Post by: kimmer on October 30, 2008, 10:34:44 PM
The cardiologist said "See you in a year" back at the end of September (but refused just a few weeks later to discontinue the Warfarin without another visit). Instead, we went on vacation and after returning home called the heart surgeon's office. Just a few minutes ago they called us back and said "Good to stop the meds", so Mac (aka: Sneakers) is now off the rat poison (Warfarin [also known under the brand name Coumadin ...]).
Mac is free and clear!!!!!!!
We can once again enjoy broccoli, artichokes, mayo, spinach, a glass of wine, and other assorted delicacies. Tomorrow night will be a green feast. LOL!
WHOOT!!!!!!
Post by: krissel on October 30, 2008, 10:48:31 PM
BTW, Mom eats plenty of broccoli and other vitamin K veggies. As long as the coumadin/warfarin is adjusted properly you shouldn't have to restrict your food (alcohol is a no-no anyway). But of course it's even better not to have to even think about it.
Post by: Highmac on October 31, 2008, 02:59:18 AM
Post by: Gregg on October 31, 2008, 06:32:04 AM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Oct 30 2008, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We can once again enjoy broccoli, artichokes, mayo, ....
Terrific! I'm sure Mayo will be happy too!
Post by: jcarter on October 31, 2008, 07:44:57 AM
I just thought that this might help, a friend who is on Coumadin was told by his doctor that he could indeed have a glass of wine or a gin and tonic right before his dinner, as long as he is consistent with timing and amount.
I read the warnings, but see that its possible without problems. But whatever you do, diet or alcohol, tell your doctor.
Jane
Post by: dolphin on October 31, 2008, 07:46:05 AM
Post by: gunug on October 31, 2008, 08:02:40 AM
Post by: kimmer on October 31, 2008, 12:07:58 PM
QUOTE(krissel @ Oct 30 2008, 08:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
BTW, Mom eats plenty of broccoli and other vitamin K veggies. As long as the coumadin/warfarin is adjusted properly you shouldn't have to restrict your food (alcohol is a no-no anyway). But of course it's even better not to have to even think about it.
I'm glad they have your mom adjusted so she can enjoy those foods. If Mac had been on the rat poison long term, they would have allowed him to eat whatever he wanted and adjusted the meds; but being short term stability was very important -- so he was told NO to any of those things. It wasn't a big deal for 3 months, although I ate some broccoli/cheddar soup one day and felt guilty.
Alcohol was definitely a NO Dolphin, I guess I can cook a feast and invite some friends over for the holidays.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 31, 2008, 12:45:47 PM
Be sure to tell him I'll send all the cooked brocolli I ever get (FedEx, of course, to preserve the freshness)! Should be there in time for lunch! 
Post by: Paddy on October 31, 2008, 01:59:38 PM
Glad to hear that Sneakers is off it though - one less thing to worry about!!
Post by: jcarter on October 31, 2008, 03:11:05 PM
Jane
Post by: kimmer on October 31, 2008, 05:23:37 PM
Alcohol + rat poison = stress on liver as the liver metabolizes both of them.
Remember that Mac's liver and kidneys took MAJOR hits due to the bacterial infection and resulting months of heavy doses of rough antibiotics. His situation is not your normal heart patient situation.
I don't want to turn this into a big discussion on stuff -- what every person does is up to them and their doctor; so my apologies for making any comments -- and there won't be any more negativity from me here.
I'd rather this thread just be a celebration.
- Mac survived all of this (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac's heart is now in grand shape (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac is alive and with me (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac's kidneys are still recovering but not in danger (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac is driving again (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac is now off all the odd meds.
- Mac is healthy enough we took a vacation (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac is good to go for a whole year with Amazon woman cardiologist.
- Mac is here to enjoy the holidays (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- So Mac is a miracle and we are both so very thankful.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on October 31, 2008, 05:35:01 PM
Enjoy he broccoli! I'll take pumpkin pie and/or bread any day! 
Post by: Jack W on October 31, 2008, 08:31:59 PM
Kim!!!!That sounds fantastic. You both have to be totally elated after the things you have been going through the last several months!
There sure have been a lot of people praying for you both.
Such grand people.
Keep up the good work.
- Jack
Post by: chriskleeman on October 31, 2008, 09:47:16 PM
I am so happy for both of you, and in ways you might not imagine. There are heart issues here at home that I've been treating through alternative means, and so far, so good!
OUTSTANDING! I am so happy for both of you! And your travelogue was just the best!
All the best,
Chris K
Post by: krissel on November 01, 2008, 04:08:15 AM
What I meant, but didn't clarify, was that Mom can't have alcohol at all... because she is on so many other medications. Any drinks would really be poison to her.
Mac is really fortunate that he had doctors who realized his problems and arranged the correct solution. He also is fortunate to have a great companion who helped him through all his trials.
Kudos to all who helped Mac recover, as well as to the patient himself!
Post by: kimmer on November 01, 2008, 12:29:51 PM
Jack, we are elated; and yes there were a LOT of folks praying (people, churches, and/or church prayer groups from Illinois to Kentucky to W. VA, down to Tennessee, up to Wisconsin, in Kansas, Iowa, and Florida, over to California and up home to Oregon. Over the border in Canada, across the ocean in England and Scotland, and a baptist church in Beruit prayed with us!) [end of my religious comments]
Kris, Mac is VERY fortunate. It all falls back to the emergency room doc who realized he'd just seen Mac for an infection and so he ordered the blood cultures, and then to our general physician who immediately sent us to one of the best cardiologists around, and she sent us to the one of the best heart surgeons. If any one of these docs had hesitated in their care for Mac -- well, he would have either died from the infection or his heart would have been damaged beyond repair.
QUOTE
I am so happy for both of you, and in ways you might not imagine. There are heart issues here at home that I've been treating through alternative means, and so far, so good!
CHRIS! Please don't mess around. Alternative medicine is fine, but please don't let things go beyond the "fixable" stage. Please. I worry about you!
QUOTE
OUTSTANDING! I am so happy for both of you! And your travelogue was just the best!
Thanks and I'll get that travelogue finished and the pics up this next week.
Post by: Gregg on November 01, 2008, 06:58:23 PM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Oct 31 2008, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Mac is driving again (something the docs didn't think would happen).
- Mac is now off all the odd meds.
For the sake of the other drivers, I hope those are out of order chronologically.
Post by: jcarter on November 01, 2008, 07:20:27 PM
It can get worse, then you get in real trouble.
Dont fool around with your health or conditions! It drains the pocketbook and is only a panacea,,,,how about some snake oil?
Please be careful with anything serious, its not worth it in the long run.
(Yes, our family is full of doctors and they know about that stuff. They see the patients who have delayed proper treatment.)
Jane
Post by: kimmer on November 01, 2008, 07:47:54 PM
QUOTE(Gregg @ Nov 1 2008, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE(kimmer @ Oct 31 2008, 05:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
- Mac is driving again (something the doc's didn't think would happen).
- Mac is now off all the odd meds.
For the sake of the other drivers, I hope those are out of order chronologically.
Well ... no ... but those odd meds weren't that odd.
Post by: kbeartx on November 02, 2008, 03:41:05 AM
QUOTE(jcarter @ Nov 1 2008, 06:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
... and is only a panacea...
Jane,
I was startled by your use of 'panacea' in this context. I thought it meant 'cure-all' and most commonly used in the phrase 'not a panacea'. Does it have another meaning I'm unaware of?
KB
Post by: krissel on November 02, 2008, 04:03:49 AM
See the third example:
http://www.fact-archive.com/dictionary/Panacea
Post by: jcarter on November 02, 2008, 05:49:47 AM
I think of my husband's wonderful aunt, she had serious diabetes, and it was never treated properly.
She had a doctor who thought that he could treat this by unconventional ways, like no insulin.
She is now totally blind. That didnt have to happen.
Even my grand-cat has his insulin shots twice a day.
Jane
Post by: Frances144 on November 02, 2008, 08:26:41 AM
Hope he is smiling like Floss is smiling over her new Converses!
Thanks again - a huge success all round.
Fx
Post by: kbeartx on November 05, 2008, 07:05:08 PM
QUOTE(krissel @ Nov 2 2008, 04:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It has additional context as a "false cure". See the third example: http://www.fact-archive.com/dictionary/Panacea
Thnask! I'd never heard [or read] panacea used in that sense.
KB