I am joining Rebecca Jo, at Knit by God's Hand, for her Thankful Thursday link-up! You can find her blog HERE!! Thanks for hosting, Rebecca Jo!!
** I am thankful for all the prayers offered for Joe and his heart valve problem.
** I am thankful that prayers get answered in ways other than those expected!!
We met with Dr. Streitman yesterday afternoon to hear the results of all the tests Joe had done in the last two weeks. The echocardiogram showed that Joe's aortic valve is functioning at a high moderate risk level, but the catheterization shows that the risk is still in the moderate range. What did show up with the catheterization (which went up both sides of the heart this time) is that Joe's lung function is really bad in one lung. He has had asthma for years and lately the doctors have been calling it COPD and that is what Dr. Streitman called it. He suggested that the lungs are causing Joe's breathing problems, rather than the aortic stenosis. He has given Joe a prescription for a drug that will help stabilize the pulmonary hypertension and will give him back some quality of life without doing the valve replacement this year. He said perhaps next year he will need the TAVR but if the medication helps the breathing problems, we will have a good year or so before we have to think about the valve replacement again. Praise God!! We go back to see Dr. Streitman in a month.
** Thankful for any reason to celebrate with pie!!
** I am thankful for all of you!!
Thanks for your visit! Peace & hugs!! God bless!!
Love and hugs. Many blessings.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the news about the procedure and praying the new medication helps Joe tremendously. Lots to be thankful for today. I think PIE is in order to celebrate! lol
ReplyDeletePraise the Lord-sometimes good news comes under the guise of 'bad news' but we realize that it could be 'worse news'. Thankful there might be some help for Joe that will give him at least a year's reprieve. Hugs- Diana
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful news!!!! That is marvelous, and we will pray that the medication does the trick for Joe, and that he won't have to have that surgery at all! Wonderful answer to prayer...and yes, I'd say, "let's have pie!!"
ReplyDeleteThat's great news about Joe!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
Oh wow, that's one of those news things that's not great, but better than what you thought you were going to get. I am praying the medication works wonders and surgery can be avoided for a good long time...possibly forever!
ReplyDeleteIsnt that interesting!!!! All this time they thought it was solely heart & his lungs were part of the issue? That's crazy. Glad they found that out though! Getting him all back in shape to have some good years ahead!!!
ReplyDeleteThankful for good doctors who get to the root of the problem. Praying the meds will help Joe.
ReplyDeleteSuch fantastic news about Joe, Terri!!! Yes, our God is good, all the time.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
What a pleasant turn of events! Is Joe's Dr. Streitman out of the VA? My Tom has COPD, too … and has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis by the VA, but no-one's ventured an opinion on what's causing the pain in his lungs. Enjoy that pie!
ReplyDeleteNo, Myra, Dr. Streitman is not VA. He is a cardiac/vascular surgeon with Lakeland Regional Health.
DeleteWell, this is wonderful news. Two things, that he will not have the surgery, and that the medication may be the answer to his breathing problem. Like they say, when God shows up, you never know what He may be driving!
ReplyDeleteWell, this information about the lung function is new! I pray this medication helps Joe to feel so much better, and without the need for surgery (at least for this year). This is a most interesting development!
ReplyDeleteWell, I am very happy to read the lung problem was discovered so it can be treated and I hope the meds work for him. That is also good news he won’t have to have surgery and hopefully, he will be able to enjoy life more. Glad your doctor is on top of it.
ReplyDeleteGood news that things can be postponed. continued prayers for improvement... wishing you a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they've worked out exactly what's going on. I hope the medication helps and relieved for you that the surgery can be postponed for now.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news! Praying the medication really makes a difference for Joe.
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