Update on DH

[vickilyn32]

Well, Andy had his stress test yesterday and he has a 75% blockage in his artery. Monday morning at 7:30 AM he has to be at Hendrix in Abilene for angioplasty, and if that dosent work, a bypass. He was told to avoid stress for now, so had decided to not go to Dans football game last night. I went to watch Amber cheer, and left at half-time to watch some of Dans game at home. I get their and Andy was in the bleachers. He said he was staying calm, but could not stand to be sitting alone in the house anymore. Dan did not get to play even though they had him suited up. The coaches said that they wanted his ankle to heal more before they put him in. I think if Dan had been playing, Andy would not have been able to stay calm.
I dont know what we are going to do for the next few weeks, with him out of work, we have no paycheck comming in except mine. and I automatically have the mortgage and truck payments comming out of mine. I only get paid once a month. I am going to call the school and see about free lunches for the kids for a while, but still have to find out about the rest of the bills, and Ambers braces. We already applied for assistance to pay the hospital bills because we have no insurance on Andy. I am also going to look into some emergency food stamps, but I dont know if we can get anyother help because I still get a check. Keep sending your prayers, you dont know how much they are appreciated right now. Thank you.

[camismom]

Vick, I know this isn't going to be much help because I have heard it myself many times on my mother, but angios are VERY routine and this being his very first, I'm betting it will work. Have they said anything about a stent? Our experience has always been angio first (that's where they "balloon" the artery), stents second if the angio doesn't do the job, and by pass as a last result. Both angios and stents are very routine and sometimes even done outpatient. Worst case scenario was always a overnight stay and released next day. Mom was usually back to work the day after that...just on "light" duty for a few days. I speak from experience with just not my mom though, but my dad, an uncle, and a good friend's dad. The latter three all being heavy smokers. How old is your Andy? I know with my dad he was 62 when he had his angio. It was his first sign of trouble, first blockage, first angio and it was successful and all was fine. He missed two days of work and has been fine ever since. I've seen my uncle do the same. Anyway I guess I am telling you this in my attempt to make you feel some better. Your family seems very active and Andy I'm sure is strong and will get thru. Diet changes are definitely in order following this but again I am betting he will pull thru this fine and quickly. I will definitely keep sending prayers though and anything else needed.

Take care!

[Kaiti]

:-Xyour in our thoughts and prayers

Apply for whatever you can. Most hospitals have charity care for people without insurance, and if he's going to be out of work for a few weeks, that will be more of the chances are that you could get it.

If you can, contact social services and see what else you can qualify for. When I had Tara and Mikey we had to use the medicaid program.....which at first was a little embarrassing, but my dad put it to me this way. You pay taxes and put money into it, use it if you need to.

Can he get disability? I'd look into that too.....even if it is just short term.

[AnneM]

Oh Vickilyn

I can see how much this must be worrying you financially (as well as being worried about Andy) ... I cannot speak AT ALL for the way things work in the US but it sounds to me that this is pay-back time ... Since you have both been working you have been paying taxes, social services etc into the government for years and its now time they give you something back whilst you need it !! ...

I just saw that Kaiti said something very similar !!

[Linda]

I agree vickylyn....take what you can get right now...you have a family. I think the angio will work too as Christy said. I have a friend that just went through the same thing and he is fine

[Amsmom]

vickilyn, you have had to endure so much.
i agree 100% with the others that you should look into whatever social services are available where you live and accept all that you are eligible for. i would also speak to chaplin or social work services at the hospital to see if they can help you work out financial aid for the hospital bills. i tried to do that once, but my income was "too high" but it is definitely worth the try. you can apply for food stamps and when you first go to the office tell them of your situation with a medical emergency putting your dh out of work.
i am sending you tons of hugs and prayers.

[finnmom]

TO BOTH YOU AND ANDY

As Christy toldd you angio´s are "routine" operation now a day´s, I´ll be keeping you and your family in my thought´s

I hope you get some help to your financial proplem´s... can you make new arrangement´s to your morgage-payment´s mayby I know we can adjust them briefly if having trouble(like maternal leave or sick leave...) I agree other´s, aply all you can think of, you´ve done your share, now it´s time to get something back