The story below was written by Barbara "Barbarachnid" Winslow. I am posting it here as a reminder of our friend and how we can still do a little something. Enjoy.
Ray
http://honor.americanheart.org/site...d=20240&fr_id=1030&pg=fund&printer_friendly=1
I set this up so you can envision what Doug went through. The man you knew left us when they said no surgery. I hope contributions can further advance the treatments for Congestive Heart Failure. I appreciate all of you more then words can say.
Doug suffered severely in the later weeks. The CHF and complications from the meds caused side affects that devastated his body and spirit.
Treatments for patients suffering with this illness need to be addressed quickly. This is an illness that requires aggressive treatment. When a patient has additional medical conditions, personalized attenion become more neccessary. My husbands treatment was handled very slowly, We believe if this procedure was done 3 months ago when he was stronger he may have been a better candidate for this surgery. He had a strong will to live as you know.
The Hospital which handled his care could only operate within its own means. It is greatly over-extended. We did appreciate the help we received to stabilize and make him comfortable. The nursing staff were attentive & thorough, but they are still limited to what could be done. The physicians should have been this way.
Doug became morbidly obese,was diabetic, had leaking heart valves and this made his illness a difficult challenge. They gave him dietary requirement and he followed them. I could see the weight loss but the damn scale did not show it.
The fluids that build up cause so much discomfort on the legs and pulmonary system. Diuretics become a major part for relief. Over time it became less effective and caused its own side effects; such as leg cramps and stomach cramps from kidney strain. We then treated these symptoms with Potassium but increased the doseage of the Diuretic. The kidney will become lazy and unable to function on its own. The drug becomes ineffective and then dialysis becomes another option. This creates more hospital visits, more problems to treat, more doctors with opinions and more delays. Shortness of breath and loss of strength will set in, it will become difficult to get around.
This web page was one of Doug's last requests. If you are so inclined, please make a donation in Doug's honor so that the American Heart Association may continue to help others with similar problems.
I have lost my husband and friend. He was the only person who believed in me. He was willing to guide me through life. He accepted all my annoying lttle quirks. He was willing and very vocal with corrective advice whether I liked it or not. It was how he handled it, gingerly but honest. He always tried to offer suggestions, and options to heighten my awareness. He was usually correct. Doug was raised by his mom. She always found the best and smartest way to do something and it rubbed off on Doug. He always worked hard to find a way that made our lives happy, full of fun, comfortable and secure. The Marine Corps instilled in him the methodical, logical way he conducted himself throughout life.
I will miss having him here and his zest for life. Doug has given me a lifetime of memories to draw from and wisdom to make good choices throughout my life. He liked fishing, pool and poker and enjoyed the people who became his friends while doing these things. This is a tribute to Doug, my hero.
I LOVE YOU MAN.
Barbara
Ray
http://honor.americanheart.org/site...d=20240&fr_id=1030&pg=fund&printer_friendly=1
I set this up so you can envision what Doug went through. The man you knew left us when they said no surgery. I hope contributions can further advance the treatments for Congestive Heart Failure. I appreciate all of you more then words can say.
Doug suffered severely in the later weeks. The CHF and complications from the meds caused side affects that devastated his body and spirit.
Treatments for patients suffering with this illness need to be addressed quickly. This is an illness that requires aggressive treatment. When a patient has additional medical conditions, personalized attenion become more neccessary. My husbands treatment was handled very slowly, We believe if this procedure was done 3 months ago when he was stronger he may have been a better candidate for this surgery. He had a strong will to live as you know.
The Hospital which handled his care could only operate within its own means. It is greatly over-extended. We did appreciate the help we received to stabilize and make him comfortable. The nursing staff were attentive & thorough, but they are still limited to what could be done. The physicians should have been this way.
Doug became morbidly obese,was diabetic, had leaking heart valves and this made his illness a difficult challenge. They gave him dietary requirement and he followed them. I could see the weight loss but the damn scale did not show it.
The fluids that build up cause so much discomfort on the legs and pulmonary system. Diuretics become a major part for relief. Over time it became less effective and caused its own side effects; such as leg cramps and stomach cramps from kidney strain. We then treated these symptoms with Potassium but increased the doseage of the Diuretic. The kidney will become lazy and unable to function on its own. The drug becomes ineffective and then dialysis becomes another option. This creates more hospital visits, more problems to treat, more doctors with opinions and more delays. Shortness of breath and loss of strength will set in, it will become difficult to get around.
This web page was one of Doug's last requests. If you are so inclined, please make a donation in Doug's honor so that the American Heart Association may continue to help others with similar problems.
I have lost my husband and friend. He was the only person who believed in me. He was willing to guide me through life. He accepted all my annoying lttle quirks. He was willing and very vocal with corrective advice whether I liked it or not. It was how he handled it, gingerly but honest. He always tried to offer suggestions, and options to heighten my awareness. He was usually correct. Doug was raised by his mom. She always found the best and smartest way to do something and it rubbed off on Doug. He always worked hard to find a way that made our lives happy, full of fun, comfortable and secure. The Marine Corps instilled in him the methodical, logical way he conducted himself throughout life.
I will miss having him here and his zest for life. Doug has given me a lifetime of memories to draw from and wisdom to make good choices throughout my life. He liked fishing, pool and poker and enjoyed the people who became his friends while doing these things. This is a tribute to Doug, my hero.
I LOVE YOU MAN.
Barbara
