Mended Hearts Open Forum

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  • 1.  Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-24-2019 16:56
    I will admit that I had not been feeling well for a few weeks. But since my quadruple bypass surgery in July 2016 the struggle to recover and get some normancy's in my life has been very overwhelming. I basically have pain all day everyday. Somehow my diabetic neuropathy was multiplied by 100+ to where several specialist have all concluded that there is nothing that can be done to help me except for perhaps a spinal cord stimulator or medical marijuana. Now I know what your thinking what about Lyrica, Cymbalta etc. I had devastating reactions to most of the popular medications for diabetic neuropathy, so now I am classified as being allergic to them. I now have almost 12 allergic reactions to medications that I use to be able to take prior to my quadruple bypass surgery so I can no longer take those. Here is the list
    ampicillin, ranexa, Plavix, IV Dye (anaphylaxis), Lyrica, Cymbalta, Topamax, Tramodal, Codeine, Morphine, Venlafaxine, Gabapentin. My veins are so bad now that in order to find a vein they use the sonogram machine and then once they get it, the vein blows or only last a day. I get ports now to make it easier on me to get medication and blood drawn when in the hospital. 

    My neuropathy is so bad that to put on socks and shoes sends me into excruciating pain. Lets not talk about trying to walk. Its like walking on glass, being stabbed and my toes being mummified. This has been my life since I woke up from my quadruple bypass. But you are suppose to work out get active try and be mobile. I try not always successful but I try. Last year I joined my local recreational center and was doing 30 minutes a day. I felt good about it. I was making a step even with the pain and in the pain. I did water aerobics that was nice. I even became a accredited visitor with my local chapter 94 and for a while was visiting patients but then the PTSD set in and it was to much for me to see the patients.  I have always been the patient it was too real to see the patients more than what I could handle. I am happy to say that I now am a telephone visitor ( thanks Andrea).  Most days my pain in great not only in my feet but my scar pain is bad. I keloid horribly. 

    Since 2010 I have 5 heart attacks, 5 stents, 3 angioplasty, quadruple bypass surgery. I was told that my heart was so messy that my bypass had to be done backwards and that there was no more room to have any other heart procedures and definitely no open heart surgery. I am grateful to my surgeon at Washington Hospital Center he saved my life after 7 1/2 surgery. I found out during a stent placement that was allergic to the IV dye contrast while in surgery to prevent me from having a heart attack in 2014 that resulted in me going into anaphylaxis shock during the stent procedure and ending up on a respirator and being placed in a medically induced coma. Heart attack number 3 I woke up from my hysterectomy having a heart attack, I ended up with bowel and intestinal blockage and internal bleeding and so much more. I am such a survivor and blessed. God has continued to pull me through.

    So Monday they took me into cath lab. I was in heart failure one of my stents had closed up an angioplasty was done. I'm home recovering but I notice I have swelling in my left foot and I still feel shortness of breath with movement. I am sad that I have to go through this again. But I am happy that my life has been spared yet again. 

    I will tell you guys that yes I am type 2 diabetic, CAD, CHF, Chronic gerd, Hyperlipidemia, HTN but other than that I'm in perfect health.

    Mended hearts has been a god send. I am so grateful  to have such an extensive network of people to talk with and get information from.  I just needed to vent today. I am feeling kind of down. I love my chapter... Chapter 94 (Norm Linsky) awesome. All the wonderful people I met at last years conference.

    My attitude stays upbeat but today has not been a good day.  I am in need of any referrals for a therapist, ghost writer and any suggestions you guys may have on pain management, holistic treatments etc. I am looking for any and all advice.

    Thank you guys for listing and being a great support system. Mended Hearts ROCK

    Christine Torain
    Chapter 94


  • 2.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-25-2019 08:23
    Christine, 
    Glad that you are part of the group. You poor thing, you have had more than your share.  I hope you are on the mend and feeling at least a little better. We are all here for you to vent. You surely need to. That's why this group is here.
    if ever you need to talk, my phone answers 24/7. You take care. My prayers are for you. 
    Annettte

    ------------------------------
    annette smith
    saxonburg PA
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-25-2019 13:42
    Christine,
    I would agree with Annette, we are ALL here for anyone to vent, and share their feelings.
    Having survived three open heart surgeries, I too have had many challenges, both emotionally and physically.
    Truly, your God wants and needs you here.

    After waking up from all three surgeries, I thought that my God needed me also. He/She did not need me yet, but to stay on earth and teach, mentor,
    and volunteering, with children, United Way,...etc.
    I hope things become better for you, and remember, I will listen.
    Thank You,
    Ken Levine
    Middlebury, Vt.

































































































    ------------------------------
    ken levine
    volunteer, retired
    802-236-8186
    kenpaullevine@gmail.com
    Middlebury, Vermont
    05753
    United States of America
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-25-2019 18:55
    Annette

    Thank you so much. I will be calling you. It really means a lot to be able to talk with others who completely understand where I am.  And please keep me in your prayers.

    Christine

    ------------------------------
    Christine Torain
    Hyattsville MD
    (301) 559-2715
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-25-2019 19:32
    Anytime. Hope I can help. Just in case, I can't answer, leave a message and I will call you back. ♥️

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 6.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-26-2019 20:52
    Christine

    Hope you are feeling well.  Please let me know if I can be of any help to you.

    Regards

    Ash Ramamurty

    ------------------------------
    Ash Ramamurty
    Clarksville MD
    (443) 983-0351
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 03-04-2019 22:15
    Thanks

    Sent from my iPad




  • 8.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 04-15-2019 09:25
    Thanks

    Sent from my iPad




  • 9.  RE: Feeling Blue

    Posted 02-28-2019 11:08
    Hello Christine,
    What you are saying about Mended Hearts is the truth. It helps to get feed back from others. I can not tell you that I can relate to what all you have been through. All I can say is WOW, you are a strong woman and you are an inspiration.
    I can relate to the CABG X4 and having a keyloid scar afterwords. Mine drove me nuts for almost two years until I went to a plastic surgeon and had my scar revised. All but about 3/4 of an inch of scar tissue is now keyloid free. 
    You may not be able to have that done with your history, but it may be a possibility. My scar pain no longer wakes me up at night. Of course the scar might turn keyloid again. It is a possibility.
    Also sharing with other is a good idea. You vent to us all you want. We will be here to listen and offer support and prayers. Your positive attitude tell me and others we have no excuse not to get better. Thank you for sharing.
    Take care,

    Richard Short 
    Chapter 395