1.09.2003

 

Marlene had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) implanted today in a two-hour procedure. She will probably come home tomorrow morning.

 

An ICD is used to treat abnormal, fast heart rhythms. Several types of therapies are used by the ICD, including cardioversion (low energy shock impulses delivered by an ICD to treat a fast heart beat), defibrillation (high energy shock impulses delivered by an ICD to treat a fast beat), and antitachycardia pacing (Small, rapid pacing pulses delivered by an ICD to treat a fast heart beat).

 

The good news is that the symptoms have been treated successfully.

 

The bad news is that the cause has been undetermined – and that Marlene cannot drive. The ICD delivers a high energy impulse, however, it takes 10 seconds to do this during which time driving would be hazardous at best. This restriction on driving need not be permanent since the data from the ICD will be evaluated on a regular basis. For example, if the data shows that a pulse (high or low energy) has not been used by the ICD over a period of several years her driving restriction could be lifted.

 

Thanks for all your notes and prayers!

 

 

 

 

 

01.10.2003/18:00:00 MST

 

Wednesday - 01.08

12:30:00 Marlene tells me on the phone that she feels dizzy and can't take the car to Philip's

16:00:00 Since there's no history of serious problems Nathan leaves for Church Activities

21:00:00 Nathan comes home from Church and Philip is at our house (Marlene has fainted twice while on the phone and through calls from around the country Philip is alerted to a problem)

21:05:00 Nathan and Philip take Marlene Littleton Hospital ER

21:30:00 Many doctors descend on Marlene to keep her heart going - pulse rate 43 to 200 (fibrillation)

22:30:00 Marlene arrives by helicopter at Porter's Hospital Heart Care Unit

24:00:00 Marlene has heart Catharization (complete study of heart) - it is determined that there is no artery blockage (during test the heart stopped and was started by doctors)

Thursday - 01.09.

02:00:00 Philip and Nathan go home after doctor determines that an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) will be implanted at 11:00:00 on 01.09

08:00:00 Nathan arrives at hospital

10:00:00 Susan arrives at hospital

12:00:00 Stephen arrives at hospital

14:00:00 Marlene arrives back in room after successful implant

16:00:00 Philip and family arrive at hospital

20:00:00 Marlene walks around hospital

Friday - 01.10

08:00:00 Nathan arrives at hospital

09:00:00 Dr Choe who did implant gives Marlene the OK to go home (final electronic check of ICD proves to be successful)

09:30:00 Marlene and Nathan stop by Philip's station to say 'hello' (Marlene looks disheveled because no shower was allowed)

09:45:00 Marlene and Nathan arrive home

Projected:

Marlene will attend church on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Susan will drive because with an ICD no driving is possible. There will be a Choir Party following Church.

 

 

 MARLENE SUFFERS SETBACK - 1.27.2003

 

At 3:45 this morning Marlene woke me up and said that she had received a 'shock' from her ICD. This triggered going to the emergency room as she had a 'shock' on Friday (1.24.2003) also. After 14 days of nearly perfect heart rhythm she called the doctor after the Friday experience. He told her that if another 'shock' occurred during the weekend she should go to the ER. That 'shock' happened this morning.

After morning tests it was determined that a wire was not embedded properly in the ventricle. Thus another 'try' is scheduled for tomorrow morning (1.28.2003) at 8:30 a.m.! During today the heart was 'behaving' itself as her lying in bed must have maintained the proper contact.

All weekend she wasn't feeling quite right. The cause was this malfunction of the wire. Tomorrow you will receive an update as to the success of the second entry into her heart.

 

NATHAN

Porters Hospital - 303.778.1955 Rm:2127 (will be there thru tomorrow night 1.28.2003) Probably will come home Wednesday if all goes well.

 

 

SETBACK(2) - 1.28.2003?

When I arrived at the hospital this morning at 7:15 I expected that in about fifteen minutes they would be coming to get Marlene and transport her to the operating room. After all, yesterday they 'scheduled' it for 8:30 a.m..

About 8:30 the doctor came in to check on Marlene and when he was about to leave he said - "We'll do the procedure at Noon!" What? Noon?

Well, Noon came and nothing was heard. Finally, at about 1:30 they came and took Marlene to the Operating Room. About 4:00 p.m. she came back to the room in complete pain. The doctor had unscrewed the two leads to the ICD and rescrewed them in - in another location. Now why the pain?

An ultra-sound was ordered and the doctor determined that there was fluid around the heart (a small amount). He said that one nurse for six patients wouldn't work for her so he ordered her to the Intensive Care Unit. That's where she remains.

Coming home tomorrow which was almost a given has turned into at least another day. She finally ate her first food of the day about 7:00 p.m. after having it ordered for an hour and a half.

So we'll see what tomorrow brings. If the fluid continues its buildup - that's not good. If it subsides maybe Marlene will come home on Thursday.

That's a summary of the day - hope your day went well!

Nathan

P.S. Tonight she can't be reached in the ICU. Tomorrow, hopefully, she'll return to the Chest Pain Division where she'll be able to answer a phone call. See 'Setback(1) for phone number of hospital. The room will probably change.

 

TURN AROUND - January 29, 2003

 

Marlene took a dramatic turn for the better overnight. She was in the ICU all night under observation as the last update said. This morning they looked at the fluid possibilities around the heart and determined that it did not increase during the night.

Dr. Choe pronounced her ready to go home at 2:00 p.m. today. We got home about 3:15 and Susan came over to be with her as I went to direct my three choirs. Kim, Philip, Jules and Myles took over the evening duties.

She has pain medication and several other prescriptions to smooth the healing process. She sees Dr. Choe on Friday morning to check on progress.

So the Lord has come through again! Praise Him!

Thanks for all your phone calls and e-mails. It's nice to have a support system.

Nathan

 

1.31.2003

 

As of 3:30 a.m. this morning Marlene is back in Room 2127 (see previous update for details of phone etc.) She had a persistent pain in her right arm - even coming closer to her heart area so we felt it expedient to take her to the ER at that early hour even though she had an appointment at 9:15 this morning with Dr. Choe.

She awaits the results of Cat-Scan etc. to determine the nature of the pain (blot clot?/heart fluid?etc.?) Again she's in good hands (wishing she would get over this cycle).

Thanks for the well-wishes again!

 

Nathan