I'm going back to the hospital. Update two

[JMCKUSICK]

Last edited Sat Mar 8, 2025, 04:51 PM - Edit history (2)

I haven't been able to breathe while sleeping all night. I wake up in a panic or startled awake.
I spent yesterday trying to practice deeper breathing exercises, had EMS here at midnight and probably should have gone then, but didn't.
I'm sorry I'm a slow learner. It's taken me fifteen minutes to type this because I keep nodding off.
I love you guys and will update soon I'm sorry.

Update, they found fluid buildup in my left lung, now trying to figure out whether to drain here in Vandalia IL or go back to St Louis.. I keep being afraid it's all in my head, I'm gonna stop assuming I'm weak and anxiety ridden and start trusting my body..
I'm so afraid of being crazy.

I've arrived at Barnes Jewish hospital and I'm crying because even in the crazy ER, the Dr that saw me first has tattoos on her arms titled Faith on left, Resistance on the right.
I can't describe how I just can't call all of this one amazing miracle after another. I'll explain further later. I love you all and thank you for carrying me yet further in these Footprints.

[Ocelot II]

1. Hope you're better soon!

[JMCKUSICK]

49. Thank you Ocelot II

[viva la]

2. I hope the doctors figure out what's wrong

and how to help!
You'll feel better when you can get some good sleep.

[JMCKUSICK]

50. Thank you viva la

[XanaDUer2]

3. Feel better

Keep us posted

[JMCKUSICK]

51. Thank you XanaDUer2

I surely will.

[sheshe2]

4. 💙💙💙

[JMCKUSICK]

52. Thank you sheshe2

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I'm sorry you're having this ordeal.

Hope it all goes away as soon as possible!

[JMCKUSICK]

56. Thank you Diamond_Dog

[WhiteTara]

6. I'm glad you're going back

Fluid on the lungs is quite common unfortunately and you will feel better soon. BIg hugs. You're going to be alright.

[JMCKUSICK]

57. Thank you WhiteTara

[samplegirl]

7. Sending prayers

Hope they figure it out soon and speedy help.

[JMCKUSICK]

58. Thank you Samplegirl

[debm55]

8. Wish you luck . John.

[JMCKUSICK]

53. Thank you Debm55

You are such an Angel, please continue on your amazing journey of recovery too. I'm so very grateful for you and so incredibly proud of you.
Please give my best to Rich, and please continue to give your best to you.
You are so loved here, thank you for trusting me with your fears, for entrusting me with your success and for embracing me with your love.
Love, John

[SheltieLover]

9. Healing vibes on the way

[JMCKUSICK]

59. Thank you SheltieLover

I feel them often.

[Lochloosa]

10. Have you had a sleep study done? Sleep Apnea will kill you.

[JMCKUSICK]

35. I'm going to ask

While I'm there if they admit me

[JMCKUSICK]

60. I asked if they could do one while I'm here

And the Drs response was an almost sarcastic sounding chuckle followed by a no.

[Lochloosa]

64. Once you are well, tell your GP that you stop breathing at night. Insist on one.

The reason they would not do one while you're there is it is an overnight test. 3 hrs without a mask and 3 hours with one. It takes a good 8 hours to complete.

[JMCKUSICK]

65. Ok, gonna bookmark this and get on it in a month or so.

[Nanuke]

11. I'm glad you are going back to the hospital to get these issues resolve. Good you are taking care of yourself.Get better

[JMCKUSICK]

55. Thank you Nanuke.

How did you guys come out in the snow storm?
I hope it was a beautiful spectacle.

[cyclonefence]

12. Echoing another poster

It sounds like you have sleep apnea, and people die from that. Please ask your doctor to test you.

Even if you don't have sleep apnea, some folks (me, for example) sleep better with oxygen (not the cpap machine). Added benefit--you can add humidity to your sinuses.

[JMCKUSICK]

61. I asked for oxygen back on the 27th to go home with

And the nurse dismissed it out of hand because my O2 sat was around 95%.
I got 2l by request and it jumped to 97 and I asked for a third liter and it's been 99 or 100 since with the added benefit of additional pain relief because my breathing doesn't get stressed as quickly and the quality of my rest improves a lot.
I'm still only sleeping an hour or so at a time but with the extra O2, I feel more rested when I wake up.

[hlthe2b]

13. I'm so sorry for your setback but know we are all behind you and sending healing thoughts. Our best wishes!

Complications are incredibly frustrating, but they will address the issue and have you back on your way to recovery.

[a kennedy]

14. DON'T BE SORRY.....we all just want ya better, feeling normal, and pronto.

[FemDemERA]

15. I hope they figure out what the problem is

Get you on the road to recovery quickly.

[MiHale]

16. There with ya...just get better...

[mwmisses4289]

17. There is nothing to be sorry for.

Take care of yourself, and healing vibes coming your way.

[cate94]

18. I'm glad you're going to the hospital

They will help you. Sending healing vibes your way.

[AllaN01Bear]

19. we are here for you.

[Katcat]

20. Heads up

Took hubby to the ER this past Monday because he felt awful. After several tests it was determined he had the flu, high BP, very high heart rate and the FLU.
Mentioned to the doc that we had both had the vaccine and he said that the latest vaccine did not include the flu going around now!
Be careful peeps, he was in the hospital until yesterday

[irisblue]

21. Best hopes

[Laurelin]

22. Get well soonest!!

Glad you're getting it checked out.

[niyad]

23. Holding you in love and light. May they figure out the problem, and fix it.

[MustLoveBeagles]

24. Sending good vibes your way ❣️🤗

[Mollyann]

25. I hope you get this resolved

After my husband had his triple by pass, he had difficulty laying flat to sleep. He still uses two pillows behind him to sleep in a semi sitting up position. He was also prescribed some anti anxiety meds that he took for a short time. I hope you feel better soon.

[highplainsdem]

26. Prayers and healing vibes for you...

[iluvtennis]

27. Healing vibes to you. That hospital be where you can adjust back position should help. n/t

[Evolve Dammit]

28. Thanks for letting us know. Hope they get you turned around soon and you can get back home.

[JMCKUSICK]

48. Thank you Evolve Damnit

[1WorldHope]

29. There is nothing quite like waking up in a panic.

I hope you find resolution soon. 🙏🏼💙

[JMCKUSICK]

47. Thank you 1WorldHope

I'm in great hands.

[JMCKUSICK]

30. Kick

[SleeplessinSoCal]

31. Hope they solve this for you.

🙏 🙏

[JMCKUSICK]

46. Thank you SleeplessinSoCal

[Scrivener7]

32. Hang in there. All good wishes.

[JMCKUSICK]

44. Thank you Scrivener7

[surfered]

33. Fluid in your lung is not in your head. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Good luck!

[JMCKUSICK]

45. Thank you surfered

[LuckyCharms]

34. Stay strong, John.

[JMCKUSICK]

43. Thank you LuckyCharms

I embrace your every post

[Marthe48]

36. You have to be patient

You had heart surgery, and even with modern medicine, it takes time to heal. Be sure to follow the post surgical advice for care. If you were trying to lie flat to sleep, maybe getting an adjustable bed, or sleeping in a recliner would be more comfortable. I know people who had drain tubes after surgery, and my grandson had one while he was in the hospital with a lung infection. I think body fluids can build up if your heart and lungs aren't working as effectively to move fluid out, so the drains do some of the work while your body is healing.

Having heart surgery is a deeply moving experience and can upset your view of yourself and the world. It takes time to see how you feel about it, and understand what you're feeling. So please be nice to yourself.

[JMCKUSICK]

42. Thank you Marthe48

As many of our fellow DUers have seen and welcomed, this whole process has been deeply moving and DUers have proudly embraced me into their family. You've encouraged my sharing and accelerated it's progress immensely and broadened out it's scope by teaching, listening, accepting, crying, loving. Not in a single instance has anyone said or implied that I'm exceeding what would be considered proper public sharing or etiquette or any such message that has almost stopped me several times but for your tender embraces.
Debm55 wrote a DUMail seemingly forever ago that simultaneously embraced me and shared some of her pain that had refreshed due to Rich's cancer diagnosis.
Others followed and I've kept the all as it seems like years ago that you all began to offer me healing, months before the surgery. You offered me that mustard seed of faith that I was worth loving, embracing and listening to.
I have a tremendously long journey ahead and as long as it may become, I know in my heart that I will have the most wonderful traveling companions that anyone could ask for. You know, like these steps I'm taking right now, and all those steps that led to the prayer I said the morning of surgery as the were starting the anesthesia.
Dear God, thank you for giving me such a peaceful and love filled heart...... Amen.
Every single word inspired by YOU.

[Dorothy V]

37. It's all treatable.

Hoping and praying your hospital stay is short, with all problems resolved.
Don't worry about being crazy. You sound perfectly sane to me. Anxiety is normal when breathing is compromised.
Remember, you are a miracle.

[JMCKUSICK]

41. Thank you Dorothy V

Your reassurances mean so much.

[JMCKUSICK]

38. Kick with update

[Clouds Passing]

39. Kicking it too JM. Get well soon

[JMCKUSICK]

40. Thank you CP

[Hope22]

54. It sounds like you are in good hands.

Sending love and healing thoughts to you. Keep doing the hard work of healing. You are surrounded by love. 💗💗💗🙏🏼💐

[Fla Dem]

62. I am so sorry for what you have been going through.

I wish you the best and a complete recovery.

[JMCKUSICK]

63. Thank you FlaDem