I went and ate lunch with Al, my brother. The first thing out of his mouth was I have been having chest pains for the last two days. I asked, “Did you tell the nurse?”
” Yes” he replied. I questioned him about the pains and he pointed to where they hurt. He said it felt like something was heavy but then they went a way. I asked,” How many times do you think you have had them in the past two days and have you had any pains today?”
” I think about two dozen and no, I don’t have any pains today.”
” Did you say two dozen?”
“Yes, but they don’t last long” he said.
I qued him again on how he has to ring that nurse bell when he is having any sort of pain. I don’t think he remembers. After our lunch he went on his outing with the lady. I told her what I had learned and said, “If he complains to you at all, please take him to the ER and call me.” She looked at me with big eyes.
I said, ” I am not going to ruin his outing by what ifs. If he has pain take him to the ER and call me. He says he hasn’t had any pain today so I am going to let him go.”
She looked at me but went ahead and took him. In my opinion she is trained to handle all emergencies. Why should he sit at the facility and just wait.
Al has had a heart attack and has blockages today that aren’t bad. He also has angina. We just went through this about a year ago. I get concerned for two reasons. It has been five years since his heart attack. Repairs on a heart last about five years. Al doesn’t use the call bell often because he forgets.
Something could happen before he realizes or understands to get the call light. I have alerted the nurse to my concerns. They are now on guard to question him several times each day for a while. If there is concerns they are to send him straight to the ER and call me.
I have done the best I can with what knowledge I have. In the back of my mind I am hoping and praying it is not the new Pain Patch. It is super strong and one of the many side-effects is messing with the heart. I don’t want him to lose the patch as it has taken a lot of his pain a way. He can still walk for several feet. He uses his wheelchair part way down the hall. When he gets to the nurses’ station, he switches his wheel chair to the walker and then walks the other half down to the dining room.
Now I come to you because in numbers prayer is strong. Please pray for Al. I don’t know exactly which or what to pray for, so I am praying for Al to remain safe.
Related articles
- My Broken Heart (rachelgassert.wordpress.com)
- Chest pain prior to a heart attack can protect the heart (eurekalert.org)
- I’ve Been Sick (therecoveringlegalist.com)
- The Day I felt God’s Breath (cyndilumoon.wordpress.com)
- The Chest Pain Dance: Our Latest ER Craze (patersoner.wordpress.com)
- Myth busted: Chest Pain patients need 2-4lpm (respiratorytherapycave.blogspot.com)
- Heart attack survivor: ‘I almost died … Watch me. Look at what can happen’ (jacksonville.com)
- What happens if the doctor isn’t sure? (kevinmd.com)
- It’s Just a Little Heart Attack (barbsdailydose.typepad.com)
- Heart Attack Patients Do Better if They Had Chest Pain First (news.health.com)
Thinking of him, and for your sanity in this
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thank you so much my dear friend. i don’t know what I would do without your support
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You’d get by 🙂 You did before 🙂
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it always makes it easier when there are good friends around me. makes me feel less alone
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Praying for Al and you too.
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thank you so much my friend
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You and your brother are in my prayers.
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thank you so much for your help
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I’m praying in agreement with you Terry.
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Cheryl, thank you so very much
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My prayers are with you and your brother.
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thank you so much Blackandwrite!! God bless you
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In our thoughts and prayers. Peace.
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thank you so much Blazing Trail. Thank u so much for your help
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Praying Terry!
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thanks so much Loopy for your help in this matter. hugs
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Father in Heaver, you are Jehovah Rapah and we come to you humbly, lifting Al and hus condition. Touch him with your healing hand and give him the clarity of mind he needs to at least recognize the pain and his need for someone’s help. We bring to you the personnel around Al for wisdom and strength as they tend to their patients and Al. Renew Terry’s strength and give her the energy, wisdom and resources as she continues to care for Al. Bless their relationship and help them go through their daily routine, they will overcome and be victorious in the mighty name of Jesus. All glory be to God. Amen.
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God bless you for your help my dear friend
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will do!
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thank you
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My thoughts and prayers for you and Al. God bless you both!
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thank you so much Enigma. God bless you for your help
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You bring up a point that is so important for the public to understand: those with cognitive decline are not always able to express what is going on with themselves – just as your brother did not announce that he had been having heart pains. As you said, he didn’t even think to use the call light – and certainly may not even know how to use it.
Here’s another type of communication restriction: Oftentimes those with dementia quite frequently become extremely depressed and are not able to effectively talk about how they feel (emotionally and perhaps spiritually), and therefore they retain that heavy mantle of mental distress upon their shoulders with no outlet for relief. Imagine being trapped in a body, in a mind, that has no way of adequately expressing itself. We can’t imagine it, but people like Al live it every day.
You are a great advocate for your brother Terry. Keep it up and keep his caregivers on their toes.
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I want to sing to the heavens so to speak. You understand Al very well. I wish you were one of his caregivers……………bless you and thanks for this wonderful comment………..hugs
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I will be a caregiver from afar by caring for you. Blessings to you.
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I don’t know what to say except thank you and here is a big hug……hugggggg
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Reblogged this on cftc10.
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thank you so much for helping me to spread the word………………hugs
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Al and you are in my prayers regularly but I most certainly will pray specifically now for this latest news….Diane
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thank you so much Diane
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Praying for you and Al.
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I know you are busy with the new pups, so thanks a lot for helping Al
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Praying for you both…. May the Lord bless and work miracles.
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thank you so much Rob for your help in this matter
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I’ve prayed for Al too. Take care Terry.
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thank you Elaine
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Heavenly father we come to you today with a great need that only You as the great Healer can help with. We ask that your healing hands reach out and touch Al from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Father we know you are the great physician and that you can heal Al if that be your will, if this is not your plan Lord then we ask that you thouch him in the way he needs according to your plan and purpose and God we ask that you give Terry strength to continue her unselfish unconditional love and care for Al. In Your son Jesus name we stand on our faith Father and thank you and Praise you for this healing Amen and Amen.
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bless you and hugs
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Will do Terry! Hoping those pains disappear ASAP.
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me too Brian, I am a little concerned
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Totally understand. Thought of this verse just now. ‘Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.’ (Philippians 4:6 CEV)
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thank you so much Brian. I am going to go highlight it. hugs
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Praying with you and everyone right now, Terry. Thanks for letting us know!
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thank you for your help Debbie
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Terry I am so sorry and concerned about Al. Has anybody done an EKG yet to see if there is something visibly wrong with the rhythm? My prayers are with you both.
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hi my friend. No, no one has done anything. They are waiting for him to complain of pain and then they are sending him to the ER. Do you think it could be that pain patch?
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OMG – what next?
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I know, this is what I am thinking too
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I add my prayer to all of the others. May the angels surround Al to protect him and the Holy Spirit guide his caregivers. I also pray that Al will experience the comfort of the Lord and be free from fear. And I pray for you that you will be encouraged in the Lord and know the peace of God that passes all understanding. May God’s will be done and His name be glorified through Al’s life.
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thank you so much Diane for the precious words
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We are praying. God will take care of him. Blessings.
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thank you so much for your help my friend
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I will put Al on my “Mi Shebeirach” list. This is a traditional, Hebrew prayer we use for the sick. We aren’t a converting religion (so don’t worry!), but if you are interested, you can find beautiful songs featuring it on YouTube sung by Debbie Friedman. Soul stirring and she can make my eyes water. I enjoy learning about other cultures, so just thought I’d pass it on. I do hope your brother will get through this, too.
You’re both in my thoughts and prayers…
Alisa x
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thank you so much Alisa. I so appreciate what you have done for my brother…..hugs
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Keeping you both in prayer.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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thank you so much Francine. I so appreciate your prayers
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You and Al are both in my prayers, Terry. Keep the strenghts 🙂
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thank you so much Angel!
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I hope this comment finds Al feeling better, but I always pray for both of you.
I know I haven’t been here since before my surgery,but I am still here. I have a lot to catch up on, so if you don’t see many comments from me, just know that I am reading, just maybe not commenting on everything.
prayers continue always.
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I was hoping you were healing along nicely. So nice to see you back Barb
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Thanks. Coming along slowly but surely. PT 3 times a week for another 4-6 weeks.
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at least it is steady!!!!! Yipeee!
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