And so this happened...

[HappyChristian]

My husband woke me up at 4:40 this morning telling me he needed me to take him to the hospital. (that in itself is worrisome for me as soon as I hear it, because my hubs doesn't do doctors unless he absolutely is almost on death's door...literally) He said that his leg, which had been hurting him for a few days, was swollen, discolored, and felt like he was moving a rock when he tried to move it. gulp...

So we headed to the emergency room. We got right in, since it was so early in the morning. And they began tests. Cat scan. Blood tests. EKG. Everyone (including us) figured it was a blood clot, but of course had to be sure. At 8 am, he had an ultrasound done on his leg - from the groin to the toes. And even I, with my lack of medical training could see them. Blood clots all the way down the leg...NO WONDER his leg was so purple (his foot was dark bluish purple - dark!).

Lungs were also tested because he had said he had felt kind of short of breath (also the reason for the EKG). His heart was fine (although at one point his heart rate went way low for a couple of seconds - about gave me a heart attack!). So, with the lung test they found that particles of the blood clots had made their way into his lungs. Another gulp...the doctor told Randy that it was good he had come in when he did. And hadn't waited until an entire clot had made it to his lungs. Just what an emotionally drained, too-tired wife needs to hear, eh? 

So now he's still at the emergency room, hooked up to monitors for his heart, lungs, blood pressure. And an IV with Hepa rin in it to dissolve the clot particles in his lungs. His leg, thanks to the Heparin is looking a wee bit better, but because there so many clots, he has to have vascular surgery. The surgeon will target each clot to dissolve it. He is being prepared for the ambo ride right now (he just called me). We don't know if the surgery will be tonight or tomorrow morning. 

And we also found out that he is now diabetic. It runs in the family, so, as the doc, said, he rolled over the line...

Nothing takes God by surprise. Quite often, though, we are taken by surprise - in a big way! This was that for us. The health issues, the expense this is going to be... 

Please be in prayer that God will do mighty things in our lives and that He will get the glory through all of this. 

[HappyChristian]

Just got word from my hubs that they aren't going to do the surgery tonight.  So he'll have the surgery tomorrow morning.

My mom just reminded me that it was 5 years ago today that she took my dad in for his last hospital stay. He had wanted to be home for his birthday (on the 9th) and he got home on the 7th. Twenty days later the Lord took him home. So my mom's a wee bit emotional about this, too.

What do folks who don't have the Lord and praying friends DO? Thank you. My husband said he appreciates all the prayer. 

[Alan]

1 hour ago, HappyChristian said:

What do folks who don't have the Lord and praying friends DO?

Wonderful words and thoughts. The Lord has blessed you.

I will be praying for all of you this morning during my devotions.

May the Lord bless your husband, you, and your mom during this time of ill health.

Edited February 2, 2017 by Alan
deleted a phrase

[HappyChristian]

Surgery has been moved to mid-afternoon. And the doc told Randy that he'd have to stay in hospital for 3-4 days for monitoring. He was scheduled to preach on Sunday morning, so that's got to change. And he's off work, too - with no sick pay. Again, this didn't take God by surprise.

[swathdiver]

Prayed a prayer for this situation and them grand-babies!  Any on the way yet?

My wife goes back under the knife in a couple of weeks, will post on that later on.

[Jim_Alaska]

I got home late tonight, had to fill in for my pastor. I just read about Randy, it was a shock even this far away. I will be in constant prayer for this situation LuAnne until you update us. You are right, this doesn't take God by surprise. As emotional as it is, it may be a blessing in disguise because of the timing, it could have been a lot worse since Diabetes is involved.

[Rosie]

I just saw this, sure will pray for you all....hugs

[Salyan]

You guys were on our church prayer list last night. <3

[1Timothy115]

I just saw this and I'm so thankful I can join in prayer with everyone. I remember when your Dad went to glory.

Two years ago my wife had a pulmonary embolism (I was away from OB posting). Collapsed in the floor at our home with the wide-eyed grand young'uns watching. She had blood clots in her lungs, an enlarged right ventricle, and they found the main culprit, blood clots in the back of her knee. She was as close to death as a person can be, but God didn't take her. God answers prayers, sometimes the answers are yes and sometimes no. Thank God his answer to us that time was yes.

She has an IVC filter now and she's on xarelto. But, she is with me praise God.

LuAnne, I will be praying for Randy.

[HappyChristian]

Thank you, thank you for your prayers!  Let me try to recap succinctly...first, I was mistaken about the multiple blood clots. There was only one. One that started in the groin and went all the way down his leg. Yes. Somehow the multiple idea was less scary.

We went over to Seattle yesterday. The surgery (actually the first part of it) was not done until 5pm. The doc told me things went well. He put in a catheter to use TPA (a very strong clot-buster) along with the Heparin (which was working to dissolve the clot particles in the lungs).  He was placed in the CCU so that they could monitor the two anti-coagulants because the doctor told me that this procedure increased the risk of belly or brain bleed (think stroke...ugh...not news I wanted to hear). That night, they had to shut off the TPA because (whatever they measured) went too low. I'm SO thankful that they are diligent in their jobs! Yes, they are paid to do this, but they were on their toes and were able to stop the flow before something disastrous happened. All while we were asleep...(which was only in hour increments).

The second part of the surgery was today. Mom and I had to leave and come home today, before the procedure, because parking in downtown Seattle is outrageous. Between gas, ferry prices, parking, food...not to mention the cost of the hospital...we just couldn't stay longer. The procedure was set for 2 pm. And let me tell you, I felt like I was abandoning Randy. The procedure today took 3 hours. The doc called me to let me know how it went. He was pleased. He aspirated the clot (pieces) and ballooned the vein.  He told me that Randy would be on Coumadin for the rest of his life (something I expected) and that he was sending some of Randy's blood to the hematologist to test for clot risk factors. Now, years ago, I was told that Randy and his brothers probably had "thick blood". The emergency room doctor said there is no such thing, and that probably what was meant was that the blood had risk factors for clotting. Turns out (I just found this out today) that Randy's mom (deceased), his oldest brother (deceased from a heart attack due to a blood clot in his leg...), his niece (daughter of his oldest brother) and her daughter all have factor 5, which is a clotting problem. So it's likely that's what he's got.

Anyway, the doc had told me yesterday that Randy would be in the hospital until Monday or Tuesday. Today he told me that, if the swelling goes down satisfactorily (it's actually half of what it was on Wed, but still pretty swollen - color is good, and skin is no longer taut) and if Randy can get up and walking (which I know he will do), and a few other things, he might be able to come home Sunday or Monday! Yay!

He's still got the road of recovery to travel, so prayer is still appreciated.  

And, by the way - he does NOT have diabetes! Isn't that great? Apparently the first emergency room doc jumped the gun and didn't take into account the stress that was going on in his body. Praise the Lord for that. But it is still a wake-up call and we are going to work to avoid diabetes coming on.

 

swath - no, no grandkids yet. We're still waiting. Thanks for the prayer. And do let us know about your wife's upcoming surgery! (BTW - I have been meaning to tell you I'm glad to see you back with us).

1Tim - praise the Lord that God kept your wife here with you! What a frightening time! Thank you for your prayer as well. And it's great to see you again! 

Salyan - please pass on our gratitude to your church for their prayers!

Jim - thank you so much. The last two days, God made several verses so real to us. He is good. No matter what!

Rosie, Alan (and everyone else who didn't post but did pray) - thanks for praying. I am just so appreciative.

 

[Rebecca]

I'm glad the doctors and you have a better understanding of what's going on. I will continue to pray.

[Rosie]

praise God for this answer to prayer will continue to pray

[Jim_Alaska]

What a wonderful blessing and answer to prayer LuAnne. In reading over your latest update I was a bit concerned about Randy having to be on Coumadin for the rest of his life.

Many years ago my wife had a problem which required Coumadin after surgery. It was so long ago that I don't remember the exact circumstances, but the Coumadin had very serous consequences and almost killed her. When she recovered she did some research and found that Coumadin was rat poison. I am not trying to second guess the doctors or alarm you, but this raised some alarm bells when I read it. Wondering if there is not another alternative, perhaps there may be other blood thinners now, since our experience was so long ago, or perhaps the medication has undergone changes.

I am continuing in prayer for Randy and also for your peace of mind.

[Invicta]

Coumadin is one of the brand names used for warfarin.  I know a number of people that have been on warfarin and it has saved their lives.  It should be monitored regularly.

[HappyChristian]

There are other blood thinners (like the heparin he was receiving), but I think coumadin is the most common to go home with. They have removed the IV of heparin and are now giving him coumadin orally, I'm sure to monitor and make sure he has no immediate side effects. Jim, it is my understanding that the reason that it is in some rat poison is that it causes the rats who eat it to bleed to death internally. It does have to be monitored regularly. I guess we'll have to go ahead and find a doctor here (we just haven't done that yet).

So, unless something drastic happens, Randy will be coming home tomorrow! Praise the Lord! He will still have to take it easy, and he has to walk to help the swelling to go down. But I'm so thankful that the doc is pleased enough to send him home. Mom and I will pick him up tomorrow. He's looking forward to getting some rest. LOL

He has to go back next month to do some genetic testing. We are sure they will find that he has at least one gene of the factor5 deficiency. I found out today that Randy's brother didn't die from a heart attack. He died from pulmonary embolism due to factor5 Leidin deficiency. And both of his daughters (and one of each of their daughters) have it. And then we find out today: Randy's younger (#5 of 6) brother had to go to the hospital today...he has three blood clots in his left arm! The doctors didn't keep him, but did give him medicine, so I'm assuming the clots are small enough to dissolve soon. Even so, in the left arm and three of them. Sigh - now I'm more convinced than ever that they all inherited it. I told our son he needs to get tested, too. There are medications that folks with factor5 deficiency can't take. 

Randy was scheduled to preach at church tomorrow morning. We are disappointed, but know that God is in control. His next day is Feb. 26. That is my birthday, so his first sermon at this church on my birthday will be special. =D

I do appreciate the continued prayer. If you could add Everett (Randy's brother with the clots), I would be so grateful.