Heartmates: Interactive Connections 2001

Name:	Rachael Freed
E-mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Date:	2001-01-01 22:10:00-06
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	Greetings to all HEARTMATES, newcomers, and those who have written or read here before. This Interactive ConnectionsPage fulfills Heartmates' dreams, because it helps to diminish the isolation that heartmates struggle with, believing that they are alone and/or crazy with their concerns. Keep writing, and do contact others via their email addresses as cited with their messages. If you don't find someone here that you want to contact, read in our archives. Many heartmates have posted messages here since 1997, and all of them are preserved, easily accessible with just a click (see archives at the top of this page).... May this New Year be the beginning of growing INNER PEACE ... May you experience the COURAGE and COMPASSION you need to continue your healing, and ENERGY to support your family with LOVE. Be sure to check the resources available to your recovery on this site. Scroll down the home page and read the 10 Healthy Hints for the Partner of a Heart Patient. Read excerpts and table of contents of the book Heartmates, and the Heartmates Meditation Journal, both can be ordered here, or can be downloaded so that you can read and journal on your own computer.

Name:	D.Daniel Demarais
E-mail:	ddemarais@dcmde.dcma.mil
Date:	2001-01-02 10:35:00-06
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	My perspective... I'm male, happily married and the father of two very beautiful teenagers. On October 19, 1999, at 42 years of age, I suffered a major MI while attending a karate class with my children. I was given an angiogram that revealed two blocked arteries and subsequent underwent an emergency Double Bypass CABG. At the time I weighed very close to 275 lbs. and smoked two packs a day. My diet consisted mostly of junk food, candy bars, and soda. I was very sedentary and only exercised at karate twice a week. I had episodes of chest pains for years but ignored them and attributed them to indigestion. I also ignored shortness of breath, dizziness, and headaches. I avoided doctors and regular check ups for fear they would tell me to change my lifestyle. When I was admitted to emergency my cholesterol was 326! The cardiologist informed my wife and I that I had suffered a major heart attack and the blow was crushing. I was so ashamed that I left myself go to the point where death was but a whisper away. I was ashamed for what I did to my lovely wife and children. I was ashamed of what my friends would think of me. I underwent the Angiogram and was told that nothing could be done and that surgery was the only option. I remember praying that if God would give me one more chance I would make good on it. I awoke from the bypass surgery with a nurse telling me to remain calm and not to fight the breathing tube, and that it would be out in a while. Each second lasted hours as I remember my prayer for one last chance. When they removed the breathing tube I never looked back except to learn from experience. In ICU I told my wife and the cardiologist I would do my best to recover and planned return to karate and get my black belt. I remember their nods did not seem to have alot of encouragement in them but I moved forward anyway. As soon as I was out of bed I started walking, I vowed I would not eat chocolate for at least one year, and I would follow my diet strictly by the book. In three months I was back in karate and three months later I was asked to become a student teacher at the karate studio. Over one year later I still practice my vows. I follow my diet strictly and never cheat, I never smoked again from the day of the heart attack, and believe it or not I have'nt had chocolate in over a year! I have lost over 50 lbs., I walk 4 miles a day when I'm not practicing karate. The amazing thing is that the lifestyle changes I feared most are the ones that make me feel the best. My point is simple... what has happened to you is not the end of the world! It is just a new one for you to experience. Be strong and you will grow stronger everyday. Set goals and achieve them. Watch your children grow and teach them through your example. Show your wife/husband you love them enough to change. Talk to yourself often and say only positive things and pretty soon you'll actually believe them. Listen to your doctor, take your medicine, and read about health and nutrition with an open mind. When you get lazy get up and walk. When you get tired be proud it is because you worked hard. And NEVER,NEVER, NEVER whine... Attack bad habits with a vengeance. I do all these things everyday and I feel stronger everyday. My creed is simple... Modesty, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit! The other day as I was changing after a workout at karate another student noticed all my scars from the surgery and commented... "damn what a battle you were in!" I laughed and said "yeah... but you'd hate to see the other guy!" Please hang in there... but most of all get up and move! Show you don't want their pity! Show them you deserve their admiration!

Name:	Amy
E-mail:	aquirouet@juno.com
Date:	2001-01-03 06:05:00-06
Comments:	Hi! I'm a 40 year old female who since birth has Ebstein's Anomaly-meaning the left side of my heart is much bigger than the right. I also have tachycardia. I am overweight and have started a fitness program to lose weight. I recently quit my stressful job of being a high school teacher and department manager and am working at home as a freelance editor and writer. This fall I had two episodes when I walked up hills where I almost passed out. I told my cardiologist about them when I went for my yearly checkup and now she has scheduled me for a nuclear stress test. I have been researching it on the web and do not like what I see with what the test involves. I really feel I will pass out doing this, and I am terrified of this test, so much so that my heart flutters everytime I think about it. I am claustrophobic and I am afraid I will freak out when that big camera swoops down on me. Has anyone with my problem been through this? Should I cancel? I am scheduled for it on 1/08/01. Thanks.

Name:	mary
E-mail:	twoboystwobabes@aol.com
Date:	2001-01-03 09:10:00-06
Comments:	hi there, my name is mary. i'm writting because i have a great dad who has suffered with heart problems my entire life. i'm 31 and i am so disgusted with my father's cardiologist i could throw up. i took my father to the doctor on dec.26,2000 and the doctor informed myself and my mother that my father's heart was only working 15% and he was beating around the bush that my dad was in the last stage of chf. he told us that he wanted him to start dobutamine iv treatments at the hospital on an in paient basis. from what he told us, was that this medication was going to make my father's heart stronger and this would help fell better over the next year. so i went with that and we started these treatments. we did two of them and i realized that my father was getting much worse. so i got on the internet to see if my dad had any options. and to my surprise he has a couple options. i contacted the thi and i found a hospital in are state that performs all these different things. i read the literature about those treatments and basically my dad's doctor was sending us home to die. my dad just turned 64 he isn't over weight, he doesn't smoke and he doesn't drink. nor does he have any other secondary dieases. exactly 5 days after we took my dad in to see his doctor, i had him down at the correct hospital and they are evaluating him right now for a heartmate with intintions of getting him on the heart transplant list. it sounds like he has a very great chance on getting on the list. all his test are coming out terrific to qualify him for a transplant. i'm writing cuz i want everyone else to always get a second opion if you don't feel like the doctor did his job. who was this man to decide the wasn't any other options? i'm thankful for what i did. god bless all of you.

Name:	Jo Ann Farinas
E-mail:	manatee1@mpinet.net
Date:	2001-01-04 18:51:00-06
Comments:	Hi my name is Jo Ann Farinas and I am 44 years old. Last year I had a ekg and that didn't look good so they had me do a stress test and I did not do well on that so the next thing was a catherizaiton, well they found my left artery also called the widowmaker was totally blocked so the next day I had open heart. I found another place called mended hearts that is nice to, I live in Deland florida north of Orlando and looking for a support group of some kind to get to gether. I am going thru a difficult time right now cause while i was out on leave my job was displaced at the bank I work with for 11 years so I took a job at a hospital and did not realize at the time when they said working at the front desk would be standing and by the end of the day my right leg is so swollen.

Name:	Jane Thomas
E-mail:	leon3jane@netscape.net
Date:	2001-01-10 08:31:00-06
Comments:	My husband was diagnosed with CHF in July. We were told he couldn't work for at least a year and then we would have to see how he is. His EF was 20%. He went in the hospital weighing 425 lbs. and came out 4 days later weighing 375 lbs. He is taking 11 differant meds every a.m. I'm not real pleased with his progress. He continues to drink even though the Dr. has told him it's killing his heart. He hasn't been on the 1800 calorie diet for a while and says he feels like he is gaining. He's afraid of dying and I'm afraid of losing him but he's not actively trying to lose weight or quit drinking. As soon as he reaches 350 lbs. they want to do a catherization. He's got about 20-30 lbs to lose. Will this CHF eventually lead to death? Thanks for listening.

Name:	Mary Tief
E-mail:	Tiefesq@earthlink.net
Date:	2001-01-11 14:51:00-06
Comments:	My fiance had quad.by-pass surgery about one month ago. He has had no complications and seems to be recovering well, going to cardiac rehab. three times a week, etc. He is frustrated however by a recent development - he finds himself forgetful and generally unable to focus well - he has made mistakes in his book-keeping, forgets to do things -- it's little things, but these mistakes are unusual for him. (This has coincided with the occurrence of some disturbing dreams, which could be totally unrelated). He does not feel depressed. We cannot figure out what is causing this and at this point, we are trying to make light of it and hope that it will pass as the healing process progresses. I have some anxiety however because I have read that mild forms of brain damage can occur when patients are put on a by-pass machine and that some patients claim their memory was never the same again after by-pass surgery. I have not shared my anxieties with my fiance (he has not read these things) because I don't want to cause him needless worry. Don't know if anyone can be of help but thought I'd put this out there. Thanks.

Name:	Tracy Burnside
E-mail:	fawnriver_Devi@msn.com
Date:	2001-01-12 10:11:00-06
Comments:	Dear Friends I am a 40 year old man. I went into the emergency room a couple weeks ago with difficulty breathing. I was all swollen and the chest xray showed that I had fluid around the lungs and an enlarged heart. I was put on lasix and potassium and have quickly lost an incredible ammount of weight in water. I still have a lot of fat to lose, I have always been obese and sedentary. Since the diagnosis I have done everything I'm supposed to do. I am still waiting to see the cardiologist to start the battery of tests. I plan to pursue improving my health as vigorously as possible. But... I am extremely stressed out over this. I have read the articles about CHF on the web and most, and the most authoritative, say I'm a dead man. The impression I get is that no matter what I do the statistics are against me living beyond a few years at best. The thought of leaving my wife and family is devastating. Perhaps its worse because I don't yet know what is causing the CHF or how treatable it is going to be. After reading the same grim story over and over again, last night I had a severe panic attack...bloodpressure went through the roof, hyperventilating, the whole nine yards. Thank God for my wife who was able to calm me down or it would have been another trip to emergency. I know this is not good for my heart. If anyone has any suggestions, positive stories about surviving CHF, any scrap of good news, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tracy

Name:	Liz
E-mail:	lizerickson@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-01-15 11:36:00-06
Comments:	My name is Liz and I am 24. Last November I was diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis. I had been sick for months but the doctors just shrugged their shoulders and assumed that I had "something" so they would just prescribed me some antibiotics and would send me on my way. When they finally figured out what the problem was I was put on IV antibiotics that took care of the infection but my Mitral valve was left severely damaged. One of the chords that attached my valve to the muscle had been torn. I am scheduled for open heart surgery on Feb. 12th. They are not sure whether or not they will be able to repair it or if they will have to replace it. I am not scared about the surgery I have been told my several members of the medical community that my surgeon is the best and I feel good about the surgery, I know it is my only alternative( the other is letting it go and suffering heart failure!) My cardiologist told me that I probably had a mitral valve prolapse proir to the infection because a normal heart almost never becomes infected unless you have strepp or rhumatic fever and the bacteria that was present was neither of those. so my question is, was this something I was born with and why did it take an infection to find it? My mom has a Mitral Valve prolapse, and I know it can be inherited. Is it something that comes later in life? I would appreciate it if anyone knows the answers to my questions please let me know. Thanks

Name:	Andrea Evans
E-mail:	fpmclure@axionet.com
Date:	2001-01-23 10:24:00-06
Comments:	I am shocked every time I stop by this connections page. It seems to me that the age of the patients gets younger all of the time. My husband is now 71. He had his major attack and triple by-pass in December of 98. His physical recovery has been ok but the loss of oxygen during the original attack on the way to the hospital, left his mind and memory different. I took one man to the hospital and brought home someone that I recognize but don't know very well. He can be the kind and thoughtful man I married 40 years ago but in the next minute he bites my head off for something that isn't even my fault. As I am disabled with arthritis, carrying his challenges are heavy duty for me. NO one knows the things that the mate of the heart patient faces unless they have been in that position. None of our friends see what I do. He seems to have some control over the outbursts when other people are around but when someone he has been visiting with crosses him, he gets angry with me. I know in my head that he is not angry with me but with someone or something else but he can be so "cutting " with me. I am his release and his support. Sometimes I get so tired I don't know if I can go another step. He is often very kind to me and then SNAP! The picture changes. Thank you for listening. Is anyone out there who has a different person following heart attack and surgery from the person you took to the hospital. It seems to be getting worse as time goes on. I know he is very frustrated himself so I try not to react and get angry but it is a lot to carry. Thanks in advance if you can write. Andrea.

Name:	Kathryn Crouse
E-mail:	kathryncrouse@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-01-24 18:48:00-06
Comments:	Hi! I am a 25 year old new mom and just happened to come across this site. It is so amazing! Just wanted to wish you all well. Since I was in high school my heart would skips beats quite frequently and would sometimes stop...flutter and it would scare me to death. Since I've had my son, my heart stops sometimes every 5 seconds and has really gotten to the point that I know something is wrong. I went to my Doctor and he is going to put me on a heart monitor for 24 hours. Does anyone out there know what this is and what it means? My husband's grandfather has arithmia and he thinks that's what it might be. Does anyone know? Thanks for your help.

Name:	Guy Ashdown
Date:	2001-01-27 07:56:00-06
Comments:	In November of 1999 I received a defibrulator for (vt's)ventricular tachycardia.....Everything went well , the doctors said it would probably never go off... Boy were they wrong. Febuary 13 2000 will allways stick in my mind as a nightmare!!!!You see it all started when I was taking a shower and out of nowhere it shocked me WAAAM!! Boy it sure didn't feel like a kick - it felt like more of a wall socket when you get shocked but 10 times stronger!!!! Not even 15 seconds later it hit me again; by this time I'm freaking out because I didn't know what was going on...They told me if it shocks you once record it, but if a second time call 911...So I tried to tell my family to call and right as my son is looking at me it hits me again and he starts getting scared because of the look I had when it hit!...I tried to lay down but still it kept shocking me with a stronger jolt, the max it could be set for on any defibrulator!!! In the beginning the doctors said that they couldn't get it to stop my attacks of v-tach but they still went ahead with the operation and said they would probably have to redo the procedure!! It doesn't make sense why leave it when it won't do it's job!!! They could have fix'ed it then but they let it go, even after they simulated a v-tach and it didnt help!!!!!!!! They almost lost me because of carelessness and had to hit me with 360 jules which is allmost the max if not the max!!!They also said that they set it for a heart rate of 150 bps.. Other doctors have said that my target heart rate should have been 200, because I'm so young, my heart could go 193 on a normal basis just going up a flight of stairs... They refused to fix it , so I had to live a nightmare wondering if it was going to shock me just taking a shower...I didn't take a shower for months. I began to enjoy baths!! Even then I would check my heart rate every 10 seconds!!I would have nightmares that it shocked me!! It became tiresome and unhealthy!!It became my goal to get this thing shut off, but everywhere I turned no one would touch me...It was later that I found out the reason why no-one would touch me was because they had studied under the doctor who did the operation , and they didn't want to step on any toes so to speak!!!!But I was determined to find help..Finally I found someone to shut the shocking part of it off!!I don't know how many times I thanked God for that!!! It took a great weight off my shoulders, I FELT LIKE I COULD LIVE LIFE AGAIN!!! But because of my fear of this MACHINE!!!! I am determined to get it OUT!!!!! It's something that I have made my goal and someday I will !!!!! Some of you may say that I'm over reacting but I can't trust the doctors or this machine because of how things started out with them messing up in the first place!! Some doctors have even said that maybe there could have been other options that weren't even mentioned!!!I thought I had looked at all my options ... I was wrong, there were lots of options, but because they weren't standard practice , I was told that there was no reason to be adament about it (in the doctors words) and that he knew best!! They went even as far as to say that if I didnt get it, they wouldn't let me work or drive and I could forget any type of release!!So here I am today , trying to spread my warning to you !!! Don't get it unless you're sure you're ready to make a lifelong commitment and have checked ALL OPTIONS NO MATTER HOW STUPID OR STRANGE OR DIFFERENT THEY MAY SOUND!!! I know that I'm not the only person who feels like this!! I simply want to warn you to be careful and think about what you're doing!! GET THIRD AND FORTH OPINIONS!!! desperately seeking,,, GUY S. ASHDOWN...

Name:	Steve
E-mail:	AMAmail@aol.com
Date:	2001-01-27 08:20:00-06
Comments:	To Guy Ashdown Date: 01/27/01 07:56 You did not say if the unit recorded an event befor it first fired. What did the docs say, why the aditional shocks, was it trying to resolve an arrythmia? I have had my unit for 5 yaers (in fact I just had a new one implanted) It has saved me seven times. All occurances I was able to pick myself up. go inside and rest a bit. Sure it was painful and far from recreational:), but my last heart attack with out it resulted in a three week coma and perminant brain damage. These things are truely a gift, one cool tool! I am here because of it and do so love it. Steve

Name:	zohaib
E-mail:	zohiab1@gem.net.pk
Date:	2001-01-29 22:46:00-06
Home Page:	www.tariqsons.com
Comments:	hello sir/madam, i want to detail about thallium shees send me detail as an urgent waiting for reply. bye

Name:	LINDA WALTERS
E-mail:	lindawalters3@aol.com
Date:	2001-01-31 05:28:00-06
Comments:	HELLO- MY NAME IS LINDA I AM 53. I AM VERY GLAD TO FIND THIS SITE. MY HUSBAND OF 9 YEARS HAS ADVANCED CARDIOMYOPATHY- THE DRS SAY IT WAS PROBABLY FROM SCARLET FEVER AS A CHLD. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED THREE YEARS AGO AND WE WERE TOLD THAAT HE NEEDED A TRANSPLANT BUT HE WAS ALREADY TOO OLD IN NJ THE CUTOFF AGE IS 65 HE WAS 68. WE WENT HOME ON MEDICATION -LOTS OF IT- AND NOW THREE YEARS LATER HE IS STILL HOMME- BUT IN THE HOSPITAL A FEWTIMES A YEAR. TODAY HE IS HAVING A STRSS TEST AND A CATHETER PUT IN HIS BLADDER FOR A PROSTATE PROBLEM HE ALSO HAS. WE WILL BE BUSY- BUT ALL OTHER DAYS HE ONLY WALKS TO THE TABLE TO EAT AND BACK TO BED -HE HAS NO ENERGY OR DRIVE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. YET HE SAYS HE HAS A WONDERFUL LIFE BECAUSE I TAKE SUCH GOOD CARE OF HIM- THE PROBEM IS I FEEL LIKE I AM IN NEED OF SUPPORT- I AM AN RN WHO STOPPED WORKING TO TAKE CARE OF HIM -I AM A 53 YEAR OLD WHO FEELS 70- AND I DO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE DISABLED- I HAD TWO CVA'S AMD OPEN HEART SURGERY 15 YEARS AGO- MY HUSBAND AT THE TIME COULD NOT COPE AND TH MARRIAGE ENDED AFTER 20 YEARS.WHEN I MET MY PRESENT HUSBAND HE WAS THE MOST ACTIVE MAN I HAD EVER MET - WE DID A LOT OF TRAVELING AND HAD A GODD TIME TOGETHER- AFTER THE FIRST FEW YEARS I SUGGESTED HE COME TO MEET MY HEART R. BECAUSE HIS HEART SOUNDED VERY ABNORMAL TO ME - THE DR. TOLD US HIS HEART WAS MUCH WORSE THAN MINE- FORGIVE ME I AM RAMBLING ON- IS THERE SOME ONE WHO COULD RESPOND TO THIS LETTER AND GIVE ME SOME REASURRANCE THAT OTHERS ARE FACING THE SAME KIND OF LIFE SITUATION?

Name:	Ramneek jain
E-mail:	ramneek.Jain@gm.com
Date:	2001-01-31 06:29:00-06
Comments:	i have a very close relative, she is diabetic and has been detected with 2 artires blocked, one 90% and the other is &0% blocked, she is about 60 years old. she has been asked to go in for a By pass surgery. I was told that there is a radio active material/procedure treatment at Sloan Ketering institute, does any one have any idea of it. Please call me urgent if you may.my number is 770-455-5850 or page me at 1-800 946-4646 pin 1716174 thanks.

Name:	Sharon
E-mail:	levinprag@aol.com
Date:	2001-02-01 19:25:00-06
Comments:	this is a letter written in response to someone who is young and in pain from my previous entry in dec 2000 just after surgery i went back to the entry and can't believe the difference - what worked for me may not be your answer.. don't get me wong it still hurts to breath sometimes and I'm obsessed with the scars... an over the counter salve was recommended to me by my dermatologist called MEDERMA ,i hope it works I was wondering if anybody had heard me... I was so distraught when I wrote it. I am now almost 8 weeks past my surgery and feel like a walking advertisment for prozac... I had heard that it was possible to go into deep depression after heart procedures, and asked my cardioligist for medication before it hit, I wanted to move on and past the nightmare, I felt that I didn't have time for more suffering ,especially emotional and prozac can take 4 to 6 weeks to really be effective. I started cardiac rehab and started to cry because everyone else was 70 or 80 what was I doing there ,as one of them, how did this happen ? I am also a very friendly person,I ignored everyone, at home I cried too, I was in pain to the depths of my soul and then ... many combinations of things , THE PAIN went away, , the results of the surgery I had feared and suffered through made me feel better, I had lived for a year dreading a surgery I knew might be needed now I feel well, but just yesterday I told a friend that I gave the prozac alot of credit in allowing me to regain myself and my strengths- both emotional and physical me, me , me I have always been fairly self involved - prozac doesn't help with that - I dont't know your physical condition or the reason for your procedures . I hope you feel well, be your own advocate, make choices that make you feel good , stay young emotionally, buy yourself presents , don't tell people who don't need to know, talk to people who love you and you love, they will help - I sound like Oprah. can you do cardiac rehab? It helps knowing what you can and can't do in a safe enviorment, I wonder about my emotional well being under the Prozac, what is it covering up, do i need a therapist along with it , how long should I take it? but I get up each day looking towards my future with anticipation so the prozac stays at least for the time being, thank you for giving me the opportunity to say all this . I hope there is something here that can help. I can do things now I coulnd't for a year which include dancing and exercise, I think the physical re attachment to my body helps alot and knowing I could take any one of the old ladies in my rehab program(who I now speak to ) remember you are young , act your age - get help from someone or something to get there ... re connect with your body- and my personal favorite - though only to be used with people who are too insensitive or stupid to realize what you are going through .. be nasty - reserve your anger for them, some times it can put them in their place and there' an outlet for you.. and if i hear you're too young for that... one more time , I'll spit. Sharon age 44

Name:	Andrea Evans
E-mail:	fpmclure@axionet.com
Date:	2001-02-08 09:00:00-06
Comments:	Several times during the past 2 years ,since my husband's triple bi-pass surgery, I have visited this site many times. I have written, cried, pleaded, and shared with other heartmates during that time. The main thing that frustrated me was the personality change that he experienced. He is a wonderful man and we have been married for 40 years. The past 2 years we have had to adapt and learn about living with heart disease. For the most part, he is one of the fortunate ones who is managing fairly well. I have always believed that the time he was without oxygen in the ambulance was the reason for his memory loss and confusion. But last night we watched on the news the new report of the Stroke and heart foundation. They reported on Feb. 7th that this change in personality was due to a part of the operation As I understood it, the heart is stopped and blood is recycled and cleansed during open heart surgery. When it is returned to the body, it gets "bubbles" in the veins from the way the blood is transfused back into the body. These "bubbles" are from the way that the blood is being returned to the veins. When I was in the ICU with my husband, I noticed that there was a bag of blood being transfused into him. When I questioned the nurse about this ,she told me that it was just his "purified" blood being returned to him. The signifance of this has never been known to me. However,the findings last night indicated that the "bubbles" created continue to circulate through the body and produce the symptoms of memory loss, confusion , and a general change in personality. For me, this doesn't change the sense of loss that comes with the changes, but it gives a REASON and is therefore more understandable. I hope the next time he bites my head off for something which I know is not my fault, or sits and stares at nothing, or forgets what I have told him 5 times in the past 3 minutes, I pray that knowing the reason will make it easier to make our way through it and not feel so hurt. I hope some of you will be encouraged by the sharing of this information. If you want to ask further, contact the Heart and Stroke foundation and they will be able to provide you with the whole report. God give each of you the strength to face each new day together with a new understanding of the disease that has struck you as a couple and a family. I would welcome your letters if you choose to write. Andrea.

Name:	Mary and Don Dehart
E-mail:	mbeardeh@paulbunyan.net
Date:	2001-02-09 16:27:00-06
Comments:	Hello, I would like to share my story. January 2, 2001 my husband suffered an anterior mi. I was at work when it happened, my husband, Don, age 38 had stayed home that morning to visit with a nurse who was to conduct an exam and draw some blood as a requirement for a life insurance policy that his business was taking out on him. After the nurse had left, Don decided to stop at the courthouse in our town to drop off a job application there. He had been at his currrent job for 2 1/2 years but was tired of the 90 mile round trip commute as well as the stress of being responsible for the finacial health of a struggling, poorly managed manufacturing business. that same morning, a sherriff's deputy and his rookie partner were on their way to the other end of town to pick up a patrol car. On the way they realised that they had forgotten the keys for the other patrol car and had to turn around and go back to the sherriff's office wich is located behind the courthouse in our town. As they arrived at an intersection near the courthouse and sheriff's department they pulled up behind my husband's pickup, they both approached his truck wich was just sitting at the stop sign, with the engine revving. They found him unconscious, not breathing and did not have a pulse. They pulled him out onto the street and the rookie who had only been on the force a short time began CPR. By some stroke of luck one of the portable defibbulators (there are only two in the sheriff's department and they are usually with officers in the field) was at the sheriff's, less than a block away. It took two tries to get my husband's heart to start again. To make a very long story short, my husband was flown to St. Cloud Hospital where he underwent triple bypass surgury. He is doing great! February 20, 2001 will be a special day, the officers that saved my husband's life will be presented with a special commendation. You see...it's not just that they saved his life. My husband was the FIRST person that they have been able to save with the defibbulators! the department has had them for about 2 years and have used them 6 or 7 times but never with success, until now. I believe in miracles...,don't you?!

Name:	Patty Dickerson
E-mail:	bluebird@netnitco.net
Date:	2001-02-11 17:31:00-06
Comments:	Hi, I hope someone can help me. I will start by saying Heart problems run in the family. I am 42 and have had to go though a lot of the heart test already. I have had an angigram and it showed some narrowing of the artries. While I was in there I also heard the Dr. say He could not get into the right side as they are to small. He told my family that they all are small naturally. Now 2 years later after nothing being done I have had some spells where I get the shakes and dizzy. My MRI on the head came back good. I have had to have an echocardigram and were the pouch thing for 24 hrs.. I wont know results till tomorrow. Here is my question. Could my artries in my neck be some what blocked and not show up on some of the heart test that have been done. Even though I have seen my parents go though this There is so much I don.t know.. I do not trust the Dr's here. My Dad went to Wisconsin and I really liked them. So If anyone can answer this I would Thank you so much for your input.. Maybe I should call Wisconsin..

Name:	Andrea Evans
E-mail:	fpmclure@axionet.com
Date:	2001-02-12 09:25:00-06
Comments:	I found the article on the CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS SURGERY AND THE BRAIN. It is from the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE- FEB. 8, 2001- VOL. 344, NO.6. If you have a heartmate or even yourself who has had changes in personality since the surgery, short and long term. Be sure to read this it is very helpful to know that the changes are physical and those around the patient must make the changes in dealing with the various changes. Some not so pleasant. But Iknow I found great comfort in the fact that I am not seeing things that are not there. IT IS REAL. I THANK GOD FOR THE RESEARCH INTO THIS DEVISTATING SIDE EFFECT OF THE SURGERY. ANDREA

Name:	Rachael Freed
E-mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Date:	2001-02-13 12:39:00-06
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	Hello All: Andrea wrote the following: "I found the article on the CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS SURGERY AND THE BRAIN. It is from the NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE- FEB. 8, 2001- VOL. 344, NO.6. Here is the address to read the editorial about the article online for those of you who are concerned with this problem. http://www.nejm.org/content/2001/0344/0006/0451.asp One of the most important things that Heartmates® can teach us is: we are not crazy and we do not have to be alone. After so many years, so much anguish in heartmates, feeling isolated and questioning their own sanity, it is a relief to learn and have medical research validate what we have observed and felt. That is not a solution for how to deal withour situations, but it does help us to know that we are in touch with reality and not just imagining something. Best wishes for your full recovery ... heart patients and heartmates!!

Name:	Karen Gribling
E-mail:	laird.kl@wxs.nl
Date:	2001-02-18 04:54:00-06
Comments:	Like Andrea, my husband has also changed dramatically since his MI 2 years ago. He has gone from being a sharp, witty 41-one year old man to a confused and forgetful, sometimes even very childish 43-year old. Conversations involving more than two people are mostly too complicated for him to follow. Although he has his good days, his bad days are scary. Because he has lost his 'grip'he tends to get upset and grumpy when something happens that he can't immediately understand or respond to adequately. The thing is, my husband wasn't operated on - he had a stent inserted into the left descending main artery to open the blockage during the attack. The whole thing took from around twelve thirty (onset of pain) to three thirty (when they finally got the blockage open). Meanwhile, his heart suffered considerable damage. What I'd really like to know is why, then, the personality change? And is there any chance that this will be reversed? Other people seem to be able to pick up their life after having a heart attack - why has my husband become what amounts to a semi-invalid? He can't really work - his brain is no longer sharp enough nor does he have the necessary stamina. He is tired all the time and still has a lot of angina pain. Yet his doctors tell us he's doing fine, that he's stable. So is this life for the next I don't know how many years? Has anyone else experienced these problems (i.e. cognitive problems without having been bypassed)? Karen

Name:	Linda Bader
E-mail:	inyourdreams50@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-02-25 12:16:00-06
Comments:	My mother has just had a double bypass. She was doing so well in ICU. Doctors were amazed. She is 76. They moved her to another room out of intensive care and now she is not eating and had to have iv put back in. She is also having very bad back pains. She had her surgery Thur. The 22nd. of Feb. I can't understand why she is getting worse instead of better. In ICU she was talking and laughing and walking around the unit. Now she can barely sit in a chair. Walks very little. And sounds so very depressed and says she feels terrible. Can anyone give me some idea of what is happening? Is there anything I should do or that I should know that will help us both?? Thanks Linda

Name:	Patti
Date:	2001-02-25 19:43:00-06
Comments:	I found this site while I was looking for information on coronary air embolisms. As I read all your letters and comments I felt compelled to write. My story is different than the ones I've read thus far. My husband was in and out of the doctor's office for 1 1/2 yrs. with complaints of fatigue, night sweats, inability to lose weight, shortness of breath. After a zillion tests the doctor said he had Epstein-Barr virus. He never told us that he was also full of ascites. The following year when he went back into the doctor because symptoms were getting worse they finally told him of the ascites and drained over 5 liters of fluid from his abdomen. It took them 2 months to determine that he either had constrictive pericarditis or restrictive cardiomyopathy. They needed to do a heart cath to determine which one he had. I tried to get him referred to another hospital where I live whose specialty is heart procedures but the doctor wouldn't do it and insisted that the test had to be performed there. Anyway, the heart cath went fine, he was diagnosed with C.P. Then the doctor decided that "as long as he was in" there he would perform an angiography as well (we were never told this might be done). While doing this he injected air instead of dye into my husband's heart. He died instantly. He was only 43. I'm just wondering how often things like this happen and how often they are covered up. I have tried to locate places on the internet that discuss things like this but can't find anything. I guess it's a case of doctors protecting other doctors' incompetencies. I'm sorry this is so long. I guess I just needed to "talk" to someone. Thanks for listening.

Name:	Denny Byers
E-mail:	byerdk@aol.com
Date:	2001-02-26 21:56:00-06
Comments:	I am 40 yrs old. In 1999 I had a heart attack right out of the blue, not really much warning. I am a father of five kids. When I reached the hospital the doctor told me two out of three people your age that has a heart attack never makes it to the hopital. "WOW" If that does'nt open your eyes. Anyway in February of 2001 I had another blockage. So they put in a second stent. Two weeks later i had my third blockage, they could not put a stent in there because of the area that was plugged. So they just did a baloon and opened it up. My heart is damaged in my left ventricle. I have been in and out of the hospital 14 times since last February. My symptoms include chest presure, sweating, pain in my left arm and up my neck. The Doctors are having a heck of a time figuring what is going on. They think I may be having spasms. Mentally I am about ready for the looney ben. I hope that someone reads this with the same problem I have and gets in contact with me. I am feeling like the lone stranger out here. HELP please.

Name:	Jason
E-mail:	masonatkins2000@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-03-02 09:03:00-06
Comments:	When do the physical cravings from smoking stop? This is day three of smoke free and I am almost suicidal...

Name:	mary
E-mail:	cocoapuffe@usa.net
Date:	2001-03-08 10:02:00-06
Comments:	Hi, I desperately need advice. My husband and I have three sons, ages 6-13. My husband has endured two heart attacks, a quadruple bypass, and last December he had a defribullator/ pacemaker implanted. I have seen my husband admitted to four intensive care units over the past 4 1/2 years. He is currently doing very well, and I credit the excellent medical care he has received, (I believe his cardiologist has saved his life) along with the incredible amount of support and prayers we have received. The problem I have is that he has taken a job in another state. He is currently commuting by plane and wants us to move to this new area. I am somewhat familiar with the area, after having live nearby some 14 years ago, and I honestly believe, the move would not be a good one for our family. The medical care in the area is substandard to where we live now. We have no family or friends in the area. I feel that our support system would be taken away. I had been planning on moving to this area, actively looking for a house until last fall, when he suffered his second heart attack, and was hospitalized for nearly one month. I have always been very supportive of my husband, but for the first time, I feel like I cannot support his decision to move. My husband does love his work, but has 'failed' to tell his coworkers about his implant. I am not sure if he is being honest with himself. Please, email me if you have any advice. Thanks, Mary

Name:	steven gunner
E-mail:	steven_gunner@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-03-13 17:16:00-06
Comments:	hi everyone. i am 27 and as a kid when i was five i had open heart surgury to basically replumb my heart so that it worked properly, when i was eleven i was diagnosed with arithmia, they done test after test and then some electric shock treatment, which didnt work, after more tests they said to carry on with my life as normal as they felt i was not in any danger. 15 years on and all was fine and felt like a normal person until, 4 weeks ago when sitting on a train my heart just starting beating super fast and hard for no reason, it got faster and faster, i became panic stricten and light headed to be an understatment, i then passed out and was rushed to hospital, where they doctors couldnt beleive i had lived such a normal healthy life with such a wierd heartbeat(arithmia), that following week i had two more of these wierd attacks and ended up in hospital. the basic diagnosis is that the top of my heart beats 4 times faster than the bottom bigger part of my heart, known as Techi-cardia. until i get a consultation with the appropriate people, i have been put on Antenelol and warfarin, yet now everyday esp early even i have a mild form of those attacks as i mentioned above, where my head goes light and my heart just pounds away. and more recently my heart seems to kick alot. i am scared, and wish i could have something done sooner, i wake up everyday wondering whether i will be ok, im now affraid to get on trains or tubes or anywhere where i cant get out very quickly. i would like to hear from people (partically those of a similar age) who have been fine and then just like me, something happens and there is no explaination for the sudden change from fine to vunerable. the cardiologist said i wasnt in any immediate danger, but i cant help but think the worst everytime i start feeling abit odd in the chest. so if anyone can help me understand my condition better i would be very grateful. thankyou for reading this, i know its abit vague but still getting to grips with all the terminology for my condition.

Name:	Earl Baranowski
E-mail:	earlt911@aol.com
Date:	2001-03-22 22:30:00-06
Comments:	My mom suffered a major heart attack back in September of 2000. A long recovery and many set-backs, however she is a strong willed person of 75 years of age. On a very long list of medications. Her Ejection Fraction last year was 15% and since then I belive it has gone up to maybe 25%. She is back to seeing a regular M.D. and not a heart doctor. Not sure this is good idea but she wants her own family long time doctor. During the past five months she has been in and out of our local hospital for CHF and trouble breathing. Good days and Bad days. We keep her motivated, however, her family doctor said no to rehab, why? Our family feels that she needs to get suppliments due to a not so good diet all the time. walks on her own and takes her own showers too. Then sits in the chair most of the time. We get her out and go for drives and to the malls or stores and dinners. She is on a strict fluid intake however I don't think she follows it that well. QUESTION: Is it safe for her to take vitimans? The doctors don't seem to give clear answers. Today my two brothers were told by the doctor in the hallway at the clinic while she was there for a check up, no she does not need home care, however, contact hospice "I give her 6 months to a year".. wow what a blow.. None of the actual cardiac doctors at the Detroit hospital ever told us this, they just said that her recovery would be 6-8 months and other doctor said that she would after about 4 months sorta even out with meds and her CHF conditions. This family doctor was very quick to say this. Gee, she is not even a cardiac doctor but a family M.D. She said NO to any rehab, that made my mom feel down because she was looking foward to getting out and meeting others with the same condition. Keep in mind she can walk on her own (short distances) and takes her own showers. We have plans to get her walking a tad bit more. Her pacemaker is set at 70 and is always needed. I could go on, but we have scheduled a family talk this Sunday (just us brothers and sisters) to talk about many different things, such as try and get her to the original leading heart doctor who took care of her at St. John Hospital of Detroit to get a second opinion and look over the current meds. But in ending, what about vitimans, she is losing her hair and I know she does not get enough of many important vitamans and minerals. Thanks for listening! God Bless All patients and families. Thank You for any positive input and ideas! Earl :-)

Name:	Jessica Sherman
E-mail:	rain96@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-03-28 11:36:00-06
Comments:	Hi! I was surfing the web and came across this page and felt compelled to write and entry. I am 18 years old and while personally do not sufer from any heart disease, my mother and my sister have both been diagnosed with cartiomyopothy. My mom received a heart transplant about ten years ago. Although she died two years ago, she experienced eight wonderful years of life she may not have had if she had not had the transplant. My younger sister underwnet two heart transplants and while she suffers some perment handicaps, she is doin well and loving life. This message is to give hope to all those who are getting discouraged or battleing with the decsion to receive a heart transplant. The time you gain in life is well worth it.

Name:	Darla Sherwood
E-mail:	RichardNDarla@msn.com
Date:	2001-04-02 12:21:00-05
Comments:	I am a 48 year old women ex-smoker who just went through CABG. I had 5 blockages and 3 others they cleaned out, the Dr said I had the smallest arteries he ever worked on. They also had to operate on my neck as my cortaroid artery was 95% blocked. This all started about 6 months ago, I was feeling tired, dizzy, pain in my arms and chest and shortness of breath upon exersion. I have a very physical job and chose to ignore my symptoms for a while, finally I was getting worried and went to the Dr. Gave me a chest x-ray and an ekg, My fear was lung cancer because I had been a smoker but had already quit only 6 weeks earlier, the dreaded result was when my ekg came back, put me on a tread mill and within 90 seconds had me stop, I could barely breathe, I was in the hospital that same night, they did the usual angiogram wanting to do a stint but it wasn't going to work on me so I waited for 5 days in the Hospital before they could get me into surgery. The Dr said I was a very lucky women, I should have already had a stroke or heart attack, all I can say is I now have a second chance at life and I will do everthing in my power to follow my Dr advice as I never want to go through anything like that again, at least anytime soon, God Bless all of you and good luck, I would welcome any e-mail, I live in Washington state.

Name:	Linda
E-mail:	inyourdreams50@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-04-05 10:52:00-05
Comments:	Mom had by-pass sugery on the 27 of March. Was back in hospital in a week and a half with infection. On antibiotics for a week. Then had sugery to open her totally up and was left that way with packing in her open chest for a week. With IV's with antiboitics. A week later she was back in sugery to close her up again. Now she is in intensive care. Has been there since Wensday of this week March 28. Has a small blood clot in her leg. Which isn't the problems at the moment. She hasn't had solid for for 2 weeks. And now she keeps getting sick to her stomach and no one seems to know why. I mean every 15 or 20 minutes she is heaving and getting sick. We must have at least 10 doctors trying to figure out what is happening. So far no one can figure it out and nothing (medicine) is helping. Has anyone out there had any of these problems or am I alone with this. I'm so damn (sorry) frustrated I could scream. Nothing has gone right since the first sugery for the by-pass and I can't seem to get any answers from the doctors. Would love to have some input or some infromation PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Thanks Linda

Name:	Pam
E-mail:	rascal@edge.net
Date:	2001-04-06 08:50:00-05
Comments:	Hi my name is Pam and I am 33 years old.I had a triple bypass last year since my surgery I haven't had a good day. I am very depressed and I was just wondering if any one out there has been thru this and going thru depression after surgery. I would really love to hear from you. I am married and have two children, a boy and a girl. It really makes it hard for them because I can't do things that I used to do with them. Does it ever get any better? I really would love to hear from you. Pam

Name:	Judy
E-mail:	JBixby1@aol.com
Date:	2001-04-08 01:42:00-05
Comments:	Hi my name is Judy. Last July my husband had quadruple bypass at age 42. He lost his job, which wasn't physical because of it. My work has been very good to me . They promoted me with a raise to help out, and are paying my husband's COBRA ins. because for me to get ins.would cost way more.He doesn't seem motivated to do anything. He doen't excercise. He doesn't seem to be looking much for a job. He basically sits in front of the t.v. with the exception of making supper. The doctor just took him off all meds. because my husband believes he has muscle deterioration because of them. He says he aches all over. He won't even bend down. It hurts to open a jar .He says it's gotten better but not much since he's been off meds. I sometimes find it hard to cope, working 50 hrs a week, cleaning house and 3 kids.My husband thought I was too depressed and had doctor put me on mild anti-depressant temporarily. I don't know what to do. Anyone out there in similar situations?

Name:	Tracy Burnside
E-mail:	fawnriver_Devi@msn.com
Date:	2001-04-10 02:14:00-05
Home Page:	communities.msn.com/HeartsSanctuary
Comments:	Hello All Several people have written me over the past months since I submitted my first letter here in early January of this year. They have offered encouragement and advice which is very much appreciated and "thankyou" to Heartmates for making this possible. Much has changed since my initial diagnosis with CHF. I did finally get into a cardiologist. The echogram they did, like the initial ex-ray, showed my heart to be enlarged, but they weren't crazy about the quality of the echogram. It took awhile to get in for an esophagial echocardiagram. From the initial diagnosis just before Christmas of last year, I did everything right. I read all I could find on CHF. I quit smoking cold turkey. I went on a low (practically no)salt, low fat, low calorie diet high in vitamins and minerals. I did everything I could think of to reduce stress. I quit my high stress job. I looked within myself and rediscovered faith on my terms rather than someone else's. I even bought tabletop water fountain, wind chimes, scented candles, relaxation tapes etc. This and the daily prayers and meditations dramatically improved my outlook. Another important element which was key was the doctor put me on Celexa which has really helped level out my temperament and makes life much easier to cope with. And, of course, the daily round of furosemide, potassium and good multivitamin. Perhaps the best thing I ever did was immediately get enrolled in the CHF clinic at Borgess Health and Fitness Center. Eight sessions of monitored excersize and education to help us live with CHF. If any of you live in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area I would highly advise Borgess Health and Fitness Center and their many rehabilitation services. The CHF clinic is free and after one graduates one gets a substantial discount on membership to the Fitness Center which one can tour on their website. I've never stopped. In fact my wife and I are both members now and we go every night after work to excersize and swim. Since I was diagnosed four months ago, I've lost almost 100 lbs. and am gaining strength and endurance. I feel good and I'm happy for the first time in years. My marriage and family life has seen a glorious transformation. I know I couldn't have accomplished this without all of the elements I've listed above. I had to work to improve every aspect of my life: body, mind and spirit and I had to ask for and recieve the help of many people who are my angels who reassured me and encouraged me and worked with me. I don't know what to say about my condition. I did finally make it in for the esophagial echocardiagram. It showed a normal functioning, normal sized heart. One doctor I talked to said that it is possible for a heart under temporary duress to return to normal size. I donno. I'm taking it as a miracle, although I never directly asked God for it. I still tend to retain water, thus I continue on the meds. The doctor has tested my liver and kidneys and can't find a reason why. But, I'm not gonna worry about it. Its still one day at a time. I struggle with diet and excersize regimine and sometimes I'd dearly love a smoke. Its a conscious lifestyle choice every single day. But my life is so much better I'd be a fool to go back now. So, I guess you could say that CHF has brought me closer to God, to my family, and to my real self. None of us knows how much time we have or how able we'll be in future. All we can do is our best to live life to the fullest and love those around us. And I've just started that adventure. Thankyou Tracy

Name:	Corie
E-mail:	cndstewart@yahoo.com
Date:	2001-04-10 10:26:00-05
Comments:	Hello! I am a 32 year old wife and mother. My husband is 31 and has been dealing with CHF for almost 6 years. We've been married almost 7 years. When we married about 6 months, he had CHF for the first time. We've had a few good years of stability in there, but the last 2 years have been pretty rough. He is no longer able to drive because of the pacemaker/defibrillator that he had implanted about 2 years ago. This thing has saved his life several times, but if it fires he loses his license for 6 months. He's currently on his second '6-month' run. He hasn't worked outside the home for about 2 years as well. He takes care of our son who is 3. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. I try to stay focused on God, but I fail miserably. It's hard being the responsible one all the time, to hear him if he's having trouble, to constantly be on guard, to work full time, to give up my own dreams for myself so I can support our family, to pay the bills, to drive, all of it. I don't want to waste time whining and not enjoying each day. I want to see the joy in each day as I look at our son. We have so much to be thankful for. I would CHERISH any conversation with other wives, especially, but not limited to, wives around my age. Looking forward to hearing from you. God bless you.

Name:	Nan Ganz
E-mail:	nanganz1@aol.com
Date:	2001-04-11 05:32:00-05
Comments:	This is a temporary e-mail address. My husband, Steve passed away on March 24th. He collapsed on the 21st, the day we were to close on our house in preparation for a move to Florida to begin our golden years. He suffered a cardiac arrest and was brought back, but remained in a coma at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore. After they monitored him for three days, it was decided that he was unlikely to come back to us and that he'd suffered too much brain damage to have much of a life if he did. His mother and sister flew up from Florida on the 24th to see him, and we decided to let him go. He was buried in New Jersey next to his twin brother, who passed from a heart attack last year on the 17th of March. My younger son and I have been moving around alot since it happened, and we're currently house sitting (and dog and cat sitting) for some friends from our cardiac support group. We will leave to go down to Florida and find a place to rent (the mortgage on the condo Steve and I had chosen to buy fell through a couple of days after we buried him) on Monday. Once we're set up again, I can be reached at my old e-mail addresses of nganz@clark.net or nganz@juno.com. I just wanted to share this information with those of you who have been so supportive over the past three years. I can receive e-mail at this address through this Sunday. I'll let you know what happens next in this adventure of ours.

Name:	Vibha Pandya
E-mail:	EnjoyLifeMax@aol.com
Date:	2001-04-24 02:10:00-05
Home Page:	Shaklee.net/EnjoyLifeMax
Comments:	My husband Bharat has double bypass surgery done 3 years back. Thank god he is doing fine. He is using Shaklee's Protin, Fiberplan and vitamins (B Complex,E C) Every day. He is doing great. He is very active now. Full with energy. Thanks to Shaklee's Products. If anyone interested please visit my website .... Shaklee.net/EnjoyLifeMax Good luck to all Heart mates.

Name:	Rachael Freed
E-mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Date:	2001-04-25 10:03:00-05
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	Hello all Heartmates, I am so pleased to tell you about some new and important changes on this site and for Heartmates. First: The Heartmates Foundation has been founded. You can visit it on this site with just a click of your mouse ... check the navigation bar on the left side of the page, or scroll down to the bottom and click the purple box. Please read the information there about why a foundation. Then if it is right for you, make a donation to participate in helping other heartmates get the education, support and comfort they need. There are two simple ways to donate ... each with a click of your mouse ... you can donate online on a secure site that will take credit cards, or you may fill out the form, and mail your contribution. The other update has to do with ordering books: When you visit our order page, you will find us linked with Amazon.com so that both books, Heartmates: A Guide... and The Heartmates Meditation Journal, may be purchased online. A portion of each book sale will go to The Heartmates Foundation, so you can help yourself and others at the same time. Our best for full recovery for each of you and your family...Rachael@heartmates

Name:	nancy grooms
E-mail:	primal88@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-04-27 12:31:00-05
Comments:	THIS IS MY SECOND ENTRY IN HEARTMATES.MY HUSBAND OF 32YEARS HAD A HEART ATTACK A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.HE IS DOING GREAT.HE ONLY HAD ONE BLOCKAGE AND A STENT WAS PUT IN.MY PROBLEM IS I JUST CAN NOT SHAKE THE FACT THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HIM.I WORRY 24 HOURS A DAY THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.COULD SOMEONE PLEA SE TELL ME HOW TO RELAX AND NOT LET THIS CONSUME MY WHOLE LIFE.I DID NOT LET MY HUSBAND KNOW HOW I FEEL.THANK YOU

Name:	D.C. Harrington
E-mail:	dharring@isd.net
Date:	2001-05-03 08:18:00-05
Comments:	I had heard that medicines for reducing blood cholesterol may cause Alzheimers disease. I just heard (May 2001) on TV news that Lipitor may be a useful treatment for Alzheimers. Could not verify this in the newspapers. Who is right ?

Name:	Karen
E-mail:	dkito@ix.netcom.com
Date:	2001-05-05 08:59:00-05
Comments:	My husband, who just turned 40, had his first heart attack four weeks ago. His only risk factor was smoking (he's now quit), and other than that, he was very physically fit, low cholesterol, active, etc. The first time he had chest pains, the doctor said it was heart burn. Two days later, he stopped breathing and I had to call 911; that was the heart attack. He had angioplasty and a stent put in and has been in rehab for three weeks now. He's very angry about it, doesn't want to talk about it, etc. When I tell him I'm worried, he just says since they cleared the blockage he's fine, and to "get over it". He hasn't changed his eating habits much and gets very angry if I suggest anything healthier to eat (which I only do rarely). He went back to work a bit the day after he got home from the hospital and was back to full time in less than two weeks. Is this "denial" and/or has anyone else experienced this? Does time make it better? What's the best way for me to respond to him? I'm starting to get angry, too, because he won't talk to me about it and I don't want to go through this by myself either.

Name:	Judy H.
E-mail:	mosho@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-05-09 07:52:00-05
Comments:	I just wanted to say thanks for having this website. I have a 64 year old mother who suffers from CHF, COPD, COLD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and more! She was never sick one day in her active life until the day we now know was the day she had a severe heart attack. She has given up hope and it is getting harder every day to handle the fact that there isn't much we can do for her now. She was suppose to have passed away 3 years ago, having had her last rites read to her a few days before Christmas! She has since had them one other time but continues to pull through miraculously. Her doctor told her one time she was on a routine visit, "Go home, hurry. I am not changing anything because I am not sure how you are even walking today let alone breathing!!!" I had to laugh at that because mom is hardly a fighter. Although she must be fighting if even a little because she is still here. I am thankful for that! Thanks for your site. I just found it this morning after realizing I need help coping with this. My father is already in a nursing home in his last stages of Alzheimers. Its been tough and I have a feeling we aren't even close to done yet. Sincerely, Judy H.

Name:	Rachael Freed
E-mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Date:	2001-05-27 12:31:00-05
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Comments:	Just taking a moment, as the founder of Heartmates, to greet all of you, and to let you know that we continue at Heartmates to look for new and better ways to serve you and your families. I wish all of you a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

Name:	Julie Stevens
E-mail:	jukelly59@hotmail.com
Date:	2001-06-09 07:03:00-05
Comments:	SUBJECT: Fatigue folowing CABG Patient: mid 50 year old male normal weight/ BMI smoker (pre-op) Date of op: Nov 2000 Presenting history: Increasing fatigue and reducing endurance shortness of breathe. Seen by local doctor, referral to cardiologist => angiogram Diagnosis: Cardiac vessel disease requiring urgent CABG. Post OP: uneventful, usual Atrial fibrillation Main issue: Persisting and debilitating fatigue and lassitude. Recently gave work away. Reports having been investigated but no cause found. Does anyone have any suggestions? recommend any web addresses? Has this happenend to you? Please respond to my email - jukelly59@hotmail.com Hugest of thanks.

Name:	PJ
Date:	2001-06-14 05:50:00-05
Comments:	Does anyone have comments about the Vagil Nerve Stimulator in relation to siezure control?

Name:	Kathy Cooley
E-mail:	k.d.cool@att.net
Date:	2001-06-26 03:12:00-05
Comments:	I can only hope that any of you who read this can understand just how wonderful it is for me to have found the heartmates site. I have been so lonely and afraid for the past two years and now find that there may be support out there afterall! My wonderful husband who is 75 yrs young (I am 60) had a massive heart attack on 3/19/99 followed by bypass x 5. Physically, he seemed to be recovering very well, mentally we endured considerable confusion and memory loss. The mental problems created a lot of tension between us; he because he was angry that he could not do things he used to do easily and me because I was placed in the role of helper and many times helped too much! In April, 2000, he suffered arrythmia (Vtac) and was again rushed to the hospital. A cath was done, two stents were put in to an original artery since one of the bypasses had failed. Then an ICD was put in. It took over a month and many firings of the icd to get it right with new medicine. For the past 14 months, he has done so well; no firings from the icd and no symptons. The memory and confusion we have adjusted to and keep trying to balance each of our needs. Last week, he received a computer card from the cardiologist for a treadmill test. Against my better judgement since I could not get my questions answered, we went on in. He failed the test, went into arrythmia and a cath was ordered - all so quickly we didn't have time to think it over. Had the cath 6/20, had last years stent cleared of scar tissue by balloon angioplasty and was sent home. Was assured that the ICD was not affected and yesterday it fired! First time in 14 months. We have so many questions and are so frustrated. I have felt so alone and so very responsible for all of the decisions and he has tried so hard to understand so he can participate in his health. Thank yo for allowing me to express my feelings - sure feels good to do so. Have very few friends and family doesnt really understand. Would love mail - and wish all of you who are struggling with these concerns my love and very best wishes. THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Name:	Amy
E-mail:	schultz@onlyinternet.net
Date:	2001-06-26 04:28:00-05
Comments:	Hello, My son is 27 and will be undergoing the Ross Procedure at the Cleveland Clinic in about two weeks. He was diagnosed a few years ago with a valve problem he was born with. His aortic valve is bicuspid instead of tricuspid and has over the years worn out. 1 1/2 hrs ago he was in acute CHF. He has been on numerous medications as the condition of his heart last year also left him with cardiomyopathy. The medications no longer are working to control the valve function and now his heart is starting to enlarge again. Has anyone had the Ross procedure done and if so any comments about what we can expect and the recovery from this?? From everything I have read this is a very highly successful procedure with a good outlook longterm. Also, any advice on how to prepare for this emotionally. He seems so cool about it like it doesn't bother him but he is having trouble sleeping and I know deep down it has to scare him. I'm worried and scared for him. I keep telling myself it will all be OK but I know that at times in life God has other plans for us. Please anyone with any advice about this I would love to hear from you.

Name:	Jean Coleman - Knoxville, TN
E-mail:	jackandjeancol@juno.com
Date:	2001-06-29 02:53:00-05
Comments:	Just some encouragement! You can live for many, many years with a heart problem! In 1970 my 36 year old husband had a first heart attack! What a traumatic event! Three small children. At that time there were no tests and no treatments. He was in the hospital for three and a half weeks and off from work for ten weeks. The day I watched him drive off to the office for the first time, I was terrified and wondered if I would ever see him alive again. The second heart attack came three years later and the third two years after that in 1975. In between heart attacks, he really had no problems, but the fear of when the next one would come was always hidden away in my heart. In 1972 we met the Lord and in 1978 began to pastor a church part-time. In spring of 1979 Jack began to have heart palpitations and consequently retired from his government position to pastor full time. We watched our church grow from 35 people to 800 people. In the next twenty years we traveled to every continent to preach the gospel. Our journeys took us to darkest Africa, India and the tribes of the Amazon. In Februaty of 2000 while we were in India, Jack experienced chest pain and ended up in a hospital in India!! There in India he had an angioplasty (talk about a scary experience) which showed that he had never had a heart attack, had the arteries of a forty year old man (he was 66 at the time), but showed an enlarged heart and an EF fration of 31%. After that we took two major trips (2 months each) to Australia and Africa. This past May he began to experience bloating and shallow breathing. The diagnosis is congestive heart failure. The cardiologist says that he thinks Jack had a virus that settled in his heart in 1970. So he is now on all the CHF medications, WE go to cardiac rehab three times a week (note that WE go), eat a salt-restricted diet (a real challenge) and life continues on. We have trips planned for India in November and Africa in February. I believe that we have MANY good years ahead. I have written all this to encourage you that we have lived for 31 years with a heart problem hanging over our heads and are still going strong. A heart problem is not necessarily a death sentence! The nagging fear is always there, but don't let it ever stop you from enjoying life to the fullest! Take one day at a time and don't be anxious about tomorrow. Fear of tomorrow can keep you from enjoying today! There is life after a heart event--a good life and a full life! I was sure back in 1970 that I would only have Jack for a short time, and prayed that I would have him long enough to raise our children. Now we have 6 grandchildren--and two of them have their driver's licenses! Be encouraged! Many men live for years and years! Jack is proof of that!

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