Sunday, January 13, 2008

Headlines from Hope

  • NO Aortic Infection: The weekend cardiologist stopped in yesterday to let me know that the results of my echo cardiogram were more "legible" this time. Conclusion: I don't have a bacterial infection, I won't need to have the invasive transesophogeal electrocardiogram and I won't need to be on antibiotics. What about that murmur? Just a simple, unrelated, non-threatening mitral valve prolapse.
  • Breathing Improving: I can breathe in comfort without my oxygen tube for longer periods. A trip to the bathroom and shower requires a one-minute, not a one-hour, recovery period. And, just for fun, I did a few easy laps around the bathroom yesterday and didn't collapse. These are major improvements.
  • Monday Discharge?: I brought this up with Dr. Snyder, my weekend doctor (and associate director of the hematology department), and he said it was not an unrealistic goal.
  • Three Cheers for the Team: I've met six of the doctors on "Team Susan." They have, without exception, been competent, caring and compassionate. Best of all, they seem to continuously communicate with one another (and with me) about my case. Even though they haven't had all the "answers," I've felt confident that I've been getting the best and most timely of care.
  • "Simon, Theodore, ALVIN!": You'll have to go see Alvin if you're in the mood for puffy-cheeked chipmunks. In spite of five days of 'roids, I still (knock cheeks) don't look as if I'm squirrelling acorns. But I have had enough of an appetite boost to put me just a few nuts short of consuming a full plate of hospital food. That's a major improvement and accomplishment. And I'm grateful that the 'roids haven't kept me from sleeping like a baby every night.

15 comments:

Nancy said...

Good Positive News! That's what we need. Keep it up and you'll be outta there soon!!! Glad you are breathing easier... what a relief and I'm relieved it wasn't an infection in your heart. Sorry I couldn't visit last week. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Your white counts were low and my eye infection was just awful. I'll be there again on Tuesday and maybe I can come by after my nebulizer treatment of pantamadine... oh goody.. what fun. Take Care & just REST.

Margaret said...

Glad to read so much good news. I hope you're home this time tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Snyder, Dunst and Forman...you've got the A team!

Deb

Susan C said...

Nancy, I'd still love to see you if it works out. Better safe than sorry is most definitely the way to go.

Deb, yes, I'm definitely in the hands of the "A-Team."

Anonymous said...

I think some things from this post can be worked into your "Big C Little C routine". Just for the fun of alliteration: Cheers for competent, caring, compassionate, continuously communicative docs on your case.

:)
Tara in VA

Mrs. Duck said...

Great news! I'm thinking "Monday, Monday" (yes, with the Mama and Papa's melody) and keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Susan C said...

I think "Monday, Monday" is a definite possibility.

My recovery took a quantum leap today. Just walked three laps around the floor without my oxygen. I'm a bit breathless, but not gasping for air.

Piper Robert said...

Big Will needs a hat like this. Did you know he has a coon skin hat?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCWxJ2BGMw4


Big Will sings like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDtcidMR_6I

Lilli said...

Thanks for sharing the good news. I hope you continue to improve, perhaps at an even faster rate. Breathing is good. So is eating. I'm glad you're doing better with both.

Unknown said...

So glad you have no heart problem. You can probably use that heart murmur to get you excused from P.E. class though..Hope you get come very soon and I think you look cute with the chipmunk cheeks. Keep up the good work.

Piper Robert said...

Is that a new pearl ring you're wearing in the "pre-chip" photo?

Susan C said...

It's a vintage pearl ring that I purchased at an estate sale several years ago.

Mrs. Duck said...

Who is Big Will?

Susan C said...

Big Will is just the cutest 11-month old to crawl the planet. He's Piper's grandson and my great nephew.

Why does "great aunt" sound even older than "grandma"?

Piper Robert said...

Now THAT is a pearl ring!

Emily told me an older gentleman called Big Will, "blue eyes".

He's straight trippin' the blue eye thing. (I heard that in a movie.)

I better read your latest post. Love ya!