tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post5866429413353957306..comments2024-03-29T04:31:25.034-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: Well, that was fun (NOT!)Peterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-1820049118002244602019-11-12T07:59:06.596-06:002019-11-12T07:59:06.596-06:00(cont.)
7) Your ride to the ER is nice. Beats heck...(cont.)<br />7) Your ride to the ER is nice. Beats heck out of driving yourself and maybe dropping dead in the fast lane, and taking out a schoolbus on the way. And no shade on him, OldNFO is a stand-up guy for taking you.<br />BUT:<br />He picks you up and you drop en route, WTH is <i>he</i> (or your wife/friend/neighbor/etc. )going to do about that??<br />CPR with one hand, and steer with the other?<br />Pull over and call 911, and hope they find him?<br />I hope you're catching my drift, Peter:<br />When a paramedic ambulance pulls up, they bring an advanced EKG machine, a cardiac defibrillator, oxygen, IV access, a tackle box of cardiac drugs to you, and you travel in a mini-ER from your door to the ER, in full contact with a high-level hospital the entire time.<br />If anything happens, you'll be getting first world medical care that instant. Not 10, or 20, or 40 minutes later.<br />To drive the point home: if you have a heart attack, and no one with a defibrillator and cardiac drugs gets to you for 15 minutes, they may as well call a hearse. You died, and all you are from there on out is an organ donor. Maybe.<br />Your chances with a heart attack in a paramedic ambulance are within a percentage point or two of the same problem in the hospital, for survival. But you lose 5-7% of your survival odds with every minute of delay between cardiac arrest and the arrival of medical interventions. So at about 15 minutes time down before the arrival of cardiac drugs, monitoring, and if indicated, electro-cardiac shock, your survival chances are at about 0%.<br /><i>THAT'S WHY WE CALL PARAMEDICS.</i><br />Thus endeth the sermon. (I yell because I care.)<br /><br />And I'm really glad everything has turned out okay so far.<br /><br />Follow Doctor's orders (like you will), and do a little research and self-education, so you know almost as much about what's happened and what might as your doctor, and you'll have a much better life in the interim between now and when it's over, someday.<br /><br />Everyone loves Jesus, but nobody's in a hurry to him, right?<br />When the time comes, it comes. But let's not rush it, shall we?<br /><br />Again, sincere best wishes.Aesophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834464741531503378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-1164133599621102752019-11-12T07:58:48.508-06:002019-11-12T07:58:48.508-06:001) Best Wishes for a speedy recovery.
2) Troponin ...1) Best Wishes for a speedy recovery.<br />2) Troponin is the cardiac enzyme we track.<br />An initial negative is great, but it can take half an hour to a couple of hours to rise, indicating damage to cardiac muscle. Imagine our annoyance (and yours) if we in the medical profession sent you home after the first test only, and it turned out the second or later would have indicated a serious problem. So we don't.<br />3) CABG (coronary arterial bypass grafts) were state of the art - in 1990. But they hurt, require yanking veins from your leg, and long-term rehab. And they clot up in a decade or so.<br />Stents (which look like the springs in a retractable pen) last longer, are simpler, and as you experienced, are done under local rather than general anesthesia, decreasing markedly the complications (oh, and the risk of dying). Once placed, they are released to uncoil and open up clogged arteries. Presto!<br />And you get to go home in a day or two, rather than two weeks or more.<br />And can be re-stented down the road, if needs be.<br />Better in 37 ways.<br />4) Anti-coagulants do what they do.<br />You have other risks: ANY sort of fall or head injury means you're getting a head CT, because you're at a much greater risk for hemorrhagic strokes and brain bleeds in the event of any trauma.<br />You get hurt, the first med you report to them is your anti-coagulant: name, dosage, frequency.<br />5) If you're on more than two meds, you should have a card in your wallet right behind your ID, with all the names, dosages, and frequency of all your medicines. And any allergies. And your list of medical diagnoses. And surgeries. And your doctors' names and phone numbers. And you should have the same thing for your wife, and vice versa. You may be answering questions for her when she cannot. She may be for you. Tis is belt-and-suspenders stuff. If anything happens, playing Twenty Questions with one's spouse/significant other in the ER sucks. They'll always pull your ID, and thus find your Medical History card.<br />Make two, without fail. <i>Today</i>.<br />Give one to the Mrs.<br />Then do hers, same-same.<br />6) If you have chest pain that goes away in twenty minutes or less, and it was provoked by strenuous activity, nobody cares.<br />But when it's unprovoked, doesn't get better with any meds for the occasion, you <i>think</i> it's serious, <i>or it lasts longer than twenty minutes</i>, your very next step is going to the ER. Period.<br />(cont.)Aesophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834464741531503378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-37718761095880775842019-11-11T12:21:41.307-06:002019-11-11T12:21:41.307-06:00As one heart patient to another, good luck.As one heart patient to another, good luck.James Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-53646443857943646602019-11-10T22:51:31.880-06:002019-11-10T22:51:31.880-06:00With oral anticoagulants that are Vitamin K antago...With oral anticoagulants that are Vitamin K antagonists, they act in the liver, where Vitamin K is needed as a co-factor in the synthesis of blood proteins that are part of the clotting mechanism. By blocking the places where Vit K acts, they prevent the synthesis of those proteins, and blood levels of those proteins ("clotting factors") are depleted to an appropriate level in 72 hours.<br /><br />Vitamin K is sourced by the body from (esp. green, leafy) vegetables and colon bacteria. Antibiotics, particularly those which affect the colon bacteria, such as the "floxacin"s, will further reduce the Vit K and increase the anticoagulant effect. I have had patients on Vit K antagonists die of brain bleeds when given antibiotics for unrelated reasons.<br /><br />Some primary care providers and pharmacists may overlook this: patients should be aware.<br />Robin Dattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15358491380192365005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-52767446138373453372019-11-10T22:23:02.367-06:002019-11-10T22:23:02.367-06:00Peter, I'm glad that you're going to be ok...Peter, I'm glad that you're going to be okay. You and OldNFO (along with LawDog getting his stuff put together into book form) have inspired me to get off my duff and get going on the writing thing. I've been busting with ideas for so long, it's time I'd gotten around to putting some into motion.<br /><br />My mom (now in her early 70's) had this same procedure at the beginning of last month. She described the feeling the same way you did. She's glad she had it done, but definitely did not enjoy the experience. I'm guessing that the two of you are on the same blood-thinner. With her, it complicates things because her cardiologist refuses to get cortisone shots in joints. Doesn't want to risk the bleeding with even the small (multiple, but small) cuts the needles make.Shamandinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05321984093931809247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-87237674596050580582019-11-10T04:04:26.178-06:002019-11-10T04:04:26.178-06:00I'm glad you got treated and are recovering. M...I'm glad you got treated and are recovering. Miss D needs to remember that your grapes should now be peeled! :)Quartzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728493448992671955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-41388983193630255912019-11-09T13:14:12.898-06:002019-11-09T13:14:12.898-06:00Even those who think they're healthy should le...Even those who think they're healthy should learn the symptoms of a heart attack. If I hadn't known them I wouldn't be here today - I had the mild initial symptoms almost exactly a year ago, and called for immediate help. I died twice on the operating table.John Prigenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09354596223920007972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-56975591175156285222019-11-09T12:33:11.024-06:002019-11-09T12:33:11.024-06:00Happy to hear the medics got it sorted out for you...Happy to hear the medics got it sorted out for you, Peter. You are one of my go-to reads daily, want you hale and hearty for as long as possible! Selfish of me, I know.... Now maybe you can use your invalid status(!) To get that other African ex-pat (Law Dog) to scribble a tad, y'know, to take up some slack.... 😎 Kidding, but do get well , Padre, we can't spare the good men we have....John T. Blockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10878974023699762981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-75933445453760190492019-11-09T11:55:17.084-06:002019-11-09T11:55:17.084-06:00My goodness, I'm glad to hear that you're ...My goodness, I'm glad to hear that you're going to be alright! "Silent Heart Attacks"... what a scary grouping of words *that* is. I thank God that the doctors figured it out, and were able to remedy it.Bibliotheca Servarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11643412827583261562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-90884035459089036082019-11-09T06:43:43.853-06:002019-11-09T06:43:43.853-06:00Glad that all worked out thanks to the the advance...Glad that all worked out thanks to the the advances of modern surgery. Must have been a bit of a shock, so take care and give yourself the time you need to fully recover. Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13666947574653683678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-73958973284682639342019-11-09T05:44:52.218-06:002019-11-09T05:44:52.218-06:00@Robin Datta: It had probably become blocked some...@Robin Datta: It had probably become blocked some time before without my noticing, hence the "silent heart attack" label.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-71947939921065046832019-11-09T05:15:35.707-06:002019-11-09T05:15:35.707-06:00G-dspeed and good luck!G-dspeed and good luck!NITZAKHONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04110716447757507226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-29378970746109391162019-11-09T02:11:49.204-06:002019-11-09T02:11:49.204-06:00Glad you weathered the storm.🙏
If there's an...Glad you weathered the storm.🙏<br /><br />If there's any chest or arm discomfort, 'tain't "silent". <br /><br />Anyone who's worked in that area has a stash of stories on the subject. Could make quite a book, but the laity would miss the points, while it would bore those in the know.Robin Dattahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15358491380192365005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-59148249157846589382019-11-08T20:44:12.366-06:002019-11-08T20:44:12.366-06:00Beware of effects of wi-fi close to your body. Whe...Beware of effects of wi-fi close to your body. When using a tablet or phone (worse)<br />if it is turned on or in use near your heart it is of concern. Suggest you do some<br />research. I wound up in hospital from resting a laptop on my chest while watching<br />movies.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06203709938003689049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-88603764300678434962019-11-08T20:30:14.029-06:002019-11-08T20:30:14.029-06:00We are delighted to hear that you are OK!
Take it ...We are delighted to hear that you are OK!<br />Take it easy for as long as it takes.HMS Defianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10024721130102173694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-50392844645459350702019-11-08T16:30:19.639-06:002019-11-08T16:30:19.639-06:00Wow! Sorry to hear about that whole fire ants up t...Wow! Sorry to hear about that whole fire ants up the arm thing. Most definitely sounds unpleasant, and I don't know I would be able to handle it. Focus on the good news: they found and fixed a problem, so now we can torture you for awhile longer than if they hadn't. Sound good?PapaMAShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18390353515114715744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-30026574589470767562019-11-08T16:25:05.676-06:002019-11-08T16:25:05.676-06:00Glad to hear you have not passed into the good nig...Glad to hear you have not passed into the good night. Looking forward to the next release as I have enjoyed all the stories you have shared.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708868713277676628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-60319786381112092232019-11-08T16:03:09.139-06:002019-11-08T16:03:09.139-06:00Very good to hear you are doing OK.Very good to hear you are doing OK.lcfultonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05181178992301217912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-26694324379130776812019-11-08T15:21:34.584-06:002019-11-08T15:21:34.584-06:00Glad to hear you're recovering well. Three ye...Glad to hear you're recovering well. Three years ago, while moving out of my house, I had some odd things happening, so went to see my doc. Sent me to a cardiologist, who said "First we must have a stress test, and got started, and then said "NOPE! You'd fail." Set me up for a 4-leaf-cloverleaf 4-way bypass. Surgery Tuesday, released Saturday afternoon with a bottle of oxycodone. Sunday I woke up pain-free I've been fine ever since. Sam L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00996809377798862214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-23064079894759399372019-11-08T13:37:24.009-06:002019-11-08T13:37:24.009-06:00Hang in there! Do what the docs say. In moderatio...Hang in there! Do what the docs say. In moderation.<br />Glad you caught things BEFORE they got really bad.DaveShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688116113875695262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-13460425947617466592019-11-08T12:34:54.194-06:002019-11-08T12:34:54.194-06:00@Margaret Ball: Hey, if you're awake at 2 a.m...@Margaret Ball: Hey, if you're awake at 2 a.m. and can't get back to sleep, you may as well write!Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-83979678815940718862019-11-08T12:34:32.217-06:002019-11-08T12:34:32.217-06:00So very glad they caught the problem in time. Pray...So very glad they caught the problem in time. Prayers for a speedy recovery!SLeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03905511988533702135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-7497045011800014102019-11-08T12:30:28.744-06:002019-11-08T12:30:28.744-06:00You wrote a chapter and a half while going through...You wrote a chapter and a half while going through all this? Sheesh, Peter, you're making the rest of us look bad!Margaret Ballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18048775257764349955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-43394054793503523062019-11-08T12:08:45.915-06:002019-11-08T12:08:45.915-06:00Modern medicine is a wonderful thing.
Glad it wa...Modern medicine is a wonderful thing. <br /><br />Glad it was detected and aggressively investigated. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12822511906907583597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-50694800828077064532019-11-08T11:44:02.456-06:002019-11-08T11:44:02.456-06:00Glad it went well, and I could help out in a very ...Glad it went well, and I could help out in a very small way...Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.com