Heart Attack Support Group
Heart attack is a serious, sudden heart condition usually characterized by varying degrees of chest pain or discomfort, weakness, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and arrhythmias, sometimes causing loss of consciousness. It occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted, causing death and scarring of the local heart tissue.
Hi All,
New here and looking for advice.
My uncle suffered a major heart attack in 2001, and at time, we were told his heart was functioning at 33%. He's been okay since then, except for being hospitalized 1 to 2 times per year for excessive fluid build up in his body (doc said it was caused by Congestive Heart Failure).
Two weeks ago, he had a small heart attack, and afterwards, he had his first stent put in. He was sent home, and three days later, he had another major heart attack. They put in two more stents. After all of that occurred, we found out he had stopped taking his Plavix in December, and when the first stent was placed, he didn't start the Plavix then either. The docs said that not taking Plavix was the cause of both of the recent heart attacks.
The doc's have basically said there is no hope for him. His heart is functioning at 10% capacity. They said, "He blew out his heart, and there is nothing else we can do." He's still in the hospital at this time, but they're planning on sending him home with someone in the next couple of weeks. A nurse is suppose to come three times a week to put medicine in a port they will be installing his chest cavity before he goes home.
To be honest, I'm not close to him. But it seems that his lack of a personal family (wife, children) is causing the responsibility of this to be put in my lap. So if anyone can help by answering a few questions, I would greatly appreciate it.
Can someone at 10% heart efficiency walk/bath...or will he be bedridden?
Not to be crude, but is life expectancy in a situation like this weeks, months, years?
I know that no one here is psychic, but best guess is okay at this point. I've been talking to other family members (who are refusing to help), and I'm concerned because I work full time, I don't have spousal support, and I'm currently caring for a mother who has diabetes, heart disease (double bypass and six stents), high blood pressure and elevated stress levels (the uncle mentioned here is her brother), and a father on dialysis three days a week.
I'm already overwhelmed with my current load, and I just can't handle someone bedridden (if he will be). So I guess I'm also wondering if he would be better cared for in a nursing home? He's overweight and currently weighs close to 300lbs so I would not be able to manhandle him into a wheelchair or to change the sheets if that were necessary.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Di
New here and looking for advice.
My uncle suffered a major heart attack in 2001, and at time, we were told his heart was functioning at 33%. He's been okay since then, except for being hospitalized 1 to 2 times per year for excessive fluid build up in his body (doc said it was caused by Congestive Heart Failure).
Two weeks ago, he had a small heart attack, and afterwards, he had his first stent put in. He was sent home, and three days later, he had another major heart attack. They put in two more stents. After all of that occurred, we found out he had stopped taking his Plavix in December, and when the first stent was placed, he didn't start the Plavix then either. The docs said that not taking Plavix was the cause of both of the recent heart attacks.
The doc's have basically said there is no hope for him. His heart is functioning at 10% capacity. They said, "He blew out his heart, and there is nothing else we can do." He's still in the hospital at this time, but they're planning on sending him home with someone in the next couple of weeks. A nurse is suppose to come three times a week to put medicine in a port they will be installing his chest cavity before he goes home.
To be honest, I'm not close to him. But it seems that his lack of a personal family (wife, children) is causing the responsibility of this to be put in my lap. So if anyone can help by answering a few questions, I would greatly appreciate it.
Can someone at 10% heart efficiency walk/bath...or will he be bedridden?
Not to be crude, but is life expectancy in a situation like this weeks, months, years?
I know that no one here is psychic, but best guess is okay at this point. I've been talking to other family members (who are refusing to help), and I'm concerned because I work full time, I don't have spousal support, and I'm currently caring for a mother who has diabetes, heart disease (double bypass and six stents), high blood pressure and elevated stress levels (the uncle mentioned here is her brother), and a father on dialysis three days a week.
I'm already overwhelmed with my current load, and I just can't handle someone bedridden (if he will be). So I guess I'm also wondering if he would be better cared for in a nursing home? He's overweight and currently weighs close to 300lbs so I would not be able to manhandle him into a wheelchair or to change the sheets if that were necessary.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Di
Let me start by welcoming you to DS and the Heart Attack Group. Here you will find a great deal of love and support. I have managed to make a lot of great friends here, and I have found strength within their words and unconditional love. You too, will find the same or rather similar love to which I speak.
Genuinely I understand and can relate to your already stressed life with your work and as caretaker to your parents. All of which allows those of us looking in from the outside a glimpse into your life. However, I cannot in good conscience address the queries posed in your thread without first addressing the unspoken.
Are you taking care of yourself? With so many of lifes pressures filling your life, I want to encourage you to find some me time. If that sounds selfish, then let it be.
One of the questions I have always asked myself is: if I am taking care of another(s) and they are attempting to take care for themselves then who is taking care of me or in this case you?
Although it sounds somewhat easy to understand it is often most difficult to actually do what one needs to for themselves.
Remember when it is all said and done you need to come out at the other end with the realization that you have done all you can do, and that you are completely in tacked, strong and healthy.
No one has a crystal ball that can foretell the future nor can anyone, doctors included state with accuracy the life expectancy of an unhealthy individual. That is not to fault them, they are giving their best guess based on the combined history of themselves and other learned professionals in their field.
When I was discharged from the hospital after 21 days of GODS miracles I still left with less than 10% of my heart function. Mine was between 5-8%. I was given a diet with limited fluid and sodium intake per day, and bag full of medications but what I truly left with was the desire and will to do whatever it takes to keep my heat in the best working condition while it heals.
My real recovery and understanding came to me when I knew that what I did from that point would make all of the difference in my healing. Once I realized that and took responsibility for my health thereafter I had a complete change of my thought process. That was the best thing for me. There is nothing that I have done which will prevent my need for the transplant, but I have lengthened the time between now and then.
Unfortunately, your uncle does not seem to have much concern for his own wellbeing. I say that because he stopped taking a very important medication which is designed and prescribed to improve our quality of life Plavix. With todays technology and the vast number of medications designed to promote a healthier heart post heat attack should be taken very serious. It is ones life to which they are playing.
From my own personal experience with individuals who have blown out their hearts do not live very long after that diagnosis. In most but not all cases that I researched it is a matter of months, and that too is depending on whether the patient continues to follow the recommended diet and take the prescribed medication as directed.
Without offending, I was discharged from the hospital with less than 10% of my hearts function. I was able to walk, shower and slowly do what I can or could do without stressing my heart. Your uncle, at or around 300 lbs. is going to need special assistance, what and how often is yet to be determined. I do not believe that you are in the postion where you can (alone) handle a man of that weight. And even with help you still may be limited to what you are able to do for him.
I notice that you live in Georgia, I too live in GA. I live in Gainesville and have worked with many organizations that are designed to help those who cannot care for themselves. Most if not all of the services are offered without fee. It is based upon ones age, health condition etc. I would be more than willing to help direct you in the right direction if needed.
As you have said your family refuses to assist you with the care of your uncle which is most unfortunate. So you are faced with an additional hurdle, as you are doing all that you can. For the majority of my life I never would suggest anyone to go to a nursing home, I can remember all of those horrifying stories of mistreatment and abuse. Perhaps that was some ut not all.
Your uncle sounds as if he could go into an assisted living environment and be looked after. Some insurance will not pay for that type of care but you can perhaps find a nursing home which is reasonably priced and offers quality care.
Based on the limited information shared I can only suggest that your uncle cares little of his own health or heart care. From what the doctors have said blown out heart I cannot see him suddenly realizing that he needs to change his life style or make changes.
Congestive heart failure is a serious issue as well. Not following the dietary guidelines set forth only compounds his problems. The goal of anyone in CHF is to refrain from being admitted into the hospital.
Ms. Di, I pray for you and your family. I wish you all of GODS blessings and love for your mother, father and now uncle.
I do hope that there is something in what I have shared which will benefit you and allow you to know that you are not alone.
With much respect
Jerry
I won't reiterate what Jerry says but his words are wise and valid. I am currently going through home care training on a LVAD device which was inplanted in a real good heart friend, Richie. His heart efficiency was ~ 15% also. I don't know what the selection ceiteria is for becoming eligible for one of these devices but he also has advanced CHF and accompanying comorbities also. It sounds like your uncle has been given the medication regimen as his "Destination Therapy" I have attached a "Medscape Article" on this LVAD. Also you can look at the thread "What's an LVAD Anyway" on the "Heart Attack Thread" for further info on this type of quality of life improving therapy. I don't have the expertise to know if he qualifies or not for this type of device but it would be good to know what options he has. The mere fact that he hasn't embraced a recovery attitude may be a contributing factor. Also it may be depression which has led him to sort of say "What's the use anyway". Such a tragedy.
My Best Regards to you both,
Just Joe
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/709956
Thanks so much for your responses.
Jerry, you're right about taking care of myself, but everything is changing with this new responsibility being added. Maybe once he's out of the hospital, things will settle down some. I hope so.
Since his last heart attack over a week ago, he's basically been medicated and sleeping. Yesterday was the first day he's been alert enough to hold a conversation at all. He gets very winded when he talks, and he can't talk for very long. At this point, the nurses have had him sitting up, but that's basically all.
You mentioned that your heart was operating at between 5 and 8% efficiency after your heart attack. If you don't mind my asking, do you know what it is now? I'm so glad you have recovered some since then.
You're also right that my uncle doesn't seem to have a lot of personal motivation to change, and he never really has. He said yesterday that he's where he needs to be with God, and for all intents and purposes, he's ready spiritually to go. That's a relief as going without God is too scary to comtemplate. But his attitude seems to be whatever happens happens. While that's better than being worried or tense, I would like to see a little more motivation to recover...though in his defense, the idiot doctor made the 'blew out his heart' comment in front of him, which is not exactly motivating.
And yes, I would like some information about the organizations you mentioned. If you'd like, you can send me the information at: di_speaking @yahoo.com. I would appreciate any help I can get because as I mention, I do have a job and while my parents are in the house, they can't really take care of him while I'm gone. And thanks so much for the information you have shared. I appreciate it all.
Joe, thanks for the information about the LVAD device. Maybe it will be an option for him and his recovery. I did read about the device on several websites, and while it's a great invention, it's also kind of scary all the stuff that can go wrong from blood clots to infections. I will make sure this is brought up to the doctors to see what they think.
Thanks again to both of you.
Di
Please do not hesitate to ask any questions that you have. It is through the queries that we get or gain information. It brings us closer as a group but it also provides each of us with much need answers.
When it comes to my hearts function it has improved and I am confident that though a heart transplant is in the future it will be faced with the strength of GOD. Faith delivers us a great opportunity to not only show what GODS love can and will do but it also allows us to know that no matter what lay ahead, we will not face it alone.
When it comes to the doctor saying that he blew his heart out is difficult for me to comment on. The reason is that I am one who wants to know what the professional opinions are. Ms. Di, understand that I am a firm believer that we speak our future. I myself claim healing and I think that is something that we should all practice. I refuse to speak negatives in my life, home and I will not allow someone else speak negatives in my life.
Seriously I would love to tell you what would be the best for all concerned, but I cannot. For the doctor to have issued medication that causes your uncle sleep is probably the best thing for his heart to have some rest and not to get overly stimulated. From your description of your uncle, outlining his weight I am confident that he is or would be winded easily.
One would believe that the medical staff should have him on oxygen and there is a good chance that he will be on it when he leaves the hospital. In short his life has been completely rearranged and some fear must accompany that understanding.
There is a great deal of experiences that I am thankful for. On November 11, 2008 when I was admitted to the hospital I was clinically dead 9 times in the first 24 hours and 27 shocks to my heart later I was beginning to be stable. During the ER visit I passed and one of the many out of body experiences that I would be a part of. There was NO fear, NO pain and there was nothing but a warm golden glow full of love and peace.
Although I am not rushing towards that day, I am very comfortable with the idea of my death. For me I have the understanding of what is awaiting for me when I make that final transition.
If the nursing home is the only avenue open for your uncle at present then be sure to embrace it and the idea that GOD has a much larger plan than we can see or understand right now.
I pray for all of your family and I will continue to have special prayers for your strength, love and guidance.
With much respect,
Jerry
Your uncle's condition may be such that he has to go to a nursing home for at least a while for therapy to build strength, if possible. He may have to be on oxygen continuously, as well, and going to a nursing home would be good in that he could receive physical therapy and O2 safety and teaching. If he has medicare, it will pay for the first 21 days. After that, he is responsible for the bill until his resources are used up (less $2000) and then Medicare will pay for it.
If/when he comes home, I suggest you set him up with home health. I work for a home health company, and while different companies offer different services, I'll try to give you a generalized overview of what is offered. Nursing can come into the home for visits anywhere from every other week, or 1-3 times a week, depending on patient needs. They can monitor his vitals, teach O2, fill his med box, draw labs, call MD's office for appointments, and similar things. Physical therapy can make visits, usually 2-3 times a week. They perform and teach strengthening exercises within the parameters of the patients abilities, that can help the patient do more of their own personal care and be more ambulatory. Aide services may be available, although Medicare changes have cut down on these, at least with our company. Aides are certified and they help with personal hygiene and grooming.
Our company also owns a private duty company, and there may be similar services in your GA. Private duty in TN is paid by some insurances, and it is usually the very poorest of our state who are eligible. They offer many of the same services as home health, but they also have sitters who stay with the patient for several hours at a time, or 24/7, depending on what the insurance they have will pay and patient needs.
I don't know how old your uncle is or his financial situation, but I suggest you check out local nursing homes, home health companies, and private duty nursing companies. With this help, he may be able to live on his own for a little while longer, and with less direct care from you.
If I were in your position, this is where I would start, if assisted living is not an option. I hope this helps, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Hugs and prayers,
Pam
PS: The company I work for only sees patients in TN so i don't have any financial motive for suggesting it. I just think it could be very helpful for you and your uncle.