We're on our way

[watson524]

Leaving soon to head out to CCF for pre surgery testing and meetings with cardiologist, surgeon, etc. for mom. It'll be a full 3 days and we'll head back late on Friday after a meeting with the surgeon. Wish there wasn't all this snow out there that looks like it's moving our way but I'll be loading the car with water, snacks and blankets should something happen on 80 (I was stuck on 81 for 11 hours one time so I prepare now).

The start of a long journey with the surgery being scheduled for 1/3/11 but also hopefully the end of another journey with worrying about when, not if, her mitral valve will need to be replaced.

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season, whatever way you celebrate.

 

[Freddie]

Drive safe and take your time.
Hope all goes well at CCF.

 

[DebbyA]

Have a safe journey--post again when you can.

 

[Greg a]

Have a safe and uneventful trip ....prayers going to St Christopher for now

Greg

 

[malibu82]

sounds good, have a safe trip

 

[nngbwh]

Have a safe trip and keep us posted.

 

[njean]

My prayers and well wishes going out to you and your mom.

Be careful and we'll be waiting to hear from you.

 

[Johan]

Thinking of you and your Mom...

 

[watson524]

Thanks all! It wasn't too bad of a trip last nite. From about 40 miles before the PA/OH line to about 20 miles after the roads were a BIT testy but it was more the snow coming straight at you and the other cars on the road that you had to watch for but we made it in about 8 hours (with a dinner stop) so not bad. Today was totally packed with testing. Pulmonary, vascular, chest x ray, blood work, echo, ekg, etc etc etc. Cath is tomorrow and that's it for the day then Friday is pre surgical screening and a meeting with Dr. Lytle. Starting to feel very real now and scary as he!! but we'll get thought it. They'll know tomorrow after the cath if it's go or no go for surgery. Didn't have the echo and other results in today when we met with Dr. Hobbs but he said he'd have it all tomorrow....

 

[marie]

Good luck and keep us posted
Marie

 

[watson524]

Well it was an interesting day. Just the catherization today. It went well and we're back in the hotel resting. She liked that they did an angio seal with the collagen plug because you only have to lay flat for 2 hours.

Now what's interesting is that her echo at home in mid September got a PAP of 63mmHg... we know echo isn't the most accurate way to tell but.... the cath today read it at 48mmHg!! I asked the cardiologist if the surgery was necessary since I know 60 is generally the "line in the sand" and now we're well under that but he said he'd defer to the surgeon. I don't know what the echo mom had done out here yesterday came up with so I'll ask that question tomorrow just to see if echos are really that out of whack or if her home cardios office had a faulty echo (which she has actually surmised several times since she said "she didn't like the way the guy did it this time").

Anyway, it doesn't change the fact that her stenosis and regurg are there but who knows what the surgeon will say as it relates to the PAP and the need for surgery. She's not getting younger and it's not like this will reverse itself so......

The cath also showed only mild plaque buildup and according to the cardiologist, nothing they'd do anything about and also showed circulation was great so that was good.

Tomorrow is the pre surgical interviews with the surgeons staff and the anesthesiologist I think and then a meeting with the surgeon (Dr. Lytle) in the afternoon... In between we're going to try to figure out how to get her records posted in MyChart.

So that's the latest from here....

 

[watson524]

Well it was an interesting day. Just the catherization today. It went well and we're back in the hotel resting. She liked that they did an angio seal with the collagen plug because you only have to lay flat for 2 hours.

Now what's interesting is that her echo at home in mid September got a PAP of 63mmHg... we know echo isn't the most accurate way to tell but.... the cath today read it at 48mmHg!! I asked the cardiologist if the surgery was necessary since I know 60 is generally the "line in the sand" and now we're well under that but he said he'd defer to the surgeon. I don't know what the echo mom had done out here yesterday came up with so I'll ask that question tomorrow just to see if echos are really that out of whack or if her home cardios office had a faulty echo (which she has actually surmised several times since she said "she didn't like the way the guy did it this time").

Anyway, it doesn't change the fact that her stenosis and regurg are there but who knows what the surgeon will say as it relates to the PAP and the need for surgery. She's not getting younger and it's not like this will reverse itself so......

The cath also showed only mild plaque buildup and according to the cardiologist, nothing they'd do anything about and also showed circulation was great so that was good.

Tomorrow is the pre surgical interviews with the surgeons staff and the anesthesiologist I think and then a meeting with the surgeon (Dr. Lytle) in the afternoon... In between we're going to try to figure out how to get her records posted in MyChart.

So that's the latest from here....

 

[Lynlw]

I'm glad the cath went well. I could imagine the questions you must have after finding out her results look so much better. At least you won't have to wait long to talk to the surgeons to find out what they recomend. Thanks for letting us know how the day went.