Posted on 08/13/2004 8:30:43 AM PDT by The Game Hen
Please pray for my Dad, diagnosed this week with Amyloidosis with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. You may never have heard of it. Most Cardiologists will never see a case.
He’s 66 and until recently, a healthy, active retiree. He began experiencing weakness, breathlessness and severe swelling. Doctors ran several tests but could not find a cause. They knew his heart was not functioning properly due to excessive pressure. In January, they removed his Pericardium.
He felt better for a few months but then his symptoms returned. Walking to the end of the driveway wiped him out. The Doctor found that his heart was so rigid it couldn’t pump like it should. Last week they did another heart catheterization with a biopsy.
The biopsy yielded a diagnosis. Amyloidosis is a buildup of mutant proteins in the organs. Though not technically cancer, it can be treated with chemo, steroids and stem cell transplants. There is no cure for this very rare disease.
How I wish they had done a biopsy 6 months ago! Dad may be too far gone for treatment. I wish I could convince my parents to get on a plane to Boston today where they have the best treatment in the world instead of MUSC.
I know he won’t make it to 70. He may not make it to Christmas. Please pray that he will be comfortable and at peace. Please pray for strength for his family. Mom and Dad are active in their Presbyterian Church but I’m not sure that his faith is strong enough to get him through this.
I also post this to seek any information fellow Freepers may have about this disease. I also hope that it might help anyone out there with similar symptoms. Some people don’t get a diagnosis for years after first noticing something is wrong.
Thanks for listening and God bless you.
Your dad, and you and your family will be in our prayers. May he find strength and peace in the Lord.
We will be praying for God to pour out comfort on you and your mother and father. My father (68) was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, so I understand some of the fear and shock you must be feeling. Our Father God is always there for us, even when it doesn't seem like it!
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I don't pray, but I will keep him in my thoughts and hope for a good result.
Prayers sent
Here's prayers that he gets the best care possible. Every day is a gift.
Here's my prayer for your dad's full recovery. :)
God bless him and your family.
Prayers for your father and your family.
More prayers aloft for your Hero!
Your father and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless.
Prayers just sent...
Prayers on the way.
Your Dad has My prayers ....as well as you and your family
(Romans 10:17)
The book/letter of/to the Colossians.
Prayers on the way.
My wife has a similar disease, multiple myeloma. They are so closely related that amyloidosis and multiple myeloma have the same basic treatment options. Treatment for the damage caused by the amyloid deposits is different, but treating the source of the amyloid is the same.
Because amyloidosis often accompanies my wife's variant of multiple myeloma, I am quite familiar with both diseases. If you want info or just a shoulder to cry on, send me a freepmail.
Prayers for you and your family.
Praying.
My thoughts and prayers go to your father and your family
God Bless
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