December 17, 201015 yr A few of you know this already, from my mentioning it on Facebook; but I wanted to share it with the whole BGP family in hopes of enlisting the aid of the now-famous BGP Prayer Squad. For the past few months, I've been going back and forth to various specialists, to treat some fluid retention, bloating and shortness of breath. For much of that time, they were at a loss to figure out what was wrong. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, a CAT scan showed that I have what's called a "pericardial effusion." Basically, it's a build up of fluid between the heart and the sack that it sits in -- the pericardium. The fluid is making it harder for my heart to beat. That's what's causing my shortness of breath. My cardiologist tried to treat it with medication, but it's only getting worse. Up until now, he has not been in favor of doing anything surgically, because I have an enlarged right ventricle, from a bout of congestive heart failure I suffered ten years ago. The enlarged ventricle itself hasn't caused me any noticeable problems, but it does make the space he would have to work in, that much smaller. Well, they put it off as long as possible; however, after a long talk in his office this morning, we decided to go ahead with a procedure to draw off the fluid. It will be performed this Tuesday at the Christ Hospital Heart Center. He doesn't know if I'll have to stay overnight -- it all depends on how things go. The fluid they drain off will be sent to the lab to search for the cause for the fluid build-up, if one can be determined. If more fluid comes back on my heart, in the days following the procedure, I'll have to go back in for a more extensive surgery. In that one, they would make a permanent "window" in the pericardium, which would allow the fluid to drain off into the lymph system on its own. I won't say I'm not scared. I've had lung issues and kidney issues before, but this has me more nervous than I've been about anything. When it's your heart, somehow it's so much more frightening. It's the core of your very existence, and you feel so much more vulnerable. Choosing to have this done was probably one of the toughest choices I've ever had to make. I just hope it's the right one. So I am humbly requesting a little prayer on my behalf as Tuesday approaches. We all know the power of prayer, and nowhere has it been more clearly displayed than right here on BGP. Thanks. :thumb:
December 17, 201015 yr As someone who's had multiple heart surgeries in their life, I know what you're going through Birdsfan. Hang in there! The best comfort I can give to you is to know you're in great hands with the cardiologists in this area. They are truly some of the best in the world. Good luck, and I'll send some prayers up for ya!
December 17, 201015 yr Author As someone who's had multiple heart surgeries in their life, I know what you're going through Birdsfan. Hang in there! The best comfort I can give to you is to know you're in great hands with the cardiologists in this area. They are truly some of the best in the world. Good luck, and I'll send some prayers up for ya!Thanks so much! I have Dr. Reginelli, if you've heard of him. He's with the Ohio Heart and Vascular Group.
December 17, 201015 yr Love and prayers to you, BF! We all know that you have big heart. I didn't need a doctor to tell me that!
December 17, 201015 yr Wish it didn't have to happen, but awfully glad they've finally figured out what the problem is, and that it can be rectified! My prayers (as always) are with you!
December 17, 201015 yr Daily prayers for you my friend, they've never stopped. I'll add to them as will the rest of the family. :thumb: You know I'm always available to talk, anytime.
December 17, 201015 yr Author Thanks guys and gals. I'm (emotionally) fine right now; but despite what Jimmy Buffet thinks, "come Monday, I will not be all right." I'll have my case firmly planted in a basket.
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