Stroke Survivor Blog

Today Steve had an echocardiogram which his new doctor (an internist) ordered. He thought the shortness of breath was not due to collapsed lungs, but to congestive heart failure with fluid filling his lungs. The echo confirmed that diagnosis, and it also showed that one heart valve is not working which is causing the swelling in his legs. This condition has developed in the last few months, because the last echo was done on 2/26/08 only 3 days after the stroke and it was fine. Steve will be going to a cardiologist for further treatment and to review options.

He saw the pulmonologist right after the echo was done, and he said nothing could be done for the lungs except to treat the underlying cause, which is the heart condition.

In the meantime, please continue to fervently pray for him. The worst time for him is when he is lying down in bed. Last night he felt like he was being tortured and had only a few hours left to live. The fluid in his lungs makes him feel like he’s drowning. Every part of his body is hurting. He is being shaken to the core, and he needs your prayers for the strength to hang on and press forward.

On Monday he went to the orthopedist about his right shoulder. There was nothing he could do short of surgery. But Steve asked him if he could anything about his left knee which hyper-extends and buckles on him. The doctor gave him a leg brace which he wears over his AFO. It looks like he has a bionic leg, but it does the trick. As a result, Steve is able to put more weight on that leg which will eventually make it stronger. So if we can get the breathing/heart condition under control, Steve can start making progress again.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Psalms 73:26,28