D
DianeB
Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum, and have found the information and support here to be amazing.
I found this site while doing some research on AVR for my Dad who was scheduled this week to have AVR surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
My Dad who will be 71 next week, was scheduled for pre-op testing and a meeting with the cartiologist on Tuesday, a meeting with his heart surgeon (Dr. Lytle) on Wednesday, and then AVR surgery on Thursday January 5.
As it turns out, there were some bumps in the road. The cartiologist said that he was in great shape (he has always been physically active: world traveller, bike rider, lots of grandchildren, etc.), but when the doctor looked at his EKG he said that it was worse than he was told. His heart had weakened, it was functioning at 35%, when it should have been 55% or better. He was told that with that level of functioning, he may not make a full recovery. I am not exactly sure what that means, as I can think of several ways of interpreting that.
Then he went back the next day, and learned that his pulminary capacity was only 45% when it should be 50% of better. The pulminologist decided to put him on Prednisone to improve his lung capacity. He was told at that time, ideally he should be on that for 10 days, but he could be on it for a little as 5 days and still have the surgery. He left his office being told that his surgery was postponed until Monday January, 9.
When he met with Dr. Lytle later that day, he was told that he would not be available to do his surgery in 5 days or 10 days! The earliest there was an opening on his schedule was February 14, 2006, but if something opened up on his schedule before then, the surgery could be done at that time, provided my Dad's lung capacity had improved.
Then on Friday, he experienced vertigo (perhaps from the prednisone??) and vomiting. My mom could not get a blood pressure reading on him, so she called 911 and he ended up with an unexpected run to Timkin Mercy's ER. They got him stabalized, gave him a prescription to help control the vertigo and instructions to let his doctors at the CC know what happened and what medication they gave him for the problem.
This has been a roller coaster week. My father, throughout it all has had a wonderful attitude. He was psychologically prepared for this surgery and feels a little let down that it didn't happen when it did, but he of course doesn't want to have the surgery if his lungs are not in good enough shape to get through the recovery process without additional problems.
I have told him about this forum, and he was come and read some of the posts here, but was a bit hesitant to post anything himself. I thought I would get the ball rolling by sharing his story in hope that he would then jump onboard, as I have seen how tremendously supportive those of you who have been through this, or are in a similar situation have been.
Any words of encouragement would be appreciated!
Diane
I am new to this forum, and have found the information and support here to be amazing.
I found this site while doing some research on AVR for my Dad who was scheduled this week to have AVR surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
My Dad who will be 71 next week, was scheduled for pre-op testing and a meeting with the cartiologist on Tuesday, a meeting with his heart surgeon (Dr. Lytle) on Wednesday, and then AVR surgery on Thursday January 5.
As it turns out, there were some bumps in the road. The cartiologist said that he was in great shape (he has always been physically active: world traveller, bike rider, lots of grandchildren, etc.), but when the doctor looked at his EKG he said that it was worse than he was told. His heart had weakened, it was functioning at 35%, when it should have been 55% or better. He was told that with that level of functioning, he may not make a full recovery. I am not exactly sure what that means, as I can think of several ways of interpreting that.
Then he went back the next day, and learned that his pulminary capacity was only 45% when it should be 50% of better. The pulminologist decided to put him on Prednisone to improve his lung capacity. He was told at that time, ideally he should be on that for 10 days, but he could be on it for a little as 5 days and still have the surgery. He left his office being told that his surgery was postponed until Monday January, 9.
When he met with Dr. Lytle later that day, he was told that he would not be available to do his surgery in 5 days or 10 days! The earliest there was an opening on his schedule was February 14, 2006, but if something opened up on his schedule before then, the surgery could be done at that time, provided my Dad's lung capacity had improved.
Then on Friday, he experienced vertigo (perhaps from the prednisone??) and vomiting. My mom could not get a blood pressure reading on him, so she called 911 and he ended up with an unexpected run to Timkin Mercy's ER. They got him stabalized, gave him a prescription to help control the vertigo and instructions to let his doctors at the CC know what happened and what medication they gave him for the problem.
This has been a roller coaster week. My father, throughout it all has had a wonderful attitude. He was psychologically prepared for this surgery and feels a little let down that it didn't happen when it did, but he of course doesn't want to have the surgery if his lungs are not in good enough shape to get through the recovery process without additional problems.
I have told him about this forum, and he was come and read some of the posts here, but was a bit hesitant to post anything himself. I thought I would get the ball rolling by sharing his story in hope that he would then jump onboard, as I have seen how tremendously supportive those of you who have been through this, or are in a similar situation have been.
Any words of encouragement would be appreciated!
Diane
