I really appreciate your thoughts. I did see the surgeon today and just got home 3 hr drive there and 3 hours home. Needless to say l am exhausted. So much to process. So much info and of course the facts.
In a nutshell right now l am a little high risk and he has asked some things of me.
1 - l must attend respiratory therapy prior /pre surgery. He is concerned with getting me off of the heart /lung machine and breathing again.
2 - He is concerned with the rate of recovery due to my Lung disease and anticipates a length and possibly a tough recovery.
3 - He generally tells his patients there is a 1-3% risk rate. He is telling me right off the top 8-12% risk plus increase of 25 % because of my Lung and breathing issues. That puts me at about 35% risk ! That getting pretty darn high.
Those percentages are without any complications and could increase dramatically with the slightest unknown or unexpected complication both during and after surgery. And high risk for infection.
He wants me first to see the nose throat and ear specialist as sceduled for Oct 6 because of a cronic nose bleed of 4 yrs even though after all that time has stopped now for 2 mths.
I am also waiting to see the neurologist for an 80% blockage. But luckily it is not in the arteries in my heart but nevertheless is an issue and was discovered during my heart Cath in May. They are trying to get me in ASAP for a Stent.
As a surgeon has an amazing success rate and comes very highly recommend. He is very matter of fact with a dry sence of humor.
He said next time l see him we would both be in our pajamas but it wouldn't be for a few mths.l asked potentially tge first of next year.
And he said possibly depends how l make out on respiratory therapy pre surgery. But possibly before the end of the year.
He would use both or 2 mechanical valves and the brand would be I irrelevant. He would use what on the shelf. And he would never ever use 2 OnX when replacing 2 vales as in my case.
He mentioned he could get rid of some of my symptoms but not all that some were directly lung related.
He also told me my med list would double or triple from what it is now and for life and l would have the pleasure of being the recipient of Rat Poison
( coumadin ) from that point forward. I gasped at that . I had know idea. Sigh !!
He also told me l had to meet and consult with the rest of his team at the pre surgery valve clinic prior to as they also evaluate and assess me pre surgery. This would include his therapists this anothesiologist and the rest of his nursing staff and lab. They worked as a team and expectations of them were high and that is how he operates.
All in all it was a really a tough consultation and some hard facts.
Left me speachless and a bit irratated.
That is my reality. Lots to soak in and lots to pray about.
One last time bit ..
I asked about being able to hear the ticking of the valves and expressed my concerns about whether they would be insinc or not. Hahaha hahahaha wrong question. Lol
He responded with "well you let me know when they stop ticking."
Don't let the noise bother you.
It was great that my son and daughter in law whom live in Calgary were able to be there with me.
He also handed me a procedure book with release forms and instructions on recovery. .
So l have some work ahead of me. Alot of respiratory therapy. . It's all good !
It will be a few mths then be for surgery looks like as late as Dec possible into January.
❤ 
and l am ok with that. 
