[gfmucci]

Well, apparently we were all* 040 040 040 a little prematurely.* Joan was readmitted to the Cleveland Clinic this afternoon after experiencing some suspicious vision anomalies.* She will remain for at least a couple more days while they perform more tests.

After doing some internet research, (and granted a little ignorant info can be dangerous) I am suspecting what they call "release of atheramatous material" into the blood stream as a result of the surgery and procedures related thereto.* This can cause stroke or malfunction of various organs.* This* dislodged material may be in the form of "cholesterol crystal emobolization" which is triggered by clamping the aorta in open heart surgery, guidewire and catheter manipulations through various arteries, and anticoagulant therapies.* I know she had the clamping...not sure of the other two.* She was administered blood thinners this afternoon.* The critical period for the effects of shaking all these debris loose is from one hour to three months after this kind of surgery.

The very disappointing thing about all this is that this was supposed to be a fairly low risk, routine surgery as far as open heart surgeries are concerned.* I'm beginning to question the relative risk of having lived with the myxoma versus the risks of this surgery.* Hindsight is 20/20.* Or in this case, without much value.