Re: Joe's Update -- It's a long post!

[Guest guest]

Hi again everyone!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your

input, well wishes, concern, and prayers! It has helped me be " levelheaded "

through all of this.

Yes, it's late, but I returned home less than an hour ago, talked with my

Mom, and Joe's boss (No, he's not going to get fired), and then of course

came here. You all really have been a sanctuary of sorts for me through all

of this and Joe said to say THANK YOU to everyone on here for all that I

mentioned in the first paragraph.

A question: I found out upon my return that his Free T4 levels were

undetectable. Does anyone know how worried I should be? I haven't pulled

out the books YET since I got home, but I will!

He is on an EKG/heart monitor still and there is a box of Atropine taped to

the wall above his head. He also had what I can only call a giant " contact

pad " -- in case his heart rate goes too low -- so they can jump start him!

Egad. He tells me he feels better, but his heart rate is only 43 now (they

were happy it's gone UP) and -- well, I can't be there to look out for him!

Ugh!

When I arrived he was in tears as him Mom had called him (we're in Portland,

she's in LA), and the priest had just visited. He said the priest had been

so nice and they had shared Army stories -- he was very choked up. My

parents are making a two hour drive tomorrow to spend the day with him, and

will probably stay over tomorrow night insisting that I must be in need of

emotional support. (They are great people!)

I know this is already LONG, but I also wanted to vent a bit here ... while

in the ER the doctor realized the gravity of Joe's situation. Tonight, the

docs visiting us were ODs and while I liked one, the other seemed a bit too

" glib " to Joe's situation. I asked her if he was indeed out of the risk of

going into a coma (I just wanted to hear it) and she said, " Oh, there's no

risk of THAT! That only happens to people when they've been Hypo for at least

5 years. " I don't think I'm going out on a long limb here to say that that

is a very ignorant statement to make?

Well, we've all heard of (and maybe have known and loved) people who've had

heart problems for years, and die of a heart attack. There are also numerous

cases where people die of heart attacks without any prior heart disease

diagnoses!

As I see it, his labs and pulse rate, the ER docs concern (he said he's seen

four cases with the combined thyroid test results -- all were in comas -- and

one died!), and Joe's symptoms indicate that YES this indeed was a

possibility! Joe then asked her another relevant question (I can't remember

what now) and she said, " Well, we don't see a lot of hypothyroid patients, so

I don't really know. " Enough said. Fortunately she will NOT be his

attending physician! Ha! ('Cause if she were I FIRE HER!)

He will see another doctor, MD, tomorrow.

She also said that she went to Med school with the gal he saw at the VA

Hospital and that we really shouldn't give up on her -- that we should let

her know what's going on with Joe. Why? I see absolutely no reason to waste

my time with her. So we won't, end of story.

And, yes, this is where my story needs to end. I miss my darling, but I will

see him tomorrow after work. Thank you, thank you, thank you again everyone!

Boy, -- and anyone else who is feeling " weird " after RAI -- please

take Joe's story to heart. Go in and get some labs done TOMORROW!!!!!!!

When I left Joe, he had a big smile on his face ... " I love you Ann.

Thank you so much for everything. "

Thank you all for everything!

Hugs and love and prayers to all of you with this very volatile disease!

Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi again everyone!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your

input, well wishes, concern, and prayers! It has helped me be " levelheaded "

through all of this.

Yes, it's late, but I returned home less than an hour ago, talked with my

Mom, and Joe's boss (No, he's not going to get fired), and then of course

came here. You all really have been a sanctuary of sorts for me through all

of this and Joe said to say THANK YOU to everyone on here for all that I

mentioned in the first paragraph.

A question: I found out upon my return that his Free T4 levels were

undetectable. Does anyone know how worried I should be? I haven't pulled

out the books YET since I got home, but I will!

He is on an EKG/heart monitor still and there is a box of Atropine taped to

the wall above his head. He also had what I can only call a giant " contact

pad " -- in case his heart rate goes too low -- so they can jump start him!

Egad. He tells me he feels better, but his heart rate is only 43 now (they

were happy it's gone UP) and -- well, I can't be there to look out for him!

Ugh!

When I arrived he was in tears as him Mom had called him (we're in Portland,

she's in LA), and the priest had just visited. He said the priest had been

so nice and they had shared Army stories -- he was very choked up. My

parents are making a two hour drive tomorrow to spend the day with him, and

will probably stay over tomorrow night insisting that I must be in need of

emotional support. (They are great people!)

I know this is already LONG, but I also wanted to vent a bit here ... while

in the ER the doctor realized the gravity of Joe's situation. Tonight, the

docs visiting us were ODs and while I liked one, the other seemed a bit too

" glib " to Joe's situation. I asked her if he was indeed out of the risk of

going into a coma (I just wanted to hear it) and she said, " Oh, there's no

risk of THAT! That only happens to people when they've been Hypo for at least

5 years. " I don't think I'm going out on a long limb here to say that that

is a very ignorant statement to make?

Well, we've all heard of (and maybe have known and loved) people who've had

heart problems for years, and die of a heart attack. There are also numerous

cases where people die of heart attacks without any prior heart disease

diagnoses!

As I see it, his labs and pulse rate, the ER docs concern (he said he's seen

four cases with the combined thyroid test results -- all were in comas -- and

one died!), and Joe's symptoms indicate that YES this indeed was a

possibility! Joe then asked her another relevant question (I can't remember

what now) and she said, " Well, we don't see a lot of hypothyroid patients, so

I don't really know. " Enough said. Fortunately she will NOT be his

attending physician! Ha! ('Cause if she were I FIRE HER!)

He will see another doctor, MD, tomorrow.

She also said that she went to Med school with the gal he saw at the VA

Hospital and that we really shouldn't give up on her -- that we should let

her know what's going on with Joe. Why? I see absolutely no reason to waste

my time with her. So we won't, end of story.

And, yes, this is where my story needs to end. I miss my darling, but I will

see him tomorrow after work. Thank you, thank you, thank you again everyone!

Boy, -- and anyone else who is feeling " weird " after RAI -- please

take Joe's story to heart. Go in and get some labs done TOMORROW!!!!!!!

When I left Joe, he had a big smile on his face ... " I love you Ann.

Thank you so much for everything. "

Thank you all for everything!

Hugs and love and prayers to all of you with this very volatile disease!

Ann

[Guest guest]

Ann,

You can be in a walking, talking myxedema coma. You can only live 6 weeks

with no thyroid hormone in your body. Stay far away from the woman that said

it only happens after being hypo for 5 years!!

Bottom line....Joe has had HORRIBLE treatment...bordering on malpractice and

definately negligence. Do whatever you have to do to make sure that someone

that knows what they are doing see's Joe in the hospital....and I'd keep that

idiot OD away from him.

Sorry so harsh, but it's appalling how he has been neglected by the medical

folks there.

He's definately in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated as you

can.

Doris

[Guest guest]

Dear Anne

I just read about your last few days. I really hope Joe is continues to get

better. How frightening for you both. As

other have said, what a blessing you are for Joe. I hope you are looking after

yourself too.

You are both in our prayers.

Love

Caroline

[Guest guest]

Ann,

I have to agree with this: it is near criminal that Joe has been allowed to

get into this state. His doctor should be reported to the state medical

board or something . . .

B

Re: Joe's Update -- It's a long post!

> Ann,

> You can be in a walking, talking myxedema coma. You can only live 6 weeks

> with no thyroid hormone in your body. Stay far away from the woman that

said

> it only happens after being hypo for 5 years!!

>

> Bottom line....Joe has had HORRIBLE treatment...bordering on malpractice

and

> definately negligence. Do whatever you have to do to make sure that

someone

> that knows what they are doing see's Joe in the hospital....and I'd keep

that

> idiot OD away from him.

>

> Sorry so harsh, but it's appalling how he has been neglected by the

medical

> folks there.

>

> He's definately in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us updated as you

> can.

>

> Doris

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ann,

You and Joe are in my prayers. Best wishes for a great recovery..

LlBuddha@... wrote:

> Hi again everyone!

>

> Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your

> input, well wishes, concern, and prayers! It has helped me be

> " levelheaded "

> through all of this.

>

> Yes, it's late, but I returned home less than an hour ago, talked with my

> Mom, and Joe's boss (No, he's not going to get fired), and then of course

> came here. You all really have been a sanctuary of sorts for me

> through all

> of this and Joe said to say THANK YOU to everyone on here for all that I

> mentioned in the first paragraph.

>

> A question: I found out upon my return that his Free T4 levels were

> undetectable. Does anyone know how worried I should be? I haven't

> pulled

> out the books YET since I got home, but I will!

>

> He is on an EKG/heart monitor still and there is a box of Atropine

> taped to

> the wall above his head. He also had what I can only call a giant

> " contact

> pad " -- in case his heart rate goes too low -- so they can jump start

> him!

> Egad. He tells me he feels better, but his heart rate is only 43 now

> (they

> were happy it's gone UP) and -- well, I can't be there to look out for

> him!

> Ugh!

>

> When I arrived he was in tears as him Mom had called him (we're in

> Portland,

> she's in LA), and the priest had just visited. He said the priest had

> been

> so nice and they had shared Army stories -- he was very choked up. My

> parents are making a two hour drive tomorrow to spend the day with

> him, and

> will probably stay over tomorrow night insisting that I must be in

> need of

> emotional support. (They are great people!)

>

> I know this is already LONG, but I also wanted to vent a bit here ...

> while

> in the ER the doctor realized the gravity of Joe's situation.

> Tonight, the

> docs visiting us were ODs and while I liked one, the other seemed a

> bit too

> " glib " to Joe's situation. I asked her if he was indeed out of the

> risk of

> going into a coma (I just wanted to hear it) and she said, " Oh,

> there's no

> risk of THAT! That only happens to people when they've been Hypo for

> at least

> 5 years. " I don't think I'm going out on a long limb here to say that

> that

> is a very ignorant statement to make?

>

> Well, we've all heard of (and maybe have known and loved) people

> who've had

> heart problems for years, and die of a heart attack. There are also

> numerous

> cases where people die of heart attacks without any prior heart disease

> diagnoses!

>

> As I see it, his labs and pulse rate, the ER docs concern (he said

> he's seen

> four cases with the combined thyroid test results -- all were in comas

> -- and

> one died!), and Joe's symptoms indicate that YES this indeed was a

> possibility! Joe then asked her another relevant question (I can't

> remember

> what now) and she said, " Well, we don't see a lot of hypothyroid

> patients, so

> I don't really know. " Enough said. Fortunately she will NOT be his

> attending physician! Ha! ('Cause if she were I FIRE HER!)

>

> He will see another doctor, MD, tomorrow.

>

> She also said that she went to Med school with the gal he saw at the VA

> Hospital and that we really shouldn't give up on her -- that we should

> let

> her know what's going on with Joe. Why? I see absolutely no reason

> to waste

> my time with her. So we won't, end of story.

>

> And, yes, this is where my story needs to end. I miss my darling, but

> I will

> see him tomorrow after work. Thank you, thank you, thank you again

> everyone!

> Boy, -- and anyone else who is feeling " weird " after RAI --

> please

> take Joe's story to heart. Go in and get some labs done TOMORROW!!!!!!!

>

> When I left Joe, he had a big smile on his face ... " I love you

> Ann.

> Thank you so much for everything. "

>

> Thank you all for everything!

>

> Hugs and love and prayers to all of you with this very volatile disease!

>

> Ann

>

> -------------------------------------

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is

> not intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

> ----------------------------------------

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

> endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ann -

Thanks for the update - sounds like Joe is doing better! I'm so glad! I'm

also happy your parents are coming to stay for a bit - you can use all the

moral support you can get! What a scary time!

And that doctor that said you can't go into a coma unless you've been hypo

for 5 years? Yikes! Maybe he flunked the endocrinology part of the test!

Seriously, that's awful - it's really frightening some of the ignorance of

doctors about thyroid disease. I'm doubly glad that isn't your doctor. Thank

goodness you went with your instincts.

As for the undetectable FT4, that seems pretty reasonable if his TSH was

that high - remember that the TSH lags 6 weeks behind the FT4, so imagine

what shape he'd have been in had you waited. Don't want to think about it. I

still can't believe they just cancelled his appt. at the VA. I really thank

God that he's got you to watch out for him. He was probably so hypo and felt

so lousy that he _couldn't_ think of what to do for himself! Poor thing!

>When I left Joe, he had a big smile on his face ... " I love you Ann.

>Thank you so much for everything. "

So sweet - gave me tears! Sounds like he's feeling a bit better! You take

care and let him know we're out here praying for him!

Re: Joe's Update -- It's a long post!

>Hi again everyone!

>

>Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your

>input, well wishes, concern, and prayers! It has helped me be

" levelheaded "

>through all of this.

>

>Yes, it's late, but I returned home less than an hour ago, talked with my

>Mom, and Joe's boss (No, he's not going to get fired), and then of course

>came here. You all really have been a sanctuary of sorts for me through

all

>of this and Joe said to say THANK YOU to everyone on here for all that I

>mentioned in the first paragraph.

>

>A question: I found out upon my return that his Free T4 levels were

>undetectable. Does anyone know how worried I should be? I haven't pulled

>out the books YET since I got home, but I will!

>

>He is on an EKG/heart monitor still and there is a box of Atropine taped to

>the wall above his head. He also had what I can only call a giant " contact

>pad " -- in case his heart rate goes too low -- so they can jump start him!

>Egad. He tells me he feels better, but his heart rate is only 43 now (they

>were happy it's gone UP) and -- well, I can't be there to look out for him!

>Ugh!

>

>When I arrived he was in tears as him Mom had called him (we're in

Portland,

>she's in LA), and the priest had just visited. He said the priest had been

>so nice and they had shared Army stories -- he was very choked up. My

>parents are making a two hour drive tomorrow to spend the day with him, and

>will probably stay over tomorrow night insisting that I must be in need of

>emotional support. (They are great people!)

>

>I know this is already LONG, but I also wanted to vent a bit here ... while

>in the ER the doctor realized the gravity of Joe's situation. Tonight, the

>docs visiting us were ODs and while I liked one, the other seemed a bit too

> " glib " to Joe's situation. I asked her if he was indeed out of the risk of

>going into a coma (I just wanted to hear it) and she said, " Oh, there's no

>risk of THAT! That only happens to people when they've been Hypo for at

least

>5 years. " I don't think I'm going out on a long limb here to say that that

>is a very ignorant statement to make?

>

>Well, we've all heard of (and maybe have known and loved) people who've had

>heart problems for years, and die of a heart attack. There are also

numerous

>cases where people die of heart attacks without any prior heart disease

>diagnoses!

>

>As I see it, his labs and pulse rate, the ER docs concern (he said he's

seen

>four cases with the combined thyroid test results -- all were in comas --

and

>one died!), and Joe's symptoms indicate that YES this indeed was a

>possibility! Joe then asked her another relevant question (I can't

remember

>what now) and she said, " Well, we don't see a lot of hypothyroid patients,

so

>I don't really know. " Enough said. Fortunately she will NOT be his

>attending physician! Ha! ('Cause if she were I FIRE HER!)

>

>He will see another doctor, MD, tomorrow.

>

>She also said that she went to Med school with the gal he saw at the VA

>Hospital and that we really shouldn't give up on her -- that we should let

>her know what's going on with Joe. Why? I see absolutely no reason to

waste

>my time with her. So we won't, end of story.

>

>And, yes, this is where my story needs to end. I miss my darling, but I

will

>see him tomorrow after work. Thank you, thank you, thank you again

everyone!

> Boy, -- and anyone else who is feeling " weird " after RAI --

please

>take Joe's story to heart. Go in and get some labs done TOMORROW!!!!!!!

>

>When I left Joe, he had a big smile on his face ... " I love you Ann.

>Thank you so much for everything. "

>

>Thank you all for everything!

>

>Hugs and love and prayers to all of you with this very volatile disease!

>

> Ann

>

>

>-------------------------------------

>The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

>Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

>----------------------------------------

> DISCLAIMER

>

>Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

>the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

>---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ann,

What a blessing it is for Joe to have you there for him!!! It is good to

hear that Joe is doing a little better!

It is unbelievable that this sort of thing can happen in this day and age!!!

If you don't feel comfortable with any doctor treating Joe. Go with your

insticts, they are good and tell them to get out of there immediately!!!

You guys have gone thru enough!!!

I cannot believe that doctor said that there was no risk for coma and it only

happens if a person is hypo for 5 years. I hope you got her name too. and

definately when Joe is better, report this situation to the medical board!!!

I was glad to read that your parents were coming. It will definately give

you a little time to rest!

My hubby and I are keeping you and Joe in our thoughts and prayer!!!

lil deb