Prayers needed .....

[pjb]

To my AN Family:

Because I know many of you are good pray-ers, please keep my husband, Truman, in your prayers.  He was admitted to the hospital Thursday night with severe atrial fibrillation in his heart, low blood pressure, and a very rapid heart rate.  Last night he developed fluid in the lungs.  This is a man who had not been in the hospital (as a patient  ) for 55 years.

As you can imagine, I am exhausted and wonkyheaded with exhaustion do not mix very well.   

Two of our children came yesterday so that is a big help.

Clarice

My prayers also go out to you and your husband....

[Brendalu]

Clarice,

Prayers said and more coming your way.

Hugs,
Brenda

[CHD63]

Praying has always been a part of my daily life but it has been wonderfully overwhelming to read of all of your prayers for us during Truman's recent medical crisis.  Prayer is truly what has kept us going.

Predictably I have been very tired since he came home on Tuesday ..... sort of a delayed reaction perhaps.  Truman has always been my caregiver and switching roles has been harder for him than me.  He has been so concerned about my fatigue.  We have only done the essentials this week so that has helped.

Actually we went for a short walk today ..... it was 79 degrees here today!!!  Expected to be in the 30s by Sunday (more normal).  The walk outside was good for both of us.  As we ANers know walking is probably the best therapy we can do.  Walking the hospital corridors was a trip for me ...... I always feel like I am going to bang into the walls when I walk down hallways. (Sometimes I do!   )

Thanks again to all of you for your prayers (you all must have direct lines! ).

Clarice

[saralynn143]

That's the great thing about prayer, Clarice. Everybody has a direct line.

Keeping you and Truman in mine,
Sara

[CHD63]

Hi Donnalynn .....

We are perking along, slowly.  Truman continues to be weaker than I think he should be so we are looking forward to talking with the doctor on Thursday ..... perhaps a medication adjustment will help.  Correspondingly, I have been more tired, mostly because I have assumed additional responsibilities I had not been doing before.

It seems I have developed a shoulder problem since my AN surgery.  Because it is so much more comfortable to sleep on my non-AN side, I apparently have abused my right shoulder and it has become much worse this past two weeks.  I mentioned it to my chiropractor some months ago and she said she could work on it if I needed her to, so I may have to call her.  I definitely do not want to deal with a rotator cuff issue right now!

Thanks for asking and I so much appreciate everyone's prayers ..... it is what has kept us going.

Clarice

[CHD63]

Donnalynn .....

Thanks so much for your continuing support ..... it means a great deal to both of us.

You have many good suggestions!  As for the vitamins, we have both been long-term takers of vitamins, including a multiple vitamin, extra vitamin D, extra magnesium, big extra vitamin B, salmon oil, etc.  With a strong family history for osteoporosis, I take several different kinds of Calcium, as well.

Although I think we eat plenty of veggies and fresh fruit, I know we could probably do better.  We got into a bad habit of eating out (or carrying in) too much following my surgery.  (Truman is a wonderful husband but he is not a cook.)  Ever since my days as a La Leche League leader when our children were babies, we have eaten nothing but whole grains (virtually no white flour in the house).  I am always so dismayed when hospitals bring white bread/rolls/toast on the meal trays ..... our whole family says a collective "yuck" when that happens.  We looked with question marks when the doctor told Truman to go on a low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol diet ...... we've been on that for years.  A box of salt will last us several years.  I routinely cut the sugar in half in any recipe I make.  Oh well, you know all of this ..... but it was just a tiny bit insulting for the doctor to insinuate we were not on a good diet already.

I am not taking an anti-depressant, although there have been times when I probably would have benefited from it.  We have been trying to walk every day because I know that is a powerful stress reliever.  There again, my reduced walking during all of the balance issues did not help my stress level.  I keep trying to tell myself that instead of taking a nap, go for a walk ..... sometimes it works, sometimes I give in and take a nap (my escape sometimes).

I have not seen Zeel cream in the health food store.  I need to go today for flax seed anyway today, so I will look for it.  I have some cream with Capsaisin in it ..... should dig it out and try it.

Donnalynn, thank you so much for not only taking the time to send the helpful suggestions, but also for your thoughts and prayers!

Clarice

[moe]

Donnalynn and Clarice.
Ah you ladies have lots of wisdom and experience in living a fulfilling life!
 I'm taking notes!
Continued well wishes to Truman and Clarice.
Hope you have a nice day with walking, holding hands, all that fun stuff.
Maureen

[ppearl214]

Clarice... what can I say? Sounds like you are doing everything right for Truman... and my dear DonnaLynn has some great suggestions as well.  Sending continued healing hugglez in your direction for Truman... and hang in there.  He's very very very lucky to have you as his wife! 

Phyl

[CHD63]

Donnalynn .....

You are so right about needing to ask others to help.  It is much easier to give than to receive!!  I am not good about asking for things, even when I need it.  Numerous friends have said "Let me know what I can do to help."  ..... you know the rest.  Our daughter-in-law is coming tomorrow so I know she will help me put some good "easy to thaw" meals in the freezer.  Plus, we'll get to squeeze those precious granddaughters!

As if we didn't have enough going on, Truman did something to one of his knees yesterday while he was napping on the couch.      So, no walk today.  Need to call the doctor in the morning if it is no better to see what he can take for pain and better mobility.  Regular appointment on Thursday to check his heart.

Oh, I'll just think Lake Louise and Banff and everything will be better!!   

Clarice

[Keri]

Hi Clarice,
I haven't been on here as much as I'd like lately, and was thinking about you and your hubby.
Thanks for sharing updates. We'll all continue to pray!
Hope you can get some more nice walks in soon.
Keri

[CHD63]

Hi Keri .....

I had missed you and wondered if you were just incredibly busy or not doing well ...... hope it is just busy.

Truman is doing much better now that he has adjusted to new medication.  We are walking when we can, but need to make it part of our daily routine instead of just when we think about it!

Our two sons were here last week-end and did the last mowing and leaf clean-up of our yard ..... I would have worried myself sick if Truman had tried to do it himself.  It was a beautiful week-end so the boys enjoyed "playing" in the yard.   

Come back and join us on a regular basis, Keri!

Clarice

[Kaybo]

Oh Clarice ~ I am so glad that things are going well and Truman is feeling better!  Glad your sons could get the yardwork done so y'all don't have to worry about it!

K   

[CHD63]

Thanks, Kay .....

How are you, Dave, and your precious girlies?

Clarice

[wendysig]

Hi Clarice,

I'm glad to hear Truman is doing better -- you sound much less stressed too, so I'm glad to hear you  sounding better too.

Wendy

[CHD63]

Thanks, Wendy .....

Sometimes it takes an event like this to value what we have!!

Clarice