[Rhodes22-list] Matters of the heart.
The Rhodes 22 Email List
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Sat Dec 20 05:29:43 EST 2014
Bob,
When I discovered that I had heart problems I immediately filed with the
VA. They are waiting for my doctors report after the surgery before making a
determination. AO has deteriorated the arteries closest to the heart. The
lining had hardened (and shrunk) which is causing restrictions in blood
flow. I was VERY lucky to have caught it before having a stroke or heart
attack. I can only thank my medical professionals for spotting the symptoms.
I am fortunate in having a top notch cardiac unit at the Anderson hospital
and my physician is at the top of his profession. Who knew I would find
that in our small community.
I was with the 77th armored division in Quang Tri province in 1970 to
1971, up along the DMZ. AO was sprayed liberally everywhere including the base
camps. We never thought twice about it since it destroyed any cover for
Charlie. I can't imagine the health issues the local indigenous people are
experiencing.
The surgery is scheduled for early Monday morning and I should be home in
five or six days with a new lease on life if all goes well. Having these
things pop up this late in life after serving so many years ago isn't anything
we were prepared for. We should probably take this discussion off list,
but I think it's important to discuss it since there are probably other
Vietnam era vets that own Rhodes22's.
I'm glad you are responding well to the oral medications because chemo is
really tough to go through. I also have an enlarged prostrate that will have
to be dealt with in several months. Life goes on.
Rummy
In a message dated 12/19/2014 10:44:55 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org writes:
Rummy: Sorry to hear
about your heart issue. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Hang in there;
the medical community has come a long long way with these procedures. My
Agent Orange medical issue (not heart, but
leukemia) was diagnosed back in January 2007 when I was placed on what they
call “watch and wait.” Had blood work every
few months but the shingles attack in late November of ’12 destroyed my
immune
system and the leukemia kicked in. When
I was diagnosed the standard of care was chemotherapy, something I did not
want. Well long story short, I am on a
newly approved oral medication and doing very well.
My brother just had his prostrate taken out
at the VA hospital in Augusta – another Agent Orange related cancer. He
was in the central highlands while I was
up at DaNang, where the Ranch Hand unit was located.
Both of us have been rated by the VA. So if you have not submitted a
claim be sure
that you get your claim in as soon as possible as benefits begin on the
date
that you submit your paperwork. The area
Veterans Administrative office in Greenville or Anderson should be ready
and
willing to assist you. I did not know
that my leukemia was AO associated until I attended a reunion and wound up
loosing a couple of years of VA benefits. So do not delay.
Bob
On Friday, December 19, 2014 4:58 PM, The Rhodes 22 Email List
<rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
Rummy:
Make sure you get a good anesthesiologist. Somebody who monitors your EEG
as well as
your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. You want the
lightest dose possible and the EEG is the only way to tell how deep you are
under. Heavy anesthesia can result in cognitive impairment that takes as
least as long to recover from as the surgery itself.
Cheers,
Shawn
s/v Sweet Baboo (Recycled 86)
On Fri, Dec 19, 2014 at 1:14 PM, The Rhodes 22 Email List <
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>
> Rummy:
> Perhaps I should have also mentioned that for me, and many others, the
pain
> is actually much less than I expected. I was sent home
with a bottle of
> morphine tablets and never used or needed any of them. Coughing hurts and
> there are lots of ached and pains but I was told by my anaesthetist that
> the
> pain with a broken leg is much worse and I believe it now. This was
> important to me because I am a wuss about pain.
>
> Weakness was the worst part but you will be amazed how much you improve
> from
> day to day. The one good thing about all of this, other than the repair
to
> your arteries, is that the whole family will be very attendant and
> sympathetic for a few weeks. After that you will go back to being
> irritating again so enjoy it while you can.
>
> The other good thing, if your response is
similar to mine, is that you will
> sleep like a baby at the drop of the hat any time of day or night. I had
> wonderful sleeps that I now miss very much.
>
> All the best,
> Graham
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of The Rhodes 22
> Email
> List
> Sent: December-19-14 2:54 PM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Matters of the heart.
>
> Thanks Graham. I do have a recliner, but I've ordered an incline foam
> cushion for the guest bedroom where I will sleep until I'm ready for the
> master bedroom. I've heard the same advice from numerous people.
>
> Rummy
>
>
> In a message dated 12/19/2014 11:48:49 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org writes:
>
> Rummy:
>
> Sorry to hear that you have to go through this. I had this same surgery
a
>
year ago last June. It is not a procedure that I would recommend unless
> you
> need it but once done and with a few months of recovery, you will feel
> much
> better. My surgery was in June and by September I was able to do fairly
> light work on the boat - like sanding and painting the deck. Not being
> able
> to lift anything or drive is a frustration as you will feel much better
> before the restrictions are lifted. But in the great scheme of things,
and
> considering what you will have gone through, all that is manageable.
>
> My only advice is to make sure you have a really comfortable recliner at
> home. I ended up sleeping in mine for the first month as I was unable
to
> get out of bed on my own and felt trapped when lying on my back largely
> unable to move. In addition I needed to visit the can numerous times in
> the
> night and being able to get up by myself and without disturbing my wife
> was
> a great relief for both of us. Get one that gives you good support,
> reclines almost flat and is relatively easy to get out of. I just
happened
> to have such a chair and often wondered during the first month of
recovery
> how I would have managed without one and why during the preparation
phase
> no one ever mentioned this to me.
>
> I expect that you will be back online in short order - like within a
week.
> Just because
your body is sore and weak doesn't mean you mind is as well
> and computer work is one of the low exertion things you can do to fight
> off
> the boredom. Waiting to heal is like watching grass grow. Besides, we
> need
> your constant stream of good advice.
>
> At least this isn't occurring during the sailing season.
>
> I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery. We will all look forward
to
> your return.
>
> Graham
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
> [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of The Rhodes 22
> Email List
> Sent: December-19-14 6:33 AM
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Matters of the heart.
>
> I just wanted to let everyone on the list know that I will be out of
> commission for a while. Monday I'm having heart bypass surgery. I will
be
> in the hospital recovering for about a week and then two months at home
>
before I can even drive. The prognosis is good and I'm confident the
> procedure will be successful. My problems are both hereditary and
> exposure
> to agent orange in Vietnam. Hopefully the VA will step up and provide
me
> with extended medical benefits in the future.
> You all behave yourselves. I will probably be monitoring the list in
the
> hospital, but not able to respond.
>
> Rummy
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