Hello! Last Thursday and Friday Barry had a lot of tests to follow up on the cough and chest pain. Upside of this meant we got to see the infamous clot in the heart! It is at the apex of the left ventricle (top tip in the largest chamber). This is also the part of the heart that is not moving well. They did see that the clot is behaving and may be slightly smaller. That's good news!
They determined the chest pressure Barry was feeling was the fluid around the heart which appears to have increased slightly (not great news). They don't believe it is currently bleeding (this would be a bad thing-so good news here too). They do think that it is probably inflammation that is causing it (not good news). Normal anti-inflammatories like motrin are a bad idea due to the triple anticoagulation therapy he is on. They could cause dangerous stomach bleeding or other complications. So they've given him a different med to try to dry up the fluid around the heart. They checked out a lot of ugly possibilities and ruled them all out so they felt no need to stick him back in the hospital. Yay!
They thought the cough was not related to the fluid but was a med side effect and they've given him an alternate to try. So far so good.
The biggest issue that is stressing Barry out is the doctor's order to NOT go on a roof! This time of year that is how we put food on the table and pay the bills. Dr. wants us to check out disability options. Since Barry has been self employed all his adult life, he has little to no state disability available. Oh boy! Prayers surrounding provision and work wisdom would be most welcome! As well as for continued healing please!
Terri's mom is doing well. Other family members there are still struggling with their own health issues. Terri misses her dad of course but is comforted knowing he's well and strong and having great times in his new perfect body and singing in Heaven's choir.
Thanks to all for the support, prayers and love!
Barry and Terri
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