Cripes.
I think it's rather impressive that you could pen such a well-written write up about all of that, and hopefully there was some positive cathartic release for you from doing so.
I'll have to send prayers because I don't have money to send.
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| Please have a positive thought for my brother https://mail.chicagofanatics.com/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=95222 |
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| Author: | Ed_from_Lisle [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Please have a positive thought for my brother |
I've cried enough over the past 2 days to last a lifetime. Sadly, the tears aren't going anywhere any time soon, as my brother isn't out of the woods yet. I've waited a couple of days before posting this, as my faith has deteriorated over the years, so I'm not sure why I'm even doing this now. But, my brother could use whatever prayers, juju, mojo or however the hell you want to put it. Here's why: In September of 1995, Chris was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. A virus settled in his heart, damaging it to where his ejection fraction, which measures the amount of your heart that's working, was 5. He could've died at any moment. Hours after being admitted to Loyola Medical Center, Chris was put on a heart transplant list. Doctors said he wouldn't leave Loyola until his ejection fraction got into the 30s. It never got above 17, and that was with medication being pumped directly into his jugular. Miracle of miracles, despite not getting above 17, Chris was released in November, in time for Thanksgiving. Talk about being thankful. He continued seeing his cardiologist every 3 or 4 months, but went on living as normal of a life as he can even with his ejection fraction staying at 17. Fast forward to the past 8-10 years. Chris had a defibrillator installed. There have been some scares during this time, but nothing major. That brings me to this past Wednesday. Chris called me at 6:30 am. He opened the conversation with, “I need you to take me to the doctor.” That's all he said. Didn't allude to the severity of how he was feeling. He only added that he “didn't feel right.” I started getting dressed, and he called again. “Don't rush. It's not an emergency.” I didn't listen and was out the door in 10 minutes. I forgot to mention: his wife just gave birth to their 1st child, Zoey, and is unable to drive. Hence why he called me. I got to his house and again, because he didn't allude to just how bad he was feeling, I thought I would be able to see his wife and see the baby for a second. I knew he wasn't feeling well when he came right out when I pulled into his driveway. We got to the hospital, I dropped him at the ER, and I parked my car. I joined him at the check-in table, where a nurse was going over his meds. My brother was coherent and able to talk about all the meds he's on (he sounds like a doctor himself when discussing them), so I left to give him some privacy. I was in the ER waiting room for about a half hour without any updates, so I texted him, “Any word on what's up? Do you want me to join you in the room?” Never heard back. About a half hour later, a nurse asked me to join her in a private office. That's when my family's world came crashing down. Chris had collapsed in the room where the nurse was talking to him, and they were administering CPR. Still were, in fact, while the nurse was telling me this. For about 45 minutes, they worked on him while his defibrillator kept going off. They were finally able to stabilize a heartbeat but he had to be sedated almost to the point of a coma, though that word hasn't been used, intubated so a ventilator can help him breath, and dressed with cooling pads to minimize any brain damage that may have occurred while they were giving him CPR. He remains on a ventilator and is still in that coma-like state. He responds to the doctors to squeeze their hand or wiggle his toes. He's even done that for me. The saddest part was when I played a recording of his not yet 2 week old baby crying. He totally started jerking his arms. I know he heard her. I'm bawling my eyes out typing this. If he would've called me a 3rd time Wednesday morning to say not to bother coming to get him, he would already be dead, as I didn't know how bad things were and would've listened to him. He never wants to put anyone out, and I wouldn't have questioned him. The issue as to why he collapsed centers on the amount of potassium he took to help with cramping issues he was having. The cramps were so severe, he had a hard time getting out of bed to feed his baby, which he wanted to do so his wife could sleep. If you're like me, you thought, “Potassium overdose? WTF?” But, yes, it can happen, and a major side effect is heart failure, which for someone with an already weakened heart, is a recipe for disaster. He's always so careful with his meds, but in this instance, wanting to feed the baby so his wife could sleep, caused him to keep taking potassium, as he probably figured, “How could it hurt?” I'm sorry for the long story, but I really need the universe's support, and with all of the laughs I get from this place, I needed a place to turn to outside of the avenues I've already exhausted. Please have a positive thought for my brother, his wife, their newborn baby, and the rest of my family. I really appreciate it. |
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| Author: | Bagels [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
that's absolutely terrible Ed good on you for following your instincts and getting there quickly. hang in there |
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| Author: | T-Bone [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Sending positive thoughts Ed. Sounds like an absolutely horrible situation. |
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| Author: | Brick [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Sorry to hear it. Take solace in the fact that you gave him the best chance possible. Also another reminder to listen to your body and never say "It's not an emergency" when you don't feel right. |
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| Author: | man of few opinions [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
ed, i am very sorry to hear all your brother and your entire family has gone through, and my thoughts and prayers are definitely with him. you obviously are a very caring brother and thank god you were able to get him to the hospital quickly. i wish you the best going forward, I pray everything works out for the best. |
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| Author: | badrogue17 [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
man of few opinions wrote: ed, i am very sorry to hear all your brother and your entire family has gone through, and my thoughts and prayers are definitely with him. you obviously are a very caring brother and thank god you were able to get him to the hospital quickly. i wish you the best going forward, I pray everything works out for the best. Plus one . May God bless your family , Ed. |
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| Author: | Jaw Breaker [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Best of luck Ed. Reassure your sister-in-law that it wasn't her fault, in case she's feeling guilty (compounded with all the normal post-partum issues). Your family is lucky to have you for support. |
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| Author: | a retard [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:50 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
I know some here frown on prayers but unless you or he do, you've got mine. |
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| Author: | Darkside [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Aw man I'm so sorry to hear it ed. Stay strong and be there for the family. We'll be here for you. God bless. |
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| Author: | Cicero Dave [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:52 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
I hope everything works out as best as it can for you and your brother's family, Ed. |
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| Author: | Juiced [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Best wishes to you and your family. If you need to have a good laugh, then just go back and search for NAS Bears thoughts and IMU's Cub thoughts over the years. God Bless! |
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| Author: | Minooka Meatball [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Positive mojo sent. All my best to your brother, you and family. |
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| Author: | jimmypasta [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Ed, I certainly can identify with some of the things your brother has gone through. My kidney doctor recently increased my potassium intake because it was low. It is something to be very wary of. Too little can cause a heart attack but like you mentioned too much can also be trouble. I'm praying for your brother and hope he makes a full recovery. I don't have any siblings but if I did,you read like the kind anybody would want! good luck! |
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| Author: | Hawg Ass [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Wow, what a tough one Ed, all the best to the whole family during these upcoming days and months ahead. My families thoughts and prayers are with yours for a speedy recovery. |
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| Author: | good dolphin [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Horrible to hear Ed. I pray things work out. |
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| Author: | Nas [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
I am sorry to hear this Ed. I pray that your brother has a speedy recovery. |
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| Author: | badrogue17 [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
jimmypasta wrote: Ed, I don't have any siblings good luck! Cuz after having you , your parents were scared shitless to have another one. |
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| Author: | Tall Midget [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 8:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
You are a great brother, Ed. I am wishing the best for your family. |
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| Author: | Don Tiny [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Cripes. I think it's rather impressive that you could pen such a well-written write up about all of that, and hopefully there was some positive cathartic release for you from doing so. I'll have to send prayers because I don't have money to send.
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| Author: | Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Best of luck to your family, Ed. I'll throw a prayer up to the big guy for you all. I have some pull. |
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| Author: | spmack [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Prayers up, Ed. I think a lot of people don't realize that this place is just more than a message board to read insane thoughts...but a pleasant distraction from the daily issues that we go through in life. |
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| Author: | chaspoppcap [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Juiced wrote: Best wishes to you and your family. If you need to have a good laugh, then just go back and search for NAS Bears thoughts and IMU's Cub thoughts over the years. God Bless! Amen, For real laughs just look up CH hawks predictions from this post season. I am sending you all the positive energy I can man. Keep strong. Remember though it is okay to show emotions, it is normal and you are not being weak for doing so. |
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| Author: | Juiced [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 9:55 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote: Best of luck to your family, Ed. I'll throw a prayer up to the big guy for you all. I have some pull. Didn't help much in 2003! |
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| Author: | Peoria Matt [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Ed, I hope you got some sort of relief by that posting. That is a horrible situation. Best of luck to you and your family. |
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| Author: | Scorehead [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
My thoughts and prayers are with you & you're Brother Ed. |
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| Author: | rogers park bryan [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:34 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Hope for the best Ed |
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| Author: | 312player [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
Sorry to hear ED ..best wishes yo you guys . |
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| Author: | Ed_from_Lisle [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
I'm just going to throw out some thoughts as they come to me. I'm at the hospital with Chris. He's going to be transferred to Loyola Medical Center later today. Time is TBD. While I was typing that recap, my wife woke up and came to the living room. I asked her not to read what I was writing. I was embarrassed that it was a post on a message board where I only know a handful of you. She said, "I just wanted to give you a kiss." I lost my shit in a pool of tears. "I was writing for that message board that I'm always on while we're watching TV, and I'm just trying anything I can to drive positivity towards Chris. I laugh so much, and other people ask for thoughts and prayers so I figured why not?" Rough morning, as I keep asking why. Selfishly, I got what I was hoping to get in this thread: positive prayers and thoughts for Chris and fucking guffaws for me. You guys made me LAUGH. I can't thank you enough for the genuine concern and then the normal CSFMB ball busting. The stuff about Jimmy being an only child. Gold! The stuff about the Cubs. Classic. The stuff about predictions? Loved it. I love busting chops with my friends but don't do that much here because of how fast it can escalate into ugliness. Please know that if I shit on something you write, I have a smile on my face 99.9% of the time and am only trying to take part in the reindeer games of good natured ball busting. I'll clarify if it's out of anything but wanting to be part of this idiocy, which I say with 100% respect. Thanks to those who sent private messages. Beyond touching. To all with public posts, ditto. I will check back throughout the day, as I always do. This dumb place never ceases to entertain me.  Thanks again. - a fellow idiot |
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| Author: | doug - evergreen park [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family Ed. *don't cry at work, don't cry at work, don't cry at work* |
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| Author: | Chus [ Fri Jul 31, 2015 10:59 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Please have a positive thought for my brother |
That's awful, Ed. I went through a similar situation in 2010. On X-Mas eve, my brother kept complaining that his left arm and shoulder were bothering him. He smokes, drinks a lot, and doesn't eat well, but you don't think a 31 year old is going to have a heart attack. But, that is exactly what happened on the morning of the 26th. He was having problems breathing, so his girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time, called an ambulance. When he got to the hospital, the doctors confirmed that he had suffered a massive heart attack, and they weren't sure that he was going to make it. He spent a few days in the ER, and was released from the hospital one week later, but I have never been so scared in my life. My father had a minor heart attack at 48, and a massive one that killed him at 66. Listen to your body, people. Keep your thoughts positive, and be reassured that he is under the care of good doctors. |
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