Any word on Donalds tests? How long will it be before you find something out??? How was your get together this weekend with his friends? What did you end up fixing?!?

Didn't have get-together bc I had to get him to the hospital. His left arm is painful and swollen. Internist has called in - cardiologist, neurologist, physical therapist, and vascular surgeon. I still want Dr. House.

So far, the treatment has been to put a pillow under his arm!

I'll keep you posted.

Lynn, does he have an IV? My husbands IV came out of his vein while he was in the hospital. No One realized for about 12 hours. His arm filled up with his meds and was very swollen and painful.....just a thought.

Sharon

The IV is always put into his right arm - bc of the damage the stroke did to his left arm. The swelling is in the left arm. But, thanks for trying.

I suspect that there is some kind of blockage in the veins in his arm.

However, they did CT scan and ultra sound & did NOT find any blood clots.

Possibly some type of lymphedema? But I am not sure from what?!
Are his pulses strong on that side? Any other vasular disorders? Diabetes etc? I work in a teaching hospital and I could run it by some residents "hypothetically" if you want to share some details...if not thats ok too..I wish you luck and will be praying for you and Donald!
Allie

Hi Allie,

Absolutely!

OK - the left side is the stroke-affected side. He has always (since stroke in January of 2004) had swelling in his left leg - especially left foot, but never before in his left arm.

This began with pain in his arm. The PT thought one of the aids had pulled on his arm & caused the pain.

On Sunday (about 8-10 days after the pain began), his arm was VERY swollen and hot.

As of today, the treatment has been high doses of intravenous lasix every 12 hours & having his arm elevated on a pillow. So far, the arm is still swollen and hot.

Lynn

I wondered about lymphodema too - but figured surely SOMEONE would have already thought about that - of course we never know for sure...

Hang in there Lynn - hugs to you and Donald...

Lynn,
Heading into work for 1/2 day today and 12 hours tomorrow...I will run the scenario by some aspiring Dr Houses and see what we can find out...Allie

Lynn, My shift just got cancelled for today! So I will try tomorrow! I have a few really bright doctor friends who are always thinking outside the box, so maybe we will get a good idea....1/2 of medicine is intuition and the other 1/2 is educated guesswork! LOL. Hope someone can figure this out soon for Donald! I am going to do a little research today for you since I am home without kids!
Allie

How cool Allie - I would love to be able to pick the brains of people like that...

Daisy,
It's fun and I learn a lot in the process! That is why I enjoy working in a teaching hospital (we are affiliated with University of Maryland and their residents rotate through our hosptial). MIL, FIL and my mom have all been really ill this year (GI problems, terminal cancer and alzheimer's repectively!) I do not know what people do who do not have healthcare workers in their families it is so overwhelming! I am RN, SIL is and RN and other SIL is an MD. It really helps.
Allie

Lynn,
I did some reading today online about CVA and edema. Lymphedema was mentioned and also dependent edema if the affected side is flaccid...is it? If so the treatment is diuretics, range of motion and elevating the affected side...I am definately going to work tomorrow so I'll check there as well...hope you and Donald had a decent day...I know long days at the hospital with a loved one can be draining....
HUGS
Allie

OK Dr. Allie, the doctor who took over for the doctor I fired this morning says it is lymphedema. Now I just need to figure out what causes that. They want to keep him until the swelling goes down. So far, it has not gone down.

BTW - I fired the attending bc he did NOT write for Donald's anti-seizure meds (even though I gave him a sheet of paper listing the meds, the dosages, and the times) and Donald had seizures on Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Lynn

OMG I hope he is doing better now I am glad you got rid of that doctor.

Lynn!
I am so glad you fired that doc!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO LYNN! So many times people do not realize that they have the power to stick up for their loved ones in healthcare! I always tell my 75 year old in-laws..."The doctor works for YOU!" Ask questions until you are satisfied....Well I am off to work...I'll pick some brains for you there! Hope your day is better and I will be thinking of you and Donald!
Allie