Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

GF, did Joan have her surgery today or will it be tomorrow? Hope all is well, we're still praying for you guys!!

Good luck, Kathie (and I'm sure the rest of TOTV)

Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

Joan's surgery was conducted in the period from 11 am to 2:30 pm on Thursday. She spent most of Friday in ICU (standard procedure), and is now in a "step down unit." Everything went as planned. She did not have robotics...she opted not to for several reasons:

1) Even though a much smaller incision, robotics require going in through the muscles on the side. Muscles are much more painful and slower to heal than going in through the sternum.
2) If there is a complication of any kind, they have to go through the sternum anyway.

In fact, the surgeon found a small hole (pinpoint sized?) between the left and right atrium that she had since birth. He sealed that up while he was in there.

Once again, we appreciate all your thoughts and prayers. I believe, in addition to God's love, her vision of soon being in The Villages is making her strong.

Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

GF, please give Joan a kiss for us and tell her we're thinking of her. The worse is over, that's how I always feel after surgery, and now it will up to her to get back on her feet ASAP and get her butt down to TV to recuperate.

Its amazing what the docs can do today, for all we complain, they are true miracle workers and we don't thank them enough sometimes.

Good luck and we hope to see you soon.

Kathie

Joan is OUT!!!
 

Joan was discharged from the Cleveland Clinic at 1 PM this afternoon. :beer3: :clap2: :2cool: 040 040 Still stabilizing the heart rate with Beta Blockers and verrry tired.

We'll be flying home to Destin Sunday morning. She can't WAIT to get to TV.

Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

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.

Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

GF, sorry to hear about Joan. We will pray for her tomorrow in church and will do a special intention in her name. Please tell her to hurry and get well soon so she can join us in TV at Crispers.

God bless you guys,

Kathie

Re: Heart surgery - what hospitals do you recommend?
 

Thank you, Kathie.

Heart surgery - Final Report
 

Well, after a two day travel ordeal, Joan made it back home this afternoon and is resting comfortably in her own bed. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and prayers. Cleveland Clinic is highly recommended...and boy, are they thorough.