Health issue
- Thread starter mikester
- Start date
Well, the saga continues.
Yesterday I met with the interventional cardiologist that did the cath and stent. He went over everything that he did last week. He also told me the options for the valve replacement.
I didnt know it until we spoke but theres actually a team of docs that look over my charts to decide which method would be safer/better. At first he seemed to be leaning towards the old fashioned surgery. Cut me open and saw my bones.
After I went to him I had to drive up the road to meet the surgeon. Nice man. Felt like he would do a good job. Hes the head of the thoracic surgery department. Hes done thousands of these operations. After going over the two styles we got down to the nitty gritty. He was leaning towards the old style too. He said my age, weight, general health all make a difference in their decision. They were meeting today to go over everything.
Two things might make them change their minds. My neck. Four blown discs with nerve impingments on two levels. And the kidney stone that needs to be removed. The TAVR method is basically an overnight stay and faster recovery. Risks are very close to standard surgery. 3% chance of having a stroke or sudden death during the procedure or within the next 6 hours. 6% chance of needing a pacemaker after its done. The heart nerves can be damaged when the new valve goes in.
I have to say this craps been VERY stressful. Its like its in my face from the second I get up until I go to sleep. Im far from being a wimp. This will be my 5th surgery. At this point I want it over.
Im going to work on the 81 for a few hours a day. Maybe I can get the majority of things finished before I go into the hospital. Gotta keep myself busy.
Yesterday I met with the interventional cardiologist that did the cath and stent. He went over everything that he did last week. He also told me the options for the valve replacement.
I didnt know it until we spoke but theres actually a team of docs that look over my charts to decide which method would be safer/better. At first he seemed to be leaning towards the old fashioned surgery. Cut me open and saw my bones.
After I went to him I had to drive up the road to meet the surgeon. Nice man. Felt like he would do a good job. Hes the head of the thoracic surgery department. Hes done thousands of these operations. After going over the two styles we got down to the nitty gritty. He was leaning towards the old style too. He said my age, weight, general health all make a difference in their decision. They were meeting today to go over everything.
Two things might make them change their minds. My neck. Four blown discs with nerve impingments on two levels. And the kidney stone that needs to be removed. The TAVR method is basically an overnight stay and faster recovery. Risks are very close to standard surgery. 3% chance of having a stroke or sudden death during the procedure or within the next 6 hours. 6% chance of needing a pacemaker after its done. The heart nerves can be damaged when the new valve goes in.
I have to say this craps been VERY stressful. Its like its in my face from the second I get up until I go to sleep. Im far from being a wimp. This will be my 5th surgery. At this point I want it over.
Im going to work on the 81 for a few hours a day. Maybe I can get the majority of things finished before I go into the hospital. Gotta keep myself busy.
just remember who gets to inherit your '81! (none of the gbodyforum "I'm your best buddy!" weasels)
True story. Three days before my prostate cancer surgery back in '08 I get a call from a friend of mine that lived a couple of blocks over. We also worked together for years.
He says he wants to stop by and go into my garage to look around. I tell him I gave him back anything I had borrowed. The last thing was a Sawzall. This sort of thing went on for years. I had his saw, he had my Makita polisher (that he cut the cord on and kinda burned up the bearing polishing a 34' boat he had painted). It seemed like he was a little rougher on my crap. LOL
Anyway, he goes on to tell me he just wanted to check out my stuff in case I didnt make it through the surgery. He wanted to have dibs on my tools before my wife let some of my other friends have their pick. Nice huh ? We're still friends to this day although he now lives almost 8hrs away. LOL
Friends like that are what you call fair weather friends.
You are in my prayers nightly. May God calm your fears and put your mind at peace. I hope no one is offended by my post.
Dave
To misquote Groucho Marx, outside of a dog, a car is a man's best friend. Inside, it's too dark to see where the motor mount nuts go.
Keep on wrenchin', amigo.
Keep on wrenchin', amigo.
Got a call from the doctor this afternoon. The decisions been made. TAVR on 4/20 at noon. Caths on both sides, mild sedative just to make me sleep. Not tubed. The doc said they didnt want to damage my neck having it tubed and hyper extended for the 4 hours of regular surgery. The thoracic surgeon I liked will be there to assist if things go wrong.
They said it will be an overnight stay if all goes right and I'll be going home by noon the next day. Ive got a lot of people keeping my in their thoughts and prayers. I got this. Just one more pothole on the road of life. LOL
They said it will be an overnight stay if all goes right and I'll be going home by noon the next day. Ive got a lot of people keeping my in their thoughts and prayers. I got this. Just one more pothole on the road of life. LOL
