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Monday, March 17, 2014

The latest with John

Happy St. Patrick's Day. Yes, I am wearing green, so no pinching.

Well, we got an answer on John's right leg swelling. That started about a month ago, and he dealt with it at the 50 Freaks party by mostly remaining seated in the room parties, because standing around made it worse. He also brought ice-packs, and we traded off with them (sometimes on his leg, sometimes on my butt). He went to the doctor about it, but was told it was simply a circulation complication due to his heart problems. They gave him a diuretic and told him to keep it elevated as often as possible. Not very convenient.

It didn't get better, and he thought it was a little weird that it was just one leg, not both. So on Friday, he went to the doctor again. First, the doc (a different one this time) tried to pass it off as the circulation thing, but when John kept insisting he thought it was something else, they did a sonogram.

John has a blood clot in his right leg, just above the knee.

UGH.

They put him on Coumadin (a blood thinner). This week he has to go in three times, and after that, once a week, to monitor his blood and make sure the drug levels are correct. He can no longer take Advil or aspirin for his arthritis pain, just Tylenol. The blood clot will self-resolve, but it takes time. It's a fairly common thing, but it can be dangerous, even lethal, if it detaches and travels to the heart.

So now, along with a malfunctioning heart valve and as-yet untreated sleep apnea (he's still in the process of being tested for the oral device; he goes to yet another sleep study in two weeks), he has a blood clot. The trifecta. 

This man used to be the picture of health and strength. The same man who used to cycle for miles now puffs and pants when he goes up one flight of stairs. It makes me sad. And there is little that's more frustrating than the snail's pace and balking of the medical system.

Bottom line: Don't get sick, people. Never get sick.

John is in good spirits, considering. He's happy to have answers, to know that there are cures and relief ahead at some point. This past weekend, he was tired, but chipper, making jokes and being his usual silly self. We laughed a lot and had fun, visiting a good friend in West Hollywood, taking her to dinner for a belated birthday gift and then sitting out in her yard, in front of a fire pit, talking and watching her cat's antics.

I am doing my best to stay positive, to not let my mind wander into worst-case scenarios. For the moment, things are under control with John. Far from ideal, but we're hoping for the best. 

Meanwhile, I am dying to see Steve. Tomorrow morning cannot come too soon. It's been two weeks, and I'm definitely in need.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. 

21 comments:

  1. Ugh. Please send John our best! If there's anything we can do to help, don't hesitate to ask.

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  2. Happy St. Patricks Day to you. May you be wearing all the green, except on your bare bottom. which should remain red as possible from those spankings you get from Steve.
    Good health wishes for John. XXX Luv ya

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  3. Hey Sweetie,

    I'm so sorry that John is still not doing well. Please give him a hug for me. You know how to get ahold of me if you need to vent to somebody.

    <3

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  4. Craig -- at this point, John basically needs a new body, which no one can give him. (sigh) But thank you.

    Six -- I am currently wearing a green workout top. About half the people in the gym today were wearing green.

    Beth -- thanks, sweet girl. Will pass the hugs onto him.

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  5. What a smart man to be persistent and in tune with his body. I'm glad he found answers. Knowing my impatience level, I can only imagine how you feel about the time it will take for his relief to be effective.

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  6. My daughter is having her gall bladder out in a few days. Went to hospital in agony Friday night. Doctor tried to lecture her on fatty fried food only to be told she does not eat it. (She has lost 20kg recently). Bloody know all!
    John

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  7. Kelly -- it really is maddening, waiting and wondering. But I'm glad he's taking care of business.

    John -- ugh. I'm sorry; best wishes for her recovery!

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  8. Hi Erica -- I am very sorry to hear about John :-( But I am glad he finally got some answers, Please send John my BEST. I am here for you both if you need anything.I can't wait to read about you and Steve.Sending you and John much Love and hugs from naughty girl Jade

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. She said the attack was more painful than both her natural births.
      Thought she was having a heart attack. She is only 36.
      John

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  9. Jade -- thank you. :-) I can't wait to write something fun.

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  10. My thoughts are with John.

    Hug,
    joey

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  11. Fun or not so fun, I read all your posts. I appreciate you keep us up on how John is doing. I think he will be ok now that he is taking care of things. Besides, he has a beautiful lady by his side.

    Sending good thoughts.

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  12. Send my best wishes to John.. glad you found this particular problem, that could have been so dangerous!

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  13. Sending positive thoughts for John.
    On the negative side this is just further proof that you really have to advocate for yourself and keep pushing; glad he did.
    Try to stay on the positive side and live in the moment (I know easier said than done, but keep at it).

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  14. joey -- you're sweet. Thank you.

    Bobbie Jo -- I hope you're right. At least he's being proactive. I can't help but wish that he would be even more so, but he only has so much time and energy.

    John -- yes, it really could. Scary!

    Enzo -- I'm trying, I promise. Steve will be here soon to deliver me a bit of release and sanity. And yes, in today's medical climate, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

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  15. I hope he is ok, god I hate getting sick, I agree, I try to ignore it all......

    Hope you had fun!
    Always
    Ron

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  16. Ron -- you shouldn't. It doesn't go away, sadly.

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    Replies
    1. I know Erica but well, if I ignore, it is easier.
      Always
      Ron

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  17. Really sorry to read thuis, Erica. Hopefully he'll be in better shape really soon!
    Hugs

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  18. MrJ -- thank you. Time will tell.

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  19. Thank you for this update, Erica, and my very very best to John-- and to you. Dealing with Medicine can be tremendously exasperating. Last year during Dad's stroke everyone kept saying, "Time is of the essence! Time is of the essence! Okay, then, we'll see how he looks sometime tomorrow." And yet, what else can you do? So I'm eager to hear how they got their scrubs-covered asses in gear and got John fixed up.

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