MetaChat - ... the idiots forgot to duck.

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30 December 2008

... the idiots forgot to duck. I survived the heart cath but I'm not well. →[More:] After the routine diagnostic procedure, the doc told me that to continue carried significant risk. I told him to go for it. He alerted the ER and the number of assisting staff doubled. My personal attendant began pumping morphine into my arm every ten minutes without even asking.

Yes, pips, he stuck the balloon pump in me for the duration, 5 1/2 hours total. There was a lot of pain and although I was conscious the entire time, I don't remember much about the last hour.

Other new technology permitted him to place two stents in areas that were inaccessible to doctors two years ago. As he put it though, I'm "not getting a hell of a lot" of flow. I will learn more after next week's follow-up.

Right now, I feel sick and weak. I have slept most of the day. I will have to see what tomorrow brings.

post by: Ardiril at: 16:47 | 32 comments

(((Ardiril)))

How awful for you. I hope you start to feel better very soon.

posted by gomichild 30 December | 17:00

I am hoping that every day you feel a bit better. That blood flow is increased, and you will get stronger now.

((hug))

posted by danf 30 December | 17:08

Gadzooks. I am sorry you are going through this. I hope they can increase the flow.

posted by craniac 30 December | 17:32

(((Ardiril))) I send you warm hugs and good vibes.

posted by MonkeyButter 30 December | 17:35

Ah, gross, that sounds miserable, bud. HUGE hugs to you.

posted by BoringPostcards 30 December | 17:37

Ow....big fluffy bunny hugs to you...yeesh.

posted by bunnyfire 30 December | 17:47

So good to hear from you, sir... I had a feeling something was wrong. I hope you're feeling stronger soon.

The heart pump/assist device I've been hearing about is one that stays in, long term. There's even one that takes over heart function completely (no heart beat, but very much alive). Perhaps neither of these apply in your case, though? Some more info. here.

Feel better, my friend.

posted by Pips 30 December | 18:17

That's terrible. Here is a cat hug for you.
≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by arse_hat 30 December | 18:19

Here's to your hopefully improving health.

posted by caddis 30 December | 18:26

(((Ardiril))) My mum has re-occuring heart problems (although not as serious as yours, it seems), so I know how draining and exhausting and miserable it can be when the ol' pump just doesn't work right. I hope you are well, if not in body then in spirit; and if not in spirit at least in future hopes.

posted by muddgirl 30 December | 18:33

More nosiness: I assume bypass/more bypass is also unavailable? Are you on the transplant list? (Jon says you have to wait till he's dead to have his heart -- I wouldn't touch the lungs or liver, though.) Maybe a heart pump could buy you some time? Don't mean to be intrusive... I'm one of those annoyingly obsessive researchers with any medicle condition, mine or someone else's.

Please forgive, and again, feel better. And eat your jell-o : )

posted by Pips 30 December | 18:34

((((((((((Ardiril)))))))))) Feel better soon, and I hope you get good news soon.

posted by redvixen 30 December | 18:36

Owie owie. Rest well and let your strength come back. How miserable! Hoping for rapid improvement.

posted by Miko 30 December | 18:40

Oof. Sending good vibes your way.

posted by chewatadistance 30 December | 19:04

pips, the pump or a transplant are not easy questions to answer since I am on Medicare. I wouldn't have afforded the Medicare pre-pay yesterday if I hadn't had.the SocSec lump sum check, and I cannot imagine my private insurance waiting much longer to demand what is left of that.

From now on, the only way I will be able to get preventive procedures of this magnitude is by way of the ER. Medicare's deductibles and pre-pays are way more than someone on disability can afford. I get the impression that for many people Medicare is worthless for much more than routine office visits, and the only alternative is to show up at the ER and force the hospital into action.

posted by Ardiril 30 December | 19:28

Oh geez. I hope it all "kicks in" and you get to feeling better, Ardiril.

posted by deborah 30 December | 19:33

I'm hugging one of my cats a little too tight and hoping the hug transfers to you.

posted by jamaro 30 December | 19:55

Not to put a damper on the well wishes, deborah and everyone, because I really do appreciate them, but I moved beyond feeling better long ago. Right now I am trading feeling worse for living for another year or two. Yesterday turned into a 60-40 proposition and I didn't ask in which direction.

No wonder I've been itching to get back to Vegas. One of these days I will throw all caution to the winds, and throw my own wake. Everyone's invited; pants are optional. ;-P

posted by Ardiril 30 December | 19:57

`*huge, big hug*

posted by By the Grace of God 30 December | 20:19

Could you maybe improve your sitch by marrying a female MeChazen?

posted by Eideteker 30 December | 20:50

Err, Canadian MeChazen female.

posted by Eideteker 30 December | 20:50

Hugs for sure. Fucking "health""care" system.

posted by Stewriffic 30 December | 22:22

Oh, Ardiril. Big hugs to you, honey. And a big fuck you to Medicare, who should probably consider a name change.

I'd definitely meet y'all in Vegas for a no-pants Ardiril celebration.

posted by elizard 30 December | 22:36

Shit.

Be well, man.

posted by jason's_planet 30 December | 22:49

I'm surprised to hear that about Medicare (Medicaide yes, but I didn't realize there were such difficulties with Medicare, other than with prescription drugs). They paid huge bills for my mom's knee and hip replacements and my father's colon cancer and my brother's months in the hospital. I know they had the AARP supplemental insurance, too, so maybe that made the difference. I just wish there were more to do.

Well, big hugs to you, doll, and, in your honor, I'm not wearing pants the rest of the week.

posted by Pips 30 December | 23:57

*hugs*

posted by brujita 31 December | 01:36

(((Big hugs )))

posted by Wilder 31 December | 06:29

((((hugs))))

posted by TrishaLynn 31 December | 08:11

(((another hug here)))

posted by rainbaby 31 December | 08:56

(((Ardiril)))

posted by halonine 31 December | 10:57

(((Ardiril)))

posted by Doohickie 31 December | 11:27

Well, fuck. BIG HUGS.

posted by deborah 31 December | 14:20

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