Would Appreciate Prayers for Mom

[Janet]

The cardiac nurse called today to discuss another option for Mom. My brothes were there with her which made me angry because neither called to see if I would like to go with them. They know it's harder for me to get out in my van on these snowy county roads. Anyway........

They said they could do the heart cath just to see what damage was done from the heart attack, but they would have to use a dye. This dye could ruin dialysis for her as she knows it. Right now she is on peritoneal dialsys through her stomach. This dye could cause her kidneys to worsen quickly and make her have to start hemo dialysis. With the paritoneal she does it at home while she sleeps. If she were to do hemo, she could possibly do it at home, but someone would have to be with her, OR she would have to go to Wellbound (her dialysis center) and have it done 3 days a week and it takes 5-8 hours. Mom does not want to do this.

We all come to the decision to wait just a few days and not rush into it. Ultimately, I told Mom I would support whatever decision she made because after all...it's her life and she is very capable of making the decision.

Thank you all so much, you'll never know just how much I appreciate and love you.

[DianaB]

Wow, what a decision!! I'm glad that you're waiting a few days before deciding. After what she's already gone through with dialysis it would be hard to change that to something that's harder to do and more inconvenient. Hopefully another answer will come up soon. Hugs!!

[Blueyes]

Janet, first of all I'm sorry your brothers didn't come to get you. Shame on them!

A heart cath shows blockage in the arteries taking blood to the heart. They punch a hole in her groin, put a line up to her heart, put in the dye, then look at any blockage there may be. The dye then has to be filtered back out through her kidneys, which you know.

An echocardiogram is used to see if there is damage to the heart muscle itself after a heart attack. It's just like a sonogram. They put goo on your chest and run a doppler wand around on your skin. That's all there is to it.

You may know all of these things already...I'm just trying to help I love you and I'm so glad your mom can make her own decisions so you don't have to!

[paula1961]

Janet, I am so sorry about your mom! I so hope she is doing better today. I am sending prayers your way for you and your Mom!!!

[gja1000]

Janet, there is some medicine they can give you before the dye (heart cath) to protect the kidneys. It's called Mucinex or something like that (not the stuff you take for a cold. LOL!). Gary has the same problem as your mom, his kidneys are so bad he can't take dye, unless it is absolutely necessary. He takes the Mucinex the day before the dye study to protect his kidneys - I wonder if they could do that for your mom. Of course, her kidneys may be too bad and maybe even the Mucinex won't help. But you might ask.

[Blueyes]

It's called Mucomyst. Mike just had some, too. He had to drink it and it smells and tastes like rotten eggs I heard it does come in pill form, too.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by Blueyes

Janet, first of all I'm sorry your brothers didn't come to get you. Shame on them!

A heart cath shows blockage in the arteries taking blood to the heart. They punch a hole in her groin, put a line up to her heart, put in the dye, then look at any blockage there may be. The dye then has to be filtered back out through her kidneys, which you know.

An echocardiogram is used to see if there is damage to the heart muscle itself after a heart attack. It's just like a sonogram. They put goo on your chest and run a doppler wand around on your skin. That's all there is to it.

You may know all of these things already...I'm just trying to help I love you and I'm so glad your mom can make her own decisions so you don't have to!

They explained how to do the cath. My brother had it done twice so he was able to reassure her that she wouldn't feel anything. They also did the echocardiogram, but said it didn't show what they needed to see. The way they explained it, is it doesn't show how much or bad the damage actually is and that is why they need to do the cath. That's pretty much why we decided to wait a few days....to gather more information. You are really helping and now I have more questions for the Dr. That's a good thing!

Originally Posted by gja1000

Janet, there is some medicine they can give you before the dye (heart cath) to protect the kidneys. It's called Mucinex or something like that (not the stuff you take for a cold. LOL!). Gary has the same problem as your mom, his kidneys are so bad he can't take dye, unless it is absolutely necessary. He takes the Mucinex the day before the dye study to protect his kidneys - I wonder if they could do that for your mom. Of course, her kidneys may be too bad and maybe even the Mucinex won't help. But you might ask.

I will be asking about this. I hope it's something that will work for Mom. She won't drink meds, she's so stubborn...because she doesn't like to see it, smell it or she'll gag. I'll ask about this and the pill form.

Originally Posted by Blueyes

It's called Mucomyst. Mike just had some, too. He had to drink it and it smells and tastes like rotten eggs I heard it does come in pill form, too.

Thanks for letting me know what it is called, I'll definitely be checking!! You all are the best!

[judy]

This is a big decision, but you are getting lots of help, and great questions to ask!
Are you taking somebody with you to help with the questions and answers?

How is she feeling today?

[Gina]

Janet you are both in my prayers I saw this on FB yesterday and I have been thinking of you g/f..

[Shada]

Janet, you and your Mom are in my prayers.
Your Mother is a strong woman. As is you! Hope every hour brings improvement.
(HUGS)