DH is home

First things first ... THANK YOU so much to all of you who commented, left well wishes, prayers, & gave me calls. It really means the world to me to know that so many of you care.

Fingers crossed ... DH is now home & was given a diagnosis of myocarditis (imflamation of the heart). Below is a short definition of what it is.  Anyway, DH is still hurting a bit in his chest but they gave him meds to help manage his pain. He is only to work & do activity as tolerable ... he's stubborn so this will take an act of God to get him to sit still. His 1sgt & commander are trying to get him convalesant leave or at least quarters. They know he isn't up to work but without it in writing DH will show up tomorrow morning bright & early. He just doesn't know how to sit back & relax. I'm not sure he has much of a choice though ... almost thought he was gonna have to stay an extra night. The doc came in, gave him the all ok speach & said release papers would be in soon. He got up to get dressed & when he sat back down he clung to his chest ... had to call the nurse in for more pain meds. He pretty much refused to stay ... I can understand though, I'm pretty fond of my own space too.

Definition of Myocarditis

Myocarditis is an inflammatory condition involving the myocardium (heart muscle).  is characterized by a variety of symptoms ranging from fatigue, difficult breathing, and rapid heartbeat to sudden death from fatal arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). Myocarditis may occur following a wide assortment of diseases, including bacterial and viral infections, immune system disorders, and the production of myocardial toxins by the body, as well as chemical and radiation exposure.

It is not clear why the same viruses cause myocarditis in some patients and different diseases - gastroenteritis, pneumonia, or hepatitis, for example - in others. Myocarditis can occur as a rare complication of bacterial infections, including diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoidfever, and tetanus. Other infectious organisms, such as rickettsiae and parasites, may also cause inflammation in the heart muscle.

Symptoms of myocarditis vary widely.

In adults, they can sometimes mimic those of a heart attack - mild to severe pain in the center of the chest, which may radiate to the neck, shoulders, and upper arms. In severe cases, symptoms include breathlessness, rapid pulse, and heart arrhythmias. Myocarditis may be suspected whenever chest pain or arrhythmia symptoms suggestive of congestive heart failure occur during the course of an infectious illness, especially a viral one. It should also be suspected when such symptoms occur in the absence of an obvious diagnosis.

Myocarditis may start as a flu-like illness that lingers longer than the usual several days. If significant muscle damage and weakening of the heart's chambers occur, symptoms of heart failure may develop. A month or two later, the symptoms of flu (weakness and malaise) merge with symptoms of heart failure (fatigue during physical activity and shortness of breath).