Lasix, not Eye Surgery

Andy was supposed to be discharged from the LDS Hospital today around noon. He had swelled up like a bloated buffalo for a couple of days ago until he visited the ER. He is now back on Lasix, a potent diuretic that alleviates water retention. As a result, he is back down to his fighting weight of 191--44 pounds less than when he had his heart attack.

The plan for now is for Andy and Raymond will return to their original housing arrangement across the street from the LDS Hospital. Andy reported that he is now much better and he feels like he is getting stronger each day. He sends his thanks to all those who continue to monitor his progress ... more later.

Hobbit Feet

Andy continued to gradually gain weight little by little until yesterday at 3:30 p.m. when he suddenly gained seven pounds in just under three hours. His then little chicken legs ballooned to the shape of sofa-sized bowling pins and his feet swelled up like a hobbit. Raymond decided it was time to push the red button and wheel Andy down to the ER.

After a quick evaluation, the doctor admitted Andy for treatment. They immediatly put him back on the medication he had taken to alleviate water retention. Needless to say, Andy was relieved; in fact, he relieved himself of between two to three pounds of excess water during the first hour of being admitted. Ray said he is feeling better already ... ahhhhhhh ...

Boy, Andy doesn't seem to do well with water pills or medication designed to help him displace water. When he took a water pill two weeks ago, he regressed three days in his recovery. Now, water has again encircled his heart. This is somewhat disconcerting because it is a result of a weak "pump" struggling to keep up. Hopefully, returning to his previous medication will solve this problem and allow him to continue to recover.

Andy said he is being monitored for precautionary measures and especially for his smoker-like cough; he should be released sometime tomorrow.