Re: Thanks to all for kind thoughts and prayers...

[Guest guest]

Duff, I have forwarded your email to my husband, , who it the Quality guy at Hendry Regional in Clewiston. I felt he would like to hear about this kind of situation. If you would ever like to ask him any questions about Quality then email him at gjohnson@.... Hope Sheri is better. A burn like that is miserable and seems to take forever to heal. Becca Jon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Thanks to all who offered kind thoughts and prayers...After a long day... finally home and ready for bed, after getting my new (#4!) ICD. Feel great, although tired and thirsty.I learned today it's wrong to poo-poo a medical center... only because it's in a small town. Since I really like my current EP... I make the trek almost 40 miles from home to continue having him treat me (at Bayonet Point Med Center in Hudson, Florida) after he gave up priviledges at Morton-Plant Mease Clearwater Countryside. (The BIG hospital from where my wife left in tears last week over a delay in her treatment for a severe burn - more on that if I can stay awake.)Dr. Rajiva Goyal talked with me over the weekend by phone to discuss my implant

options.. and we chose to go with a Saint Jude (Atlas) device, based on longevity record, size, weight, and lowest frequency of component failures. Plus, Raj was able to use my original leads... now 12 years old! And THAT really pleased me. I did have a couple accidents... One heck of a bout of diarrhea and uncontrollable urination just after I was lifted onto the OR table and strapped down. What a mess - and what an embarassment! Think that was a reaction to the anti-vomit citrus concoction and another yuckily sweet drink to prevent some other problem... given to me in pre-op. A while after transfer from recovery to pre-discharge holding... I thought my hand felt wet, and raised it to see it covered with blood. My palm had a glob of clots on it. Hit the nurse call button... and she came in and shrieked: There was an 18-inch wide puddle of blood on the floor. The IV line had twisted, somehow. No big deal, a little pressure and the ooze stopped. Added a half hour to my stay... but not as scary as it seemed. Now... the BIG city hospital nightmare:

I took Sheri to the Countryside ER after she burned her hand pretty badly (with 3 blisters - one 1.5 inches long) on the stove. After checking in, it took a half hour for the triage nurse to take her vitals... gave her an ice bag and told her to sit and wait. While she sat writhing in pain... four others came in with NOT life threatening situations after we got there and were whisked quickly into the treatment area. I complained to the nurse, and she said my wife did not say her pain was an "8 or greater" so she was passed by others who did claim [i am sure falsely] to have more pain. REMEMBER THAT unless you like waiting. How much longer must she wait to get attention? "At least an hour, sir, please be patient." I asked if there was a walk-in urgent care clinic nearby... she said, "Yes, there are three." But she refused to tell us where - saying that that would be a

conflict of interest! (as if denying treatment of a critical wound is not) I called our PCP... but when the doc on call that night failed to call back in 20 minutes, we decided to leave and head to a drug store to get some O-T-C relief. THEN, as we started out the door, the ER Triage Nurse called out that my wife REALLY needed professional medical care! I told her, "I agree... but can she get it here, NOW - at least have someone look at this - worsening - burn and tell us what to do?" When the nurse babbled, "Well, in time... but..." We did not wait to hear the rest of her drivel as Sheri was now in tears. Despite the good care I have gotten in the past at that hospital, I do not think we will patronize it again. This episode, added to that fiasco earlier this year was the last straw. In case you for got that incident, I

was literally held hostage for four days because they no longer have staff or facilities to provide proper care for any person with a non-Medtronic cardiac devices, thanks to that ethically questionable exclusivity deal Bay Care execs signed with Medtronic. Since Bay Care bought out Morton-Plant Mease hospitals... they seems to have lost their sense of priorities.We now choose to avoid them if there are any other options. Now, I know of at least one... even with the long drive north.I OK.... got that off my chest. And finally getting sleepy. Thanks again for your support. My worries were without foundation.Stay well....DuffeyPS: Sorry if my use of the cute highlighting and color formatting annoys

anyone. I really love this New! Rich-Text Editor (Beta) to compose messages.

Everyone is raving about the all-new beta.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the 4th ICD implant club Duffey!

There are, or were a couple members I think that had 5 implants.

Mostly because they had lead problems and device recalls.

My first device was recalled after 3 years.

I also have the original wires still implanted as well.

It will be 13 years January 6th they have been inside me.

I felt like a real old timer while at Tufts New England Medical

Center last year getting #4 implanted, when 3 young resident doctors

were quite confused looking for my device up around my shoulder.

I just stayed quite until one of them asked " Were is your device? "

I said " It is implanted in my abdomen. "

They looked even more confused then one of the other young doctors

asked " How is it attached to your heart? "

I explained that their were 2 surgeries performed, " first the wires

were attached to my heart, here is the scar. "

" Then they opened me up near my stomach and pulled the wires down

from my heart with a crochet hook type device. "

Well they were quite amazed at that....lol...

We are definitely in the minority still having abdominal leads and

devices.

I hope we both get many more years out of them!

Glad to hear you are doing well post-op Jon.

Keep the wound site clean. (I know you already know that)

They have always given me a one week wound check and pulled out the

staples 2 weeks after surgery.

You take it slow and continue to heal friend and God Bless,

44 in Maine

>

> Thanks to all who offered kind thoughts and prayers...

>

> After a long day... finally home and ready for bed, after getting

my new

> (#4!) ICD. Feel great, although tired and thirsty.

>

> I learned today it's wrong to poo-poo a medical center... only

because

> it's in a small town. Since I really like my current EP... I make

the

> trek almost 40 miles from home to continue having him treat me (at

> Bayonet Point Med Center in Hudson, Florida) after he gave up

> priviledges at Morton-Plant Mease Clearwater Countryside. (The BIG

> hospital from where my wife left in tears last week over a delay in

her

> treatment for a severe burn - more on that if I can stay awake.)

>

> Dr. Rajiva Goyal talked with me over the weekend by phone to

discuss my

> implant options.. and we chose to go with a Saint Jude (Atlas)

device,

> based on longevity record, size, weight, and lowest frequency of

> component failures. Plus, Raj was able to use my original leads...

now

> 12 years old! And THAT really pleased me.

>

> I did have a couple accidents... One heck of a bout of diarrhea and

> uncontrollable urination just after I was lifted onto the OR table

and

> strapped down. [Crying or Very sad] What a mess - and what an

> [Embarassed] embarassment! Think that was a reaction to the anti-

vomit

> citrus concoction and another yuckily sweet drink to prevent some

other

> problem... given to me in pre-op.

>

> A while after transfer from recovery to pre-discharge holding... I

> thought my hand felt wet, and raised it to see it covered with

blood. My

> palm had a glob of clots on it. [Razz] Hit the nurse call

button...

> and she came in and shrieked: There was an 18-inch wide puddle of

blood

> on the floor. The IV line had twisted, somehow. No big deal, a

little

> pressure and the ooze stopped. Added a half hour to my stay... but

not

> as scary as it seemed.

>

> Now... the BIG city hospital nightmare: I took Sheri to the

Countryside

> ER after she burned her hand pretty badly (with 3 blisters - one

1.5

> inches long) on the stove. After checking in, it took a half hour

for

> the triage nurse to take her vitals... gave her an ice bag and told

her

> to sit and wait. While she sat writhing in pain... four others

came in

> with NOT life threatening situations after we got there and were

whisked

> quickly into the treatment area. I complained to the nurse, and she

> said my wife did not say her pain was an " 8 or greater " so she was

> passed by others who did claim [i am sure falsely] to have more

pain.

> REMEMBER THAT unless you like waiting. How much longer must she

wait to

> get attention? " At least an hour, sir, please be patient. "

>

> I asked if there was a walk-in urgent care clinic nearby... she

said,

> " Yes, there are three. " But she refused to tell us where - saying

that

> that would be a conflict of interest! (as if denying treatment of a

> critical wound is not) I called our PCP... but when the doc on call

> that night failed to call back in 20 minutes, we decided to leave

and

> head to a drug store to get some O-T-C relief. THEN, as we started

out

> the door, the ER Triage Nurse called out that my wife REALLY needed

> professional medical care!

>

> I told her, " I agree... but can she get it here, NOW - at least have

> someone look at this - worsening - burn and tell us what to do? "

When

> the nurse babbled, " Well, in time... but... " We did not wait to

hear

> the rest of her drivel as Sheri was now in tears. Despite the good

care

> I have gotten in the past at that hospital, I do not think we will

> patronize it again. This episode, added to that fiasco earlier this

> year was the last straw. In case you for got that incident, I was

> literally held hostage for four days because they no longer have

staff

> or facilities to provide proper care for any person with a non-

Medtronic

> cardiac devices, thanks to that ethically questionable exclusivity

deal

> Bay Care execs signed with Medtronic. Since Bay Care bought out

> Morton-Plant Mease hospitals... they seems to have lost their sense

of

> priorities.

>

> We now choose to avoid them if there are any other options. Now, I

know

> of at least one... even with the long drive north.

> I

> OK.... got that off my chest. And finally getting sleepy. Thanks

again

> for your support. My worries were without foundation.

>

> Stay well....

> Duffey

>

>

> PS: Sorry if my use of the cute highlighting and color formatting

> annoys anyone. I really love this New! Rich-Text Editor (Beta)

> <post?referer=/group//messages & use_rte=1> to compose

messages.

>

[Guest guest]

Good job on the weight loss Duff -- I know it is a hard battle!

~guin

Thanks to all for kind thoughts and prayers...

Wow... ya'll warm my soul. Thanks for sharing your insights, experiences, and good wishes. So sorry that Cheeky, Becca, and Guin have all experienced the loss of beloved Meowing pals. And also had a kitty with heart problems. Dirk's email was special too. 's suggestion to consider environmental influences (as an alternative to "contagious" health problems) got me thinking. It may be possible... although Rascal never spent a day in the area where I spent most of my life and was exposed to such risks: The TV Newsroom... full of bad eaters, smokers, who live on high stress and anxiety, with NO exercise.So... I went back to thinking I was probably not far off when I first suggested our Arrhythmias might be contagious. Here's the logic:

Bet you all will agree that our feline companions are Empaths. They know when we feel bad .

Rascal, a genuine Purr Monster, always climbs up on my chest when I lay down feeling bad. I don't know how he does it, but in short order I DO start feeling better. ALWAYS. Have the rest of you experienced this as I have with Rascal, Becca with Zoe, and Dirk with Spot, Friskie, Isis, and Nermal?

It may be psychosomatic... but with the regularity of this, I am inclined to think it is NOT a coincidence.

As empaths... is it possible they lift our disorders from us and absorb it into their being?

And... eventually causes problems for themselves.Well, I made another trip back to the Vet (40 minute trip one way) again this morning... when we rose to find nothing in the litter box again. They took X-rays of bowel and heart, af ter getting the EKG report from the UF cardio-vets. Rascal has two kinds of faulty rhythms going... and treatment for one is not good for the other. So started exploring options with the Vet and explored the possibility with her that Rascal "caught" his erratic heart rhythms - from ME. At first, she seemed very uncomfortable with that line of discussion... but then admitted, "friends into holistic medicine" have convinced her it is a very real phenomena! How about them apples? Tonight, after my walk, will practice trying to do reverse therapy FOR my furry pal! Last update for the day: Rascal seems to be doing better AND there's kitty poo in the litter box!Never thought I would be so happy to be smelling cat turds. Even stranger that it will let me sleep much better than the last several nights. Thanks again and stay well....Duffey (down to 233 pounds today - 20#s less than in mid December!)

[Guest guest]

Duf, one good job on the weight.

Furballs do lots for us. I do not think we realize until something happens. Springer was 's, and I know that on several occasions 15 lbs of fur landed on his chest to get him going in the right directions several times. It broke his heart when she got sick and had to put her down. But she is with him.

They are so sensitive to our moods that I think they actually feel the what we do. One day I may get another furball, but for now I just trying to take care of myself. Think positive Duf.

Gail

Thanks to all for kind thoughts and prayers...

Wow... ya'll warm my soul. Thanks for sharing your insights, experiences, and good wishes. So sorry that Cheeky, Becca, and Guin have all experienced the loss of beloved Meowing pals. And also had a kitty with heart problems. Dirk's email was special too. 's suggestion to consider environmental influences (as an alternative to "contagious" health problems) got me thinking. It may be possible... although Rascal never spent a day in the area where I spent most of my life and was exposed to such risks: The TV Newsroom... full of bad eaters, smokers, who live on high stress and anxiety, with NO exercise.So... I went back to thinking I was probably not far off when I first suggested our Arrhythmias might be contagious. Here's the logic:

Bet you all will agree that our feline companions are Empaths. They know when we feel bad.

Rascal, a genuine Purr Monster, always climbs up on my chest when I lay down feeling bad. I don't know how he does it, but in short order I DO start feeling better. ALWAYS. Have the rest of you experienced this as I have with Rascal, Becca with Zoe, and Dirk with Spot, Friskie, Isis, and Nermal?

It may be psychosomatic... but with the regularity of this, I am inclined to think it is NOT a coincidence.

As empaths... is it possible they lift our disorders from us and absorb it into their being?

And... eventually causes problems for themselves.Well, I made another trip back to the Vet (40 minute trip one way) again this morning... when we rose to find nothing in the litter box again. They took X-rays of bowel and heart, after getting the EKG report from the UF cardio-vets. Rascal has two kinds of faulty rhythms going... and treatment for one is not good for the other. So started exploring options with the Vet and explored the possibility with her that Rascal "caught" his erratic heart rhythms - from ME. At first, she seemed very uncomfortable with that line of discussion... but then admitted, "friends into holistic medicine" have convinced her it is a very real phenomena! How about them apples? Tonight, after my walk, will practice trying to do reverse therapy FOR my furry pal! Last update for the day: Rascal seems to be doing better AND there's kitty poo in the litter box!Never thought I would be so happy to be smelling cat turds. Even stranger that it will let me sleep much better than the last several nights.Thanks again and stay well....Duffey (down to 233 pounds today - 20#s less than in mid December!)

[Guest guest]

jon i can sytpzie with you shortly after i was disgonised as haveing cardiomyopathy and arrythmias my dog shadow was to how we found out about his is he was hit bye a car we took him to the pet er and the x-ray showed a inlarge heart we knew there was somethign causeing his irragarul heartbeats and siezures ! anyways he dealt with heart problemlys for 5 1/2 years ! but the heart problmes and seizures overcame him so i know what your going though shadow ALways knew when i was haveving problems and so does the dog i have now sean ! i sure hope resacl does well and has a long happy life with you !! you'll be in my thoughs and so will your furry freidn rascel ! bye the way shadow was born not breatheign just like me ! we didnt find out till he was a little over a year ! stacie,23 shockign life for shockign people !Jon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Wow... ya'll warm my soul. Thanks for sharing your insights, experiences, and good wishes. So sorry that Cheeky, Becca, and Guin have all experienced the loss of beloved Meowing pals. And also had a kitty with heart problems. Dirk's email was special too. 's suggestion to consider environmental influences (as an alternative to "contagious" health problems) got me thinking. It may be possible... although Rascal never spent a day in the area where I spent most of my life and was exposed to such risks: The TV

Newsroom... full of bad eaters, smokers, who live on high stress and anxiety, with NO exercise.So... I went back to thinking I was probably not far off when I first suggested our Arrhythmias might be contagious. Here's the logic: Bet you all will agree that our feline companions are Empaths. They know when we feel bad. Rascal, a genuine Purr Monster, always climbs up on my chest when I lay down feeling bad. I don't know how he does it, but in short order I DO start feeling better. ALWAYS. Have the rest of you experienced this as I have with Rascal, Becca with Zoe, and Dirk with Spot, Friskie, Isis, and Nermal? It may be psychosomatic... but with the regularity of this, I am inclined to think it is NOT a coincidence. As

empaths... is it possible they lift our disorders from us and absorb it into their being? And... eventually causes problems for themselves.Well, I made another trip back to the Vet (40 minute trip one way) again this morning... when we rose to find nothing in the litter box again. They took X-rays of bowel and heart, after getting the EKG report from the UF cardio-vets. Ra! scal has two kinds of faulty rhythms going... and treatment for one is not good for the other. So started exploring options with the Vet and explored the possibility with her that Rascal "caught" his erratic heart rhythms - from ME. At first, she seemed very uncomfortable with that line of discussion... but then admitted, "friends into holistic medicine" have convinced her it is a very real phenomena! How about them apples? Tonight, after my walk, will practice trying to

do reverse therapy FOR my furry pal! Last update for the day: Rascal seems to be doing better AND there's kitty poo in the litter box!Never thought I would be so happy to be smelling cat turds. Even stranger that it will let me sleep much better than the last several nights.Thanks again and stay well....Duffey (down to 233 pounds today - 20#s less than in mid December!)

[Guest guest]

Oh my goodness, Gail, my poor tired eyes tonight thought you

wrote: " Hairballs do lots for us. " , and I said to myself, " AMEN,

Sister! "

Oops! You wrote " Furballs " ! I hope you understand it was a natural

mistake, considering I am allowed to live in a house by FOUR

Furballs. Cathair here is one of the major food groups -- along with

kibbles, treats, houseplants, CHEESE! CHEESE! CHEESE! CHEESE!, and

bugs. Mighty jungle hunters, all of us...

Love to all, Dirk'n'Zippy...on the prowl...our whiskers twitching...we

sense an injured donut in the kitchen veldt...we're getting ready to

pounce...our butts are wiggling back'n'forth...hee hee hee poor hyenas

and vultures, little do they know that donuts don't have bones to be

picked over...

[Guest guest]

Oh DIrk, you are too funny -- almost as good as Bill -- well better when it comes to those "furballs'!!!

Love those kitties.... We have four inside and another 6 at the barn.....

~guin

Re: Thanks to all for kind thoughts and prayers...

Oh my goodness, Gail, my poor tired eyes tonight thought you wrote: "Hairballs do lots for us.", and I said to myself, "AMEN, Sister!"Oops! You wrote "Furballs"! I hope you understand it was a natural mistake, considering I am allowed to live in a house by FOUR Furballs. Cathair here is one of the major food groups -- along with kibbles, treats, houseplants, CHEESE! CHEESE! CHEESE! CHEESE!, and bugs. Mighty jungle hunters, all of us...Love to all, Dirk'n'Zippy...on the prowl...our whiskers twitching...we sense an injured donut in the kitchen veldt...we're getting ready to pounce...our butts are wiggling back'n'forth...hee hee hee poor hyenas and vultures, little do they know that donuts don't have bones to be picked over...

[Guest guest]



I am so glad Springer and are together. It warmed my heart to hear that.

Glad you are back with us Gail. I know you are taking good care of yourself!

~guin

Thanks to all for kind thoughts and prayers...

Wow... ya'll warm my soul. Thanks for sharing your insights, experiences, and good wishes. So sorry that Cheeky, Becca, and Guin have all experienced the loss of beloved Meowing pals. And also had a kitty with heart problems. Dirk's email was special too. 's suggestion to consider environmental influences (as an alternative to "contagious" health problems) got me thinking. It may be possible... although Rascal never spent a day in the area where I spent most of my life and was exposed to such risks: The TV Newsroom... full of bad eaters, smokers, who live on high stress and anxiety, with NO exercise.So... I went back to thinking I was probably not far off when I first suggested our Arrhythmias might be contagious. Here's the logic:

Bet you all will agree that our feline companions are Empaths. They know when we feel bad.

Rascal, a genuine Purr Monster, always climbs up on my chest when I lay down feeling bad. I don't know how he does it, but in short order I DO start feeling better. ALWAYS. Have the rest of you experienced this as I have with Rascal, Becca with Zoe, and Dirk with Spot, Friskie, Isis, and Nermal? It may be psychosomatic... but with the regularity of this, I am inclined to think it is NOT a coincidence.

As empaths... is it possible they lift our disorders from us and absorb it into their being? And... eventually causes problems for themselves.Well, I made another trip back to the Vet (40 minute trip one way) again this morning... when we rose to find nothing in the litter box again. They took X-rays of bowel and heart, after getting the EKG report from the UF cardio-vets. Rascal has two kinds of faulty rhythms going... and treatment for one is not good for the other. So started exploring options with the Vet and explored the possibility with her that Rascal "caught" his erratic heart rhythms - from ME. At first, she seemed very uncomfortable with that line of discussion... but then admitted, "friends into holistic medicine" have convinced her it is a very real phenomena! How about them apples? Tonight, after my walk, will practice trying to do reverse therapy FOR my furry pal! Last update for the day: Rascal seems to be doing better AND there's kitty poo in the litter box!Never thought I would be so happy to be smelling cat turds. Even stranger that it will let me sleep much better than the last several nights.Thanks again and stay well....Duffey (down to 233 pounds today - 20#s less than in mid December!)

[Guest guest]

Recently I read a description of a "once in a lifetime cat" that described Zoe completely. We still have three in the Pod, but other than benign neglect, they could really care less about me. But Zoe Baloney really loved me and that made a difference. I have never had a pet that was really, in every sense, a friend, until she crawled up my leg that day we first saw her. Recently, we were in Key West at the Hemingway house, and the tour guide began on the author's suicide. Not only was he desperately ill, but his favorite cat had died not too long before. I understand that emotional black hole well. It's hard to find a cat that laughs. Becca FloridaJon Duffey <duffey@...> wrote: Wow... ya'll warm my soul. Thanks for sharing your insights, experiences, and good wishes. So sorry that Cheeky, Becca, and Guin have all experienced the loss of beloved Meowing pals. And also had a kitty with heart problems. Dirk's email was special too. 's suggestion to consider environmental influences (as an alternative to "contagious" health problems) got me thinking. It may be possible... although Rascal never spent a day in the area where I spent most of my life and was exposed to such risks: The TV Newsroom... full of bad eaters, smokers, who live on high stress and anxiety, with NO

exercise.So... I went back to thinking I was probably not far off when I first suggested our Arrhythmias might be contagious. Here's the logic: Bet you all will agree that our feline companions are Empaths. They know when we feel bad. Rascal, a genuine Purr Monster, always climbs up on my chest when I lay down feeling bad. I don't know how he does it, but in short order I DO start feeling better. ALWAYS. Have the rest of you experienced this as I have with Rascal, Becca with Zoe, and Dirk with Spot, Friskie, Isis, and Nermal? It may be psychosomatic... but with the regularity of this, I am inclined to think it is NOT a coincidence. As empaths... is it possible they lift our disorders from us and absorb it into their being? And... eventually causes problems for themselves.Well, I made another trip back to the Vet (40 minute trip one way) again this morning... when we rose to find nothing in the litter box again. They took X-rays of bowel and heart, after getting the EKG report from the UF cardio-vets. Rascal has two kinds of faulty rhythms going... and treatment for one is not good for the other. So started exploring options with the Vet and explored the possibility with her that Rascal "caught" his erratic heart rhythms - from ME. At first, she seemed very uncomfortable with that line of discussion... but then admitted, "friends into holistic medicine" have convinced her it is a very real phenomena! How about them apples? Tonight, after my walk, will practice trying to do reverse therapy FOR my furry pal! Last update for the day: Rascal seems to be doing

better AND there's kitty poo in the litter box!Never thought I would be so happy to be smelling cat turds. Even stranger that it will let me sleep much better than the last several nights.Thanks again and stay well....Duffey (down to 233 pounds today - 20#s less than in mid December!)

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debatein the Answers Food Drink Q&A.