Thursday, August 23

245 over 127





It is a miracle that he didn't die, or worse, become paralyzed and/or aphasic. Years and years of uncontrolled hypertension can work horrible indignities on the human body. The brain, heart and kidneys can take lots and lots of abuse, but when they decide they have had enough - look out!! You get a wake-up call of possibly epic proportions.

Mr. kenju had his wake-up call Wednesday. That was when he finally made the decision to allow me to take him to the emergency room. He goes to dentists and eye-docs on a regular basis, and about 20 years ago, he saw my gastroenterologist with a problem that turned out to be gallstones. But other than that, he has not seen a doctor in 20+ years.

He knows now how lucky he was. When we got to the ER, his blood pressure was 245/127. One doctor told him he had never seen anyone with pressure that high. Little did we know that the next day, it would spike to 260. State of the art medicines for lowering blood pressure were administered three times yesterday, with mixed results. It takes time to discover the right blend of drugs that will work the best for you.

Additionally, they have found an enlarged prostate, which I suspected several years ago. I can only imagine what else they might discover before the testing is complete.

Can you understand when I say that I am happy it happened? Don't misunderstand; I will be eternally grateful that he isn't severely affected, but he needed to have an event that would make him understand what his body needed, and what he had denied it for so many years. The alternative is untimely death or disability. Now, if he follows the hospital's instruction, he will forge a relationship with a doctor, start on and stay on the right medications for his problems and change his diet and life-style. Because if he doesn't, he will not be around to see his grandchildren graduate, marry and present him with great-grandchildren. Or be around for our 50th anniversary. I would hate for that not to happen.

42 comments:

Robyn said...

Oh My Gosh! I am glad you convinced him to go! eeeek! I took my husband yesterday. He's doing a bit better, just needs to lose about 100 pounds. Now that should be fun. We should have a good support group for all of us. BTW Hi from Michele's!

Mamacita (The REAL one) said...

Sometimes it takes a serious wake-up call to make someone, er, wake up. My husband is the same way; he has diabetes and whenever his sugar level is low, he thinks he's cured. Sigh. I'm glad your husband is seeing the light!

Here from Michele's right now, but you know I come here daily.

Sending lots of love YOUR way, too. Wives of men who think they're invincible need all the support we can muster.

carmilevy said...

You and Mr. Kenju are in my thoughts and prayers, Judy. I am thanking your lucky stars (and mine, too) that he heeded your wise advice. You saved his life, point blank.

I wish my father had had his wakeup call earlier. Instead, he ended up chronically, degeneratively ill and unable to enjoy his family. He's still with us, thank God, but that sword of damocles now hangs over his weakened form; we live from one crisis to the next.

It broke my heart to see him at a family wedding a couple of months back, unable to dance with my mom.

I'm so glad that Mr. K. will have a happier go of it.

Anonymous said...

I hope they get the crisis under control. Once they do maybe he can manage it with herbs and diet. I guess he must have felt lousy enough to get it checked out.

Unique Designs from Zazzle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Oh no! Now you are on the way to a better path with him. Thinking of you and your husband.

Unique Designs from Zazzle said...

WOW.
GLAD THIS STORY HAD A HAPPY ENDING. MR KENJU IS VERY COOL AND WE ARE NOT READY FOR THE LEGEND OF MR. KENJU FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

Unique Designs from Zazzle said...

p.s. Judy;

I know all about those scares. if you have an e-mail address, I'll send you my summer doozie.
shanegilreath@yahoo.com

srp said...

Oh! No! I have already sent a little prayer for the both of you. He is INDEED lucky.... most of the patient's I saw with high blood pressure, never had it that high. How long will they have to keep him in the hospital....long enough to regulate that pressure for sure. Mr. Kenju cannot be walking around with it that high... poor thing, I bet he had really nasty headaches.

As for the boxes... yes. Most of mine are unpacked but now I am starting on my parent's. Some can be unpacked now, like the books and linens, but some must wait until the furniture comes. You cannot imagine how much stuff is accumulated under beds and in closets over the course of 25 years. And we haven't even started on their attic. Right now there is one room at their house that is completely filled with garage sale items... joy.

MaR said...

I understand how you feel! and I hope Mr kenjy understands how serious this is.
Something similar happened to my dad, kenju. But it was needed and now he is taking good care of himself.

MaR said...

I meant Mr. kenju, of course, sorry about that :)

Travelin'Oma said...

It sounds like the timing was just perfect to get attention. Good luck!

Pat said...

As you know Judy we had our wake up call two years ago and once you know what you are up against, with the help of family and friends, the two of you will cope. As MTL says all you have to do is obey instructions.
You will both need patience (which I know you nave in abundance) but there is light at the end of the tunnel and I know you'll get there.

shoeaddict said...

Oh, I cannot believe the number was so high! I'm so sorry this is going on but, I 100% know what you mean when you say that you are glad this happened.

It took years for doctors to diagnose me with the correct things. It took nearly dying (and, ironically, my bp being very LOW) for them to finally find something.

We also feel the same about my dad and his diabetes. He did really well at first and now he's acting like a child. He's angry because he has it and he's "acting out". Stupid behavior for a 51 year old adult. We tell him, like you said, if he doesn't take care of himself, he won't see his grandchildren or enjoy himself in retirement- all the things he's worked so hard for.

I will continue to pray for you and your husband.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh My, Judy...I certainly can understand why you are glad this happened, and especially the way it did...As you said, a "Wake Up Call" for your dear dear husband....I pray he takes it as seriously as you do and as the doctors do, too....I also pray he can fund a doctor he feels a kinship with...THAT is so important, isn't it? HUGS To you my dear....

I am going to post that MEME that you tagged me for the other day...probably late tomorrow or early Saturday A.M.
Do give Mr. K my very best and tell him I hope he will be feeling better, very very soon...!
You take good care of you, Judy...get some rest, my dear.

Eddie said...

Judy,
Good luck to Mr. Judy, and you too.
Sometimes it takes a wakeup call to get the ball moving - it did in my case.

Anonymous said...

I didn't know the top number could even GO that high.
I'm so glad you convinced Mr. Kenju to get checked out!
Sending out good vibes for many more happy, healthy years for you both!

Bobkat said...

Wow! That is VERY high blood pressure. I am so glad you persuaded him to go to ER and that now he is getting the help his body needs.

I am sending you both lots of positive thoughts and well wishes. It must have been quite worrying for you both.

BreadBox said...

Kenju,
You have no idea how big the collective sigh of relief across the blogosphere is to hear that Mr Kenju is going to be okay.
\
And Michele had nothing to do with sending me this time: I wanted to find out how he was doing!
N.

Anna said...

Oh Judy....

I totally understand what you mean about being happy that it happened how it did. I am hoping that he will have a renewed sense of urgency regarding his health and taking care of himself. Please give him my love and know that I am thinking of you both daily. It isnt everyday that you get a second chance to do things differently. :) Love eachother well!

Love you,
Anna

Rick said...

Better late... right? I've had the same doctor for 15 years, but it took him almost three of those years to notice my cholesterol was 325! Liptitor and exercise have dropped it back to 180.

Tony Gasbarro said...

I hope Mr. Kenju returns soon to the normal levels he should maintain. But I also hope he's not looking at this as a "See what I mean!" moment.

People who avoid going to the doctor usually do so because they fear that the doctor is going to find something wrong. And now that Mr. Kenju has gone to the doctor, sure enough, he found something wrong.

Screwy logic, I know, but there it is.

I truly hope he responds to this kick in the a** in a positive, healthy way, and not in the ignorant, head-in-the-sand way.

Hugs to you Judy.

L. said...

My 89 year old father refused to go to a doctor until he had a heart attack about 17 year's ago. He now goes regularly...but, the damage done to his heart years ago cannot be undone.

I don't understand why men have such an issue with taking care of themselves...maybe it is fear of what will be found if they go to a physician?

Anyway, I am grateful that your hubby didn't have anything more serious occur to him...and I hope that his blood pressure has stabilized. Hopefully, his health will now become a priority.

Take care...

Chancy said...

I surely hope that Mr K will view this as you do, a wake up call. Only he can make the lifestyle changes needed to bring him to health.

Praying for you and him.

Anonymous said...

So glad that Mr. Kenju got a timely wake-up call. I hope he and his doctors are able to get things under control very soon.

Sending all good thoughts your way.

Star said...

Oh Judy. thank goodness you guys didn't wait any longer. I do understand why you are "glad" it happened. as always you find the positive in a situation. you are Mr Kenju are in my thoughts.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Wow, his blood pressure made mine go up a bit, I think! That is so scary! I will continue prayers for you both.

Anonymous said...

I feel terrible that I am so late in getting this comment to you. I am not good at prayers, but I will certainly keep both of you in my thoughts.

Keep up your own health and strength. It is going to be needed as he improves and as he gets restless and impatient. Trust me, my experience tells me that they all do.

millie garfield said...

Boy, it's a good thing you got Mr. Kenju to the hospital when you did.

That was a mighty high blood pressure. Now that they are working on getting the med's to get his pressure down, he'll be feeling better.

Take care of yourself, I'm wishing you and the Mr. the best.

Anonymous said...

Oh! Judy! I am so sorry to hear this. I haven't visited your blog in a few days and only found out about Mr Kenju. I'll be thinking of you two. In a way, you are right, this is a warning and it's good that he listened to you and let you take him to ER. All my thoughts and best wishes of recovery to your husband.

rennratt said...

I had no idea that BP could go that high!

I'm so glad that he's ok!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Just now I know about the health of Mr. Kenju through Naomi. I am so glad he is well! Many hugs to you both!

Granny Annie said...

I am late getting this word but am so very happy for you and Mr. Kenju. He is blessed to have you in his life and blessed to have been treated in time. Now you both have each other for many more years.

Anonymous said...

Judy, please know my thoughts and prayers are with you both, and I, too, am thanking your lucky stars.

sage said...

I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Kenju's troubles, but am also glad to hear he's being treated and I'll pray for his healing and for your strength during this time of challenges.

Sara said...

Keeping you in my thoughts!!! Hope all is well...and he gets better quickly.

Anonymous said...

Judy,
It's been my experience that when someone has a serious health problem before old age, they usually end up living a very long life. I think it is because AFTER the scare, they do everything the doctor tells them to do and they really take good care of themselves from that time on.

Hope this is true of Mr. Kenju.

WendyWings said...

Well I too hope he heeds the doctors advice and is with you for a long time to come.
Those wake up calls are sometimes what it takes.

Weary Hag said...

There I go assuming again. I just saw the little picture and the word 'stroke' and figured with a blood pressure like Mr. K's that had to be it. Glad to know it wasn't that ... and VERY thankful on your behalf that he's home and feeling better now with the proper meds.

Wake up calls stink, but it's a good thing we do have them.

Anonymous said...

Oh, Judy....I'm so terribly sorry to hear about Mr. Kenju. I heard about it at Naomi's place.
WHOA.....I'm an RN and I'd have to say that BP tops all that I've ever seen! Thank God he got to the hospital. Wishing him a great recovery and hope you're doing okay also.

Jamie Dawn said...

My hubby deals with terribly high blood pressure too.
He keeps it under control with meds and has to be monitored frequently by his doc.
How VERY scary that Mr. Kenju had such HIGH blood pressure!!! He really dodged a bullet because it's quite possible that he could have died.
I know what you mean about being glad he had this wake up call. You definitely want him around a LOT longer. :-)

kenju said...

UPDATE: Jim is okay now. The lasting imprint of the stroke is a leg that will not stay straight; hence, he cannot stand or walk now. Other health problems have contributed to this as well. I think he now knows he cannot ignore pain or other symptoms....he must be seen by a doc!