Hi Folks,
I received another call today from Donna, Mike's wife, and it seems that things did not go as smoothly as she said yesterday. There was a problem with the first (bovine) valve that was used and the leak was so serious that it had to be replaced. The second valve also had problems, and in the end he was given a porcine valve. Donna wasn't aware of what the exact problems were, but they were involved enough to cause the surgery to extend until well into the day. His aorta was also replaced, but she didn't have any details on that procedure yet. His surgeon said that he didn't know how Mike had managed to stay alive since the valve area was little more than a pin head and his heart had suffered tremendously from pumping against such a small opening.
With all that said, he is doing quite well today. He's sitting up and has stood for a short period of time. He is taking his meds and not trying to be a hero--from the sounds of his experrience, he's already played that role in getting over this mountain! I'm sure you all join me in wishing him a quick and easy recovery.
Jane
I received another call today from Donna, Mike's wife, and it seems that things did not go as smoothly as she said yesterday. There was a problem with the first (bovine) valve that was used and the leak was so serious that it had to be replaced. The second valve also had problems, and in the end he was given a porcine valve. Donna wasn't aware of what the exact problems were, but they were involved enough to cause the surgery to extend until well into the day. His aorta was also replaced, but she didn't have any details on that procedure yet. His surgeon said that he didn't know how Mike had managed to stay alive since the valve area was little more than a pin head and his heart had suffered tremendously from pumping against such a small opening.
With all that said, he is doing quite well today. He's sitting up and has stood for a short period of time. He is taking his meds and not trying to be a hero--from the sounds of his experrience, he's already played that role in getting over this mountain! I'm sure you all join me in wishing him a quick and easy recovery.
Jane