Johnny Stephens
Well-known member
Hello All,
I've written this out long-hand for Kathy to post for me. I finally got home two days ago and am far to weak to climb a very long flight of stairs to the computer!
First, thanks to the group for your fantastic support of Kathy during this harrowing experience. You gave her a lot of strength during some lonely moments!
As most of you know, this was expected to be a very routine aortic valve replacement. Instead, I wound up with SJM's in both aortic and mitral positions, and eight days on the ventilator, due to problems with pulmonary hypertention and fluid in my lungs. All of these problems were caused by my radiation for Hodgkins's disease.
I really only remember the last four days out of two weeks. I was so heavily sedated I remember almost nothing of the ICU. In fact, the last thing I remember before surgery was Chris (Mainframe) and his wife Tina's very uplifting visit while I waited for catheterization!
I could not have made it through this without Kathy. She was so well informed, and fearless to insist on explanations that at every step of the way the correct decisions were made.
As an aside, the valves are very quiet, and I almost never hear them.
It will be a couple of weeks before you see me online much. I have to get through some in-home physical therapy arranged for me by Dr. Verrier's office. After that, I should be strong enough to climb up the stairs to the computer!
Thanks again all!
I've written this out long-hand for Kathy to post for me. I finally got home two days ago and am far to weak to climb a very long flight of stairs to the computer!
First, thanks to the group for your fantastic support of Kathy during this harrowing experience. You gave her a lot of strength during some lonely moments!
As most of you know, this was expected to be a very routine aortic valve replacement. Instead, I wound up with SJM's in both aortic and mitral positions, and eight days on the ventilator, due to problems with pulmonary hypertention and fluid in my lungs. All of these problems were caused by my radiation for Hodgkins's disease.
I really only remember the last four days out of two weeks. I was so heavily sedated I remember almost nothing of the ICU. In fact, the last thing I remember before surgery was Chris (Mainframe) and his wife Tina's very uplifting visit while I waited for catheterization!
I could not have made it through this without Kathy. She was so well informed, and fearless to insist on explanations that at every step of the way the correct decisions were made.
As an aside, the valves are very quiet, and I almost never hear them.
It will be a couple of weeks before you see me online much. I have to get through some in-home physical therapy arranged for me by Dr. Verrier's office. After that, I should be strong enough to climb up the stairs to the computer!
Thanks again all!
