StrokeSurvivorBlog

Last Wednesday I took Steve to the emergency room at the urging of his primary care physician who thought he had a blood clot in his leg. Steve presented with swelling in his right leg and severe shortness of breath. An ultrasound of the leg showed that blood was flowing and there was no clot. Then a blood test indicated that there was an abnormality in the lungs, so they did a chest x-ray to check for a clot, but it didn’t show anything. So they did a CT scan which revealed that instead of a clot, both lungs were partially collapsed. They couldn’t explain the leg swelling other than too much salt intake and lack of movement. The ER doctor recommended that Steve go back on the CPAP machine to help him expand his lungs. We had returned the machine last Nov. because he wasn’t using it and Medicare was still being charged for it. So I called the sleep study doctor to place an order for it again. But they said Medicare wouldn’t pay for it unless we had another sleep study done. How frustrating all of this is to me!!!

Steve is scheduled to see a pulmonologist next Tues. to see what can be done. His oxygen levels were normal, but he can’t take a deep breath, and when he’s laying down at night, he is constantly gasping for air.

Today both legs are still swollen slightly and it’s probably from lack of movement. Steve sits most of the time because it takes such great effort to get up and walk a few steps. He gets winded very easily and sleeps often sitting up.

The breathing difficulty along with the right shoulder pain makes it so hard for him. He depends on that right arm for all movement to pull himself up and for weight bearing on his cane. As a result of these latest setbacks, he has become very discouraged, depressed, feels hopeless and useless. He has lost interest in everything, even eating, and doesn’t want to even try to do any therapy. I force him to go to the pool and he’s always glad he went afterwards. Lately though, the chlorine has been bothering him.

We have gone to dozens of different doctors who can only offer short term or no help, or just refer us to someone else, or give us a prescription. I feel like we’re going around in circles and all the appointments are a waste of time. It’s getting very exhausting for me. My hands are bothering me again from all the pulling I have to do in helping him up and lifting his leg in and out of the car.

On a brighter note, Steve has been seizure-free for 6 wks. He’s taking a very low dose of an anti-seizure med Keppra and I also give him a natural remedy called Epi-Still to thwart future seizures. They were coming closer and closer together with the last two being only 3 wks apart, so I am encouraged by this. The doctor wanted to increase his dose of Keppra, but I don’t want to do that if the lower dose with the Epi-Still works. Of course, the doctor doesn’t believe in any natural remedies.

I really desire your prayers for myself and for Steve for continued strength, encouragement, hope for a brighter tomorrow, healing, and wisdom to make the right decisions for his care. There are times when I feel very overwhelmed by everything. My sleep is interrupted often during the night when he needs help turning over or getting up to breathe, so as a result there are days when I feel exhausted.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know God holds the future so I choose to put my trust in Him.