Army buddy, My bride, Prayers
My Army buddy John from Piedmont, SC called me tonight and we had a good talk. He reminded me that every living thing on this earth has to die eventually, even the mighty old oak tree in my back yard in Virginia. We were in the late '61 basic/ait class from Ft Jackson. When it was all done, all John and I could do was sit on our duffel bags without orders. Half our company went to Korea and half to Germany. Down the Company street came the 1st Sgt. with orders in his hand for the last two of his troops. "Guess what fellas, you are going to West Point." Of course John thought WP Georgia and I thought WP Virginia and of course it turned out to be the USMA at West Point, NY. John and I have been friends all these years.
My bride of 58 years is in the hospital again. She had a stroke about six years ago and took a hard fall. Left knee was successfully replaced but at this point she could not tolerate the right knee replacement. Several urinary infections in past three years and Pneumonia two maybe three times. She had a large tumor in her left lung and they accessed it from her windpipe and took out what they could about a year and half ago. I called 911 Wed because she was so weak and coughed all night the night before . Ems thought vitals were ok but no need to transport to hospital. I insisted and off she went to hospital. Next day coughed up some blood and pulmonologist thinks its coming from tumor. They did what they could at local hospital and yesterday they transported her to Westchester Medical Center. She has had two cat scans since last procedure with no major growth shown. Friday night is a bad time to arrive at another hospital. They did not even know why she was there and finally around 11pm she got a bite to eat and was admitted. My daughter is trying so hard to get the house doctors or the doctor that performs the procedure to call us. I suspect the Doctor that performs this procedure is a rare bird.
I have been my wife's caretaker for about five years now I guess. Fellas and ladies too, if you are so inclined please say a prayer for my Sweetheart, Diane-------------Ray
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Diane is in recovery and my daughter just passed Kingston, NY and on her way to Westchester Medical Center. Surgeon said he cleaned up blood clots and cauterized tumor. Nurse said she is doing good but can't go back to her room until she has a chest x-ray. Tumor was not blocking airway this time and i don't know if surgeon took more of the tumor off.
Thank you folks so much for praying for my sweetheart. I know your prayers made a difference. ---------------------------Ray
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Praying and hoping for a great outcome!
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Prayers.
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Ruger4me: 30432796445723/comments/
Praying and hoping for a great outcome!
Same thoughts here.
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The tumor is called Primary Atypical Carcinoid. Diane was a smoker for many years but usually non-smokers get them. They are rare. In addition to removing blood clots and cauterizing the tumor they did in fact remove some of it. Believe the surgeons call that debulking. ---------------------Ray
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They got Diane's heart rate down and white cell count is better now, O2 is better also. She has blood clots in both legs because they had to stop blood thinner for procedure. In-activity probably did not help either. She was on heparin but is now back on her Xeralto blood thinner. Clot in legs situation is improving some. She is very weak and they are trying to get her in for rehab. I have automatic running board on Ram and made her a custom step stool but she is just too weak for me to transport. Hopefully they will have more news tomorrow about rehab. Sounds like Medicare will pay for 50 miles in Ambulance.
On top of everything her cell phone broke middle of last week and she has to use Hospital house landline phone. Because I never had the vaccine shots they won't let me see her. I was sending her pictures and texting which helped to cheer her up a little. -----------Ray
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Glad to hear things for her are somewhat better, I saw something yesterday about NYC having to hire back the first responders they fired for not getting the shot, maybe the hospital will change their policy soon. Hang in there Ray and prayers from here continue.
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I continue to lift you up in prayer.
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Keep us posted, Ray, as you're able. Prayers from SW Virginia.
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They discharged Diane today from Westchester Medical Center after about two weeks. Transported to rehab center of nursing home in Orange County. by ambulance. She was really beat up from all the test/procedure at Westchester and the blood thinner just makes things look twice as bad.
The sign in is quite extensive and everyone has to take the rapid covid-19 antigen home test. They come in a box with 2 tests. My daughter has the certificate for the shots but they don't care, you still must take the rapid test.
Diane has been in the Hospital at least four times since this virus thing started and i was never allowed to see her because I have never been jabbed. Once again I say it is a cruel/evil policy. I was overwhelmed that i was allowed to see and hug my sweetheart this time. They gave me lots of test kits so that I can come back and visit her.
She has some kind of reaction that the doctors at Westchester don't have a handle on I believe. Her feet get very red with a lot of pain. She gets pain in ears, throat, neck, and head. The pain in the feet is the last thing to subside. This has happened three or four times over the past six weeks or so. My daughter has been studying and it seems the tumor produces a hormone that might cause this but the doctors don't seem to know what is causing these symptons. (sp) Tylenol seems to help some.
They changed her discharge time several times and here I sit with a lot of O2 equipment that i don't think she now needs. Never even used one that came up with ambulance.
Tomorrow I start my search for a new cell phone for Diane. It got destroyed in Westchester.------------------------------------------Ray
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So happy you got to see her. Prayers continue for you both.
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Keep having faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Know that he holds you tight, with his ever lasting love. Our thoughts and prayers for Diane.
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Prayers from here Ray.
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My prayers continue for you both.
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Ray,
A friend of ours was having the same problem with her feet. To the point she could not walk. If they have not already done so and if she can take it ask them about “gabapentin”.
It helped our friend. I will keep Diane and you in my prayers.
Greg
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SW0320: 30432796445723/comments/
Ray,
A friend of ours was having the same problem with her feet. To the point she could not walk. If they have not already done so and if she can take it ask them about “gabapentin”.
It helped our friend. I will keep Diane and you in my prayers.
Greg
Thanks for the tip. Did the friend also have the other symptoms that i mentioned? Thank you. ----------Ray
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When I was working in the pharmaceutical research industry, I was involved with one of the initial trials for an analogue of gabapentin called pregabalin. It was being studied for use in HIV patients experiencing neuropathy caused by the anti viral regimens. My clinical trial experience was in the area of HIV medications.
Fast forward about 10 years..............I had a hip replacement surgery and the surgeon damaged my sciatic nerve. I was put on a pretty large dose of gabapentin to relieve the "electric schocks"........."pins and needles"...........and general nerve pain. I really can't say whether it worked or not because 3 years out I still have issues. I probably won't ever be able to run again because of the nerve damage. But I can walk normally.
Just read the data sheet on the adverse events............especially the serious adverse events..........before taking any "breakthrough drug"
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I will add that gabapentin did not ever, in any way, affect my ability to function normally and rationally............it's not an intoxicating type of drug.
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mohawk600, sounds like good advice. My daughter had a serious back operation about 15 years ago and had pain all over ,even before the operation. She has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and a central nervous system disorder. I took her everywhere looking for the answer to her pain. You could not even touch her skin. So many doctors not a clue even insulting some time. She finally got some help with a controlled substance by a doctor who knows what the hell he is doing. She lives a normal life now. I am sorry, I don't know the name of the drug but if anyone needs to know ,I can find out.---------Ray
Update: I called my daughter upstate. They give her Duloxotine and Pregabelin
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4205raymond: 30432796445723/comments/
https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11358114#Comment_11358114
Thanks for the tip. Did the friend also have the other symptoms that i mentioned? Thank you. ----------Ray
Our friend mostly had the problems with her feet. She was in a fairly high does i thing 600-800 mg. The only side effect she had was drowsiness.
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Another Update: Diane was transported home on October 17th. I was disappointed with progress at Nursing Home Rehab. PT leader tried but I was not happy with rest of staff. I am doing the best I can with the hand I was dealt. My daughter stayed two days with Diane when she was transported. I am now paying transporting fees to get her to her doctor appointments. She requires my help 24/7. I moved my bed downstairs because of her mobility problems and i sleep next to her at night in her lift chair after I get her in bed.
Medicare would only pay for first 20 days of rehab and I would have been forced to pay $195.50 per day for days 21-100. Who the Hell can afford that. Blue Cross would not pay it and I guess I am not poor enough for Medicaid. I think I will get two visits of PT per week in home for a while. Hopefully we can get Diane back on her feet and she can tolerate Radiation.
Smitty, I am so sorry about your Miss June as this was the day she went to Heaven. Please remember all the good times you had together.
I will drop in from time to time as time allows. ---------------------------Ray
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Appreciate the update. Prayers continue Ray.
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God Bless you all.
I will add, that I tried to re-connect with some Army Buddy's that meant a lot to me and I wanted to tell them that, over the last few years. Only to find out that guy's younger than I am, had passed unexpectedly. Don't put off tracking down/talking/telling those you love what they mean to you.
I regret not being able to tell my friends that.
Prayers offered up for you Ray.
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Keep hanging in there Ray, prayers continue for you both.
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Prayers
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Prayers will continue.
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You and Diane continue to be in my prayers.
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Update: Transported Diane to cardiologist today at 3pm and her pulse rate was 148 and BP was too low. Feet still swollen and she was out of breath. We had to transport her back to hospital and they will admit her after all the testing and they get a room for her.
My daughter Heather had to leave me as it is over 2 hour drive back to her home in Delaware County and she is a horse person. They require a lot of care.
I have slept by my wife's side for 8 days without undressing. I can't sleep at night for worrying. They put her back on cardizem (sp) and it helped her shortness of breath. My daughter brought me home from Emergency Room because i had not eaten or drank the whole day. I am mentally and physically exhausted. Once again I can't visit my wife because I would not be Jabbed. At the Nursing Home Rehab I was tested each day and they let me in.
I will have to lay low for awhile and not comment on the Forum. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. -------------------------------------Ray
ADD: Almost 18 hours and still waiting for bed/room. Things are getting bad out there in the ER.
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More prayers, Ray.
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You and Diane contine to be in my prayers. Take care of yourself or you will be useless. Bathe, eat, pray and rest.
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