[This was sent via email to Dave from Tom]

They ran a whole raft of tests, including an EKG, CAT scan, MRI, and carotid and artery echo tests. None of them showed any kind of fatty blockage, which is why they sent me home the next day. By the time I showed up, I had nothing other than my symptoms to describe, and they were looking for all the dangerous contributors (such as the hair in the drain). Lacking that problem, they basically said I might or might not have more symptoms in the future; the “top” risk factor (on top of a bunch of them that I don’t have) is the presence of an event.

So, on Saturday I got a totally different one. No phyisical ramifications at all–numbness, dizzy spells, thick tongue, or the rest–instead, I just couldn’t talk right. But it’s all apparently the same thing, where a hunk of the brain temporarily has to come up with a new source of blood from one of the other four “pillars” of arteries. After another CAT scan at admittance last night, the doctors immediately planned to do another MRI concentrating on heart/neck/base of skull, including a dye (‘A’ something or other). The cardiac surgeon believes one of the four arteries (I’m not sure…perhaps left carotid) has in infarction, where blood cells have intruded between the layers of the vessel barriers, and have gradually (or suddenly) displaced the normal flow of the artery. He has another test that is supposed to verify the flow characteristics tomorrow, along with a far less pleasant one (previously scheduled) to check on cardiac function through a probe in the throat. Not looking forward to that one.

If it ends up being what he thinks it is, the primary treatment is one (or both) of two blood thinner regimens, which is supposed to gradually displace the dead end intrusion in the layers of the blood vessel, allowing the main path to open back up. Or something like that. I’m pretty sure I butchered that all pretty badly.

Regarding the statin, they do schedule liver function tests periodically, and I have a more detailed liver function test coming up already. The discontinued the statin due to a minor anomaly in one of the liver readings, and there is further testing to be done.

So far they said I don’t get to miss election duty, but I’m not you sure I’ll even get out by Tuesday.

I have more information. This morning Tom had a MRA done (test where they add dye to view the arteries/blood vessels in neck and back of brain). That test found that his left artery is showing a blockage. Blood went the wrong way through the vessels and got caught. For this they treat with blood thinners and the artery repairs itself in six months time. This information was explained to us from the cardio surgeon that came and visited. He showed us the ex-ray and we could see the thinner looking artery. This same surgeon wants to still do a TEE (Echo test through the throat to the heart area) tomorrow morning to make sure there isn’t any blockage in that area.

Also, last night they ran a liver function test and discovered a bump on the liver enzymes. This is more than likely a side effect of the Zocar. For now, they have discontinued all cholesterol meds until after they re take the liver test tomorrow.

So, currently, Tom is being connected to Heparin blood thinner to help prevent the blockage from getting any bigger. He doesn’t like being connected to lots of cords and etc. He took a shower and is talking better. The rest of the day he’ll rest and they’ll monitor is speech which is the current symptom, and tomorrow morning do the two additional tests.

We liked the carido doctor,as he came in with a non-sense approach and very straight forward. Even drew pictures on dry ease board to help show us how/where blockage would be and act like. He feels pretty sure that the blockage is the cause of all of this.

Tom will be here at Immanuel until Monday afternoon. Election day is Tuesday, and he’s scheduled to work it and is wondering if he’ll get out in time to do this. Maybe or maybe not. Depends on tests tomorrow.

That’s all I know for now. Thanks for the all the prayers,
Karen

Here we go again. About 8:30 pm tonight, Tom and my dad were on there way home from Ben’s concert in Doane. Tom was having trouble getting his thoughts out, and speech was slurred at times. Dad immediately took him back to the hospital. They again did another cat scan and it came up with nothing. He is staying the night, and they’ve Id him as a high fall risk. In the morning, doctors will come in and do more tests. He’s in room 605 at Immanuel. Tom doesn’t have any numbness, but is running a slight fever. It’s frustrating as something is going on, but what is causing all of this?

Dave I’ll suggest your thoughts with the doctors about his meds.

Love you all, Karen