Wednesday, July 23, I had a heart catheterization done. This is where inset a small plastic tube into an artery in my groin. They then use dye to measure how my heart is pumping and how much leaking my valves are experiencing. I was told that I might be awake for this procedure, but I think I slept through most and remember very little. I do remember a warm feeling going from my throat to toes several times. It was weird. I was home by 1:00 the same day. I was sore for a few days and have a huge bruise but feel fine for the most part.
The Dr. said that the test showed what we thought and there were not any surprises.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
FAQ&A
Many people have asked me the same types of questions so I thought I would let everyone know details that I know - or think I know.
- I will have a pre-op appointment Tuesday afternoon to get some test done like blood work and chest x-rays.
- My surgery will be at Medical City of Dallas at 2:00 but have to be there around 10AM.
- The actual surgery will last about 4 hours.
- They will be putting in a human valve. We discussed pig and mechanical but my surgeon recommends human for me.
- I will be in ICU for about a day or two.
- I will be in the hospital about 5-6 days.
- I will go home to Allen for maybe about a week or so to have the doctors close for a little while.
- I then plan to go home to Waco so my parents can take care of me while they are at home and so Katie does not hate me.
- I hope to be back and forth so to still be involved with my life in Allen.
- I will be missing about six weeks of school.
- I plan to be back at work around the beginning of October.
- I have been working up at school to be out and there should not be lots of prep for my sub.
All of this is estimated and we will just take it day by day.
The Situation
As many of you know I was born with congenital heart defect and had surgery at age 3 to repair the valves in my heart. Since the surgery I have lived a mostly normal life and have remained active. I see my cardiologist every few years and he has always been very encouraging about my progress. Last time I went, he said I was doing wonderful and that I did not need to come back for four years. This was very encouraging to me and my family.
Early this summer I went for my check up. I was expecting an easy routine check up because last time we got such great news. My doctor said that my heart is still functioning the same as it always has, but it is working very hard and I will get worse before I get better. He then said that I might need a valve replacement in the next few years to help my heart work its best.
My cardiologist then called me a few weeks latter and asked that I meet with the other doctos sooner than planned because I need the surgery THIS SUMMER. This was difficult news to hear, but my friends and family were very supporative and encouraging.
I saw the surgeon Friday. He was very nice and explained all about how the heart works and the process of the valve replacement. He then answered all my questions and made us feel very comfortable. He explained that I would be up and out of bed the first few days. He said that the recovery would be easier than we expected, but should plan not to be back at work full time for about two months. We were able to schedule the surgery for Wednesday, August 6th at Medical City of Dallas.
I also met with a arrhythmia specialist because my cardiologist explained that my heart rhythms are irregular. The Dr. explained how my heart was working and the valve and rhythm problems it was having. He started telling me about the options and started with the worst and moved to the best. Basically, the valve operation should take care of the problems, but I might need a pacemaker or maybe even a defilibalater (sp?). The irregular rhythms are not a big problem now but they could be if we don't take care of it. I will need to go back and see him a month after the surgery to see if I need anything else. He said it is very possible that I may need a pacemaker somewhere down the road if not now.
In about 6 months I hope to feel so much better than I ever have.
Early this summer I went for my check up. I was expecting an easy routine check up because last time we got such great news. My doctor said that my heart is still functioning the same as it always has, but it is working very hard and I will get worse before I get better. He then said that I might need a valve replacement in the next few years to help my heart work its best.
My cardiologist then called me a few weeks latter and asked that I meet with the other doctos sooner than planned because I need the surgery THIS SUMMER. This was difficult news to hear, but my friends and family were very supporative and encouraging.
I saw the surgeon Friday. He was very nice and explained all about how the heart works and the process of the valve replacement. He then answered all my questions and made us feel very comfortable. He explained that I would be up and out of bed the first few days. He said that the recovery would be easier than we expected, but should plan not to be back at work full time for about two months. We were able to schedule the surgery for Wednesday, August 6th at Medical City of Dallas.
I also met with a arrhythmia specialist because my cardiologist explained that my heart rhythms are irregular. The Dr. explained how my heart was working and the valve and rhythm problems it was having. He started telling me about the options and started with the worst and moved to the best. Basically, the valve operation should take care of the problems, but I might need a pacemaker or maybe even a defilibalater (sp?). The irregular rhythms are not a big problem now but they could be if we don't take care of it. I will need to go back and see him a month after the surgery to see if I need anything else. He said it is very possible that I may need a pacemaker somewhere down the road if not now.
In about 6 months I hope to feel so much better than I ever have.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
