C
Carolyn
It is hard for me to believe that two weeks ago, my husband and I had no idea we'd be facing major heart surgery after Christmas. He was born with a bicuspid aortic valve which was detected by his doctor many years ago. The doctor kept an eye on things, sending Kel to a heart specialist about three years ago. It was then that we learned that eventually, Kel would have to have the heart valve replaced. Thereafter, every six months Kel did the necessary tests to monitor the condition. Otherwise, life went on, and we didn't think too hard about the future. Surgery seemed decades away. Two weeks ago, the six month checkup revealed an aortic stem aneurism! Last Thursday, after an angiogram, it was decided that though the heart valve didn't necessarily need replacing yet, the aneurism had to be fixed, so both will be repaired at once.
Our surgeon met with us that day. I still can feel the awful tidal wave of disbelief that NOW was the time, and it was much, much more serious than we expected. That night we told the kids (almost 10 and 12.5) that their dad had to have major surgery and not only that, it looked like major changes were on the way. They took it well because we were prepared and had all the facts as we knew them then. Since then we've learned just how lucky we are that we were doing the twice yearly tests for the heart valve! I don't want to even think about what would have happened had the aneurism gone on undetected.
Kel's surgery is scheduled for January 15, 2002. There is so much to learn. I stumbled across (on the recipes thread no less!) a link to a gripping but oddly comforting website showing exactly what equipment and technique will be used, at least as far as the heart valve replacement itself is concerned.
I am still shocky over this, as is Kel, as we learn more and more about how this will affect his life and ours. Some of it ultimately will be good--looks like I'll get to learn how to cook new things! Kel is only 37, and otherwise healthy, plays tennis regularly (though the doctor has put a stop to that from now until he is completely healed), and has no symptoms that would suggest all the trouble brewing beneath his sternum. We are in the midst of redoing our house and laying down new flooring--guess we'll be walking on cement for awhile!
Sorry to go on for so long. I'm glad I found this forum as already I feel a bit more informed than I was before.
Carolyn
Our surgeon met with us that day. I still can feel the awful tidal wave of disbelief that NOW was the time, and it was much, much more serious than we expected. That night we told the kids (almost 10 and 12.5) that their dad had to have major surgery and not only that, it looked like major changes were on the way. They took it well because we were prepared and had all the facts as we knew them then. Since then we've learned just how lucky we are that we were doing the twice yearly tests for the heart valve! I don't want to even think about what would have happened had the aneurism gone on undetected.
Kel's surgery is scheduled for January 15, 2002. There is so much to learn. I stumbled across (on the recipes thread no less!) a link to a gripping but oddly comforting website showing exactly what equipment and technique will be used, at least as far as the heart valve replacement itself is concerned.
I am still shocky over this, as is Kel, as we learn more and more about how this will affect his life and ours. Some of it ultimately will be good--looks like I'll get to learn how to cook new things! Kel is only 37, and otherwise healthy, plays tennis regularly (though the doctor has put a stop to that from now until he is completely healed), and has no symptoms that would suggest all the trouble brewing beneath his sternum. We are in the midst of redoing our house and laying down new flooring--guess we'll be walking on cement for awhile!
Sorry to go on for so long. I'm glad I found this forum as already I feel a bit more informed than I was before.
Carolyn