Scheduled the pre-operation procedures for Tuesday, April 5 at 10am. They will be drawing blood, giving instructions and other stuff. I don't know exactly what they will be doing but I'm hoping it isn't too bad. The appointment will last 60 to 90 minutes so they can't do too much. The good thing is that I don't have the fast before the appointment.
I'll let you know more as I know more.
Have a good night.
FAMILY
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Surgery Date
We just got off of the phone with the doctors. The surgery will be this Wednesday, April 6th. Sooner than we thought but we did tell him the sooner the better.
Monday will be full of pre-operative procedures, Tuesday they are giving me a sleeping pill so I don't stay up all night and Wednesday is the big day.
We are excited but scared at the same time. We have faith that the good Lord will keep us safe but a few extra prayers from friends and family probably won't hurt.
I'll keep you posted on any new developments.
Have a good day.
Monday will be full of pre-operative procedures, Tuesday they are giving me a sleeping pill so I don't stay up all night and Wednesday is the big day.
We are excited but scared at the same time. We have faith that the good Lord will keep us safe but a few extra prayers from friends and family probably won't hurt.
I'll keep you posted on any new developments.
Have a good day.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Update
Ok, we met with the surgeon earlier today. There is a lot of information here so try to keep up with me.
First, Ami and I are very comfortable with him and his staff. They did a very good job of explaining everything and easing our anxiety about the whole thing. They explained that a normal aortic valve is about 3cm across. Mine is about .8, which explains my lack of energy, constant fatigue and sore muscles. My body simply just isn't getting the oxygen it needs.
We have decided to go with the mechanical valve over the tissue valve. I had some reservations to this at first but he explained that this will be a lifetime fix. He has done mechanical valves for 30+ years and has not replaced one yet. There is no doubt that a tissue valve would have to be replaced in 20 years or less. I was also hesitant to taking Coumadin for the rest of my life but we went over that as well. It is not going to alter my life or routines much at all. Also, with the size valve I might need there is a chance I won't have to take it anyway, so that was good news.
The surgery will take anywhere from three to four hours and I will be in the hospital for five days after that. Everyday in the hospital they will be having me do more and more to get my body working again. Visiting hours will be from 9am to 9pm. Should anyone want to come say hi the day after the surgery just get in contact with Ami.
By the time I leave I will be self sufficient enough to do the basic things myself; go to the restroom, shower, change cloths, etc. I will not be able to drive, lift anything or do anything that uses my chest for a month to six weeks. After my breast bone heals I will be able to start getting back into shape, with no restrictions. That is what I am the most excited about. I can't wait to see what it feels like to have a normally functioning heart that is actually supplying my body with the blood and oxygen that it needs.
The date has not been set yet but we should know tomorrow. It will be sometime in April. When the doctor asked when we wanted to do this my answer was as soon as possible, lets just get it over with. I'll post that information as soon as I get it tomorrow.
As always we appreciate your thoughts and prayers while we push on through this adversity. We will come out the other side better and stronger.
Have a good night.
First, Ami and I are very comfortable with him and his staff. They did a very good job of explaining everything and easing our anxiety about the whole thing. They explained that a normal aortic valve is about 3cm across. Mine is about .8, which explains my lack of energy, constant fatigue and sore muscles. My body simply just isn't getting the oxygen it needs.
We have decided to go with the mechanical valve over the tissue valve. I had some reservations to this at first but he explained that this will be a lifetime fix. He has done mechanical valves for 30+ years and has not replaced one yet. There is no doubt that a tissue valve would have to be replaced in 20 years or less. I was also hesitant to taking Coumadin for the rest of my life but we went over that as well. It is not going to alter my life or routines much at all. Also, with the size valve I might need there is a chance I won't have to take it anyway, so that was good news.
The surgery will take anywhere from three to four hours and I will be in the hospital for five days after that. Everyday in the hospital they will be having me do more and more to get my body working again. Visiting hours will be from 9am to 9pm. Should anyone want to come say hi the day after the surgery just get in contact with Ami.
By the time I leave I will be self sufficient enough to do the basic things myself; go to the restroom, shower, change cloths, etc. I will not be able to drive, lift anything or do anything that uses my chest for a month to six weeks. After my breast bone heals I will be able to start getting back into shape, with no restrictions. That is what I am the most excited about. I can't wait to see what it feels like to have a normally functioning heart that is actually supplying my body with the blood and oxygen that it needs.
The date has not been set yet but we should know tomorrow. It will be sometime in April. When the doctor asked when we wanted to do this my answer was as soon as possible, lets just get it over with. I'll post that information as soon as I get it tomorrow.
As always we appreciate your thoughts and prayers while we push on through this adversity. We will come out the other side better and stronger.
Have a good night.
First Update
Hello everyone,
I created this blog to keep all of our family and close friends updated on the family and my medical issues and not make it available to the world. Facebook is great but I don't really want the world knowing every single detail of what is going on. Please keep the information you read on this blog private unless it is posted otherwise. Thank you for your discretion.
Update: Ami and I go to meet the surgeon today so we can meet him. If we are happy with him and decide to let him be my surgeon we will go over the specifics of the surgery, most importantly the type of valve we are going to request and the date. My fatigue level increases almost daily so we are going to ask for the soonest date possible. We already have a good idea of what we want, just want his opinion too. The appointment is at 2:30 so don't expect another update until this evening.
Thank you to Mom (Mimi) for watching the boys for us this afternoon while we are at the appointment.
I will try to update the blog by 10:00pm daily.
Have a good day.
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