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I wasn't going to post anything about this.........was going to wait first and see how things turn out, but I can't get it off my mind tonight! 
Last night, Darren wasn't feeling well and complained about his chest feeling tight and hurting when he coughed. Almost like a baseball was lodged half way down. He thought maybe he was getting bronchitis or something since he's had an upper respiratory virus......but we both thought that was weird as he was getting over it by then. Plus, his heart was beating very irregularly (and he told me this morning he also felt a little short of breath). Naturally, when I wanted him to call the ER to talk to someone, he wouldn't do so (stubborn man!)........said if he didn't feel better by this morning he would go to the doctor. Well, he was worse this morning (pain radiating up his neck and cold, clammy sweats as well), had his doctor appointment, and then we were sent to a bigger hospital for an echocardiogram. His doctor thinks he MAY have pericarditis, an inflammation of the lining around the heart, but they don't know yet what's going on. They did do an EKG today too, and it showed some irregularity that our local cardiologist wanted checked out as well. Nothing showed on the x-rays or the blood tests. So, now we have to wait until Friday for the test results. We're both scared and trying not to show it. I don't want to make things worse for Darren as I know he really is scared something is terribly wrong....I am too. He is being as he usually is......trying to be the strong man with no fears. And we sure don't want the kids to know yet, so can't talk about it in front of them. I hate the waiting! Even if the tech who did the echocardiogram noticed something, she couldn't tell us as that has to come from the doctor after the test is looked at. The good thing though is they let him come home afterwards. I guess if any red flags showed up, they would have kept him?
I never thought I would have to worry about something like this for many years yet. Darren only just turned 42! I went in with him for the test today, and came close crying more than once watching him lying on the table, trying to pretend like he was okay for the entire 30 minutes it took. It really hurt seeing him like that!
If any of you guys could spare a few prayers for us right now, please send them our way! This is really scary.
& :hug:
Tracy
Dolls N DreamsHow Tracy I can tell you are very scared! Hang in there and wish for the best.
You both will be in my prayers tonight! :hug: :hug: :hug:
So very sorry to hear about your husband Tracy - what a very scary and worrying time for you.
I will send my love and prayers your way and I hope that everything will turn out well for him.
Hugs
Carolyn
:hug: 
:hug:
Thanks you guys. :hug: I'm feeling the need to ask some extra prayers tonight.......and I have the need for the support as well. I know I can count on my friends here......which gives me some happier tears!
Back Road BearsHeart issues are nothing to take lightly and it's only natural to be scared! Rarely is anything black and white with heart troubles either..... it can be caused by medicine, stress, genetics..... sometimes the rememdy is simple, sometimes it's not. And the waiting and not knowing is enough to drive anyone totally batty! I've been there.... far too many times in the last few years so you have all my empathy on that one!
Prayers, love and support from friends and family are exactly what get you through the tests, the waiting, the diagnosis, the treatment, the tears, the triumphs.
So, ask away... we're here for all that good stuff! As I head off to bed I'll say a prayer for you and Darren.
Daphne
:hug:
Terries BearsTracy, you and your family will be in my prayers tonight. Take care and stay strong. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Newcastle, OntarioTracy,
I am so sorry to hear about Darren! Please know that you definitely have my thoughts and prayers and I will cross all my crossibles as well, if it will help. Please keep us posted on how things are going and try and get some rest.
big hugs :hug: :hug: :hug:
Brenda
Scary indeed; I'm sorry for all of you that you're having to endure the wait and terror.
For sure, Tracy, if there were "red flags" noted by ANY of the medical folk who saw/tested him, Darren wouldn't be home with his family. He'd be at the hospital. So that's a GOOD -- maybe great -- sign!
Also... sometimes what seems entirely weird or odd or abnormal to us gets entirely poo-poo'ed by the medical establishment. Last summer I was shocked to learn that docs had measured 6000+ arrhythmias in one, 24 hour period, when I'd never felt even ONE odd heartbeat, prior to that week, in my life! But to the doctors, this figure was absolutely not indicative of anything seriously wrong with my heart. They did a few more tests, mostly to reassure me, and they came out entirely normal, except for a mild mitral valve regurgitation they discovered in sonography, which sounds awful, but again, is apparently not really a big deal, and present in a huge number of people (including a number of TTer's, I found.) In other words... even if there IS something suddenly "wrong" or different with Darren -- arrhythmias, regurgitation, etc. -- it might be "nothing," medically speaking. Try not to worry until you have something solid to worry about.
Last, from what I think I know, blood tests will show certain proteins if heart attack is occurring/has occurred, and x-rays will certainly show enlargement of the heart if there is any. Since Darren's tests were negative, you have lots of reason to believe he's really quite okay -- at least in the sense that he's not in dire, emergency circumstances at the moment.
You're both doing the right thing by following up at the hospital until you have solid answers. In the meantime, though, try not to stress. I discovered the hard way that stress alone can cause scary heart problems; pretty much the last thing either of you need right now!
You've got my dedicated prayers and deepest wishes for a quick diagnosis and a complete resolution of all this. Stay strong!!
:hug:
Delartful BearsOh dear. No wonder you are so worried. It must be very frightening for you both.
Stay strong & know my thoughts are with you.
Danni :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Posts: 2,203:pray:
Chaska, MinnesotaOh Tracy: I will keep you both in my prayers. It is a scary thing not knowing what is happening. I hope your husband feels better soon.
Patsy Lake BearsTracy I am sorry to hear of your husband being unwell..... You are both in my thoughts and prayers ....... :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Oh, honey!
Matters of the heart........listen to Shelli and Daphne. They both share valuable information. Been there, done that. I suffer from high blood pressure.....I have since I was in my late 20's. It's hereditary. Every once in awhile my heart "tweeks". It's really, really scary when it happens. Maybe this is Darren's bodies (sp? grammer?....hey, it's late!) way of saying, "Hello. Pay attention please!" I'm hoping and praying that's all it is.
Thinking of you and praying.....really, really hard, for you and for your family too. :pray: :pray: :pray:
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Hi Tracy, I know you must be extremely worried and concerned but as you said, if they thought there was anything critically wrong they would not have even allowed him to go home...It seems percarditis can be caused by a bacterial infection...
below is a bit I found about the treatment.. hopefully that is all it is..sending prayers your way.. :pray: :pray:
How is pericarditis treated?
Analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs are given to relieve pain. Antibiotics are also prescribed if the pericarditis is due to a bacterial infection. If excess fluid is seriously affecting the heart's action, a needle may be used to draw it off. In some cases surgery may be required.
Acute inflammatory pericarditis usually lasts one to three weeks and doesn't lead to further problems. About 20 percent of pericarditis patients have a recurrence within months or, rarely, within years.
Pumpkin & Pickle BearsTracy, you must be sick with worry!
It certainly IS a good sign that they let him home though - it's a definate positive.
You are both in my thoughts. :hug:
DoodlebearsBig hugs and prayers coming your way Tracy. I hope your husband is soon well again. It must be so worrying for you. Chin up!
Hugs Jane.
:pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
puca bearsTracy - I don't "do" prayers, but am sending lots of positive thoughts your way - I really hope it all goes well, and as has already been said - if they were REALLY concerned about Darren, they would have kept him in. Even so, it must be a horrendous worry for you all
Fingers and everything crossed....
big huggies
Maria
WienTracy,oh boy! So you´ve got one of them tough guys, who never tell in time that something´s bothering them!
I hope, all will turn out well with him and I wish your hubby good luck!
...and you too! :hug:
Gaby
BrisbaneLots of warm wishes and positive thought comeing your way Tracy...I hope it all turns out well, it is a good sign that they let him go home though!! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
QueenslandTracy what a worry and a wait but yes sending him home has to be a good sign......but you have you and your family in my thoughts.....be strong take care :hug:
Debbie
Posts: 3,540:hug: :hug: :hug:
PottersHouse BearsYou are both in my prayers today. God has it under control.
So you´ve got one of them tough guys, who never tell in time that something´s bothering them!
Yep.....sure do! 
He has scared the *#@* out of me this time! But scared himself too I think........so maybe now he will pay more attention to his body. As Aleta said, maybe this was his body telling him to "wake up and pay attention to me". What a wake up call! I am trying to keep reminding myself that the docs would have kept him yesterday if there was a dire problem.......that will hopefully keep me sane. The worst is not knowing just what's going on..........it leaves too much room for speculation and scaring ourselves! And I didn't say last night that there is a family history.......Darren's grandfather died at age 41 of a heart attack. We were reminded of that yesterday too. But, a wonderful friend brought up the point that at that time, people didn't watch their diets so his grandfather probably ate all kinds of artery clogging stuff with no checkups at the doctor either. Darren has been sure to keep regular check ups on this. His blood pressure and cholesterol were getting a bit too high, so he's on meds now which brought both down to normal ranges. And he tries with the diet.....sort of! 
He loves to eat, which is why he's a big guy. He really should lose some weight (we both should) and maybe this will be the incentive we both need to win that battle too.
I'm glad I did go ahead and share this with all of you. It sure has helped me to keep things in perspective......thanks a bunch all of you! :hug: :hug: I'm still scared to death, but handling it better now...........after a horrible night of little sleep that is. This experience has also reminded me that we should never take our loved ones for granted (thought I knew that one, but how easily it's forgotten :doh: ). Nothing in life is guaranteed after all. Wake up call for me too!
& :hug:
Tracy
Missed your post while I was typing Lisa. :hug: :hug: You've been through the wringer too! I'm glad your symptoms were figured out, and weren't too serious! Thanks for the advice about the other specialists.......I will sure keep that in mind.
OH Tracey :hug: :hug: :hug: hugs and prayers for your hubby, you and your family!!!
Hugs,
Krista
