I'm freaking out!

[Bryan B]

I bet ya'll aren't surprised!

I'm sitting here at work today and I just found a lesion on my arm exactly like the lesions I had when I had endocarditis. I only had 2-3, one of which appeared before I was hospitalized and the other one or two appeared about a week or two later. The doctor said something about it being related to the strep bacteria dying off. Well, if I have strep bacteria dying off now that means I have (or have had recently) strep bacteria in my blood again. These lesions are unmistakable from any other kind of skin abnormality. There is no question in my mind that the lesion on my arm today is the same as the ones I had during the endocarditis. I called my cardio and left a vm...but I'm freaking out!

This can't be happening to me again...

 

[tommy]

Oh, Bryan, I'm so sorry. Yes, I'm surprised! I thought that you were on a straight and narrow path.

I never had lesions, so can't comment except that you sound real sure that you know what is going on.

If your cardio is booked, and you are that sure, you may want to go to the ER.

Wishing you the best. Let us know

 

[Bryan B]

Tom,

Yeah I'm 99% sure it's the same type lesion. It doesn't mean that I have endocarditis, but it does mean there is still strep in my system. If you remember I was on the road and got sick, went to my cardio who pretty much dismissed my symptoms to anxiety and side effects from the beta blocker. Then I had the head cold for two weeks. Then I went to my PCP who put me on Levaquin for 10 days for sinuitis/bronchitis. Apparently the Levaquin is killing off strep. Wonder why my doctors didn't check for it...AGAIN!!! I've got a good mind to pack my freakin bags and head for Duke before they kill me here in Nashville!!!

 

[tommy]

Bryan,

Demand a set of blood cultures. Any doctor can order them. Be sure to let your Duke surgeon know what is going on.

Is the head cold any better? Hope so.

Tom

 

[SJJ]

Bryan,
In just the last few moments I posted a reply to your message telling us you had a surgery date set.......and now this! I don't have any medical advice to offer, but please keep connected with us here and gnash your teeth, whine a little, shake your fist at the skies, whatever you need to do to deal with your frustration and anxiety. I can't tell you how much I wish you weren't going through this.
Sue

 

[Bryan B]

I think the head cold had turned into a sinus infection, and yes it started improving about 3 days after I started the Levaquin. It really is starting to burn me up that they didn't do a set of cultures back when I first started complaining of symptoms. It seems like the only time ANYONE believes I'm sick is when it gets to the point where I'm showing ACUTE symptoms. I'm sorry, but this is really upsetting. It's hard enough to stay calm with the cath and surgery coming up, but to think I may have to deal with the complication of another infection on top of it because my docs didn't take me seriously has me madder than hell right now.

<deep breaths> <deep breaths>

It ain't working...lol.

Thanks for listening Tom!

 

[tommy]

Bryan,

Glad to hear that some of your symptoms are getting better. I know you are angry. Vent all you want. That's what we are here for. But don't let that anger cloud your judgement. Hang in there.

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks for your good advice Tom. I called my parents and vented to them too, and they got me calmed down (they are experts...lol). They suggested that I continue to call the cardio, go to my dental appointment as scheduled today at 3PM (and yes I am premedicating) since I need this last appt done before I have surgery, and if the cardio doesn't call back to call them again first thing in the morning. I guess I just need to let this thing play out. I'm scheduled to have the bloodwork done at 3PM tomorrow, and if they don't feel I need to have it done before then I will just go with the flow. But I got a feeling they are not going to like what they find when they do the bloodwork.

I'll check back in this evening.

 

[tommy]

Sounds like a plan.
Let us know.

 

[Bryan B]

Well, my cardio never called back. I went to my dental appointment and got that out of the way. My mouth now has a clean bill of health. I'm going to call my cardio back in the morning, but I'm not expecting anything. I'll just go in at 3PM and have my blood drawn as scheduled, show them the lesion, and let them decide if it's safe to proceed with the cath on Wednesday.

 

[tommy]

We'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

 

[Lulabelle1]

Hi Bryan.
Holy smokes ...if you have a cath coming up.....MAKE SURE you let them know what you feel is going on. Strep in the bloodstream is nothing to brush off...or take lightly. Even for a big strappin healthy person. I watched it reduce one of my co-workers years ago....40 lbs lighter & body absolutely covered in lesions! He was so sick. I really doubt if they'd do a cath if you had a strep infection. You take care....and continue looking out for numero uno!
Lulabelle.

 

[Bryan B]

Thanks guys. The thing is, if they do blood cultures on a Tuesday afternoon for a Wednesday morning cath they probably won't have any results yet. Plus I've been on antibiotics, so that could affect the cultures. I'm guessing they have two options that may affect their decision. If my white count is high (which they should be able to find out pretty quickly) they could abort. Or they could do an echo to rule out any new vegetation growth. I'm pretty worn down by the whole process. I just want to get the cath over with so I can relax for a few days before driving to NC to settle in with my parents before my surgery. The last thing I want is to get mentally geared up to do this thing and have it postponed at the last moment. I guess this is just another lesson to teach me that I am not the one in control. There must be a reason this is happening...I'll let you know if I figure it out.

 

[Ross]

If it gets canceled, it gets canceled. Don't fret over it and don't question it. Perhaps the stars aren't lined up correctly and this is a meant delay until they do. I wish you the best when it does happen, but if it doesn't on schedule, it's no big deal. I learned that the hard way the last time around. There is a reason for things happening the way they do, even if we don't understand why.

 

[bethanne]

Sorry to hear you are going through all of this. I have been dealing with a similiar situation on a lighter scale. I just don't think my pcp and it sounds like maybe yours too are just not aware of how serious any type of infection can be with a leaky valve.

I think someone posted a few weeks suggesting using an internest as a primary care physician.

The good news is that the blood test will give them a good indicator whether to go forward or delay for a little longer. And it is better for the lesion to show up before surgery than afterwards. This could be a good thing you are finding all of this out. Keep the faith....

 

[Bryan B]

LOL Ross!

I usually figure that out after screaming, yelling, banging my fists on my high chair, and banging my head against a brick wall a few times for good measure.



Since there's been a lot of tension at work, in the back of my mind I've always got worries on how any delays or setbacks will affect things at work. But I'll have to give them credit, my boss has offered to pick me up from the hospital and take me home after the cath on Wednesday and pick me up on his way to work on Friday and drop me off at the hospital to pick up my car. They have also put me on the schedule to work with a client in July. I think it was their way of saying we plan on you being part of the company when you get back.

 

[Creed3]

Hi Bryan!
I am sorry to hear of your setback, but I have to say I agree with Bethanne and Ross. Maybe this is a good thing that this has happened this way. It may not seem like it now, but just think if you would have went in for the surgery with an infection that nobody knew about. Stay on your doctors butts about doing the correct blood work and get this thing taken care of. Let us all know how you are doing.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Missy]

I am reading some good advice from all these people. They are usually right. I know it is frustrating. Scary and unfair. I feel the same way about some things that have happened to me and to my husband just lately. But maybe it will not be as bad as you think. If it is you can yell and scream at all of us. We listen. But I feel helpless as I know the rest do when all we can do is listen. I wish we could just wave a magic wand and it would all disappear. Anyway hang in there and keep us posted. Good luck!

 

[KathyH]

Bryan,
Sounds like you got some good advice. It certainly would be worst to get a new valve and have an infection. Your WBC would be up if you have an infection, and those results are pretty quick whereas the Blood Culture takes 2-3 days to get back. I am sure you are frustrated over this. You can vent all you want.
Good Luck.
KathyH

 

[Abbanabba]

Hi Bryan, sorry to hear about this setback so close to your surgery, but to reiterate what has already been said, it's probably better that it wasn't lurking undetected in your system.

What a bummer though!! I just hope they are able to get things properly treated and sorted out quickly this time.

Hang in there, and yes, feel free to vent all you like!

Best wishes to you
Anna : )