Hello
Thanks for all of the love and thoughts coming in to us here in the hospital via the sweet Colorado air. There is much to tell so I'll get right to it.
Update:
Another long day in the hospital but some progress happened again. We see our primary care doc every morning at the crack - he is very consistent. We asked a lot of questions. The first test of the day was an ultrasound to check the gallbladder. Of course the test came back normal. That's how he rolls - everything we check - comes back good.
The cardiologist returned today - he thought we'd gone home so we hadn't seen him for a couple of days. The cardiologist was good to talk to today, he was engaged and seemed more human.
The Life Vest either gets taken off in three months or you can have it renewed for another round if your heart is slow to recover. This doctor seems hopeful - like we do, that the medication approach is the way to go and that Cord will respond well. My guess is that he will kick butt and improve right on schedule or before just based on how otherwise healthy he is. This doctor is not the kind to recommend going from a Life Vest straight into an implanted defibrillator unless you have to. Instead we want him to use the vest until he doesn't need it anymore and then continue to get better until he doesn't need an implanted one either - that's the plan! Sometimes people get the implanted one too soon, they get better and then they don't need it and have to live with it. However, if that's what it takes - that's what we do.
One step at a time. Patience.
Max brought Wulfgar down to see us and we all had dinner together in our room - it was so nice. Beau was on his way to our house from college so they are all there together now. We had a great visit - and Max and Cord went over the materials list and the details about rebuilding the bedroom. It's so cool to hear them - our boys are young men and they were taught by Cord so they know what to do.
Late tonight he will get hooked up for a sleep test to check for Sleep Apnea. This might also qualify him for oxygen which we want to go home with. I told the cardiologist we were trying to get oxygen approved by the insurance and he assured me that when you have congestive heart failure - you can have oxygen when you go home to 8,000'. As if.
We also signed up for home visits by a nurse to come by and check his vitals. That will be awesome - makes me feel better. This is pretty intimidating stuff but we will rise to the challenge.
Cord is taking walks around the floor regularly to help his body clear of edema. He is deflating - which is better than inflating, he is on a drug called Lasix (s), a diuretic helping him to shed the swelling. They are working on his dosage to help him sleep better as each night his lungs get congested again and he struggles with his breathing. Sleep is the thing - the Holy Grail - what if it were easy?
I am not in a hurry to go home, the staff at Parkview is great - no doubt. Once we are home I will be watching him like an ever-lovin' hawk and will drive him crazy.
It could be tomorrow I guess but I'm not counting on it. We shall see.
Our friends are so wonderful and plans are underway at home. The Rally For Cord Website - (https://www.youcaring.com/penn-and-cord-parmenter-442947) - the one our friend Buffy set up is absolutely amazing. I also want to thank my dear friend Shelbel so much - it was her idea to find a way to raise funds for us - we never would have thought of such a thing - and Buffy was in a position to take care of the logistics - what a team! It all happened so fast and now it is already helping Cord's peace of mind greatly. Did I say thank you Shelbel?
Thanks to all - for listening - for caring and contributing and for being a part of this amazing collective consciousness. GO CORD!!
Thanks for all of the love and thoughts coming in to us here in the hospital via the sweet Colorado air. There is much to tell so I'll get right to it.
Update:
Another long day in the hospital but some progress happened again. We see our primary care doc every morning at the crack - he is very consistent. We asked a lot of questions. The first test of the day was an ultrasound to check the gallbladder. Of course the test came back normal. That's how he rolls - everything we check - comes back good.
The cardiologist returned today - he thought we'd gone home so we hadn't seen him for a couple of days. The cardiologist was good to talk to today, he was engaged and seemed more human.
The Life Vest either gets taken off in three months or you can have it renewed for another round if your heart is slow to recover. This doctor seems hopeful - like we do, that the medication approach is the way to go and that Cord will respond well. My guess is that he will kick butt and improve right on schedule or before just based on how otherwise healthy he is. This doctor is not the kind to recommend going from a Life Vest straight into an implanted defibrillator unless you have to. Instead we want him to use the vest until he doesn't need it anymore and then continue to get better until he doesn't need an implanted one either - that's the plan! Sometimes people get the implanted one too soon, they get better and then they don't need it and have to live with it. However, if that's what it takes - that's what we do.
One step at a time. Patience.
Max brought Wulfgar down to see us and we all had dinner together in our room - it was so nice. Beau was on his way to our house from college so they are all there together now. We had a great visit - and Max and Cord went over the materials list and the details about rebuilding the bedroom. It's so cool to hear them - our boys are young men and they were taught by Cord so they know what to do.
Late tonight he will get hooked up for a sleep test to check for Sleep Apnea. This might also qualify him for oxygen which we want to go home with. I told the cardiologist we were trying to get oxygen approved by the insurance and he assured me that when you have congestive heart failure - you can have oxygen when you go home to 8,000'. As if.
We also signed up for home visits by a nurse to come by and check his vitals. That will be awesome - makes me feel better. This is pretty intimidating stuff but we will rise to the challenge.
Cord is taking walks around the floor regularly to help his body clear of edema. He is deflating - which is better than inflating, he is on a drug called Lasix (s), a diuretic helping him to shed the swelling. They are working on his dosage to help him sleep better as each night his lungs get congested again and he struggles with his breathing. Sleep is the thing - the Holy Grail - what if it were easy?
I am not in a hurry to go home, the staff at Parkview is great - no doubt. Once we are home I will be watching him like an ever-lovin' hawk and will drive him crazy.
It could be tomorrow I guess but I'm not counting on it. We shall see.
Our friends are so wonderful and plans are underway at home. The Rally For Cord Website - (https://www.youcaring.com/penn-and-cord-parmenter-442947) - the one our friend Buffy set up is absolutely amazing. I also want to thank my dear friend Shelbel so much - it was her idea to find a way to raise funds for us - we never would have thought of such a thing - and Buffy was in a position to take care of the logistics - what a team! It all happened so fast and now it is already helping Cord's peace of mind greatly. Did I say thank you Shelbel?
Thanks to all - for listening - for caring and contributing and for being a part of this amazing collective consciousness. GO CORD!!
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