Ye ole Cafe

[IceWizard]

Wow... Some "epic" posts here today...

Fire ... I don't know how in the world you can remember all you do! When I look in the mirror, I have to wonder,"Who's THAT old guy!"

Anyway... My SO finally got approval for her test, they wanted 2 but good ole Molina said one was good enough.. Now she's tried to quit those cigs and again, Molina wouldn't approve Chantix, they said Zyban was good enough.. That sent her into orbit... I hid the rest of them for my own saftey... I think she's gonna try the old "nicotine gum trick"...

Yesterday she went for her MRI and today the doc called... Told her she had an enlarged "Aortic Root" at 4.2 or 4.3 ... Well you know me... I worry bout stuff, so I look it up... Says something along the lines of an "aneurysm" ... Great...

Now she's still puffin away... She takes BP meds and some kinda stuff to slow her "hummingbird" heart rate down a bit... I'm not liken this one little bit...

They want yet another test ... Let's see how long Molina waits this time... Maybe they think if they wait long enough, she won't need the dang thing!

Sorry to rant... I just found all this out 'bout an hour ago and I'm not really happy atm...

Like my G-paw always said,"Things will get better... Or they won't.."

Ice

[Charon]

I am so sorry Ice. But, whereas please read about it, and encourage SO to quit and help herself also, I would not worry, my friend.

Prayers go up daily at five am. Shall pray for u and SO every time I see ur name today.

Let's see what God will do? And, may she have favor with doctors. Grant them wisdom to help Ice's SO, lord, I pray.

Grant her healing. And grant both of them peace. (sorry to morning coffee drinkers. had to get some prayer in here today. Many issues.)

[Linville]

Well Ice I hope the reports get better and wow I can understand the worry because that is what I would do too.
I agree with Charon.
Hoping the best for you buddy

[IceWizard]

Thanks y'all... Prayers do work! My pop was actually a preacher, so I do know where to lay my problems... It's always in his hands...

But I do have to say, it means so much knowin that folks from everywhere wish us the best in bad times... That's why I love you guys so much...

Thanks friends..

Ice

[willie33]

Good afternoon, friends.

IceWizard, you and your SO are in my prayers. Maybe the nicotine gum will help her to quit the cigs. I certainly understand your worry.

B2G, you are in my prayers, also. I admire your dedication to your family and how you still stay so active. Staying active is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Fire, I am going to see my primary doctor later this month to talk about my tests on RA. I didn't show positive for the rheumatoid factor but had an elevated C reactive protein that just shows some inflammation is going on in my body. I don't really know what that means. I am going to talk about my pain management options with her then.

She had also put me on high blood pressure medication three months ago - my blood pressure has been high for at least 5 years and last checkup it was 161/110. So I will see if the medicine is helping.

I went to the dermatologist yesterday to check on an abnormal growth on my shoulder and he cut it off and is having a biopsy done. I am really having pain from the trip today and staying in bed. He doesn't think it is anything to worry about - but I wanted to remind all of you to seriously wear sunscreen.

Fire, thanks for thinking of me. You are always so supportive to everyone.

I can't mention everyone by name but I want you all to know you are in my thoughts everyday. You are my adopted family and I care for all of you. Have a blessed day!

[Charon]

u mean i am adopted? oh, just messing with u, willie.

(feel better. Let us know about the growth they removed. I keep you all in prayer.)

[willie33]

Charon, you are always so supportive of everybody, too. I appreciate you so much.

[Spanky]

Sorry to hear about your heart problems Back. 

I was struck when you said it felt like an elephant was sitting on your chest.  I have an ex gal friend who said the exact same words at a point.  She ended up with a triple bypass.  I got her one of those large recliners that extend and lift you to a standing position for her recovery. Those are cool.  
Heart stuff is as confusing as cancer stuff sometimes.  She had the triple done, then was advised she should get a stint--had to open you up at that time for a stint.  The stint guy said she'd never needed the bypass, should sue the doc who specialized in bypass surgery, and most people require stints later anyway.  The stint guy should've just kept his trap shut, why tell someone that once it's done, unless the bypass guy acted irresponsibly or unethically.  But, he hadn't, in either case.  He was within bounds.  Wish those guys could get their specialties straight. 

I need to do my own exit planning.  I have a friend who specializes, for vets.  He sent me instructions that are legal and not that complicated, and amount to ultimately leaving instructions in a paper bag in plain view.  I know that sounds oversimplified, but he is an expert in estate liquidation, checking out, etc.

I carry a Neptune card, i.e., a card that says cremate me at the nearest participating oven.  I have an international clause that would supposedly take care of me in another country.  You've done such a good job, it shames me that I've not left instructions on disposition of my RV and accounts.  On my list, bumped it up now.    

Wish you the best,

Spanky

[Linville]

This seems like a random thought but someone was concerned about this being a good morning thread and thought talking on other cares / concerns was off topic.....don't worry about that.

It is okay, to talk of more than good morning ....Not a problem...

It hasn't been mentioned lately, but when we started this thread, we all thought that a Cafe' could be a place to stop by anytime of the day or night and chat about anything so it is OKAY to do so, IMO.

That's life.

We are all a part of this and in the rules of the forum, it says this;

Rule #27. Stay like a family. Don’t dishearten or offend any other members with harsh words. We welcome you all as a family.

You know I think this is a wonderful place to talk.    

 ...whatever is on your mind just like a coffee shop where you might meet in the evening and not be saying good morning.

Even though that is what happens here a lot, saying Good Morning, it isnt all that this thread is for, so refer to rule #27 and continue creating a community....to be proud of.

Welcome to all the newer folks !    Hope if anyone felt like they were off topic this might help. 

( Ice , Charon, others chime in if I have missed something or needs clarified better, please. )

[Rose5555]

Sorry to hear about your discs and heart attack B2G! I had read somewhere else on this site that you had problems with your discs but never knew you had had a major heart attack. Can't imagine how that must have been. If you don't mind me asking, do you know what caused it? - feel free to not answer.

I_S, Fireplaces, Rose555, thank you for your concern - It is very much appreciated, but quite unnecessary :-)

I woke up one morning barely able to breathe, it felt like there was an elephant sitting on my chest.  No other side effects such as numbness or shooting pains in my arms or legs, but I couldn't get enough air in my lungs to summon the energy to sit up.  My wife and I sleep in separate bedrooms (because I'm a snoring monster), she's upstairs and I'm in the basement, so I was lucky I keep my cell phone right next to me every night (never know when I'll be called in to work).  I was able to use the cell phone to dial 911, which scared my wife to death, as you might imagine, she had no idea what was going on in my room, and it was 5AM, and up roll a fire truck, an ambulance, and a police car, their occupants banging on the door.

The EMTs couldn't figure out how to best stabilize me other than to put me on oxygen, and the ER doctor kept me on that while he did an angiogram and blood work.  He seemed both surprised and interested at the results - My cholesterol (LDL and HDL) were right in the normal range, there were no blockages in my coronary arteries, yet 1/4 of the right side of my heart was covered with scar tissue, indicating I had had a heart attack some time ago and never noticed it. He brought in a cardiac specialist to confer, and what they found after seemingly endless tests was that the heart attack itself was at least three years in the past, based on the scar tissue, but they did eventually narrow down the cause of it - What I have is pulmonary hypertension, a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.

Shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pressure are symptoms.

The condition worsens over time, it does not improve, but medications and oxygen therapy help lessen symptoms and improve quality of life.  Not to "woe is me" or create drama where none is necessary, but the condition is almost certainly going to ensure I don't live to a ripe old age...Which is why I carry so much bloody expensive life insurance on myself as well as sock everything possible into the 401K and make extra payments against the principal on our mortgage...If the worst happens, our house will be paid off, and my wife will have an annuity established that will actually pay her more on a monthly basis than I make now - Plus, she won't have any bills...All of the plastic is in my name, so she can just sent them a death certificate and voila - Debt free, home paid for, and an annuity that will take care of her for more years than she likely has remaining, which will split into three smaller annuity accounts (one for each of our kids) when Thanatos comes for her.

And as Forrest Gump might say, "That's all I have to say about that".

Best,

- b2g

Excellent post in every way. 
Obviously I'm not saying your condition is excellent but how you have faced it head on AND set your SO up for life, if the worst case scenario happens, is very admirable!

I entirely agree; it absolutely sucks that you have had to deal with such a serious health issue in your life - but my goodness, you are dealing with it so well, so thoroughly and so sensibly. That's what counsellors will always tell you; you can't affect what happens to you, only the way you react to it. I am full of admiration for you because of how you are dealing with this unfair blow.