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Barbs in the hospital

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Posted 7/2/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I just spoke with Barb a little earlier and she had been having chest pains yesterday. The pains became more intense last night. Today she had a neighbor take her to the er. The er drs. ran a ekg and decided she needed to stay for more test and to observe her over night. This is all i really know at this point, i do have her room phone number so if any of you would like to call her and please keep her in your thoughts and prayers 301 319 8448. I'll update with more info as i get it or call her and i'm sure she'd love to hear from you all . I hope everyone having a low pain day, take care .

   Kay

Posted 7/2/2009 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
((((((((((((barb)))))))))))) Koenraad and I are keeping you always in our thoughts and prayers!
Posted 7/2/2009 6:40 AM (GMT 0)
In prayers.... THANKS FOR LETTING US KNOW.
Posted 7/2/2009 8:04 AM (GMT 0)

Barb: My thoughts and prayers are with you.  I hope you'll be feeling a little better and will be released soon.

Cass

Posted 7/2/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Barb, My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Posted 7/2/2009 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Barb, you are in my thoughts and prayers as always. I hope you feel better!

Donna

Posted 7/2/2009 5:48 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for the info auntkay. She had called me yesterday but I missed the call and she said she couldn't use her cell phone on the floor. Anyway I just got off the phone with her. She is in quite a lot of pain and they are putting her on an iv drip of either morphine or demerol. My brain is not doing well today. Anyway she has the problem that she has dealt with for years with getting fluid and inflamation around her heart. I have problems with scientific names if it gets passed a hang nail but you get the gest of what I'm talking about. She was told if this doesn't clear up they will have to cut a window and drain it. which is heart surgery. We lost one of our own last year to this so we need to keep possitive thoughts and prayers coming her way.

For those who are celebrating I wish you a day with no pain.

Posted 7/2/2009 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Barb has a fairly extreme case of pericarditis (inflammation of the fibrous sac surrounding the heart). The echo cardiogram showed fluid building up inside the heart sac which is causing her a great deal of pain. She's been waiting on pain meds since about 6 am (it's now almost 4 pm)...military hospitals are a b-i-t-c-h.

The plan is pain meds, prednisone, and laysics (sp? to dry up the fluid).

If that doesn't help, they will try draining the fluid. During this procedure, called pericardiocentisis, a thin hollow needle is carefully inserted through the chest wall into the area of accumulated fluid, and the fluid is drained through the needle. Often, a little rubber "drain" is left in place for about a day to allow continuous drainage.

Please keep Barb and her drs (& the slow pharmacy) in mind,
Posted 7/2/2009 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my gosh... how awful for her. This is not the first time I have heard of hospital staff taking their time getting pain meds to the patients. I don't have a hx of pericarditis but I have heard it is really painful.

I hope that she has gotten the relief by now. Please let her know I'm thinking of her. She has just had too much to bear already, Bless her heart.
Posted 7/2/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Alright Lynnwood. Showoff! turn
Posted 7/3/2009 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the updates. I'm praying for you, Barb and I hope the docs and pharmacy get you better settled and that the lasix works and the fluid goes. Just taking the lasix can be awful. I will pray you get through that with no side effects and that they are checking your potassium and electolytes alot when you are on it. I hope you dont have to have yet another painful procedure. I hope this clears up. Much love to you and your family. I hope at least they have good cable tv.
Posted 7/3/2009 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone, for keeping us informed.

Barb, I had no idea you had such a bad case of pericarditis, and I hate to hear that you're back in the hospital. Hopefully by now you've gotten your pain meds and are feeling a bit better.

You don't seem to get a break. Hang in there Barb.

Pat
Posted 7/3/2009 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Got a fresh "Barb report" a few minutes ago. She *finally* got the pain meds yesterday and sounds much better today.

Looks like the lasix is helping, Barb had another echo cardiogram that showed the fluid is decreasing. She reports many bathroom trips to dump fluid. :-)

Barb is hoping to be released tomorrow (Saturday) for home...just in time as it sounds like her husband has caught the flu. When it rains it pours!
Posted 7/4/2009 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so glad you are doing better, Barb, and getting ready to go backhome. I hope you don't get the flu! Maybe you can get some masks. I hope you have a happy 4th, and thanks Lynnwood for the update!
Posted 7/5/2009 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone:

Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers.  I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know I'm home from the hospital.  I've had myself a shower and will shortly climb into my nest and stay there.  I'll have to see my Rheumy and Internist this week.  I have Remicade next week.  Thanks for being there for me and I appreciate you all so much.  I'll post later when I feel stronger.

Love,

Barb

Posted 7/5/2009 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hurrah! Hurray! Barb's back home! :-)
Posted 7/5/2009 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
((((((((((((Barb))))))))))))) so glad you are home!
Posted 7/5/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you are home....
Posted 7/6/2009 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
So glad you are home!!!
Posted 7/6/2009 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
So happy your home!
Posted 7/7/2009 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
(((((Barb)))))

So very happy you are out of the hospital and home!

Donna

Posted 7/7/2009 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Barb,

I hope that by now you're all tucked in and snuggled up. And I hope you feel better.

Love,

Pat
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