Tuesday, April 26, 2011

One Day at a Time

I'm really feeling sad today. As many of you know, my husband Eric had a heart attack back in August of last year. As a result of that, he lost about 50% of his heart function. His heart doctor was hoping that some of the function might return, but it has not. For that reason, he referred him to the transplant team at the University of Florida Shands hospital. At this point, it is more of a preliminary action not an immediately necessary one.

We spoke with the doctor at Shands on Tuesday. Basically he said that Eric would have to be admitted to the hospital to undergo a battery of tests to see if he would even qualify to be on the transplant list. He also told us that the antirejection drugs that Eric would have to take as a heart transplant recipient would surely put on dialysis because of his already reduced kidney function. For that reason, if he makes the transplant list it will be for both a healthy heart and kidney.

All that is enough to absorb for this week, but then yesterday we found out that his right foot has a MRSA infection. After changing the bandages on his foot last night, he also found a new wound on his left foot. He immediately went to the doctor this morning when they opened. The doctor cleaned out the wound and did a culture to see if it is also MRSA. It is likely that it is. Currently, he is still scheduled to go into Shands for his transplant tests on May 9th, but we'll have to see how this infection thing goes.

So, it's been a rough week for both of us. Eric keeps apologizing for physically "falling apart", and it just makes me sad. I keep telling him that all we can do is take one day at a time. I really try not to worry and leave it with God, but that doesn't mean I'm not sad. I'm asking that anyone who reads this keeps both Eric and I in your prayers.

7 comments:

  1. Peggy, you have every right to feel sad...this is a lot of news to adjust to in one week...none of the news being very encouraging. Indeed, I will be praying for both of you. I'm praying for a little guy that's been in CHKD for almost 3 months and they told his parents the night he was admitted that he only had a 10% chance of survival...he was moved out of the PICU last week and into a room and continues to improve. God can and still does move in our lives...be encouraged!
    Cathy H.

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  2. I will for you. Love to both of you.

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  3. You know your Mama's praying.

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  4. Peggy: You and Eric will be ever in my prayers. I will also pray for your family (my dear friend, Ruth) to be held up by God in this difficult time. Ruth's poetry collection certainly holds many poems that seem to give comfort. Please know that God watches over us always. Julie (in VA)

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  5. You and Eric are both in my prayers. Just remember to take deep breaths and leave it all in Gods hands. I know that is so much easier said then done but we have to keep trying. I love you both...

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  6. Cathy is right you have all the right to be sad. It makes me sad to hear that you and Eric (my brother) are having to go through these difficult times. We are and always will keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers. I have not always had a lot of faith in the past, but in light of Michael's injury I have a renewed faith and truly believe that God is always looking out for us and will take care of us in the end.

    Much love to you my dear and please give Eric a hug for me and tell him that we love him very much.

    Liz

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  7. Wow, that is a lot to take in in such a short amount of time. We will be praying for you guys!

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