The ever changing twists and turns of life with Tippy..

[cowpuc]

Life can sure toss out some curves cant it? Like most of you, my best friend Tip and I tend to look forward to the twisties and enjoy canyon carving to an extreme but, and again, probably like most of you, when it comes to the curves of life that involve ill health - we find those curves a lot less joyfully exciting.

A few months ago, just after it seemed like the Dr.'s had finally gotten a small handle on my own ailments, Tippy's body decided it wanted to give her a hard time being able to breath. It all started with some body pains and progressed into breathing difficulties. We started down the same path with her as we had being doing in my case for more months than I care to recall. Our family Dr kept us hopping with blood tests and imaging in an attempt to discover what was going on. We visited numerous Specialist with little to no actual good results in understanding her symptoms. About 2 month's ago she was having a real bad episode and I, once again, took her into the ER room. They did some lung X-rays and came back with a COPD diagnosis . Of course, this startled us and, after some major discussions with our family Dr. - I responded with the normal reactions of figuring out what I could do to help my Tippy. I did all the Air Purification stuff, purchased hepa type air cleaners and all that. Shared with others who have traveled the paths of COPD (you know who you are - THANK YOU for ALL the thoughtful sharing!!) and learned a lot about this horrible disease. Even talked with our Dr. about the possible need of selling out and moving into a less humid environment - this stuff was proving to be life changing.

In the end, nothing we did seem to help, inhalers had no effect. We finally got in to see a Pulminary expert and, after looking at the same x-rays that other Dr.s had viewed to come up with the COPD diagnosis, this one said she seen nothing to indicate COPD. As a matter of fact, she said that Tip's lungs look perfect! She did want to do further testing though because she could tell that Tip's breathing was not quit right - she ordered a CT Scan that was scheduled to be done yesterday.

While in the process of waiting for that CT to be done, Tip got really bad again (last Monday) so back to the ER we went. This visit proved to be somewhat different though as this time we happen to end up with an ER Dr. who the nurses in ER referred to as The Drill Sargent, a WONDERFUL Dr. who took her Hippocratic oath very seriously and who really didnt care what Insurance Companies or others thought about her - she was totally focused on Tip and on us not leaving "her" ER until we had answers.

We arrived in the ER around 4 p.m. and, after a BUNCH of testing (including a complete abdomin CT = this doc also noticed Tip had a CT scheduled for her lungs so she went ahead and did that too - ) by 3 a.m. this doctor had found something significant - Tip's Gall Bladder was ready to explode:yikes:. The doc came into the ER room at that time with an Ultra Sound machine being pushed in front of her. She pointed at me and said "come here, I got something I wanna show you". I watched as Tip's GB showed 15 stones a little bigger than pea's and one that measured (actual measurement - way cool machine) 25.8 mm in diameter!! The doctor said now watch this, she had Tip roll up on her side and pointed out that the big stone did not move from its position of half covering the area where the duct work leading out of the GB was located. She said while this is not an immediate "life threatening" emergency - we REALLY need to get that out of there and I am going to contact a surgeon and work with him to make it possible for your wife to stay here at the hospital until we can get it out . 3 a.m. she comes back into the room and says your wife will be a whole new person after the surgeon removes that GB later TODAY!!

The surgery took an extra 1 1/2 hours, her GB was 2x the size it was suppose to be and in very very rough shape. Apparently that large stone had been causing some major issues for a long time and, if Tip were more of a "fat" eater (she eats very little meat and fried food fatty stuff - not like me, I LOVE fried foods) she would have been in major crisis months ago. As it was, she ended up needing a shunt with an external resevoir to gently move the nasty stuff out of her body. After an extended hospital stay (they said the "normal" GB removal was outpatient) I FINALLY got to bring my best friend back home late last night

She seems to be doing ok with God and I taking good care of her.

The CT on her lungs came back with no significant issues. The Dr who did the surgery told me that there is a very high probability that her GB issue was probably the cause of her pain and difficulty in breathing as something that severe could easily cause many other symptoms such as that. We would appreciate any and all prayers/thoughts/concerns/love that you - our family here on VR could send our way and hopefully, the diagnosis of COPD ends up being just another curve in life that we had to travel thru to get to the REAL issue .

 

PS - to my dear brothers and sisters who are suffering with that dreadful thing called COPD - you have my deepest and most ythoughts and prayers as you continue learning to navigate thru those curves!!

PS, PS,, I remember a thread asking what we wanted for Christmas,, other than a continued wish for fulfillment of Peace On Earth and Good Will/Good Health To ALL My Friends and Family, I just got everything my little heart could possibly ask for, got my Tippy back!!

 

Thanks gang!!

Puc

 

[Guest divey]

Puc, I think Freebird said a while back we had about a thousand members on the go right now. Seeing as how we can't all come and visit, I think you need to start giving that lovely Tip a thousand hugs from all of us. So great to hear the positive outcome of your post. When I first started reading it, I was not liking where it was headed. I can relate to GB pain and removal and I can tell you she will be as good as new now that it's in the trash can. Here's hoping she's back home soon and able to keep you on the straight and narrow! Doug

[Flyinfool]

A wonderful person that Tippy is. Even in a hospital bed she still has that big smile. I would be throwing things at someone if the walked into my hospital room with a camera......

 

You have my prayers and best wishes for the health of both of you.

 

I really hope you will let me meet her some day. Promise I won't bite, hard.

[Bert2006]

Glad they found it. . My wife had a similar episode about 10 years ago and once her gall blader was removed she was soon as good as new. Off course she has to be careful with the greassy and overly rich stuff now.

[BigLenny]

Good Lordy! So glad they found what was ailing the Tipster. Sounds like that first doctor needs a firm talking to.

 

It's groovy how much you love Tippy. Your love for her bounces of letters of your posts.

 

Puc. You make me wanna be a better husband.

[videoarizona]

Zen hugs from us to Tippy!!!

So glad to see the smile!!

Merry Christmas to you both!

[eagleeye]

Holy cow, I'm so glad that someone was able to figure out what the problem was. Sometimes you just need the right doc, and luckily you found him.

Be sure and give Tippy my very best for a quick and full recovery.

You both have been in my thoughts and will continue to be.

[Marcarl]

Wow, another good story.

Glad things are figured out and Tip is on the mend,,, somebody has to look after our Puc,,, get well soon Tip, M&C will only taste good for so long.

[Yammer Dan]

Give Tippy 2 hugs from me. I went thru the GB thing and it is not fun. When they finally decided to go after mine it was gone!!! Had rotted away. I went in ER that night with a BP of 80/50. They asked me how I got there and I told them I drove. They told me I couldn't have. Heck give Tip 3 hugs from me. I remember how much that hurt!!

[SilvrT]

Two heads are oftentimes better than one (in this case doctors). Glad you found "the" one that solved the problem. Wishing you both all the best!

[Carbon_One]

Wow Puc we're sure glad to hear Tippy is on the road to good health now. Yep it can be trying times figuring out what ails us at times. Wishing & praying you and her the very best to a healthy new year coming up. Take care and we'll hopefully see ya 'all sometime.

Larry

[uncledj]

Great story with a happy ending. I'm very pleased to hear you're both doing so well.

Sounds like you have a Merry Christmas well in hand.

Take care and may God Bless you and your family.

[OrlinEngh]

Give Tippy a hug from Sharon and me and you both are in out thoughts and prayers,and good to hear that they found what needs to be fixed.

Orlin

[BlueSky]

Wow! What a story! I'm so happy that ER Doctor is such a great Doctor. You owe her a big hug too it seems!!! Tippy has probaby been suffering in silence for a while. She's a tough and wonderful Cookie, that Tippy!

[slowrollwv]

WOW! Puc glad they found what was wrong and got it fixed. Now Tip can take it easy and you can cook Christmas Dinner. NO HOT DOGS.

[bj66]

Get her all mended up! After all pie and ice cream are only nine months away! Glad to hear things have taken a turn for the better.

[bill in mn]

Get well soon . Big hug from Minnesota.

[mirider]

Wow Puc, I was off the site for a couple days and come back tonite to read this story.....so glad Tip is recovering and it sounds like you have uncovered the source of her problems. Some times, things are not what they seem.....who would think a Gall Bladder problem would affect breathing. At any rate, our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery are sent your way from Sue and I.

[cowpuc]

WOW! Puc glad they found what was wrong and got it fixed. Now Tip can take it easy and you can cook Christmas Dinner. NO HOT DOGS.

 

Thanks for the well wishes Roller (it is REALLY appreciated) but I dont think I can make it with no Hot Dogs!! Perhaps next year you will have to come up and have a Dog or 10 with us and then maybe you will understand why that is - I know one thing, people like @Drews or @billmac (thinking those two varmints made ALL of our Hot Dog offerings last year) would probably support me here!!

,,:scratchchin:,,, :lightbulb:maybe by the 25th that Tippy will be ready for at least some Hot Dog Broth

Edited December 11, 2015 by cowpuc

[SilvrT]

Hot Dog Broth

 

That sounds almost as delicious as Spam drippins

[bluestar99]

Wow! We are so glad that you two are doing better after all that you all have been going through. It is good that Tippy finaly found the right Dr. to figure out what was wrong and fix the problem. You both are in our thoughts. Ya it might be a good idea to cut back on the hotdogs.

[Goose68]

Glad they found this in time brother. Prayers up and blessings down my friend

[Zzyzx]

Great News Puc,

Glad to hear the good news Tip has finely found out what was wrong with her and got that nasty Gaul Bladder taken out.

She will feel so much better real soon and once her strength is back and up for taking a ride get her to the old doctor and hand (or better yet throw) him the stones.

 

Its odd how a doctor that has probably never met Tip before could do in 3 hours what your family doctor/s could not do for months.

Guess that why the still call it a practice.

[Larry1963]

WOW, Great Christmas story. Talking about answered prayers. Like someone else here, I was not liking where the story was going when you first started, but it ended so well.

 

As a pastor of a couple small churches, I see everyday how peoples lives are turned upside down, and what they did yesterday they cannot do today, age has nothing to do with it. Why I have come up with, life is a balance, even with the greasy foods puc, we have to work, but work is not our primary focus of life. We need to learn to enjoy, as a motorcyclist, everyday we do not ride, but could have, we can never gain that day back, gone, vanished into a vapor of this thing called life.

 

Everyday you didn't say I love you to a loved one is a day lost.

 

Again Great story cowpuc

[dueyk1111]

thoughts n prayers to tip and you too puc . may tip continue to get better so you both can have a long happy life together!!!!