Ray has been admitted to our local hospital with what may (or may not) turn out to be a heart attack.  The symptoms look very much like heart trouble, but so far, the bloodwork says not.  In the morning, they'll do more bloodwork and possibly a stress test.

I'll update you all as I know more.  For now, he's resting as comfortably as can be expected.  He's hooked up to every monitor ever invented and he has O2, a nitro patch, an IV and a morphine drip.  Since they suspect his heart, he can't have Imitrex, and the nitro is trying to give him a headache...they've given him free access to O2, tho, and they're doing what they can to keep him comfortable.

Please keep him in your prayers...you guys really have no idea how much strength you give him and how close you are in his heart.

Shade

DAMNIT RAY!!!!!

Hope u find out whats wrong and get it fixed asap.

[smiley=hug.gif]

Oh poor you  Ray ,  you really are sent some trials to deal with .  I am sure there is a greater plan somewhere .   I am sending vibes to you, get better real soon.   :)

Get better, Ray.  

You've had enough troubles for any ten clusterheads--enough's enough.  

Wishing you all of the best,

George

aw man. :'( i was beginning to worry about ray.

Hey, Ray, You are a clusterhead!  You are a tough son of a gun!  A lil ole thing like a heart attack won't stop you!

I have had several.  They ARE survivable!

Plenty of prayers and good vibes headed your way buddy!

Kick butt, and get back to us!

(And unless you want to get slapped, {by your wife AND the nurses} don't go pinching the nurse's butts!)

Chuck

Shade,
thank you so much for taking the time to let us know. [smiley=hug.gif]

Ray,
lots of prayers are on their way![smiley=hug.gif][smiley=hug.gif][smiley=hug.gif]

Sanna

Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Update us when you can, please.

Much Love,
Jackie

So sorry to hear this news. Hurry and get better Ray!! Thank you for keeping us informed Shade! (((HUGS)))

Charlotte

Prayers are on their way

Oliver

He's got them!

Keep your chin up Ray, you're going to be alright!

~mel

On the way from Canada.  Hang in there Ray.

Carol

You're in our thoughts and prayers, Ray.

All we've got coming your way.

[smiley=hug.gif] Thank you for letting us know Shade.  I will be thinking of you and Ray and your family.  

Charlotte

Positive vibes and prayers headed your way ... to both of you.

-Dennis-

Hey, everybody...

Ray should be here to update this himself in a few hours...they're kickin him loose.  They still have no clue what caused the symptoms, but the enzyme tests are all coming back negative, and the heart monitor is looking okay.  

I wish they had something better to say than "gee, we have no clue."  I'm nervous.  The man goes in with chest pain radiating down his arm, he's white as a sheet and sweating buckets, he's got double vision, he's nauseated...and the best they can say is "we don't know WHAT that was, but we don't think it was a heart attack"....hmmmm  

I'm sending all I've got for both of you, Shade.

My husband's enzymes didn't change for over 24 hours. If he'd not had an EKG by the ambulance drivers, he probably would've been sent home sooner. The EKG showed a serious cardiac "event", but he was fine within a few minutes.
The EKG in the ER looked normal.

Anyway, tell him to take it as a warning, and start taking better care of himself.

hugs to both of you, nani

Ray and Shade, keeping you both in my thoughts today.  Glad you're "ok" Ray, but please take it easy.

Shade, sending you some peace vibes, and strength to take care of Ray, your family and YOURSELF during this stressful time.

Love you guys much!

Jen

Rats. I'm sorry Ray. I'll send some vibes your way and hope that this turns out to be just a littlle glitch.

Let us know how it's going.

Charlie

Give em heck Ray.
thebbz

Ray,

Get your butt back in here! We need ya. Keep your chin up and I'll keep both of mine up as well :D

Vibes to you my brother!

jimmers

Thanks Shade, and prayers being sent to both of you's.

Just saw this.  I am sending possitive bunches of vibes and prayers your way.  Thanks for letting us know Shade.

Love and hugs,
Beth

Oh my!!

I just talked to you Ray 2 days ago on the phone.  

Ray and Shade, I am praying for you and your family always!!!!!!

Shade if you need to give me a call just to talk, anytime I dont care.  I pray everything works out for the best and that you Shade can remain as calm as possible throughout this.  Ray, my friend, you will survive this whatever it is.  I have faith and hope and pray you do as well.  You definately have the fight in you too!!

Love you all and when ever you can please update

Tess

OK folks, Ray has been home for about an hour.  I would have updated you all right away, but I had to return a zillion phone calls.

It seems as though it was NOT a heart attack, even though the symptoms sure sounded like one.  Perhaps it was esophageal (sp?) spasms, perhaps not.  I have an appt. with the primary care dr tomorrow at 10 AM and will get a referral to get a stress test.

I want to thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, and concern.

I'm just tired from all the interruptions to sleep at the hospital and will be resting today and hopefully all night.

More to follow if you want it.  I love you all and I'm not ready to check out just yet!

Wishing you all the best,

Ray

Bless you Ray . And may you find some peace , quiet and sleep at home the hospital denied you .  Your heart is so caring and loving that you must always care for that gift God has put in you ................ Be well.......   phil h

Ray you're in my thoughts and Prayers.

Much love and many Blessings coming your way...

LadyLuv

You're right, Ray. A hospital is no place to get any rest.

Glad you're home, where the people caring for you actually care about you.

If you lived near enough I'd personally kick your ass for that scare Ray!. All the love and prayers Christy and I have coming your way Ray, and of course it wasn't  a heart attack, everyone knows you were due a break of some sort! Damn glad to hear the good news ray, take care. [smiley=hug.gif]

Guiseppi

Damn glad it wasn't your heart Ray.  Now to find out what the heck it was so we don't have a repeat...

Glad your home.  Give that Shade a hug for keeping us in the loop.

And yes, I am interested in the rest.  Just get some rest first  ;)

-Dennis-

HerbLady wrote on Jul 21^st, 2008 at 9:26am:

The man goes in with chest pain radiating down his arm, he's white as a sheet and sweating buckets, he's got double vision, he's nauseated...and the best they can say is "we don't know WHAT that was, but we don't think it was a heart attack"....hmmmm

Odd as it sounds, that's *exactly* what happened to me once when I had a panic attack.  Not fun for Ray, but far less serious than heart problems if it's that!

Let us know how tomorrow goes.

Hugs and smooches to both of you!

So glad it wasn't a heart attack - but I'm still keeping you in my thoughts and sending positive vibes.

~Kris

Ray,
I'm glad that you're back home. Prayers are on their way.

Sanna

Sorry you both had to go through such a scare...and thankful that it wasn't the heart.

Will still pray that the symptoms don't come back.

Sorry y'all had to deal with this.  Glad it's not the ticker.

I was hospitalized with chest pains about 12 years ago.  After about 10 million tests, including an angiogram, they pronounced with clean pipes and said they could find nothing wrong with me.  The doc ended up saying I had a massive Panic Attack.  Funny (or not) how stress can manifest itself.

Hang in there!

Mike

wishing the best and sending mega vibes


pf wishes,
EDNA

Glad the ticker is ok and you are home now Ray.  I can relate to what alienspacebabe and Gator posted.

Hugs,
Beth

Ray, you horse's patootie!  You are just trying to give me more gray hairs!  My kids have done enough, thank you very much!  DON'T give me another scare like this!

I am SO glad it isn't the ole ticker!  Now hopefully, they can find out WHAT it was!  It is so frustrating not to be able to identify what is causing something that is happening to your body.

I am sending all the prayers and vibes, that I can find.  

Keep us informed, buddy!

Chuck

(Oh, wait!  I just found some more vibes, that had fallen behind the couch.  I am packaging those up and sending them along, too!)

ClusterChuck wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2008 at 4:45pm:

You are just trying to give me more gray hairs!

I didn't think that was possible.

So glad this was not likely a heart attack. If indeed it was an esophangeal spasm....I've been there, hurts like hell and I was sure I was a gonner. It's not uncommon they told me.

Here's hoping.

Charlie

wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2008 at 4:59pm:

ClusterChuck wrote on Jul 22nd, 2008 at 4:45pm: You are just trying to give me more gray hairs! I didn't think that was possible.

I USED to like you ....  

ClusterChuck wrote on Jul 22^nd, 2008 at 9:45pm:

wrote on Jul 22nd, 2008 at 4:59pm: ClusterChuck wrote on Jul 22nd, 2008 at 4:45pm: You are just trying to give me more gray hairs! I didn't think that was possible. I USED to like you ....

Ouch. You're getting me right here:
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Ray
Hope you are feeling better, you need to STAY AWAY from those darn hospitals!!

Keeping you in mind Ray. Hope you feel well now and hope you get some answers for your condition.

Cheers, Dave

Thanks folks!

I worked today, physical work, and had no problems.  Tonight, at nearly 3 AM, my chest hurts a bit and anxiety is keeping me up.

The stress test is not yet scheduled, and I hope it will be soon.  I'll keep you informed as to the progress.

I love you guys,

Ray

Ray's chest pain got worse as time wore on, and at around 4:30 am he was transported by ambulance to the local ER.  I had to stay home to keep the kids calm, so I can't be with him yet again.  

Esophogeal spasms and panic attacks have both been evaluated, and seem unlikely causes at this point.  As well, his bloodwork from Sunday was "off"...the doctor suspects he may be bleeding somewhere...ulcer would be a possiblity, but he doesn't have the "classic" ulcer symptoms.  Right now, all we know is that something is just...not...right.  

When the rest of the world starts to wake up, I'll start calling around to try and get someone to babysit so I can go be with him...I just don't have anyone I can call at 4:30 in the morning, ya know?

I am so sorry to hear this news! I wish I was closer and could babysit for you! My thoughts and prayers are with you and will be all day and until you get to the bottom of this. (((HUGS)))

Charlotte

Shade,

Keeping Ray and your family in my thoughts - let's hope the docs can get to the bottom of this, and soon!

Pepp

Shade, I hope the Dr's figure it out soon!!  Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,
Beth

Its nearly noon. I hope they have finally managed to figure something out. And bring you and yours some healing and rest by now Ray.
[smiley=smokin.gif]

They're giving him a stress test now.  They'll decide what to do once they get a look at the results.  

For the time being, he's been admitted...we'll see what happens as time wears on.

Ray and  SHade

All my very best vibes are on thier way to you both.  Ray things have to get better for you

I'm home, alive and not much has been found out.  More later, tired!

Ray

[smiley=hug.gif]  Rest and let us know how you're doing when you can, k?  Glad you're home Ray.

hey im rays eldest son he just went to the e.r. with what we think is a broken foot. he wont be able to get on for a few days because the phone and internet are also out. he's feeling alot like jobe latly and needs youre support.

A broken foot? How on earth did that happen? And can we assume it's unrelated to his recent health problems?

I'm beginning to think Ray just likes the ambiance of ER's. ;D

Seriously, Ray - You gotta knock this shit off, man.

Oh My God Ray! why that sounds familiar?? I hope you don't have to wear an ugly cast for over a month like me , wishing you lots of good health!!

                                           Hugs

                                                           Rosy.

Ray Ray...my dear friend!  I am so sorry you are having to endure all this crap.  I am continuously praying for you and Shade and the rest of your family.

Whenever you can and feel up to it give me a call for anything if you need.  

You are strong and a fighter so dont give up hope and keep the faith that you will heal and recover!

Much love from my family to yours
Tess

Oh dear...

Ray I'm so sorry to read of all this!!!  My first thought was that your story did sound a lot like when my Dad had an atypical panic attack.  A psychiatrist friend, upon hearing of what happened with my dad, said it was the worst atypical panic attack he'd ever heard off.  My dad collapsed in our driveway, couldn't speak, couldn't breathe.  My nursing school roommate actually responded to the call and they rushed him to the ER - aspirin, nitro, O2, morphine - whole bit.  By the time I got to the ER, he was having PVCs and PACs on the monitor, but nobody ever really commented on that.  In the end, his ticker checked out okay.  On the MRI they had found some White Matter Lesions, so then he went to neuro and had MS ruled out.  Turned out to most likely have been a massive panic attack, and he now takes paxil daily and has xanax just in case, but he never needs the xanax.  It was very scary and it presented EXACTLY like a heart attack.  His only abnormal lab was a very very high CPK, which puzzled them for some time.

I've had the esophageal spasms, and the first time I ever had one, I thought something in my chest had ripped open, so I know how scary those are, too!  I awoke in a sweat and couldn't breathe, endless vomiting.  I called my mom and almost called 911, there was this rattling in my chest, and I honestly thought that perhaps something had ripped.  I knew it couldn't be a major vessel or I'd be dead, but that esophageal spasm was one of the scariest things I've  ever experienced - even though I've had them on several occasions now.  If it does turn out to be that, Gaviscon has been a life-saver for the most part!!

And now you've gone back with more chest pains and now this broken foot!  It is starting to sound a bit like Job, isn't it?  :(

I really hope they can find out what is going on and get you fixed up!!!

You and your family are always in my prayers!!

Hugz,
Carrie :)

Dear Clusterville:

I've had a rough week.  I don't have a broken foot, but severely sprained and bruised.  We've had no cable and telephone for 48 hours.  The cable guy came yesterday and left the front door open (He must have been born in a barn).  Not only do we have air conditioning on, but we have cats.  So I make for the door, my left foot was on something slippery and shot out in front of me.  The right foot wound up under me.  Sheesh!

So it's wrapped and being iced regularly.  I'm hoping that I'm done with the hospital for a good long time!

Thanks for your kindness and concern,

Ray

[smiley=hug.gif]

-Dennis-

(((NORE HUGS))))

CHarlotte