geckley
Well-known member
Hi everyone - Ghon's wife here.
He made it through fine, two valves worked on (mitral replaced with mechanical and tricuspid repaired with a ring).
He's doing well - and I'm headed back to the hospital in a bit to see him one more time for the night. I'll try to post more when I return - the baby needs me now.
Thanks for all your support pre-op; your kind words and support really helped Ghon prepare. Wish we'd found you in 2005.
Kim
EDIT: The detailed story as sent to friends and family.
Ghon and I arrived at Hopkins this morning about 5:45. By 6:00 he was taken to pre-op, where I expected to be able to meet up with him after his initial prep. Since I had Jonathan (our 6 week old) with me, that was not to be. The nurse brought him back to the waiting room to say goodbye and hand me his wedding ring. That was hard - I just about lost it after he left. Thanks for strangers with tissues. Around 6:45, the surgeon came to speak to me after meeting with Ghon. He mentioned that the nurses were working on a way for Ghon to see me and Jonathan one more time...and luckily, we were able to to so, albeit for 2-3 minutes.
Ghon was taken to the OR about 7am, surgery started around 8:30. I received updates every two hours. The procedure was supposed to take 4-5 hours, and took just a bit over that in the end. The original plan was to replace the mitral valve (that was repaired in 2005), replace the aortic root and the aortic valve, and possibly repair the tricuspid valve. In the end, the mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical valve, the tricuspid was repaired, and the aorta and aortic valve were untouched. In 2005 there was the same chance of repair on those, and the surgeon felt that althought the valve is bicuspid when it should be a tri - and his aorta enlarged - they were working fine, showed no deterioration from 2005 and were not repaired/replaced.
I was able to see Ghon in the ICU for a bit about 5:00. He told be presurgery that a thumbs up would be his signal. He's still under some heavy sedation, but doing well. When I told him I was there and took his hand, he moved his thumb a bit - and confirmed with a slight head nod that I was getting the thumbs up that he'd made it. I'm headed back with his son Eric in an hour. The hope is to have him off the ventilator tommorrow morning. Had he come to the ICU sooner (he didn't make it there until close to 3:00), they may have removed it tonight. For those that have spoken directly to Ghon about the surgery, you know the tube was a cause of concern and discomfort for him.
Visit tonight was good - he was more alert, and able to respond even better to my jokes, notions of well wishes and the like. Even got a few I love yous from him.
Ghon or I will update again once he is moved to a regular room. Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers, Ghon and our family. They are greatly appreciated - and working. Keep them up, please.
He made it through fine, two valves worked on (mitral replaced with mechanical and tricuspid repaired with a ring).
He's doing well - and I'm headed back to the hospital in a bit to see him one more time for the night. I'll try to post more when I return - the baby needs me now.
Thanks for all your support pre-op; your kind words and support really helped Ghon prepare. Wish we'd found you in 2005.
Kim
EDIT: The detailed story as sent to friends and family.
Ghon and I arrived at Hopkins this morning about 5:45. By 6:00 he was taken to pre-op, where I expected to be able to meet up with him after his initial prep. Since I had Jonathan (our 6 week old) with me, that was not to be. The nurse brought him back to the waiting room to say goodbye and hand me his wedding ring. That was hard - I just about lost it after he left. Thanks for strangers with tissues. Around 6:45, the surgeon came to speak to me after meeting with Ghon. He mentioned that the nurses were working on a way for Ghon to see me and Jonathan one more time...and luckily, we were able to to so, albeit for 2-3 minutes.
Ghon was taken to the OR about 7am, surgery started around 8:30. I received updates every two hours. The procedure was supposed to take 4-5 hours, and took just a bit over that in the end. The original plan was to replace the mitral valve (that was repaired in 2005), replace the aortic root and the aortic valve, and possibly repair the tricuspid valve. In the end, the mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical valve, the tricuspid was repaired, and the aorta and aortic valve were untouched. In 2005 there was the same chance of repair on those, and the surgeon felt that althought the valve is bicuspid when it should be a tri - and his aorta enlarged - they were working fine, showed no deterioration from 2005 and were not repaired/replaced.
I was able to see Ghon in the ICU for a bit about 5:00. He told be presurgery that a thumbs up would be his signal. He's still under some heavy sedation, but doing well. When I told him I was there and took his hand, he moved his thumb a bit - and confirmed with a slight head nod that I was getting the thumbs up that he'd made it. I'm headed back with his son Eric in an hour. The hope is to have him off the ventilator tommorrow morning. Had he come to the ICU sooner (he didn't make it there until close to 3:00), they may have removed it tonight. For those that have spoken directly to Ghon about the surgery, you know the tube was a cause of concern and discomfort for him.
Visit tonight was good - he was more alert, and able to respond even better to my jokes, notions of well wishes and the like. Even got a few I love yous from him.
Ghon or I will update again once he is moved to a regular room. Thanks to everyone for all the thoughts and prayers, Ghon and our family. They are greatly appreciated - and working. Keep them up, please.
