How did you prepare?

[Kay]

Pat,

Thank you so much for the news! I've checked the board every chance I had looking for the Martha report. I knew she would do great, but like the rest of us here, I get nervous if time goes by and I don't hear anything.

Tell Martha she is in my prayers and I look forward to hearing from her when she gets home.

Now you get some rest! I'm sure you're exhausted. And keep posting updates as you get a chance. Also, you need to be posting on the POST-Surgery side of the board because that's where we're all looking for the good news about her. She has now graduated to the good side!

Kay

 

[MitralMan]

OUTSTANDING news!

OUTSTANDING news!

Go Martha and Pat!

Hi Everyone,

I am Martha's husband, Pat. Martha wanted me to let everyone know how she is doing. Hopefully I am posting this message in the right place.

Martha did great with no complications! We are so happy that everything went well and so far it looks like she will have a speedy recovery. We are hoping she will be home by Tuesday or Wednesday.

The surgery was this past Friday and it was a very long day. It started with a catheterization Friday morning at 9:00am. All her arteries were clear. She was very happy to hear that news. The operation began sometime around 11:00am and she was in recovery by around 5:00pm. Not sure how long the actual operation took, because the hospital staff was not very forthcoming with her progress.

According to Dr. Colvin, it turns out that Martha had a uni-cuspid valve instead of the normal tri-cuspid valve. We were told that people in this situation usually need to have surgery in their teenage years and she lasted into her 40's. Dr. Colvin was able to give her a mosaic tissue valve with minimally invasive surgery. It is now day 2 and she is already sitting up in a chair. She spent a day in recovery waiting for a bed to become available. I will let everyone know how she progresses over the next few days.

Alos, I want to THANK everyone for their support. Martha has found this site helpful, positive and reassuring. She feels very lucky to have found this site. Thanks again...

 

[Debrinha GT]

The best present of all!

The best present of all!

Hi there Pat, I'm so happy to hear that everything went just fine. That was by far the best Christmas present she could ever have hoped for! Give her a very big hug for me and tell her I'll continue to pray for her. Keep us posted,
Débora

 

[Guest]

*grins*

Woo hoo...excellent news!

Thank you for keeping us updated .

 

[DavidC]

I feel EXACTLY the same way

I feel EXACTLY the same way

I have been having the same sleeping thing... no sleep at night but restful in the morning. I'm also anxious to know how to cope. I have big phobias about tubes and stuff like that too. I recently told a person at the dentist's office after finding out I'll have to have a root-canal done that "I'm facing every major phobia I have all in a month's time frame"

1) Got bitten by a brown recluse spider
2) told I would need OHS
3) having an insurance snafu that missed cancelling our health insurance by 1 day
4) the hospital couldn't take my insurance and so I have to pick my own surgeon
5) had a MRI <a little claustrophobic>
6) will have a root canal followed shortly by OHS!

Now if I can work-in a very turbulent flight on a helicopter that will finish my list. When it's all done I'll either be a wreck or a changed man.

I too am trying to focus on my kids and on Christmas. I drew pictures for my twin 4 year-olds and gave them to them tonight. The moment was precious and I'm finding I'm living for those now. I hope I can keep that perspective afterward.

I've also taken to writing letters to my sons and my wife telling them how I feel. Don't get me wrong I don't intend on kicking the bucket but I've slept better since doing that.

Sounds like you'll go in a week or so before me. I'll be praying for you. (that's not just an idle comment)

DavidC