Wednesday, March 26, 2008

No More Florida for Now

This picture is the view from our front
porch as the sun sets in Ft. Myers
during March. We will not be seeing it any more this season. I feel so gypped this year. What started out to be five or six months turned into three and a half months of trying to find a doctor who could give us some insight into why an old carotid artery surgical scar would suddenly start opening up and bulging outward. We attempted to see a doctor in an ER, but he didn't want to touch it in the ER where there are nasty germs, because the scar was so close to the carotid artery. Other doctors didn't want to see new patients, since snowbirds overtax the medical establishment of southern Florida and spring breakers are added to the upset. Finally, a nice doctor twenty miles up the road said he would see me in April, but I should go to Urgent Care and have some tests ordered from there. A really cute doctor looked at my neck and said, "Hmmm! I really don't know what to think of that! But, there is a vascular surgeon's office in this building --- I'll ask her to have a look at you." She looked, told him what to order and when she had looked at the CAT Scan the next afternoon, she called us. We were eating dinner at a local restaurant. Talk about co-operation --- she wasn't even our doctor, but she was adamant that we drop everything and fly home to Ohio. We knew we couldn't get a flight during Spring Break, so we closed up our home, put down the Hurricane Shutters, turned off the water, cleaned out the fridge, packed up our suitcases, grabbed the golf clubs and sewing machine and headed for home within sixteen hours. Imagine two "golden oldies" driving for nineteen hours straight and still able to function. We did ---but, we're not really hitting on all cylinders. We called my vascular guy and he was less than excited, but then, he had not seen the CAT scans. On Monday, he took me to surgery to evacuate an abscess of the surgical site. How does a three year old surgery develop an abscess? Turns out this sucker had been in there all the time, had invaded the muscle and all the way down to my carotid graft. This was done while I was wide awake with Lidocaine to numb my neck. I felt silly having an entire operating room for a little neck thingy. I believe the thinking was that it was a little nothing, but they had to have I.V.'s and all--- just in case my carotid blew. (By the way --- never have your neck operated on while you are awake! It was awful!) For now, I wait and my family waits --- for the biopsies and cultures to come back. We wait for the original CAT Scans to arrive from Florida; for the infectious disease doctor to see the results of this surgery. My vascular doctor is an amazing man who does things that have people coming from all over to see him in this jerk-water town, but he doesn't know what to do now, because he has never had anything like this happen after over a thousand carotid surgeries.
I would be lying if I said that I am not afraid, but I am trusting God to be with me and my family. If you are a regular reader ---Please, pray for us. I do so want to see Florida again. I do so want more time with my husband and family. I haven't finished enough quilts for all my grandkids. But, if it is time ---"It is Well with My Soul".

12 comments:

Big Dave T said...

So this isn't over? Being a senior citizen isn't for sissies, is it. I do agree that it is amazing what modern day medicine can do for complicated conditions. My brother-in-law's father, almost 90, underwent a repair of an aortic aneurysm last year. He's fine now, for his age anyway.

My boss told me of a relative who had a cancerous tumor wrapped around her trachea, also wrapped around a major artery. Doctors were pessimistic, but after surgery, now they think she's going to make it.

Personally, I have a gut instinct that you don't have anything to worry about here, but I'll say my prayers for you just in case.

B.S. said...

Oh my HEAVENS- I can't get over the part about you having neck surgery while conscious. That would have finished me off. I am completely undone by the thought of it.

You'll have lots of prayers sent out from me, and I'll be on pins and needles waiting to hear news. I know they say if you're gonna pray, don't worry; and if you're gonna worry, don't pray- but I'm a wuss. I'll be doin' both.

Hugs and more hugs,
Betty

Anonymous said...

New reader here, but I will still be praying for you : ) Psalm 91:1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Time to rest in Him, He knows what is going on and will be with you and your family.

Praying for peace in your heart that passes all understanding...

~ReneƩ

Sideways Chica said...

Godspeed chica...Godspeed. I have had several "conscious" neck treatments involving HUGE needles, each one after signing one of those nasty waivers, if you get my drift. Worst experiences of my life, and just writing about them here gives me the chills and makes me a bit nauseous. So...I understand the "terror" aspect of the procedure. And now it's the waiting that seems unbearable.


You are in my prayers...and I can clearly hear Florida calling you back again and again.

Spicy said...

Kacey.
I am waiting also with bated breath....you are always in my prayers....the past year has been horrible for you and Jack.
You will enjoy your summer...God speed......quick recovery and many years left to go.
Life is not done with you yet....keep the faith.

Carine-what's cooking? said...

kacey, I was sure I put a good thoughts and big hugs here for you! I came on over to check in for the umpteenth time and thought I would leave another note and found nothing from me here! I'm so sorry-I was sure I did :0(

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

my word honey! this is most distressing! prayers, of course, but want the news as you get it...

hugs, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

B.S. said...

Dear Kacey,

I just want you to know that you're in my thoughts and prayers!

Many hugs,
Betty

Pam said...

New reader here (from Scotland) - who's thinking of you too. I've been reading some of your past posts and loving them. Must now go and do some gardening before it rains! Hope you're restored to health soon.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

honey i can't figure out how to leave a comment on your new post for manic monday 1000. sorry to be so danged dumb.

mr linky is only a way to click on other sites that are playing the meme, this one being manic monday, that's all. you don't have to do anything with it, you can do the meme without the linky, lots of people do. go to mo's site and it will explain it better i think.

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxxoxoxooxxo

Big Dave T said...

I can't seem to leave a comment either on your latest effort here.

When I think of a thousand, I think of the man of a thousand faces, Lon Chaney. Maybe because it was on Jeopardy last night.

Speaking of old songs, at work here, I'm listening to a Benny Goodman CD, the 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall. "You take the high road, and I'll take the low road, and I'll get to Scotland before ye. . . "

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

before you post a blog go to the "post options" and click allow comments. that should do it. somehow it must have gotten turned off.

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo