[ Closed ] Strummer Bill (Page 1 of 3)

What you ask cannot be done but there is a way round so I will write to Bill about this now Pete.

Roger

**Edit to add** Just e-mailed Bill and awaiting his reply.

I hope he and his wife are doing ok did he mention anything Peter?

He didn't say anything about his wife Dino.

But now I will. Thank you, Peter and Roger, Dino and ALL of you!

Dear Friends

For the past week, Dondra was admitted three times for the same problem: Atrial Fibrillation with RVR. ("Atrial Fibrillation with Rapid Ventricular Response")

The following explanation is from Myheart.net......."Usually the heart is like clockwork, the top (collecting) chambers beat then the bottom (main pumping) chambers sense this and also beat, and so on, in a nice regular fashion just like a clock ticking second after second. Usually the heart beats at about 60-80 beats per minute. In Afib the top chamber basically goes crazy often firing off over 400 beats per minute! Luckily the bottom chamber doesn’t allow all those impulses through but it does let every second or third one through. This can give a heart rate of 100-180 beats per minute at rest, still too many beats, known as Afib with RVR, leading to symptoms and problems with heart function. Afib does not necessarily lead to Afib with RVR however, Afib can be rate controlled, sometimes naturally, sometimes using medications and sometimes requiring procedures ...."

My Dondra (She hates it when I call her "Madondra") has had this going on off and on for a couple of years now, but till now her heart has always "righted" itself. This is no longer the case and the only thing to do right now is to take her to the ER and get her admitted for IV fluids which do work - for 24 hours.

A procedure called an "Ablation" has been scheduled, but cannot be done by her cardiologist until the first week in August and there is no one at our hospital who can do this procedure before then. We're considering other doctors at the present time.

This is what an "Ablation" is (again from Myheart.net): "Ablation procedures are minimally invasive procedures typically done through the groin. They are typically used in patients that have tried, or cannot tolerate medicines for control of AFib. Ablation is typically not used as an emergency treatment of Afib with RVR, rather it is used for stable patients in AF, or those with intermittent AFib that wish to remain in normal rhythm. In patients that have had persistent Afib for a long time these procedures are not likely to be successful in the long term."

We also tried "cardioversion". That is, shocking the heart back into a normal rhythm. This too worked, but only for a short time. When I say "shocking" I mean just that - what you see done when someone has a heart attack - and we were both very scared that her heart might stop altogether.

Our Amy brought up the use of a pacemaker, which I also thought would be logical, but a discussion with her doc resulted in him telling us, that this is not the way to go. Neither is, according to him, a defibrillator another device inserted like a pacemaker, but which does what a shock does. Again, we were advised against it. I have forgotten the reasons why not (are you surprised? Next time I'll tape the doctor with my cell phone).

So that is where we are - with Dondra again in ICU, again converted to a normal rhythm with IV fluids, but how long will that last? I don't know if they will discharge her again or not. As home meds, she's currently taking triple the cardiac drug normally prescribed. Not to worry, I looked it up and there's no danger.

I have an android, but as of yet have not been able to figure it out, so I have to come home (which I do while our son is there and because we only live 10 minutes away from the hospital) to post updates.

I need your strong shoulders, my friends. Not to cry on but to lean on if only in a virtual way.

I will post more as I can.

We love y'all and Dondra sends smiles and love as well.

Your friend

Bill

Take good care friend. Do you have family living close by to help when needed?

Peter,

To answer your question, yes, we do have family close by, but to be realistic, they only show up for funerals and to volunteer to do  eulogies. That goes for both sides.

Yet it's my wife who is always the first to volunteer her time and knowledge to help anyone. Doesn't matter if they are "laws" or "in-laws".

So it's just me and our son Jason taking turns to take care of Dondra.

Speaking of...... the strength and perseverance of this woman is astounding. Three (through the ER)
admissions in the same week would be enough to bring most people down, but not her. Admittedly, we being medical professionals helps both of us because we know the terminology, risks, etc......but the fact that our families have taken this attitude really pisses me off. I'll be leaving in an hour to take over the "watch", so thanks again to all of you for your love and concern. I'll keep working on the "Smart-Phone" so I can communicate with y'all better, but I'm thinking it could be the hospital's WiFi system being weak.

Much love from both of us!

Bill and Dondra Craig

I am writing this from D's room in ICU, so I guess I can work this thing and read your posts.--- Bill---

Call me any time you want to talk Bill. I know exactly what you are going through and it has to be even tougher with your wife's  issues.   Have you talked about your future with your son? I worry about you buddy. And give your wife a great Big hug from me. Put my number in your phone.

Hey Bill.  I'm glad you made it back here.  The news in't so great though.  Of course, it could be worse.  Right?  My grandpa has a pacemaker/defibrillator combo unit.  I've heard some stories about him getting knocked on his butt when it would shock him without him expecting it.  I imagine they don't feel it's necessary at this point for Dondra because the situation is not bad enough to warrant it.  That sounds like good news to me, despite all the crappy news in there.  I'm glad your son is nearby to help out.

Our shoulders are here to lean on - feel free to lay it on us.  You should have my email address as well, if not just click on the email link under my name.  Feel free to send me a vent / rant / whatever.  I work on this darn laptop, so I check email on a daily basis.  Anything at all that we can do, just let us know.  If you have any issues with the android, I can certainly help there! 

So tell us, what's Dondra's favorite type of music?  song?  artist?    Maybe a few of us will go overboard and upload get well songs for her. 

Amy

Note to Peter: Thanks for the phone number, my friend! I have it written down now, so you may want to delete it from your post if you still can. It's good to have it if I need it, but as yet, there's no need to worry about me. As long as I have y'all here with me, I'm fine.

Your Pal,

Bill

Bill, I kinda / sorta know what Dondra is going thru as I, too, suffer from A-Fib. It does not sound like mine is as serious as what Dondra is going thru but before my Cardio Doc got me under control it was "touch n go" for awhile. If I was you I would be finding out why her doc cannot do the "prodedure until the 1st week in August. If the reason is due to her condition, that's one thing, if the delay is due to his convience then you need anoctor doctor - period. How far are you from Atlanta? My thoughts would be to get her to a place where she can get the best care she can get. That could be where she is or it may be in the "big" city. I am lucky enough to have a great cardiologist who I happened to meet in the emergency room in 2009 when I had a heart attack. He has been treating me ever since and I think he is the best thing since sliced bread. He is a younger doctor - under 40 - and does not act like a "old fart" doctor who id "set" in his ways. While you are at the hospital with Dondre ask the nurses what they think about your doctor. Also, ask them who thet think is the best. Some of then will talk to you and tell you what they think. My friend, if you need me just let me know. Don't know what I can do, due to my own health reasons, but I'll do what I can. My thoughts and prayers are with you, yoiur son and Dondra.