Pooh Happens

[Rudi]

I have been keeping this pretty close to the chest, but I guess it is time as some have noticed I am not as active as normal. With Sammy's RSD/CRPS issue and Kristina with a broken heel, that past while has been challenging for Em and I to say the least. However, as with all things in life -- sometimes pooh happens and if you are lucky you get a kleenex with it.

3 weeks ago I had a sudden pain in my head, the right side of my face felt numb and all I couldn't see clearly out of my right eye. I could see kaleidoscopes turning, people and things had a sepia tinge to them as well as almost being a washout and that progressed to almost a Daguerreotype style image. Em took me to the hospital (seems lately that it is our second home ), they took me almost immediately and began the diagnostics. They couldn't see anything obvious that would cause my symptoms. The only thing different was that I had been fighting a cold so I got some of my favourite cough syrup - Buckley's DM .. I probably should have gotten the Lambert's .. Seems they thought that the dextromethorphan may have been causing a drug interaction with some of my meds. The next day I had an appointment with an ophthalmologist (pretty quick) and after his rather thorough exam he couldn't find anything obvious either. He agreed that it may have been an drug interaction and the vision loss should be returned in a few days after the washout period for the DM.

11 days later I still had no clear vision, in fact it had worsened to the point that I could only see shadows of light in my peripheral vision in that eye. Called my GP and she scheduled me in, examined me and then told me to remain available all day. Within a few minutes the office called and I had an appointment the next morning with my daughter's ophthalmologist. Walked in, sat in the chair and she examined me... said... ok.. need to run a couple more tests but I see the problem. I asked her if it was fixable and her expression said it all. Oh yeah, her specialty is retina's. After the additional tests, she said that what happened was I had a stroke. Specifically a Central Retinal Arterial Stroke. Wow.. what a kick in the guts that was. She said that this was a major warning sign and we were in serious waters. Ok, I knew that soon as she said stroke. One of my biggest fears. So .. first thing she said was that we need to get me on Plavix and she had to run a bunch of other tests cause if I was tossing clots we were in big pooh. That afternoon I was in for a carotid ultrasound and an echogram. I still have the dye test to run to track any clots still travelling .. that is this week I think and I have a bunch of followups. Needless to say I now have a new Opthalmologic Specialist whom I trust and am very comfortable with. I also have appointments with my ID specialist this week and my GP.

There is a 10% probability that I may regain all of my sight that has been lost but it can take up to a year to know for sure. On the flip side there is a 90% probability that either there will be no improvement or the improvement will not be 100% but somewhere in between. Again it may take a year. So far it has been rather off-putting for lack of a better word as I try to get used to this new development in my medical journey.

Thankfully, my faith keeps me strong and our family is very close and supportive. We all trust in His plan and know that there is a reason for everything even if we cannot understand what He has in mind. My faith rests in the Lord and I know that I am in His hands. He has brought us through much more serious travail's.

Thanks for letting me vent a tad... sometimes that is all one needs.

Peace (+)

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Sounds rough Rudi. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

[Winfield Dave]

Rudi, you and Em are in my prayers.
Get well my friend.

[Joe Malinowski]

Sorry to hear this Rudy, keep going strong attitude means a lot best of luck to you and the family.

[ScottyD'sdad]

You're added to the prayer list, Rudi. Ed

[Mr E]

Hang tough, Rudi. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Sure hope this thing completely reverses itself.

[Don McCombs]

Good luck on your road to recovery, Rudi.

[Bill Hudson]

Rudi,

Prayer has been lifted up.

Bill

[Dale Shaw]

Keep your chin up Rudi, many folks are praying for ya.

[Bob Perry]

Rudi you have been so helpful to so many. I hope you continue to improve and stay strong, we're pullin' for ya !

[Eugene]

Hoping for the best.

From a guy who doesn't see well - really not that much from the right eye. Kind of surprising how well one gets along with just one good eye.

My stress and worry lasted for months until I finally figured out that my vision wasn't improving and was as good as it ever going to get. Can't change things. What is, is.

Again, hoping for the best.

[randallc]

Rudi and Em: Your plate is shure full but God's grace is suffieient even in the worse of times when we keep our faith and trust in his will, May God truley Bless you and your family with his mercy and grace, in Jesus name we pray. Amen

[Bigdog]

Rudi - we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Take the time to take care of yourself.

[ricky racer]

That's a bummer Rudi, but you and Em are in my prayers. Prayer is a powerful thing!!

[John(videodoc)]

Added you to our prayer list. Take care of yourself. You still got a lot to do. Like the saying goes. "I am too busy to die, i have too many things to accomplish."