I spoke w/ Jo Ann this morning.  Her Mom, who has had health issues of late is undergoing quadruple
by pass surgery this morning.  Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.

Jo Ann, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  May the Lord watch over your Mom and bring strength to your family during this trying time.

Joann, My best wishes for your mom, and you too as it is always difficult on loved ones.  My father had quad bypass around 9 years ago and he felt so much better after having it done.  He has since taken up scuba diving, goes four wheeling, and hikes.  He is 74 now. I would hope your mom will have the same results.

Thanks! My mom had triple by-pass yesterday at Ellis Hospital. The surgery took 5 1/2hrs. She came through it remarkably well. She is still in ICU, and  they took her off the breathing machine about 5am this morning. They said that at 82years old, she is doing better than some of the younger ones. Dr.DePan did the surgery and he was wonderful. Our entire experience at Ellis has been an impressionable experience. From the doctors, nuses, aides, dietary and transport, they all are to be commended. I have to say that the food in the cafeteria was even great, believe it or not.

So, I will be on my way to the hospital now to visit her and when she is discharged I will be taking time off from work and she will be coming home with me. I figured that she always took care of me, now it is my turn to return the favor. I think the doctor called it "coming around full circle".

Thanks for the prayers, they never seem to fail!

I am so glad to hear your mom is doing well.  Ellis is a fantastic hospital particularly for cardiac care.  

My mom came out of ICU today. She is doing "ok". She is running a temp now and is extremely weak. But I guess taking her age into consideration, that is to be expected. (I guess ).

But I wanted to say that they gave her a heart shaped pillow that she is to place over her incision when she coughs or sneezes. The pillows were made by the students at Duanesburg School. So thank you to all of the students who took the time to make these pillows for the heart patients.

JoAnn, I'm glad your mom is doing ok.  The exhaustion is to be expected.  My dad was the same way, especially for the first few days to a week.  Make sure she uses the pillow it works wonders.  The goofy socks are real important too.  I am meeting with the Superintendent next week and will be sure to mention how appreciative you and your mom are of the kids.  Take good care, you are both in my thoughts and keep us posted

JoAnn, a very important note is to be sure that your Mom starts to do some walking as soon as she is able or she may lose too much of her strength. That happened to my mother-in-law when she had open heart surgery at age 75 but was unable and unwilling to do her walking exercises. I'm glad that your Mom is doing well.

Shadow is right.......up and at 'em asap.

God bless you and your family, JoAnn.  And a speedy recovery to your mom.

Here's an update on my mom. She was transfered to Sunnyview today. Her surgery was a success, thank God. But it did take a toll on her at her age. She is exhusted all of the time. We could only get her to walk around the cardiac floor about 4 to 5x's a day. And stairs were not even attempted. She was also getting very confused which they say is common. She also isn't eating. She said that food tastes terrible, which they tell me is also common after surgery with that much anastesia. My  mom was fortunate to not go on the heart/lung machine. They did the bypass on her beating heart. Dr. DePan said that going on the machine takes away from some brain function and didn't think it was a good idea at her age.

These doctors are very good, but not very personal. We met Dr.DePan the night before surgery and the morning of the surgery and NEVER saw or talked to him or any other cardiologist. But I guess they all know what they are doing.

So she is now in Sunnyview and the insurance company is allowing her 7 days. If Sunnyview feels she needs more rehab, they will ask the insurance company  for more time. So we are hoping that she will do well and be home with us for Thanksgiving. She will come home with me for as long as it takes.

It sounds like your mom is doing great, especially for her age.  I will keep my fingers crossed for you and her that she is home for Thanksgiving.  Enjoy taking care of her, it won't be easy, but it will give you a special perspective.  I wish I could take care of my mom.........just one more day.

My sister in law is a cardiac care icu nurse at Ellis, her name is Sandy, maybe she cared for your mom?

Rene, she didn't have your sister-in-law. The nurses she had were Penny, Laura and Connie. And they were all excellent. Actually beyond excellent. The entire unit is very impressive. It is truly state of the art. I didn't know that the ICU was new as of 2006. Again, very impressive.

Sunnyview is going to keep my mom busy. She has physical therapy from 9:30 to 10am, then occupational therapy from 10:30 to 11, therapy again from 1:30 to 2 and again from 3:30 to 4.  They suggested that I go to observe her therapy to see "how it's done" since I will be her main caretaker when she comes home. I will probably wait a few days since I'm sure that  my mom will look to  me to rescue her from her perception of this grueling task ahead of her. I'm sure she would like nothing better than to just lay in bed in hopes she will heal and miraculously gain her strength back with no effort. I'm sure it will be somewhat painful and tiring, but a task that needs to be done to get regain her strength and stamina and independence.

Good luck to both of you!!!!  Thats the right approach, be a Hero.

Sunnyview just called and my mom had another heart attack and is being transfered to Ellis again. all prayers welcome!

I'm so sorry, let us know.

My mom had another heart attack stronger than the last two. They believe that one of the grafts collapsed. That is what showed on the cardiogram. My mother is a tiny lady and when they did the surgery, they said that it was difficult since her veins were so small. Kind of like a childs. In fact one graft didn't take during surgery and they had to do it again. We beleive that is the one that has either collapsed, kinked or clotted. They said they will do an ultra sound tomorrow to see exactly what happened.

So where do we go from here?....Only God knows now!

You will learn more tomorrow.  Keep your chin up, my heart goes out to you

JoAnn,

I will continue to hold your Mom and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm so sorry to hear that she took a turn for the worse.  I continue to pray for her and hope that this was the end of the problems and that she will now be taking a turn for the better.

JoAnn, I'm so sorry to hear that your Mom had problems after her surgery we'll keep her in our prayers.

EVERYTHING is in God's hands!

My  mom is actually holding her own. The one by-pass did collapse but they said that she can continue to live like that. She also did have a major heart attack and it will take her quite a bit longer to get her strength back. The hospital, or should I say the insurance company wants her out of the hospital by Monday. (sadly the insurance companies run the entire show) Sunnyview will not take her anylonger due to her lack of stamina and would not be able to keep up with their rehabilitation program.

So we are now looking into a Sub-acute facility that will take her to give her the rehab that she needs to get back on her feet. Kingsway is our preference as it is close to home and has a decent reputation. The other facilities are just too far for us to travel daily especially with winter upon us.

The insurance company has allowed her 100 days of rehab with an evaluation after 20 days. The insurance company will monitor her progress and THEY will decide if she needs the entire 100 days. We are hoping that she can gain enough strength back to come home (with me). The doctors seem hopeful.

In addition to the emotional stress that comes with this, the insurance companies are by far the worst to deal with. When my mom is finally back home with us, I will definately contact SOMEONE about this entire health insurance industry that I believe is compromising the health and well being of the patient all in the name of SAVING MONEY. And if this is just a taste of universal health care, we need to collectively address this issue, since it will definately get worse. And it should be addressed at both the state and federal level.

Glad to hear your mom is holding her own.  You are right the insurance industry is horrible.  I have been an insurance agent for 25 years.  I have seen the demise of health benfits.  I haven't done anything in the health field for about 15 years.  It has become increasingly difficult to deal with the red tape and the nonsense.  You are right when you say this is just the tip of the ice berg.

I went to see my mom today. And although they (doctors,nurses and rehab) still give us hope, I see my mom slipping away little by little. She doesn't even remember where she lived. She doesn't even know where she is now. I'm afraid the move to Kingsway on Monday will just add to her mental confusion. I plan on bringing my lap top to the hospital tomorrow with all of our family pictures that I have on discs to show her and hopefully mentally stimulate her, if that is possible. This is probably one of the most gut renching experiences I've had to deal with in my life. My mind realizes that she IS 82years old and has been hit with 3 heart attacks and one failed by-pass in 2 months, BUT, my heart doesn't know the difference. All my heart knows is that she is my mom.

As far as dealing with insurance companies, I am all by disgusted! My brother and I both feel that the move to Sunnyview should have never happened. She had triple by-pass on tues, was out of ICU on Thursday and shipped off to Sunnyview 4 days later on Monday. Then the very next day, a major heart attack and a collapsed graft. Now usually a bypass patient is required to walk around the perimeter of the cardiac floor 10X's and walk up a flight of stairs BEFORE they can enter rehab. My mom could barely make it around 4X's. And stairs were never even an option. But the insurance company wanted her out of the hospital. These insurance companies pigeon hole patients and their health care plan. Well, we are not dealing with pigeons here, they are human beings who are all different. But todays health care system does not allow for personalization of health care.

And Dr. DePan, who did her surgery, was never seen again when her surgery was over. He never even came to speak to us after. I was in the elevator with him the other day and he didn't even know who I was. So after major heart surgery, my mom's health care was managed by nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians assistance all under the dictatorship of the insurance companies.

JoAnn, the insurance company is treating your Mom as if she were a 50 year old person as that's the schedule that is usually followed for younger people. My mother-in-law had to stay in the ICU after surgery for 7 days b4 even going to a room in cardiac care unit. Needless to say at age 78 she lost all her strength and rehab took almost a year but she was only allowed to stay at Sunnyview for 2 weeks the rest had to be done by my wife and I. People are not treated like individuals, as far as the insurance companies are concerned you're just a number  and they really don't care what's best for the patients. My wife's mom also had periods of confusion, and loss of memory some of which never did return and we were also told that it was from the anesthesia and from being on the heart pump. Our prayers will be with you and your Mom and hope she recovers soon.

Quoted Text

This is probably one of the most gut renching experiences I've had to deal with in my life. My mind realizes that she IS 82years old and has been hit with 3 heart attacks and one failed by-pass in 2 months, BUT, my heart doesn't know the difference. All my heart knows is that she is my mom.

I feel your pain, and while it doesn't help you at all, I know what you are going through.  I will be with you in spirit.

This entire process is an absolute health care nightmare. First my mom was scheuled to leave Ellis tomorrow (monday) and go into Kingsway's sub-acute rehab facility. Dr. Guspeto (not sure of the spelling) was the cardiolagist on call this weekend.

Now let me say that my mom was doing "ok". She was eating and her blood pressure was fine. She was still just very very weak. Dr. Guspeto comes in this morning (sunday)and changes all of her meds. At 10am she was fine, but by noon her blood pressure took such a plunge that the nurses and PA's were scrambling to keep her alive. IV's were started, blood tests and ekg's. She was almost comatose. They said we had to just ride it out and hope for the best. Did you notice I said NURSES AND PA'S? Not one REAL doctor. The nurses and the PA were not happy with the med changes that Dr. Guspeto prescribed and they suggested I talk with him. Which is next to impossible to talk with any of them.

By about 5pm she started to come around and they were still monitoring her, but also cut back her meds. They also told me that she "would not" be going to Kingsway tomorrow. I was going to stay the night but since she was doing much better and the fact that I am exhausted beyond exhausted, I decided to come home and go back up 8am to talk to the doctors. And she has seen many, with none of them ever talking to us, the family.

There are many other incidents, but not as bad as this, that I have documented. I have documented "everything". I am going to ask for her medical records and a list of all the meds she is on tomorrow. I'm her health care proxy.(just for future reference if needed)

I have got to get her out of there before they kill her! I am so pi**ed and upset, you have no idea.

I guess doctors do have an alter ego after all!

I wish there were words that could make this better for you.  It is disgusting the way you and your mother are being treated.  It goes to accountability and it doesn't seem that there is a single profession or person who is accountable anymore.  The doctor should have atleast spoken with you on the phone.  Keep up the documentation.  Report back when you can and get some rest.

JoAnn, check every one of her medications as when my mother-in law came home from the hospital some of her meds were actually working against each other and her cardiac doctor didn't even know it because the hospital had set up the drugs she was to take. The lack of attending doctors on weekends and holidays has been going on for a long time and that's something that should be changed. All the responsibility falls on the cardiac care nurses and PA's instead of the doctors who were the real cause of the problem. Get her out of there as soon as you can so she can get the real care that she needs.

JoAnn,

I hope that Mom is recuperating from her surgery and recent heart attacks.  I am sorry to hear that it has
been a difficult road for you in dealing w/ the insurance company.  That is that last thing that you should have to experience at a time like this.  In addition to caring for your Mom, make sure that you take care of yourself.

I will keep you, your Mom, and your family in my prayers (prayers work!)

Brad

Well, after a very very long day of talking(fighting) with all of the administrators of the hospital, my mom is scheduled to leave Ellis tomorrw morning and go to Kingsway sub-acute rehab. I told them I wanted her out of there before they killed her. I asked for her medical records which I will get tomorrow. I also asked for a list of meds she was on. And here it is:

Potassium Chloride 40mg
Pepcid 20mg
Lovenox 40mg
Lasix 40mg
Colace 100mg
Avapro 150mg
Asprin 325mg
Lopressor 50mg
Spirinolactone 12.5mg
Zocor 40mg
Lisinopril 5mg
Coreg 25mg

Coreg 25mg was the one that almost killed her yesterday. If you google it, it is suggested that you start with 6.25mg and if tolerated you can increase it to 12.50mg and so on. My sister in law is a nurse and said that 25mg was excessive. I also "tried" to talk with one of the doctors from the cardiac group today. Dr. Coleman. He was an arrogant Bast*** in plain English. If I could only tell you everything that went on today, you'd be shocked. But it would take forever. But I do have documentation of everything.The doctor also ordered that the nurses get her up and walking and they never did.  I really wish that I could just bring her home, but she is way to weak for that at this point. So I am just greatful that she is leaving the place.

JoAnn, I believe you as my wife and I went thru a similar situation with her Mom after her heart surgery. Our prayers are with both you and your Mom and we hope she recovers soon.

http://www.dailygazette.com

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Study: Women facing heart trouble Death rate levels off for younger men
BY MIKE STOBBE
The Associated Press

   ATLANTA — For decades, heart disease death rates have been falling. But a new study shows a troubling
turn — more women under 45 are dying of heart disease due to clogged arteries, and the death rate for men that age has leveled off.
   Heart experts aren’t sure what went wrong, but they think increasing rates of obesity and other risk factors are to blame.
   The rates will have to be monitored to see if this is the beginning of a real trend. But if the data hold, the new study may be an early glimpse of the impact of escalating obesity and diabetes on U.S. deaths, said Wayne Rosamond, a University of North Carolina epidemiology professor and expert on heart disease statistics.
   “This could be a harbinger of things to come,” Rosamond said.
   To be sure, the overall trend is still positive: From 1980 through 2002, the death rate from blocked heart arteries was cut in half for men and women over 35. Improvements in treatment and preventive measures, including cholesterol-lowering medications, get the credit.
   But what’s going on with younger adults is startling, said Dr. Anthony DeMaria, editor of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which is publishing the study and released it Monday.
   “We have a pretty rosy view of how things are going in the war against cardiovascular disease,” DeMaria said. “I view this paper as a wake-up call that says there is a very important segment of our population that needs some attention.”
   Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing almost 700,000 Americans each year.
   Nearly 500,000 of those deaths are attributed to coronary heart disease, in which fat and plaque clog the arteries feeding blood to the heart, sometimes called hardening of the arteries. Heart attacks are a common result.
   It can take many years for arteries to get dangerously blocked. About 93 percent of deaths occur in people 55 and older.
   But a combination of factors — including genetics, obesity and high cholesterol — are sometimes fatal for younger adults. In 2002, about 25,000 men and 8,000 women ages 35 to 54 died of coronary heart disease.  

  
  
  

Today was just another disaster. The alter ego doctor would not release her. Instead he ordered a bunch of useless tests for her. When I discussed this with the nurses, and administrators, they all agreed that he is just trying to pull rank (over me) and is trying to cover his a**. It is basically a battle between me and the alter ego doctor. I am basically watching her care through a microscope and they are not pleased at all.

I plan to sue both the cardiologists and the surgeons. I have documentation from day one. I will also obtain her medical records and requested an itemized bill when/if she is released. Actually the hospital has been helpful on directing me on what information my lawyer will need. I will also contact my mom's insurance company and give them my list of items that they should not pay. Such as the useless tests that they ordered today.

I also left a note with the hospital to place in my mom's chart stating that BEFORE any meds are given and BEFORE any test or proceedure is to be taken, they are to call me FIRST! They have aleady called me tonight before they gave her the 8pm meds. Which thank God they did since they had the wrong dosage for her Coreg. I told them to call me even in the middle of the night. I told them I EXPECT a call FIRST!!! As nothing else would be acceptable.

So I will be retaining an attorney and it will be the best one I can get and hope this brings to light all of the incompetencies that are going on in the health care field. And I hope it eventually hits the media!!

Good for you JoAnn keep on that doctor so that he can't do any more damage than he's already done.

FINALLY, my mom was discharged from Ellis today and is now in Kingsway Rehab!! Tonight when I walked out of Kingsway, I did not leave with a knot in my stomach, worrying that they would kill her through medication or incompetence.

My mother's doctor while at Kingsway is Dr.Panatin. He also runs the geriactric center at St. Clares. He came to see my mother within 2hrs after she was admitted and cut her Fosamax (for bone density) and Zocor(for colestrol).  He said that we will worry about her bone density ianother time and thought it was rediculous that she was even on Zocor. He kind of chuckled at the thought of putting someone who already has coronary artery disease on  that medication. It doesn't reverse it. He also said that any of these cholesterol lowering drugs(statin drugs) can cause achey and weak muscles along with memory loss. So this med would not be given while(if ever) they are trying to regain her strength back. He also changed her diet from no salt/no fat to "eat anything you want". He said that it was important to get as many calories as she can and he didn't care how she got them.

Before we left Ellis today, and my mom went by ambulance, I requested her discharge summery sheet and her discharge med sheet. I guess this has never been requested before so I had to sign for them.(someone smarter than I told me to request them) I have also requested her medical records from St.Clares from her first heart attack which she was also then under the same cardiac medical group. Next stop is to call her cardiologist's office and her cardiac surgeon's office and ask for those records as well. Steps an attorney wouldn't have to do.

Well, I thank God that she is out of Ellis and hopefully on her way to "some kind" of a recovery.

I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving this year and to remind us ALL to be thankful and greatful for everyone and everything in our lives. And to try to be thankful for everyday that we are given. Our mortality is inevitable.(just walk through a nursing home once if you never have) So let us enjoy this one shot at the life that we have been given and not waste it or take it for granted.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

JoAnn, I am so excited for you. And of course your mom.  It sounds like you have a doctor who has some common sense along with a medical degree.  I hope your mom can now have a chance of recovery and you will finally get a decent nights sleep.  My very best to you and enjoy your Thanksgiving.  

Who would be a good attorney for this law suit? One that wouldn't be connected to every doctor and hospital.

This is the doctor who did my  mom's triple heart bypass.


http://www.ellishospital.org/depan.cfm

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Harry J. DePan, M.D. has been a member of the Ellis Hospital Board of Trustees since 2000. He and his wife, Ellen, are currently serving as Co-Chairs of the Ellis Hospital Foundation's capital fundraising campaign.


Dr. DePan is Chief of Thoracic and Cardiac Surgery at Ellis Hospital and has been a surgeon at Ellis since 1991. He has practices in Schenectady and Albany, NY .

Dr. DePan earned his medical degree from Albany Medical College and his bachelor's degree, with honors, from Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA. He completed his internship and residency at New York University Bellevue Medical Center in New York City. His is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and holds memberships in numerous medical societies, including the New York Academy of Science, the New York Society of Thoracic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, The Upstate Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Cardiac Society of Upstate New York. Additionally, Dr. DePan has authored numerous medical publications and holds an appointment at Albany Medical College as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery.    

My mom is doing okay. It's a very slow process but then she is only 3 weeks post-op. We are all hoping that she is at least strong enough to come home for Christmas and then we can bring her