Back home from the hospital again - Wednesday, September 27, 2006

As some already know, the diagnosis for macular degeneration that I received Sunday evening turned out to be an error. I actually had a stroke and Hemianopia.

When I went to Houston Eye Associates on Monday afternoon, the earliest appointment that I could get with a specialist in that decease, tests were run. Dr Lee told me that it was not macular degeneration but was coming from the brain and to get to my personal physician for a MRI. Donna and I drove quickly to the cardiologist office and he put me back in St Luke’s Hospital for a MRI and the other test for a heart image looking for blood clots with a tube down the throat.

Fortunately, it is a small stroke and only caused a 50% loss of vision in both eyes. The MRI shows the brain damage but neither the cardiologist nor the neurologist could be positive that a blood clot caused the stroke. It may have been a small piece of debris that hit the brain less than 48 hours after the ablation of my heart last Thursday. Both doctors said the test show normal blood flow in the brain and my arteries and blood vessels are open with no plaque buildup. There is a tiny hole between the two chambers of my upper heart but it is not a problem. My blood pressure was 90/50 yesterday but is coming up today.

I just returned home from the hospital and the trip to New York is off for now but Donna and I will still do the cruise on October 8. Both doctors said it was OK but to get to the cardiologist office on Friday before we leave. Of the last 8 days, only one was not in a hospital and that was at my good friend Johnny Lopez funeral. No more driving unless I get my vision back but I hope I can get a ride when needed.

Thanks for all the kind email that I have received and the prayers sent my way. Looking at the computer screen is a little funny when you only see half of the monitor. Donna is a lot skinner as I look directly at her and only see her right ear and eye and occasionally part of her nose.

Vision Loss - Sunday, September 24, 2006

Sunday, Sep 24 was a reminder of last Wednesday. We got to Bush airport to catch our flight to New York and got to the gate with only 15 minutest to departure with delays in baggage check and security. Then we noticed our flight was delayed and went to the Presidents Club for juice and a toasted bagel. The delay was shortened and by the time we returned to the gate, everyone was aboard the plane and they were paging us. We got our seats and pushed back from the gate. After a long taxi time we got out by the runway when my vision turned to S___. Donna pushed the call button and the flight attendant declared a medical emergency. They asked for medical people on the plane and a doctor came up but was not an eye specialist. The plane made the long taxi back to the gate and paramedics came aboard and hauled me away in an ambulance with red lights and sirens. We spent about 5 hours at Houston Northeast Medical Center, the closest hospital in Humble, but they did not have an eye doctor and could not get one called in. At the point they were to transport me by ambulance to Herman Hospital in the medical center, Donna got the eye doctor on call at Houston Eye Associates to agree to meet us at their office in the medical center and our son retrieved our car from long term parking and we drove.

Dr Kevin Jung, Houston Eye Associates, said he would have suggested that Donna get me to the office sooner but though the hospital would have a eye doctor on call. Anyway, it turns out that I have macular degeneration in my right eye. It is the wet vs the dry as he could see two spots of blood in my eye. This is better as they now have shots that will help regain part of your eyesight with wet macular degeneration. AMD is classified as either wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular). About 10% of patients who suffer from macular degeneration have wet AMD. Anyway, it is Monday and Donna and I are going to see a specialist on AMD at Houston Eye Associates as I have been using this group for over 30 years and they have all my records on eye problems. Our trip to New York is on hold until we find out more and a treatment schedule. I have very limited eye site at this time.

Our bag that was checked got to NYC but was picked up by another passanger in error. I hope it will be returned on Monday.

Home from the hospital - Friday, September, 22, 2006

It was a bit of a surprise when I went to see Donna's cardiologist on Wednesday morning and the heart doctor sent me across the street to the Texas Heart Institute in the Medical Center at St. Luke's Hospital for Atrial Fibrillation. The likelihood of a stroke in people with AF is 5 to 7 times higher than in the general population. Although about half of all blood clots related to AF result in stroke, clots can travel to other parts of the body (kidney, heart, intestines), causing problems. They ran a tube down my nose to check for blood clots on the upper chamber of my heart. Finding none, on Thursday afternoon, they did a minimally invasive surgical ablation. Unlike traditional heart surgery, there is no large chest wall incision and the heart is not stopped. These techniques utilize smaller incisions and endoscopes (small, lighted instruments that contain a camera). The surgeon cut a artery in my groin and running a tube up it to map the heart and to precede with the ablation. He said this was the Cadillac treatment and has cured me where shocking the heart is a temporary fix. The surgery was done in the cath lab where they do all heart catechization at the Texas Heart Institute.

A busy week with it starting our going to John's surgery on Monday and his funeral on Saturday. and 3 days at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in between getting my heart fixed. We leave for fall folage in New York on Sunday morning and return to Houston the following Saturday. A week at home and then our Caribbean cruise out of Galveston.

Dr John Joseph Lopez – September 23, 2006

Johnny’s cancer had returned and he had surgery to remove it on Monday, 9/18. The surgery was a success but John died from complications early Wednesday morning. A true friend that his laughter and fun times will be greatly missed. Johnny will always be in our heart. You can visit his page at Broussard’s Mortuary below.

John J Lopez, DDS

You can sign the Guest Book on-line at the funeral home.

RCCL Cruise - Sunday, Oct 8, 2006

This is our itinerary for the Fall cruise this year. It is the same as our Spring trip but we enjoy the boat ride on the "Rhapsody of the Seas". My brother David and his wife Linda plus cousin Winnie and Bob from Los Angeles will join us. Our friends Dick and Denese plus John and Hilda will also be cruising with us. Jack and Sooz (Tammy's parents) are also in this fun group. Our ports are Key West, Cayman Islands and Cozumel from Galveston. John has surgery scheduled for Monday, Sept 18 so John and Hilda may have to skip this trip.

This ship rides well and we have always enjoyed the fun with passengers and crew as we sail the Caribbean. We play trivia in the Schooner Bar and Mexican Train in the card room on days at sea.

Cypresswood 50 Plus - Tuesday, Sep 12, 2006

We have our monthly meeting at the East Clubhouse this evening at 7 pm. After a short business meeting, we will have an ice cream social. The President, Jim Williams said to bring our favorite ice cream topping. On Friday, we will do our trip to Schulenburg for the Painted Church tour.

Northeast - Sept 24 to 30, 2006

I found some good value on airfare so we are booked for a week in the Northeast to see the Fall Foliage and catch a Broadway Show. We have nonstop flights into and out of Kennedy Airport in NYC.

It has been awhile since our last visit to the Big Apple so we look forward to this trip. Our plans are to rent a SUV to tour the area and see the trees and a few sights then spend a few days in Manhattan. We will drive up through New York State and to Canada to see Niagara Falls. Then back down across Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Dutch country. Our trip will cross New Jersey. We need to see how high gasoline is in the NE compared to Texas. Having lived in the area in the mid 70's, we know our way around. Our hotel from Wed to Saturday is the La Quinta in Queens (New York City).

AirTrain from Kennedy Airport will take you to Howard Beach Subway Station for the "A" Train to Manhattan. The #7 Subway from Manhattan takes you to Queens.

Ashland Retirees - Wednesday, Sept 13, 2006

Quarterly Luncheon

Lunch at Landry’s Restaurant, 8816 Westheimer.   The speaker will be Don Stotler.   His subject will be Harris County Flood Control Alert System and procedures, plus a story about the Titanic’s radio operators.

Cash Bar at 11:30 am with lunch at Noon.

Cypresswood 50 Plus Club - Friday, Sep 15, 2006

Our Pct 4 bus leaves the East Clubhouse at 7 am for Schulenburg. The Painted Church Tour of Fayette County will cost $13/pp plus your lunch expense at Frank's Restaurant. This will be a great day trip for the seniors of our subdivision.

Silver Eagles - September 11, 2006

It is time for chicken wings and beer again so our Silver Eagles will meet for lunch at Hooter's on FM 1960 at I-45 to enjoy fine food in pleasant surroundings.

Silver Eagles Poem

The second Monday of each month is the day we retired guys have wings and beer at Hooters. We go at 1:15 pm to avoid the lunch hour rush. Many are from our subdivision but we also are joined by area friends.

Labor Day - Sept 4, 2006

Our government has Donna working in the Biloxi / Gulfport, MS area this week. I dropped her at the airport for her Continental flight and she will use a Budget Rental Car to get her to her hotel in Biloxi/Ocean Springs. I will be a bachelor until she returns on Sunday, Sept 10. It is a good week to catch up on some things like getting the A/C fixed on the Crown Victoria and the tires balanced on the Dodge Neon. Our washing machine went out last week so we got a new Maytag washer.

The grandsons, Matthew and Jackson, are on the mend from the surgery last Friday. I will get to see them along with Ted and their parents some this week.