Hello Everyone,

No, I was not abducted by aliens.

I have been getting things taken care of one after the other and am glad to report that everything went really well. The TEE wasn't too bad at all and was done without sedation, but just a gargle of anesthetic for the throat.

Great news on that front.
The ASD defect is central and less than 2 cm (about 1 cm). They did a Doppler to check on the flows through it as well as through the other heart valves and there is only a bit of back flow when there is increased abdominal pressure (contracting of the abdomen, straining etc), so no need to do anything with it (YAY!).
I have been told to take 80 mg of aspirin daily for the time being, and to discontinue the coumadin. Other than needing follow up blood work to keep an eye on clotting, I'm good to go in that department.

Had one IVIG on Friday and the second of three IVIG’s yesterday and those went well too; although the second one took longer than the first (4 hours), because they used a stronger dose. I felt just fine during the two hours afterwards, so was glad when I got the go ahead to come home.

Well, what do they say about getting out of the frying pan and going into the fire? Wouldn't you know it? I slipped on the ice in the hospital parking lot while I was leaving and went right down on my butt.

Three young fellows, who were standing near by, saw me fall and were right there to help me up, but I whacked my head as well, which was bleeding. One of the fellows identified himself as a first aid attendant and asked if he could help me. I said that I was fine but he rather strongly suggested that I go with him back into the hospital. How embarrassing .
The first aid attendant sent one of his buddies to go get a wheel chair and they took me back in. Luckily, I only had to wait for a half hour or so to be seen in the ER.

Got checked out by the doc, from top (head) and bottom (the latter rather invasively, if you get my drift). He said that I probably fractured the coccyx because he could move it and because of the localized pain. He checked out the nerves in my legs and they were a little off, which surprised him. But that is normal for me, and he relxed when I told him it was because of the MS.

He said that x-rays of the coccyx probably weren't necessary as he was pretty sure of the fracture, and said that there wasn't much to be done for it at this point anyway, other than Ibuprofen and ice.
The head thing was just a scrape so that got cleaned up and he said to get checked out by my MD if the pain in the coccyx got worse or if any other symptoms developed.

I told him that I would be coming into the hospital on Sunday for the third IVIG and he said that it would be OK to have it, but to let them know of the injury before hand. I was glad to be discharged and that time I was very cautious about crossing the icy parking lot and getting into my truck. There was a water covered ice patch right at the driver’s side door and that is what I had slipped on.

Yeah, the coccyx hurts like heck now, but it is mostly when I bend forward or go from sitting to standing or vice versa. Other than that, some swelling and a nice bruise, it is OK. I expect it to be sore for a bit and the ER doc said it probably will be for a few weeks.

I'm so happy that everything else went so well with the TEE and the IVIG’ s so far, that the literal "pain in the butt" doesn't even measure up to the concerns that I've had on my mind. Will get through the third IVIG today and then will be home to rest, ice, heal up and get well again .

Hope that everyone is doing OK. Will catch up on posts later.

With love, Erika

Thanks for the update Erika. Glad everything went well, except for the fall.
Didn't I tell you to stay off of the ice? I hope the hospital didn't have the
nerve to bill you for that!!!

Take care of yourself.

How is Dog n Cat?

Erika- nothing is simple w you is it? I am so sorry that this happened. A hospital should have a plowing service.

Keep your bum on ice.

ANN

Thanks for the update Erika! I'm glad you got some good news and hope that the good news continues.

I have to agree with Ann.....the hospital should, at minimum, make sure the parking lots are safe and accessible. Or they should take you by wheelchair to your car. I'm surprised they haven't had a lawsuit from someone!

You have just been through the ringer but I admire your positive attitude. Sometimes it's hard to keep smiling through all the valley's MS puts us through.

Be careful with yourself and no more ice capades this winter!

What a rough few days! Glad you are doing well in the heart and MS departments. Sorry to hear you have a broken bum. Hope you heal quickly!

Sally,
Cute pic of the two fur babies .
Yes, you did tell me to stay off the ice, but I honestly didn’t see it because it was covered with water. Thankfully, we don’t get billed for health care in Canada beyond the premiums that we pay for health care coverage, so no worries.

Ann,
The fall was actually pretty simple. Foot on ice, fell down, went boom .
As for the rest of the carp I’ve been going through, I just see it as having taken a rather long time to figure out that an infection was having its way with the body. As for MS…well, that’s never simple is it?


Trish,
Like I said, I am so happy that things have finally turned a corner with respect to getting IVIG treatment for the infection, and also getting good news with respect to the problems it has caused.
Finally there is light at the end of the tunnel…and it isn’t the train.

Kitty,
I think that they did salt and sand the lot, but where I parked my truck, the salt melted the ice just enough to put a water slick over the ice while I was in the hospital, so I didn’t see it. It’s sort of unavoidable up here when the winter switches over to a spring climate. There is ice pretty much everywhere at this time of year. I should have been more careful, knowing that .

Thanks Sparky,
Oh, I’m sure the fracture will heal up just fine. It is such a little bone and actually, that area is kind of numb now, so not much pain here. The rest of the body is achy from the fall now that it is day 3, but that should improve from here on out.
I’m looking forward to gardening this spring, now that everything is looking more positive. It has been a tough winter for sure.

Thanks everyone else for your kind thoughts and support. Like I said, I'm just so happy to be coming around and am looking forward to tending my garden this year.

With love, Erika

I am so glad you won't need heart surgery Erika but OUCH to the fall!!

You have had such a hard time lately, maybe you should move to S. California? And I can move down there with you and be your neighbor? I really hate the snow and ice after this winter, sheesh!!

Off topic though, your suggestion to have B12 tested helped me because my levels are pretty low and my doctor wants me to start taking shots weekly! You're very smart, helpful and kind and we are lucky to have you here with us!

Erika, so sorry to hear of your fall, but glad that other issues came out well...gotta watch out for black ice...as you have proven, it's a slippery devil

...and don't forget that gravity is a heartless #@!* .

With love, Erika