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

Tom is home, and ready for a shower. After doing many tests, which all came back normal, the doctors concluded he had a TIA (Transient Ischemic attack) -mini stroke. It definitely scared us, while symptoms were happening last night. Not sure why it happened, but it did. He’s to continue taking Simvastatin (been taking for about three months) once a day for his high cholesterol numbers along with a low dose of baby aspirin daily, and fish oil. He’s been advised to eat more fruits/vegetables and get more exercise.

We requested copies all results and photos of tests. They will be mailed to us.

Tom goes back on Monday morning for a follow up check up.

Thank you for the many prayers, phone calls, and responses. The kids were shaken-ed too, as I wasn’t home when it began, and they handled it well and got their dad help. Joshua knew to call 911, as instinct was telling him to do just that, but Tom (as we all do) thought it would pass. Joshua called me after doing what his dad asked him to do, but later was worried he’d made the wrong choice when Tom had to spend the night. Basically, blaming himself that he didn’t get his dad help faster. He did great. The kids were very please to have me home to wake them up, and knew since I was home that Dad was going to be okay.

Tom is all set to watch North in the 2nd round of state football playoffs tonight, and listen to Ben’s concert at Doane College on Saturday. It’s been recommended he doesn’t drive until after Monday’s follow up appointment, we’ll see how well he listens?

Thanks for being such a caring family, we love you all very much
Karen

I thought I’d better send a quick note to let you all know that we took Tom to the hospital last night. I was out and on my way home, when Joshua called me to say that Dad (Tom) was having trouble. While reading to Noah, Tom’s right side of body became numb and didn’t respond well. His balance was off and couldn’t run the mouse on my laptop, walking was strange. Stroke is what comes to mind. At the hospital, they did a cat scan and it came back normal. They kept him overnight to watch him, and run three more tests today. A MRI, Echo, and I can’t remember the third. They also took blood last night. this all started around 8:30 pm, and by midnight Tom was resting and was more like himself in speech and etc. I came home to relieve mom about 1am. I’m going back to the hospital later this morning after getting kids to school.

Something wasn’t right, so hopefully we can find out what caused all the numbness, and move forward. Tom is at Immanuel Hospital Room 614. Naturally, Tom wanted to go home and come back to do tests, and was adding up what each procedure was costing him. Defiantly sounding like Tom, so that is good. His humor was back.

Keep praying, Karen