Carol is out of surgery!

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good news

good news

Here's the latest post from Carol's carepage- hoping she gets to go home tomorrow!

15 March 04, 2007 at 04:46 PM CST
Hi everyone...it is me! I am finally up to sitting at the computer for a few minutes to let everyone know how I am doing. Before that, I need to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has been sending me good thoughts, wishes and prayers. I truly believe that prayer can make such a difference, and my writing to you today is proof of that. As I said, I have been up in the hallways, walking around several times a day. I am still pretty sore in my chest and upper right leg,(an incision they made in case they had to put me on bypass from there, but never ended up using it...oh well) There is a little leakage from both my chest tube site and the right leg site, but nothing that they are too worried about.They are adjusting some of my meds, but otherwise things seem to be going well! The plan as of right now is for me to go for another echocardiogram tomorrow, then, if that is good, home tomorrow after that! I can not say enough good things about all the doctors,nurses and all the other staff here. They have been outstanding from the start. This hospital is the best there is, hands down. I dont think my surgery or recovery would be anywhere close to what it is if I had gone anyplace else. SO, overall, I give EVERYTHING a big "thumbs up!!"
I will post again in a couple days after I have had a chance to get home and get settled. Thanks again...you are all amazing!
Click to expand...
 
Well everyone, home at last! As some of you may know, I came home from Mayo last Monday, the 5th. On Tuesday, I started noticing the one incision in my right groin(they opened it up in case they had to put me on bypass there, but never ended up using it)was swollen. By night, I was running a low fever. On Wednesday, the site was even more swollen, still had the temp's but also had retained 4lbs of fluid. I had my blood drawn in the morning, as I was to see my internist that afternoon. While reading the paper, I started to have problems seeing out of my left eye. I found out that my INR had dropped to 1.8. It was 2.1 when I left Mayo, and they want it to be over 3 because of my new valves (I used to keep it that high anyway because of the TIA's). So, needless to say, with all this going on, I got readmitted to my local hospital. A cardiac surgeon came and looked at my incision and drained it. Fortunately it was not infected, but to be safe they started me on IV antibiotics. By the time he came back the next day, it was just as swollen as when he had drained it the day before. At this point, he reopened part of the incision and decided to keep it open and attach a wound vac to it to help this close up. The area that was filled with fluid has left a big pocket under my skin, both deep and wide. He feels the fluid is coming from a lymphatic gland that made have been nicked during my surgery. So, they applied the wound vac, which is exactly what it sounds like...a machine that connects via a tube to a sponge that is packed inside the opening of my incision. It constantly has suction going, so it helps to drain the fluid from that area and aides in new, healthy tissue growth. I was sent home on Monday afternoon (the 12th)and have been laying low ever since. I am still running low temps, but they attribute that to my body reacting from the surgery. All tests and cultures are negative for any infection. My INR is up to where it should be. I have home health coming out several times a week to draw blood and change the dressing on the home wound vac. I see the surgeon at the end of next week. Hopefully the incision will have improved by then, otherwise he may have to operate on that area to reopen everything, tie off wherever the fluid is coming from, and reclose this incision(the one they never used!!!!). I am hoping all goes well and it doesn't come to that. As frustating as this is, I still feel like this is minor compared to what complications there could have been. I have to count my blessings! So, thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers...I really appreciate it! I will try to update again in a few days...
 
Thanks for the update, Carol. I'm sorry that you are having this "bump in the road" and hope that it all heals before you visit the surgeon. I like your attitude- keep counting those blessings and heal well. We look forward to another update.
Phyllis
 
Well I'm glad they have a handle on this now and I'm very glad your INR is back up. These wound vacs have really changed the way wounds and infections are dealt with for the better. I know it a pain now, but it's the best way to take care of it.
 
Carol, I'm glad to know you're at home but sorry to hear of this complication. You seem to have a good attitude, so that's all that really matters. Everything else will resolve over time.
 
Carol - sorry to hear about all your bumps in the road but glad that they are starting to work out how to treat everything and that you are feeling better than you were - take it easy and let us know how it all goes - Jeanne
 
Carol,

GOOD to see you POSTING :). Very glad that you are home ... but, sorry for the complication....

Thoughts/prayers coming your way....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Waiting to be mended like a potter would mend a broken vase" ... Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers ... 'Broken Lady'
 
Adding our prayers, too...........

Adding our prayers, too...........

for a complete recovery with no more complications. Hugs and post when you can. J.
 
new update

new update

So, 3 weeks and 1 day post op today. Overall things are going okay. Still pretty sore in my chest and rather tired overall, but not doing too bad. The only problem I have been having is with my leg incision. The top part is slightly infected (going back on antibiotics today) but the bottom part is another story. The actual wound is getting smaller, but is seems to be draining more then what it was before. After looking at it today, the surgeon is recommending surgery on it to reopen the area, tie off whatever is leaking, and then reclose the area. This should resolve the problem. Surgery is scheduled for this Friday morning, and I should be in the hospital over the weekend. Again, all this for an incision they didn't use!!! Has anyone ever had anything like this? They are calling it a seroma. As much of a pain in the butt this is, I am thankful that I did not have any more serious complications. I try to remember that there is always someone going through something tougher, so be thankful. I will try to keep everybody updated as to what is going on. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
 
Carol, you have to be a bit irked that this incision is causing some problems. But I'm glad you feel you are doing well overall. My best wishes for a problem-free procedure on Friday.
 
Carol,

It's good to know you feel you are doing well overall.

Thoughts/prayers coming your way for the procedure on Friday. Hope all goes well :).



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"It's time to take a leap of faith" ... Steven Curtis Chapman ... 'Dive'
 
Carol, I'm sorry you've been having problems with your incisions and I hope you can start being boring after Friday!
 
So, I am finally back again...my leg is finally healing up since I had surgery to repair the seroma in my OHS groin incision. I am very grateful that is not causing any big problems any more. It seems as though a new problem has arisen though. After my surgery, Dr. Warnes gave me the great news that I no longer have a murmur. When I got home, I dug out my stehescope I used when I was working as a cardiac nurse. I too no longer heard a murmur. It had been replaced by a new sound of clicking mechanical valves. It was a nice sound compared to the loud whooshing! About 7 days ago, I noticed I was getting very tired again.I have been getting more short of breath. I also felt like I was having alot of skipped beats. So, I pulled out my scope and listened again. This time I heard not only the clicking, but a n obnoxious "whoosh"before the click. IThe murmur that I had prior to surgery has come back. I saw my internist today and told her about my concerns. She said that when she last saw me about 10 days ago, she heard a very soft murmur, which she related to the fact I have had post-op anemia. When she listened today, she also said that I have my very loud murmur back.:mad: :confused: So, she contacted Dr.Cetta,who I used to see here before he went to Mayo. He comes back to my area once or twice a month to do an ACHD clinic. She wants me to see him as soon as he can to do another echo and find out what is going on. Luckily, he is here this Saturday and they are working on squeezing me in. I am so confused and frustrated right now. I wasn't supposed to have a murmur again! I am sorry to vent, but I am really upset about this. I will keep you updated when I here more. Thanks!!
 
Carol,

So sorry to hear that your murmur has come back - it must be very frustrating for you to have all these unexpected bumps in the road - hope all goes well with Dr. Cetta and that the news is good - let us know how you go - Jeanne
 
Sorry to hear this. Don't be sorry about venting. I'd be venting too if it was me. I hope they are able to get you in to see Dr. Cetta on Saturday, and that all is well. Best wishes.
 
Thank you for all the good wishes and prayers! I am still waiting to hear a time for Saturday. I really hope it is nothing, but my internist(who I have had for 12 years and knows me inside and out) seemed worried, although she didn't come right out and say it. I just can not believe this. Has anyone else had there murmur come back so soon after surgery???
 
Carol,

Very sorry you are going through this ... good luck on Saturday.

Thoughts/prayers coming your way....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Waiting to be mended like a potter would mend a broken vase" ... Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers ... 'Broken Lady'
 
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