with, but it sounds like you are receiving good care. Hang in there and check in with your progress.

When you're back home.

Sending you positive vibes and a big hug amigo.

you are okay with hugs. Sounds like you are in a good spot where they know what they are doing.

I'll be sending you vibes, and please keep us updated as you are able!

I wish you well.

Here's to healing!

I've had a few medical issues which have scared and sidelined me, sometimes for months at a time.
My advice would be to eat food that is actually good for you, get lots of rest, and to get your body moving as much as you are able. Also, find something you like, as in reading, visits with people you actually like, writing, or starting a project you are able to do that makes you happy. A positive self-push can be really good medicine.
We do have an awesome community, don't we? So glad you shared with us 'brethren'.

your medical ordeal. Thanks for updating us on your condition. It sounds like you are receiving the best of care.

It's absolutely startling when you have a totally unexpected health event. I had a health event a few years ago that changed my life & if you'd told me that that particular organ was going to be the one I would have issues with I would have scoffed. But here I am.

My advice to young people is to take the very best care of yourself now. Ditch or at least modify bad habits. Get new, good ones. EXERCISE!!! Diet, too, but I swear regular exercise gave me a huge edge through all of this.

I hope you have a good support system. It's tough, I know, but hang in there.

Don't be hesitant to post--your family here want to be with you now.

May you have a good outcome. Please keep us posted.

I'm sure I speak for the DU community in wishing you improved health and a full recovery.

You've been through a lot and far more than enough for anyone.

Keep the faith and best wishes for a healthier future.

I hope you can overcome the health issues.

I hope you recover rapidly and entirely from this terrible sequence of events Generic Brad.

I was younger obviously (40s) and had a clot connected to birth control. A bad one that put pressure on the right side of my heart. I was in critical condition but came out of the procedure well (they used a clot buster on that one because it was actually called PE at that point). I am going to hope your clot is stabilized and perhaps that will even help with other issues you're having. We need you to pull through this and see our first female president take the oath of office! Hugs.

Hang in there, and know that DU users all send good vibes for your full recovery.

This sounds like a whole lot of big difficult things at once. But, they are figuring them all out and dealing with them. In a week or two hopefully you will be on a new course and feeling better. Thinking about you . . . .

Keep us posted and all the best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

tough stuff you're dealing with and we all hope for the best!

Good to know that you are in one of the premier hospitals in the country. I'm a fellow Tennessean -- about a 80 minute drive from Nashville. A few years ago, I had an operation at Vanderbilt that was the equal of Luke Skywalker's firing the torpedos into the Death Star!
May the force be with you and your doctors.

had a blood clot. Then heart failure. Medicine worked great and he had no future problems.

I have many stents for clogged arteries, take blood thinners daily, have 3rd stage kidney failure, and heart problems. Have for years. My advice to you is stay active, drink lots of water (I drink flavored water. Just make sure there is no sodium) walk as much as possible. And watch your salt intake. If your feet are swollen lay flat on your couch with your feet up on pillows higher than your heart to watch tv. Staying active, walking a lot, drinking water and cutting way back on salt are key.
Good luck. Stay strong and post once in a while.

We appreciate you being around!

You are in our thoughts. Stay strong & don't let the whole thing drag you down.

Sending healing energy & hugs...

I'm also glad you let us all know who you are and that we have you on our side. Please get well and come back to post more! We are on your side as well!

Big hug 🤗

We can recuperate together. I'm so sorry to hear how things cascaded badly for you. I know, from experience, that each step down the rung hurts so much emotionally. Get your mind wrapped around one thing, and another thing kicks your feet out from under you.

Hang in there. One good thing about us old-time DUers...we are ornery. Hang in there.
Brett

hugs to you.

getting CoQ10, aka ubiquinol. It is actually a requirement if you are taking statins (if you look at the fine print, the manufacturers suggest it), as they stop the liver's production of this critical molecule that feeds your body. When I started taking it, my LVEF was 17% and I was almost unable to do anything. I had developed dry, brittle skin, varicose veins, and had scrapes on my arms that wouldn't heal after months. When I was told by my GP to take the CoQ10, within days, my skin firmed up, the wounds on my arms healed and within a few weeks, the varicose veins mostly went away,. More importantly, I felt 1000 times better, and am able to do almost everything, despite my extremely low LVEF. Wen I see the cardiologists and/or other medical people that are unaware of my history, they are always shocked at how I am, they expect someone in my condition to be in a wheelchair, using oxygen. Not me! With the ubiquinol (there are two types, the ubiquinol version is far better), I have spent the last ten years doing almost everything I would normally do. No cramping, minimal exhaustion, exercising regularly, etc.

And in case, you are concerned, this is non-prescription and is not a drug. It was researched in Japan, and there is a lot of clinical work and studies with it. It is the primary molecule that transports carbohydrates through the cell walls to feed cells. The name ubiquinol comes from the work ubiquitous, because this molecule is used throughout the body, and especially by the heart. There is no overdose limits, as little as 100mg/day will help, I take 400 mg/day, and studies have given people up to 4000 mg/day with zero side effects (although above 300-500 mg/day, there is no benefit, excess is just peed out).

Anyway, just a thought, take it for what is it, I know it has helped me and many, many others.

continued good, stabilized health.

no health, better than health will get you thru times of no DU".

Hang in there, good luck, and keep checking in!

to you and fight like hell, GenB!

It sounds like you are in good hands but that is some sequence of events. I'm hoping for the very best outcome for you, Generic Brad.

You’ll get fabulous care, there! I imagine they are going to get you through this and then you’ll be dealing with a new diet. We are cheering you on!!!! And, make sure you’ve arranged to vote- even from the ICU! We need you!!

All the best in your recovery!!!!

I'm sending all the best vibes for you out to the Universe

I sincerely wish you as much recovery as possible from all these unexpected medical issues.

Also, just because you're not a chatty Kathy or Chucky you are still very much appreciated and cherished by your DU Family.

Hang in there Brad and never, ever don't hesitate to reach out to us if you're feeling dowm and just need to talk, or if you have a funny story to share. We're here for all of it.!!!

What the heck? I’m sending every good healing vibe your way. If you feel a tingle- it’s all those vibes I’m sending you! You’re in good hands at Vanderbilt. Hope you can try to relax and concentrate on getting better. Your DU family is here wishing you all the best!!

gentle non-pain-inducing ones!

Trust your doctors, and do what is necessary. We NEED your voice!

a few years ago. I learned that the hospital staff is there to save your life and pull you through - they are good at that. You are in the thick of it now but not everything you are going through is permanent and kudos to them for saving your leg. Kidneys are rather cool organs that learn to step up after such trauma - I hope that they do for you.

I wish you well. When you come out of this (please be patient because it may take time) I am betting you will be living with new insights. That in itself is a miracle.

❤️ ❤️

You have a lot going on, but stay strong and you can beat.

Take advantage of the day when you start feeling just a little bit better. Build on that day, and stay positive.

Wishing you all the best.

I look forward to your full and speedy recovery.

It's astonishing how fast we start to fall apart. Here's good wishes you'll be put back together and be around for much longer.

It's not for the feint of heart. Sending you positive vibes and a big fat DU virtual hug! Get better soon!

Sending you ghost hugs now

I send you healing thoughts and good vibes. And this too: hug: We are all here for you.

The Drs. and Nurses will support you.

And if you need to talk to someone, feel free to PM me. I’m on DU basically all day lol. Sending good vibes that your health gets better.

I will hold you in the light ❤️

Blood clots are a serious threat, but you seem to have gotten through the worst of it. Best of luck and godspeed with your healing and reconditioning.

Starting NOW!

1. That you recover enough to enjoy the rest of your days

2. That you vote!!!!!

a dr many moons ago told me to take vitamin e for charlie horses and varicose veins . sending you good vibes ur way.

it's a scary time, I can imagine. Hang in there; we look forward to many more articles and posts from you, Brad!
,

Best of luck to you through your recovery. You've been through a lot.

medical treatment is successful, and that you feel much better in the days to come. Please keep us updated on your proogress. And be patient with yourself, and don't try to do too much until you are fully recovered.

Thank you all for your support. It truly means the world to me.

Sending you the most sincere healthy vibes possible over the cyber waves. You’ve got a lot to deal with. Hope you have a good support system—friends or family close by to assist.

I am glad you are at Vanderbilt and in very good hands. I will be sending you healing vibes and all my best wishes for the best possible outcome.

As an aside, I joined DU about the same time as you (after lurking since the election of 2000), and also don't post much tho i read here every day. You've got me beat by almost 3x as many posts lol!!

Get well please, then come back, and don't be a stranger. We are indeed your brethren.

Though not in your shoes, I'll briefly tell you about two friends of mine.

One was successful businessman in Paris--smart, personable, riding on top of the world. He had recently re-taken up smoking at age 59. I said what in the world for? He said it was just a temporary thing. He usually took Wednesdays off, but one Thursday morning, he didn't show up at the office either. He had suffered a fatal heart attack at home, and was gone by the time his worried employees had the cops break into his home to see if he needed help. They were a day too late.

The other is still with us, but barely, and wishes he weren't. He is German, and we have known him for 50 years. He was a doctor with his own practice, smart wife, two children. Suddenly, his wife ran off with a doctor from Switzerland, told him it was over, and left him high and dry. He found another woman, got re-married, but shortly after that, had a massive stroke, is an invalid who could barely get around on a walker, and developed Parkinson's disease to boot. His son deveöoped a glioblastoma and died, and his daughter now wants no contact with him. About tow or three of his old friends (incliding my wife and myself) keep up any kind of contact with him, and he is looking toward a slow decline into nothing, which he, as a doctor, can diagnose only too well. Now THERE is misery.

You, on the other hand, want to fight your ailments and come out on top, and are looking for the lgiht at the other end of the tunnel. As long as you have that perspective, the fight is worth fighting, and you just might look back at this period and say, man am I glad THAT episode is over and done with! There is no magic pill to take and make what ails you disappear. but if you persist, you might wake up one morning and think to yourself, hey, that's more like it!

And we'll be rooting for you every step of the way.

Hope everything works out quickly.

Thank you for telling us. You've had some big shocks to your system and are now mending. Your spirit is strong.
Please know you matter to us in DU. Big northern Wisconsin hug!

Thinking of you and wishing you well throughout your ordeal.

Can't imagine being hit with one big health crisis after another. Glad you are in a good hospital where you can receive great care.

I always notice when you do post, because I love your username.

Someone is always up on DU. I know, because I'm often lurking late Into the night. So don't forget that we are here for you, anytime. And we do mean that. Any time. This place is always open.

Take good care, and I hope your healing goes a lot quicker than you think it will.

will mean you're not hesitant to share your predicament again. You're appreciated here. We wish you all the best in recovery and many years of posts (and other pleasures) to come!

If you are able, please let us know how you are doing. Take care.

Sometimes life sends an avalanche of troubles. When this happens, I always ask the universe why it couldn't be spread around.

I hope you have a good network of friends and family. Stay strong.

Thank you for sharing your update. I most certainly know you here, and have enjoyed reading your thoughts over the years. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

Get yourself out of the ICU where you can update us without being tangled in a brazillion cords and tubes.

DU is my home too, so we’re practically related. Get well soon.

Seriously, I am glad that you told us what is going on with you. Please know that your DU family is here for you. Lean as hard as you need. And please keep us posted!

issues! So you enjoy more years of life and 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 Mdme President Kamala's term(s).

(I'm a way later finder, and joiner of DU in 2020. So glad I did)

Your nephrologist will be your primary for a while, at least.
Keep as positive an attitude as possible, it helped me greatly with cancers.
Positive vibes for afar !

please update us. Much ❤️

keep us posted, someone is always here on DU

only the good die young. You and I will be around for a good long time yet.

Here's to your health. Hope all goes well.

From the blood clot. I hope you can get on the mend and work through all this, at least for the next decade! We need you here.

Seriously, I hope you get well soon, and are able to manage the heart for as long as you choose.

hugs and prayers💙💙💙

And wish you restful sleep. So glad you posted. I’ll be thinking of you with positivity and peace.

Sending you loads of hugs and good wishes and lots of mental visioning power. Try to keep a mental picture of you as a healthy active older man. Picture yourself as a warrior that fights against the demons trying to trouble your physical self and to push you into the doldrums.

When I was still working, I had the exquisite privilege of interviewing the GREAT Jonathan Winters. He joked about carrying on, knowing it wasn’t time for “the dirt nap”. I had a hard time with that interview - trying to maintain my composure and not burst out laughing at the very idea of “the dirt nap.” What a way to word it! You can hardly even think about it without laughing. And who knows - maybe laughing at it helped him live longer (to the age of 87)!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Winters

I remember your name and your presence from way back!

We all want to chat with you and keep you company as you recover - and you will recover. I, too, am working through a lot of serious health issues. So are several others here. You can do this. Keep checking in!

notice and appreciate your presence, no longer taken for granted.
Please let us know how you are doing. I'll look for your name.

The DU gang is hoping for the best.

It was in my pants when I went to the ER. My wife brought that with my chargers to Vanderbiit with everything I had left behind at the ER. Yesterday was the first time I was alone so I used it.

As I was waiting for an ambulance I was dictating what I needed for a go bag. Focusing on details helped me push through the pain.

Life threatening conditions can vary.

Yes.

Sounds like you've had a really rough go of it lately. Know that you are in our thoughts and we're all wishing you well.

Life is such an irony, success is defined by living a long life, yet the reward for doing so is old age and all the challenges that come with it.

We live in the oldest community in the oldest state. The median age in our town is the oldest in the country. The place feels like a retirement community without the gates. That being said, there are people here who amaze me with their absolute zest for life. I have a close friend who just turned 80. The day after his birthday he went for a forty mile bike ride.

He's an inspiration for me and others in our group. Point is, just put your head down, keep going and try to push through.

Is it not amazing that we have grown so old so fast?

Get better soon, my DU brother

I'm sorry to hear about all this. I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Wishing you well. It's not easy getting old, as I can attest. I hope you get a few more years of good quality living.

You sound like a survivor. Hang in there.

You really can do this. Sending my good vibes to you!

for you and your family, for strength, healing, and comfort.