Helen

[cathyintally]

Any news on Helen?

[Fred]

She told me yesterday thay they would decide today whether to go back in today with a camera and see what's happening or shock the heart or try a different medication. She was not available when I tried calling today.

[Flash ho]

Be sure to post the pics!




Seriously, hope she gets home soon, my thoughts are with her.

[cathyintally]

I'll be traveling to visit my daughter tomorrow but will monitor reports from down there. Please give her my best. We continue to remember her in our prayers.

Cathy

[spongebob]

Wishing you all the best Helen. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Betty

[Fred]

In yesterday's conversation with Helen, she said they were changing her to another room in the hospital. This should be looked as a positive move. The section she was in was the progressive care unit where they have you hooked up to all kinds of monitoring devices. Now she will not be constantly monitored but will be regularly checked. They would not be doing this if they felt she was in danger.

They still haven't determined what action to take. If the medication can stablize her heartbeat and BP, they will not "shock the heart" which is one option being considered. The other option is to go back in with the camera.

[Fred]

I just got off the phone with Helen. She had another heart attack yesterday. They say it was a blood clot in her heart. They are giving her some blood thinner to disolve the clot.

Unfortunately, her cardiologist is off duty this weekend and the doctors who are treating her are not giving her much information as to what they plan to do next. Her daughter is driving down and will be with her tomorrow. I'm sure she will make someone give her some answers instead of the "I don't know" song and dance routine they are giving Helen.

[Helen]

I'm home again and y'all are the BEST as usual!! Thanks so much for all
the concern and prayers. I miss y'all too! :|


Desi is with me for a few days and things are ok so far. I just got knocked
for a loop again I guess, before I had time to heal from the last one.

But we're working on it and expect some strength and endurance to
return. I am walking some short distances a couple of times a day and
doing some light "footsie" exercizes.

Thanks again to you all for your support. :)

:hkiss:

[cathyintally]

WONDERFUL NEWS! Just take it easy, enjoy the down time and keep us posted. We continue to pray for you. :P

Cathy

[Flash ho]

Glad you're back! now - Lay off those late night booty calls and 3 mile jogs.
what? no pics :cry:

[fuhgedaboutit]

So glad you're up and about! Please take care!

um, er, you think you could email me instructions on those "footsie" exercises? And I thought I've been around! :shock:

LOL @ Richard...I think we're destined to be together! :roll:

[Flash ho]

Dusty, we do think alike!!
My favorite tv show title is "foody call" I can picture the Late night snacks!

food people food!

get better, real soon Helen!!

[Fred]

I spoke with Helen on Thursday. She just returned from another stay in the hospital. That's why you haven't seen her posts. She said they drained fluid from around her heart. She is fighting to gain her strength inspite of constant setbacks. She said she could start a pharmacy with all the medication they give her.

[Fred]

As I suspected, Helen has been in the hospital for the last week. I just spoke with her. The doctors decided to implant a pacemaker. They are waiting to make sure that the blood thinner they were giving her is out of her bloodstream. This is really dragging her down. She says all she wants to do is sleep. Keep her in your prayers.

[Cartman]

I've been so worried about you and missed you so. Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Keep us posted on your progress! We miss ya terribly.

[cathyintally]

I sure hope the pacemaker does the trick. Helen, I check the forum every day for news - just rest and take care - we'll be here when you are up and at it again. Cathy :wink:

[Fred]

I called Helen today at the hospital. She said the doctors did implant the pacemaker a couple of days ago. They determined that the medication they were giving her is what caused her latest setback. They changed her medication and they want to make sure her body accepts her current medication before they discharge her. She should return home in about another 3 days. She said she misses everyone and looks forward to getting back her strength and her computer.

[cathyintally]

Sounds like the old saying "the cure is worse than the disease" is in play here. We all continue to pray for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing our butterfly flutter again. Take care Helen - we love you.

Fred: We appreciate you keeping us posted - you're the best.

Cathy

[Flash ho]

http://commanderandcompany.com/helen12v.gif

[cathyintally]

Hey Flash Ho, I love your rendition of a pace maker. I'm sure Helen will have a big chuckle when she sees this. Keep us laughing - it's medicine for the soul. :lol:

Cathy

[Fred]

I tried the hospital yesterday and they told me she was discharged the previous evening. Helen called me at work today. Needless to say - she is still weak. She said she is weaker now than when she left the nursing facility. She sounds fine and is laughing when we talk. She just needs to build up her strength.

Part of her heart is not functioning and her heart is pumping about 20% compression. The normal compression in a healthy heart is around 70%. The doctors are relying on the blood thinner to compensate and make it easier on the heart for the blood to flow and not pool-up in her heart. Hopefully, they will find a medication that does the trick and can be accepted by her body.

She said she just has not had the strength at present to stay on the computer. She will try to visit here when she can and try to respond to her load of email. I told her to just get healthy and not worry, People here understand and wish her a full recovery. She is the best!!

[Fred]

July 3rd is Helen's birthday. I know we all wish her a Happy Birthday and that the ones in the years to come will be more enjoyable.

H A P P Y
B I R T H D A Y

:birthday: :party: :birthday: :bigcrowd:

[cathyintally]

Happy Happy Happy Birthday to Helen. Be glad you can't hear me singing this song - sounds pretty much like a dog howling, but my heart's in the right place.

Seriously, Helen, we wish you the happiest of birthdays and many healthy days to come. We miss you!

Cathy :) :)

[FTP Guy]

Ya'know, I should've remembered as Helen's birthday is the same day as my wife's....

Happy Birthday Helen...thinking of you, and hoping you feel better soon...

[Flash ho]

http://commanderandcompany.com/helen24v.gif

[Cartman]

Hoping you are feeling well enough to celebrate (a little). Don't overdo it! I know how wild you can be! :roll:

ENJOY!!!!!! :toast:

[Ron]

I haven't been posting any messages on here (just letting the regulars talk), but I have been checking in daily to see how you're doing Helen. (I still have you on top of my prayer list.) It's good to hear you're home. It'll just take time, so be patient. We all love you! When I heard it's your birthday, I just had to post and quote a line from the ol' Conway Twitty song that goes like this ... "HELLO DARLIN' and HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
I DECIDED NOT TO GET YOU A PRESENT THIS YEAR, IN FACT, I THINK I'LL TAKE A FEW THINGS AWAY... LIKE, ... I WANT TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF YOUR LONELY MOMENTS THAT I KNOW YOU MUST BE FEELING... AND REPLACE THEM WITH HAPPY THOUGHTS ... AND I WANNA TAKE AWAY ANY DOUBTS YOU MIGHT HAVE, ABOUT OUR LOVE FOR YOU, FROM ALL YOUR FRIENDS IN THIS FORUM ... BY REMINDING YOU THAT WE CHERISH YOU AND THINK OF YOU EVERYDAY ... SO NOW, IF SOMEONE SHOULD ASK YOU WHAT I GOT YOU FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY, YOU JUST SAY, WELL, HE DIDN'T GET ME ANYTHING...BUT HE SURE TOOK SOME THINGS AWAY.... duh, duh, duh...duh, duh... HAPPY BIRTHDAY HELEN, I'VE NO PRESENTS OR FANCY CAKE, but I HOPE I'LL MAKE YOU HAPPY.... WITH EVERYTHING I TAKE."

Get Well Soon!
Always Your friend,
Ron

[Botiff]

Happy Birthday Helen! Hope you are back on your feet soon.

Terry

[Helen]

How can I thank all of you enough for the wonderful posts, thoughts,
prayers, hilarious comments and antics that boost my spirits so much??!!!

You're not only helping me feel better, this is probably my nicest birthday
of them all. :)

Fred deserves some kind of medal for the way he stepped up and took
over completely when he is so busy with his seminar preparations too. I
know RS is in good hands! He knows how I appreciate him, but I want
EVERYONE to know how great he's been too!

Happy Birthday Julie... I know your day was great too... how could it not
be with Joe around!! :)

They tell me it will be a "long haul" but I'm "pulling hard" with the strength
and willpower y'all are sending me. Being home again helps a lot too.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!!
:hkiss:

[Cartman]

:party: :hkiss: :hkiss: :hkiss: Right Back At Ya!!!

[cathyintally]

Helen: Today is YOUR day and a glorious day it is. Enjoy yourself. By the way, Fred will be oh so glad when you are up and at it again. He is trying to help this blonde in North Florida with email issues - need I say more.

He's the best and we are all very fortunate to have you both. Thanks, Fred.

Cathy

Happy Happy Happy Birthday (howl, howl).

[mermaid1]

And a happy belated birthday to you Helen. :D

I'm sending you truckloads of well wishes and 'white light' to help guide your quickly back to tip top health.

Deborah

[fuhgedaboutit]

Happy "Belated" Birthday!

http://www.fuhgedaboutit.com/hbhelen2.png

[Helen]

Thanks everyone... it was a great birthday; home again, feeling better,
and all your good wishes and cards too.

I have made it about 10 days (?) without having to go back to hospital;
before, 6 days was the record, lol.

As I said, I am feeling better but endurance, even just on computer, is
low. I'm trying to get back into "catching up" with all that Fred has so
graciously been doing for us all. I just seem to keep running out of steam
before I get to making a post... so doing that first this time. :)

No other news... just wanted to thank you all again and let you know I'm
progressing... home nurse and therapist both say I look 200% better now.

:cool: :wink:

[Flash ho]

Hi Helen,
Hope you are feeling better! Enjoy the pampering from your home nurse. Hopefully, he/she can bake cakes for you!!
Richard

[Helen]

Thanks, Flash. I am feeling better but when it comes to food.... if it tastes
good I'm not allowed to eat it.

However.... I CAN have sugar, so that means I can bake a cake with egg
whites, no yolks, no salt.... which I think will be "doable".

Home health care won't do anything but nurse checkups. I found out I
was not getting any more help when I told them I cook, do dishes, take
my own baths, do my laundry, etc. so... How DUMB am I, LOL!!!!

I may need that battery thingy you made for me.... very thoughtful...
Thanks! :)

[Fred]

Helen's neighbor called me Wednesday evening. Helen was taken back to the hospital earlier in the day. She hads a buildup of blood in her heart. She said Helen sounded much better when she spoke with her right before she called me. Helen was worried about the clients and wanted to make sure I watched over things. I'll keep you posted.

[cathyintally]

Thanks Fred for keeping us posted. I hope this is just a minor bump in the road and Helen will be back home soon. We'll be checking daily for updates. Give her our love.

Cathy

[Helen]

Fred has been great, as usual. In spite of his own miltitude of "katrina problems", he immediately took the helm of this "RS ship" again, :)

Yep, I'm out of the hospital again, for the 5th time. I'm ok except for low endurance, and this "Dance" (2 steps forward, 1 step back) is getting REALLY old, lol.
:guitar: :dance2:

Thanks again for all the prayers and good wishes.

[Flash ho]

Welcome back! ( I cut and pasted that from several posts) :)

I think you are doing this just to keep Fred on his toes.

As long as you keep making progress that's what counts!

Don't dance too long this time!

[TnMountainMan]

Glad your feeling better Helen!