Kevin's surgery..finally, an update!

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J

jkn2kids

Please forgive me for taking so long to post, but I'm sure you all can relate.I'll give you the Reader's Digest version .Kevin's surgery was Wednesday at Hopkins. It lasted 4 hours and he was on the bypass machine for 2. Dr. Cameron told me that the valve was pretty calcified, but could've gone a couple of years. He said the aneurysm was moderate. The real surprise was that Kevin had a hole in his heart. The doctor said he stitched it. Later, his assistant said he's the only doctor there that routinely searches for holes while he has the chest open and finds them in 20% of his patients! He looked great!He was expected to be on the respirator for 6 hours, it ended up being almost 23 (which was torture for both of us as he became more and more lucid....he was "aware" an hour out of the O.R.). Days 2 and 3 were extremely painful for him. They had to call the pain control team to evaluate him. Apparently, the younger you are and the more muscle mass, the more pain. His blood pressure was getting high and he started to have trouble with afib, which terrified us both. He was put on medicine for that, as well.Day 2 he had the chest tube removed. Day 3 , they took the other drainage bulbs out. Day 4 was the day of nausea (no vomiting, thank God). But Day 4 was also the day he got a room in the Progressive Care Unit and out of the ICU (big backup for beds, apparently).Today was much better...little bouts of nausea, minimal pain. He finally had his catheter removed!
I am so amazed by him, so proud. We will keep you posted.
Oh, one of the first things he said to me on Thursday was, "Who got the boot?" I said, "What are you talking about?" He said, "On American Idol...Who got the boot?" !!!
This experience is a real roller coaster...and I know how fortunate we are. He's doing really well. Thanks to all of you!!!
Janene
 
No apoligies needed- you've been busy, Janene!;) Glad things are all under control now and please give him our best wishes for an uneventful recovery and a speedy homecoming.
 
Thanks

Thanks

Thanks very much for the update...tell Kevin we are all thinking of him, and now the hard part is over...echoing the hopes for speedy and uneventful recovery.
 
Wth an annie that size, I wouldn't want to wait any longer anyhow. Glad to hear his on the up swing now.
 
Janene,

Your update is most appreciated.

Please let Kevin know thoughts/prayers are coming his way for a continued SUCCESSFUL recovery :).



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Tell me what you see" ... Bob Carlisle ... 'Getting Stronger'
 
Thanks for the update; so glad your husband is better every day! Yes, I have also read that those in better shape (with more muscles) tend to have more pain from the rib stretching. Hoping his recovery is smooth. Take care.
 
Thank you so much for the news. I'm glad that he is through the worst of it now. Best wishes for continuing success. What a surprise to find that he'd had a hole in his heart. Now hs is all fixed and will be better than new in no time!

Take care of yourself, too! He'll have up days and down days for awhile...he'll be expecting you to be there for him! Those first few weeks can be exhausting!

Best wishes! Marguerite
 
Janene,
I'm glad to hear Kevin is on the other side of his surgery. I hope he has a smooth recovery.
 
Janene:

Glad to hear that Kevin has trekked over the mountain.

My surgeon found an ASD too -- not sure if it was found during the heart cath the day before my surgery or during the TEE on the OR table. Amazing that someone can live for decades with a hole in the heart, isn't it?

Best wishes for an uneventful recovery!
 
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