T_bone65 Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Still in my thoughts and prayers, and you are correct they do work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Positive thoughts and prayers for Julie sent from NY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Cid Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Good luck to Julie and you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Linguist Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 Still coming your way Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverines Fan Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 I didn't see this thread before. My prayers and well wishes for Julie, BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theprofessor Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 My families prayers go out to Julie and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'canes2004 Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Good thoughts for the both of you Dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchico Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Good vibes and prayers are on their way for you and Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 praying for your family dave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big F'n Dave Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 Another update: JulieB had the heart cath done yesterday and there were no blockages. Her cardiologist didn't seem at all surprised by this based on her cholesterol numbers and other factors. This is where things got scary again. At our first appointment where he discovered the problem, he told us that Julie's heart was pumping at less than 50 percent. Yesterday following the test, he told us he was encouraged because it was working at about 30 percent. I asked him what it was at his office and he said about 15 percent. It's kind of hard to quantify things like this with numbers, he said. And 15 is below 50, but I was floored to hear how weak her heart was/is. He went on to confirm his original diagnosis of congestive heart failure caused by a viral infection. He said the fact that her heart is pumping twice as efficiently as it was a week-and-a-half ago showed that the current course of treatment is working and said he was encouraged that she would continue to improve. Other than a follow-up with him next week, he said he didn't need to see her again for six months. If he doesn't see the improvement he wants by that point, he said we should discuss options like a pacemaker. This doc is a really nice guy and from everything I can find, he's a very good cardiologist. He's been in practice for 25 years and he's Indian (from the continent - not the reservation) and I see those as plusses. However, he's a very busy guy with (from what I can gather) an immense patient load. He passes on information very quickly and then disappears before I really have a chance to process everything. I realized yesterday after he'd vanished that I've never gotten to ask what I see as the most obvious question concerning Julie: What is her longterm prognosis? I understand that this guy is a doctor, not a fortuneteller but I'd still like to know what he sees for her in the future. I'm strongly leaning towards seeking a second opinion, though I'm not real sure how my insurance company would feel about it. It's not that I don't trust this guy, but I'd just like to have another set of eyes see the same thing he's seeing. Still digging on all the prayers and good thoughts, y'all. Keep 'em coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiegie Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Another update: JulieB had the heart cath done yesterday and there were no blockages. Her cardiologist didn't seem at all surprised by this based on her cholesterol numbers and other factors. This is where things got scary again. At our first appointment where he discovered the problem, he told us that Julie's heart was pumping at less than 50 percent. Yesterday following the test, he told us he was encouraged because it was working at about 30 percent. I asked him what it was at his office and he said about 15 percent. It's kind of hard to quantify things like this with numbers, he said. And 15 is below 50, but I was floored to hear how weak her heart was/is. He went on to confirm his original diagnosis of congestive heart failure caused by a viral infection. He said the fact that her heart is pumping twice as efficiently as it was a week-and-a-half ago showed that the current course of treatment is working and said he was encouraged that she would continue to improve. Other than a follow-up with him next week, he said he didn't need to see her again for six months. If he doesn't see the improvement he wants by that point, he said we should discuss options like a pacemaker.I will hope it doesn't come to that, but having a pacemaker put in sounds a lot less scary than a heart pumping at 15%This doc is a really nice guy and from everything I can find, he's a very good cardiologist. He's been in practice for 25 years and he's Indian (from the continent - not the reservation) and I see those as plusses. However, he's a very busy guy with (from what I can gather) an immense patient load. He passes on information very quickly and then disappears before I really have a chance to process everything. I realized yesterday after he'd vanished that I've never gotten to ask what I see as the most obvious question concerning Julie: What is her longterm prognosis? I understand that this guy is a doctor, not a fortuneteller but I'd still like to know what he sees for her in the future.I'm strongly leaning towards seeking a second opinion, though I'm not real sure how my insurance company would feel about it. It's not that I don't trust this guy, but I'd just like to have another set of eyes see the same thing he's seeing. Tell your insurance company that this doc wants to perform a very high-priced procedure and see if they will let you get a second opinion instead of telling them that the current doc doesn't really want to do anything. Still digging on all the prayers and good thoughts, y'all. Keep 'em coming.absolutely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Scary stuff but the latest sounds encouraging. Still sending the good vibes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cunning Linguist Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 A second opinion is never a bad thing when the situation is this important. Money is secondary. Set up a long term payback with a new doc if the insurance company doesn't come to the table. You have that right as a patient. Hang in there BFD, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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