Tests Results Back, I Do Have CHF - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

serenityqueen · 05-12-2008, 11:25 PM

I had shared with my Family here on SR several weeks ago that I was having some additional medical problems on top of the Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis I already have. I want to thank everyone who sent me kind words and Prayers. It means a great deal knowing that this disease of addiction has brought so many wonderful people into my life thanks to SR.

I'd like to ask for your continuing Prayers. I saw my Dr. today and got the results of all the tests. I do have Congestive Heart Failure. My Dr.'s are very optomistic. With the right meds, a proper diet, eliminating salt, losing weight and stop smoking, I should live for many years.

It was also discovered through the work up that I have Osteoarthritis as well which is not helping my deteriorating joints at all. Hopefully I can get help from some foundations to be able to take the medications to help slow down the progression.

My lab tests have come back showing so very elevated blood levels that have caused additional concern from my doctors. I am having another round of tests for my heart and lungs which will have to be ran in patient. They are all scheduled for the 28th of this month unless my symptoms worsen.

The good news is, once again, I have not had a single urge to use. I did have the opportunity today when the entire Internal Medicine Team came in after my main Dr. asked if it were ok for them to come and see me. (I felt like some medical specimen, which I guess I was) Since it's a teaching facility, I had no problems with residents coming in to learn. I shared with them that I am in Recovery and my drug of choice being opiates. I openly shared with them the cons I used to get more and more Rx's out of Dr.'s in the past. I begged them to be aware of the signs and symptoms. I also asked them not to judge someone, remember what they are taught in medical school - addiction is a disease just like Cancer or Diabetes.

Thanks for letting me share and I appreciate the kind thoughts and Prayers,
Judy

JohnnyRocket · 05-12-2008, 11:41 PM

You're definitely in my prayers tonight. Going on Day 13 for me - almost.

You are about to battle your second biggest demon - weight loss, dieting, stop smoking, etc... My father fought this one and extended his life by many years - still alive as a matter of fact. He tried to lose weight so many times and failed (hmm), but then he finally just stopped eating so much. He described it very much like an addiction...

Good luck and best of luck. You can do it. You've conquered the hardest one already!

StayinAlive · 05-12-2008, 11:47 PM

Big hugs to you Judy, I am thinking of you. You are always so positive and supportive, even through your struggles. Your sobriety in the midst of adversity is inspiring. Thank you.

ksos · 05-13-2008, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StayinAlive

Big hugs to you Judy, I am thinking of you. You are always so positive and supportive, even through your struggles. Your sobriety in the midst of adversity is inspiring. Thank you.

You know, this post is one of the most beautiful ones I've read in terms of describing a beloved member who has helped more than one addict in his or her struggles with this disease of addiction.

Kudos to you, StayinAlive!

Judy,

My words to you are that I am here for you, and I know that all of the blessings you have provided for others here, will be reciprocated to you in spades!

You are in prayers every day, I promise you. I think of all the support you've provided for me and you'll get some real lovin' in return from this Yankee!

Love

Ksos

PS: I know it may be trite and stuoid but my post to you was my 400th and I believe that is good luck, sweetie!

ccgirl2 · 05-13-2008, 05:03 AM

Judy, your strength and courage will help you in this latest fight, I know it will. You will certainly be in my thoughts.

brentsgirl · 05-13-2008, 05:11 AM

Judy,

You are in my prayers! You're always there to offer advice, prayers and an "I'm here for you"....I am sure this will all come back to you two fold. I know you have been there for me, and I am sure I am one of many wishing you all of the best! Continue to stay positive and strong!

Much love!
K............

**Impurrfect** · 05-13-2008, 05:37 AM

(((Judy)))

Though I'm sorry you have CHF, I'm glad you got an answer. I think it was awesome that you were able to talk to the doctors about addiction/recovery. The last 2 times I was in the hospital, I also talked to my doctors about my addiction and recovery....they begged me to get my nursing license back and come to work with them. I think they need to see someone in recovery, because they see SO many addicts stuck in their addiction.

As I told you before, my mom had CHF. She lived with it for 29 years (20 more than they told her she would). You have a wonderful attitude and a love for life....I think you're going to do just fine.

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

kj3880 · 05-13-2008, 03:15 PM

Judy,
My heart, and my prayers, go out to you today! You are always there for all of us, and we love you. I'll be here anytime you want to talk...let me know when you will be on here again.
kj

daydream · 05-13-2008, 04:07 PM

(((((((((((((((((((Judy)))))))))))))))))))))

Sending out hugs and sending up prayers. You are loved

ZombieWife · 05-13-2008, 04:20 PM

I know so little about this condition. I think it's time to educate myself.

Lots of love and prayers to you!

MrsMagoo · 05-14-2008, 10:38 AM

I really don't have much to add except to reiterate how much your words have helped so many here at SR. You know the old saying, what goes around comes around! Judy, you are well loved and you will be well prayed for here. I'm glad you updated us!

Much love! Janet

Lily · 05-14-2008, 03:33 PM

Judy,

I am so sorry you got this news, but I am so glad to hear how positive you are about this! I am praying for you for complete healing. I will pray for you to be able to follow the doctors orders, how difficult! Kudos to you for your strength!

blessings, Sheila

butterfly19 · 05-14-2008, 06:26 PM

Judy,

My thoughts and prayers are with you as always. CHF, as you said, can be fairly manageable when caught early and started on the right meds. I will be praying your tests that you have coming up will have better results!

I wanted to take just a moment to tell you that what you said to those medical students really touched my heart! As I have told you and others here, I have worked in the medical field for 7 years, although right now my recovery is preventing me from working. As a student I can remember patients who shared personal things about their lives with me that truly influenced how I would treat my patients once I was out there on my own. More often than not, our patients can teach us far more than a medical textbook ever could! Thanks for reminding me of that, especially since I am finding it very different to be in the role of the patient instead of the one providing the care. Thanks again to you for being a true inspiration to so many of us on here! May God continue to bless you and keep you safe in His loving arms!!!!

Love always,

butterfly19

Toomutch · 05-14-2008, 06:33 PM

Hugs and prayers Judy.

Suzette

northbelle · 05-14-2008, 09:23 PM

You rock....we who have deal with our addictions can pretty much handle whatever comes our way I swear!!!

So GLAD you told your doc about the pill thing...I have made that mistake and used it as a excuse to get high..
and it was NEVER worth it....NEVER.....

You are a strong woman...and I really dig strong women...they hold me up with their sstregnth!!! Thanx!!!
love north

emmer · 05-17-2008, 08:11 PM

Mega love coming your way Kiddo. I call you kiddo cuz I'm sooo much older than you.lol

Jane63 · 05-17-2008, 08:16 PM

SQ...I am sorry I missed this thread somehow but please know you are in my thoughts! I think you are a very strong person and that is key to getting through these sort of things! Take care of yourself and leave the rest to God!
((HUGS))
Jane

05-12-2008, 11:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
serenityqueen Attitude of Gratitude Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,306	Tests Results Back, I Do Have CHF I had shared with my Family here on SR several weeks ago that I was having some additional medical problems on top of the Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis I already have. I want to thank everyone who sent me kind words and Prayers. It means a great deal knowing that this disease of addiction has brought so many wonderful people into my life thanks to SR. I'd like to ask for your continuing Prayers. I saw my Dr. today and got the results of all the tests. I do have Congestive Heart Failure. My Dr.'s are very optomistic. With the right meds, a proper diet, eliminating salt, losing weight and stop smoking, I should live for many years. It was also discovered through the work up that I have Osteoarthritis as well which is not helping my deteriorating joints at all. Hopefully I can get help from some foundations to be able to take the medications to help slow down the progression. My lab tests have come back showing so very elevated blood levels that have caused additional concern from my doctors. I am having another round of tests for my heart and lungs which will have to be ran in patient. They are all scheduled for the 28th of this month unless my symptoms worsen. The good news is, once again, I have not had a single urge to use. I did have the opportunity today when the entire Internal Medicine Team came in after my main Dr. asked if it were ok for them to come and see me. (I felt like some medical specimen, which I guess I was) Since it's a teaching facility, I had no problems with residents coming in to learn. I shared with them that I am in Recovery and my drug of choice being opiates. I openly shared with them the cons I used to get more and more Rx's out of Dr.'s in the past. I begged them to be aware of the signs and symptoms. I also asked them not to judge someone, remember what they are taught in medical school - addiction is a disease just like Cancer or Diabetes. Thanks for letting me share and I appreciate the kind thoughts and Prayers, Judy __________________ Just when the Catterpillar thought her life was over, She became a Butterfly 7/25/05

05-12-2008, 11:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
StayinAlive Crazy Cat Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Left Coast Posts: 455	Big hugs to you Judy, I am thinking of you. You are always so positive and supportive, even through your struggles. Your sobriety in the midst of adversity is inspiring. Thank you. __________________ never stop growing Last edited by StayinAlive; 05-13-2008 at 12:05 AM.

05-13-2008, 05:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
Impurrfect Social Network Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 18,254	(((Judy))) Though I'm sorry you have CHF, I'm glad you got an answer. I think it was awesome that you were able to talk to the doctors about addiction/recovery. The last 2 times I was in the hospital, I also talked to my doctors about my addiction and recovery....they begged me to get my nursing license back and come to work with them. I think they need to see someone in recovery, because they see SO many addicts stuck in their addiction. As I told you before, my mom had CHF. She lived with it for 29 years (20 more than they told her she would). You have a wonderful attitude and a love for life....I think you're going to do just fine. Hugs and prayers! Amy __________________ "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" - Joyce Meyer "You got what it takes you can win, today is your day to begin. Don't give up here, don't you quit, the moment is now, this is it I know that you can then you will, get to the top of the hill. Part of the fun is the climb, you just gotta make up your mind" - Shania Twain (Tinker, Elvis, Patches and Mots - Mouth Of The South)

05-13-2008, 04:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
daydream Obsessed Pug Momma Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Probably at Wal-Mart Posts: 1,331	(((((((((((((((((((Judy))))))))))))))))))))) Sending out hugs and sending up prayers. You are loved __________________ ~~~ Love ME, Love my PUGS! ~~~

05-13-2008, 04:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
ZombieWife Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 677	I know so little about this condition. I think it's time to educate myself. Lots of love and prayers to you! __________________ ------- Take me out to the black Tell them I ain't comin' back Burn the land and boil the sea You can't take the sky from me There's no place I can be Since I found Serenity...

05-12-2008, 11:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnnyRocket Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mexifornia Posts: 13	You're definitely in my prayers tonight. Going on Day 13 for me - almost. You are about to battle your second biggest demon - weight loss, dieting, stop smoking, etc... My father fought this one and extended his life by many years - still alive as a matter of fact. He tried to lose weight so many times and failed (hmm), but then he finally just stopped eating so much. He described it very much like an addiction... Good luck and best of luck. You can do it. You've conquered the hardest one already!

05-13-2008, 05:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
ccgirl2 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: cape cod Posts: 2,320	Judy, your strength and courage will help you in this latest fight, I know it will. You will certainly be in my thoughts.

05-13-2008, 05:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
brentsgirl Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 74	Judy, You are in my prayers! You're always there to offer advice, prayers and an "I'm here for you"....I am sure this will all come back to you two fold. I know you have been there for me, and I am sure I am one of many wishing you all of the best! Continue to stay positive and strong! Much love! K............

05-13-2008, 03:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
kj3880 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: md Posts: 3,002	Judy, My heart, and my prayers, go out to you today! You are always there for all of us, and we love you. I'll be here anytime you want to talk...let me know when you will be on here again. kj

05-14-2008, 10:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
MrsMagoo Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 933	I really don't have much to add except to reiterate how much your words have helped so many here at SR. You know the old saying, what goes around comes around! Judy, you are well loved and you will be well prayed for here. I'm glad you updated us! Much love! Janet __________________ 'When you're down to nothing, God is up to something.'

05-14-2008, 03:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
Lily AWOL :) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Central WI Posts: 2,013 Blog Entries: 10	Judy, I am so sorry you got this news, but I am so glad to hear how positive you are about this! I am praying for you for complete healing. I will pray for you to be able to follow the doctors orders, how difficult! Kudos to you for your strength! blessings, Sheila

05-14-2008, 06:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
butterfly19 "Welcome To The Future..." Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: WV Posts: 225 Blog Entries: 1	Judy, My thoughts and prayers are with you as always. CHF, as you said, can be fairly manageable when caught early and started on the right meds. I will be praying your tests that you have coming up will have better results! I wanted to take just a moment to tell you that what you said to those medical students really touched my heart! As I have told you and others here, I have worked in the medical field for 7 years, although right now my recovery is preventing me from working. As a student I can remember patients who shared personal things about their lives with me that truly influenced how I would treat my patients once I was out there on my own. More often than not, our patients can teach us far more than a medical textbook ever could! Thanks for reminding me of that, especially since I am finding it very different to be in the role of the patient instead of the one providing the care. Thanks again to you for being a true inspiration to so many of us on here! May God continue to bless you and keep you safe in His loving arms!!!! Love always, butterfly19 __________________ My Disgrace Is My Saving Grace

05-14-2008, 06:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
Toomutch with a new light in my eyes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Littleton, Co. Posts: 3,178	Hugs and prayers Judy. Suzette __________________ The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.

05-14-2008, 09:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
northbelle Dopeless Hope Fiend Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: anchorage Alaska Posts: 2,503	You rock....we who have deal with our addictions can pretty much handle whatever comes our way I swear!!! So GLAD you told your doc about the pill thing...I have made that mistake and used it as a excuse to get high.. and it was NEVER worth it....NEVER..... You are a strong woman...and I really dig strong women...they hold me up with their sstregnth!!! Thanx!!! love north

05-17-2008, 08:11 PM	#16 (permalink)
emmer Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,716 Blog Entries: 10	Mega love coming your way Kiddo. I call you kiddo cuz I'm sooo much older than you.lol

Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

05-17-2008, 08:16 PM	#17 (permalink)
Jane63 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,141 Blog Entries: 8	SQ...I am sorry I missed this thread somehow but please know you are in my thoughts! I think you are a very strong person and that is key to getting through these sort of things! Take care of yourself and leave the rest to God! ((HUGS)) Jane __________________ ~Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all.~ Emily Dickinson Rest In Peace My Sweet Sammy...2-24-08

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