A new wrinkle (08/14/04 archive)

A new wrinkle

Date: 8/14/04 at 9:55PM

The trip back to the doctor was fruitful after all. He does two to three mitral valve repairs a week. He also does robotic mitral valve repairs, and seems to think I am a prime candidate for robotic surgery.

We had a very long talk, and I came away with a lot to think about. He has done 30 robotic surgeries in the last year or so, and has had no complications or reoperations. Of course, he very carefully selects who he will do robotic surgery on, so it’s probably not surprising that he’s getting good results.

However, I’m satisfied with him; at this point it’s just a matter of whether to have regular surgery or robotic surgery, and that’s what I’ve been pondering this weekend.

On the pro side (for robotic surgery):

• the incisions are much smaller, and don’t involve cutting through the chest and sternum
• the recovery time is shorter
• when done well, it has the potential for better results.

On the down side:

• the bypass pump time is longer, which increases the possibility of stroke
• it’s still new and evolving; there is not as much experience with this type of cardiac surgery.

On the side of regular surgery:

• the bypass pump time is shorter
• it’s the “tried and true” method.

The downside of regular surgery:

• the sternum is cut open
• everything is open (and therefore more open to infection)
• longer recovery time

And so I will ponder until Monday morning, when I will call to find out when surgery can be scheduled. I’m hoping for this week.

I know what you’re all thinking: yes, this doctor takes my variety of Cigna, and Cigna has told me the hospital is within my area. So I will try again…

Finally ready (08/28/04 archive)

 

Finally ready

Date: 8/28/04 at 9:46PM

I spent most of the day Friday in Hollywood being poked, jabbed, stuck, probed and interrogated, otherwise known as going through pre-registration. But they finally got all the information they need.

Well, almost.

They still want a pregnancy test Tuesday morning when I go in for surgery. That, more than anything else, just boggles my mind. But they want to be thorough.

Cigna provided humor for the week: when contacted for authorization for the surgery, they said I can’t do that while I’m on their “guesting” plan in Tennessee.

Oh, What a beautiful Morning (09/01/04 archive)

 

Oh, What a beautiful Morning

Date: 9/1/04 at 10:59AM

Sept. 1, 2004
Hollywood, FL
On post operation day 1 Carol has had the endotrachial tube removed, has sat in a chair for about 4 hours, recognized from the chest X-ray on the view box in her room that she did not have a valve replacement but a valve repair, has had breakfast, is talking with a sore throat, and seems to be returning to usual self. At the moment she is being moved out of the ICU to a regular room and has had the chest drainage tube removed.
Her sister, Marilyn Bean Oscar, is with her most of the time and reports a very good attitude, interest in her boys at home and fully aware of all around her. She does have some post op pain which is being medicated, and is dizzy-an expected symptom with this type of surgery.
The schedule indicates she will be walking today.
My what a beautiful morning.
Bill Bean

Progress in slow motion (09/19/04 archive)

Progress in slow motion

Date: 9/19/04 at 3:04PM

I am still recovering from the surgery. Ever so slowly. Nobody seems to be bothered by this except me, though.The cardiologist changed the beta-blocker to what I had been taking before the surgery. It’s a little better, but I still don’t seem to have much energy. Of course, I seem to be the only one surprised by this.

There was no significant damage from Frances (except it did take out my favorite grapefruit tree and some coconut palms — coconuts, anyone?). I have been watching everyone else working hard in the yard to clean up the mess, and feeling very guilty. The last of it is being finished up today (setting up the fences that were blown down).

It looks like another two weeks or so for me…

Waiting for the second shoe to drop… (09/25/04 archive)

Waiting for the second shoe to drop…

Date: 9/25/04 at 10:06AM

Although I’m getting some energy back, I still feel pretty useless as I watch everyone working to get the house ready again for the hurricane (Jeanne).I get to sit at the computer and give everyone updates from the national hurricane center website. I’m probably doing more than my share of worrying, since there’s nothing else for me to do.

The wind started early this morning. Now we’re getting some of the rain.

Smacked by the second shoe… (09/27/04 archive)

Smacked by the second shoe…

Date: 9/27/04 at 5:14PM

Hurricane Jeanne was really powerful. Fortunately the winds were from the west, then south, where we had the most protection. After Hurricane Frances, it didn’t seem like there could be any more to blow down, but Jeanne managed. We lost a couple more trees here, and one at my house, but both houses were unharmed.

I’ve got more energy (this is a relative assessment, since I still seem to need a lot of sleep), and am feeling much better. But my role in the post-hurricane cleanup is still “sit and watch.”

At least I can see some progress now, although I’m told my heart will be not just healing, but re-molding itself for quite a while back into an efficient model. Meanwhile, the doctors’ orders are to keep doing what I’m doing (nothing) and enjoy it.