Trading Time for Memories in Boyer world

I arrive at Washington Hospital center having gone all around the mulberry bush, through DC. It is a big place and we make a few circles before finding the correct front door. We wind our way through the hallways to find ourselves in the DMV. Wait no it was admissions. But the queue process was the same, as was the cheery expressions worn by those in the queue. LOL Now back in the catheter lab, in my bay, I get to meet all my nurses. They are great as expected. I get to put on my gown. The style is typical, but I look great in it. Thinking that next Christmas we do our Christmas card portrait in hospital gowns.  I do feel somewhat nervous. I recall a bible verse: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God  which transcends all understanding will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. That's good medicine.  Just signing my release to be filmed. I will be...

Cork day is coming up on 26FEB16 The Treatment Plan At the hospital there was a lot of discussion about what the best treatment plan would be. The options boiled down to 2 basic approaches, based on the mechanics of a stroke.  For a stroke to occur, two conditions are necessary: There must be a blood clot AND The clot must be in the brain It follows then that a stroke can be prevented by: Preventing blood clots from forming OR Keeping blood clots out of the brain The first approach is to prevent clots from forming by medically lowering the body’s ability to form clots, i.e. taking blood thinners. Of course the body needs some ability to clot in the case of cuts and nose bleeds, so doctors must find a balance that prevents their patient from bleeding to death or clotting to death.  Patients on blood thinners will bruise more easily and will bleed longer when they get cut. In most cases patients will alter their lifestyles to minimize their cut, fall...

Chapter 3 This Chapter is dedicated to all the beautiful nurses that made my stay at the hospital so much better including but not limited to Suzy Stuecker, Bob O’Brahim, Jackie Jackson, Anne Weller, and Tabitha Sunday morning comes in the ICU and indeed it is a new day. My vision is nearly back to normal. I have a low grade headache, and nausea. I have a liquid diet, but I don’t want to eat anyways. Most importantly there is Bob. Ann had gone home and was replaced by Tabitha who stayed while I slept. Bob takes over for Tabitha. Ironically Bob went to elementary school at the same school as my mother. Bob works to prove Ann's promise that your nurse is your best friend. He eventually secures my release from my prison bed and helped me take my first faltering steps to the rest room. Thank you Jesus. Bob is a great communicator. Me being a rookie at almost being disabled, the ICU, and being in bed prison, Bob explains everything that is going on and answers...

1:46PM Lydia calmly called Lynne and told her the only thing she knew, that I was likely experiencing vertigo and leaving for the hospital in an ambulance. Abigail was just heading onto the court to play indoor “field” hockey; Lynne called her back and they headed back home. Once home, Lynne squared things away and was back out the door on her way to the hospital. At 2:25 I arrived in the emergency room. At 2:45 Nurse's note: Patient not answering simple questions appropriately, patient will not open eyes At 2:51 Doctors note: Although I think of myself as cooperative generally, he wrote in BOLD “Review of Symptoms is limited due to difficulty with cooperation.” Sorry Doc. He goes on to say “The patient is awake, and is able to follow commands, and answer simple questions. he requires a lot of encouragement to answer questions, however. His speech pattern is normal, and there is no aphasia (speech problem)." He goes on, “Upon arrival, the patient’s symptoms we...

On September 5 I was thrust into a new reality when suddenly my mind went from being lucid to thoroughly confused. I had just stepped into the office to tell my wife I was on my way to Home Depot. But when I spoke, the words “Home Depot” refused to form on my lips. My wife walked over and helped me with the words and I left the room, confused. I walked around a bit; my gait was completely normal. But I could not find the words I was missing. I began looking for other words, but they all seemed to allude me. I even tried the ABCs. Strangely I could mouth the ABCs, but my mind could not see the letters. I thought I should rest a minute. I thought I should walk. I called my wife for help, with confused words that clarified my neediness. Lynne came upstairs and talked to me. She somewhat understood what I was saying. Her understanding cloaked the seriousness of the situation, and neither of us realized we should call 911. Neither of us suspected a stroke. I was too young a...

One 11Feb at 2130 (9:30 PM) Lynne and I spoke to Lowell Satler MD , head of a the Interventional Cardiology Department at Washington Hospital Center, the one who will do my surgery. He had a dinner engagement that night, and offered to call us afterward. Nice guy. He patiently answered all my engineer questions until 2200. They have done the PFO Closure surgery for 15 years and average 35-40 per year. The risk profile is 1/1000 die 1/100 bleed 1/100 have stroke. Overall 85% of patients have complete closure afterward. 1/30,0000 have the device fail and cause a big problem The device used is an A mplatzer  which has a long history in heart repair The recovery: Surgery on Friday 26FEB Return home the next day Return to work as early as Monday Exercise in 3 weeks No elective surgery for 6 months The only long term medication would be a baby aspirin The recent CLOSURE Trail reported that closure and long term medications were statistically equally effective. The d...