not use staples in the sternotomy, whether full or mini, they use stainless steel wire that gets imbedded in the bone, thus no need to remove the wire! I'm so sorry you have the staples, those surgeons were from two different hospitals, so apparently staples are not used here. However, perhaps for other reasons they used staples in your case. I adore your prints on paper, sorry I've forgotten the exact term, you are very talented Terrie and happy to hear you are home with the Love of your Life Gary and also Hunter