Update on "Date with Destiny"

[gadgetman]

We talked to Dr. McGiffin?s office about my January 18th appointment. We explained to them that we were hoping to have the surgery right after the initial appointment to avoid having to make the 4 hour trip more than once. The receptionist indicated that Dr. McGiffin usually did Open Heart Surgery on Tuesday and Thursday and I had not been scheduled. Bummer!!!

I then got a call from my local Doc saying that he had been in contact with Dr. McGiffin (who is going to repair/replace my mitral valve) and that due to impedance problems my ICD lead will need to be replaced by Dr. McGiffin. Bummer again!!!!

Then I get a call from Dr. McGiffin?s office saying that Dr. McGiffin had reviewed my case and I am scheduled to check into University of Alabama Birmingham on January 20th for pre-surgery prep, with surgery on the 21st. Wow!!!!

So my ?date with destiny? has been changed to January 20th. I have been experiencing shortness of breath and low energy for the last two weeks. Doc explained that the ICD was my ?insurance ticket? to help get me to the Open Heart Surgery, but I had hoped to feel a little better. Had to change out a battery in an old car I have and huffed and puffed throughout it all.

My wife plans on taking her laptop and will try to post any updates for me when she can. Keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

[dawnwit15]

Hi there.

Hi there.

Gadgetman:
It's good news that your date was scheduled so quickly as opposed to waiting a month or two for a date, that tends to add alot of anxiety. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know it's easier than it sounds, but try to think ahead to the future and remember by the end of the month you'll be back in the comforts of your own home surrounded by your loved ones while you recover. I went in for MVR last Jan 14th and the surgeon decided to do a repair instead once he was in, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you also. Stay positive. We're all cheering for you here!
Dawn

 

[gadgetman]

I'm glad things are moving quickly too. Until I found this site (and others) it was a lot to deal with on short notice. Once the decision for OHS was made, we (my wife & I) didn't want to have to sit around and wait, wait, wait.

Updated my Will and Power of Attorney today. Brought a tear to my eye having to sign the Will again. Seems like planning for the worse. Of course, I feel the same way about life insurance. Seems like you are playing the life "slot machine" when you do these things.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences, trials, etc, through this forum and other. It has made this journey much more bearable.