I'm free!

What a week I have had!

Last Friday (May 14) I was admitted to the hospital. I thought my cardiologist would think it was something significant, but that I would be out on pills for a while to relax the breathing. It astounded all of us just how drastically my aortic valve stenosis (thickening) went from mild to very severe (3 years for me, often 20-30 gradual years for everyone else.

Saturday night mom and dad flew up from Homer and picked up Quin. They then all drove in my car to Seward to pick up stuff for her and then they drove on to Homer. They have all been having a good time--she is still there & mom send me pictures every other day of what they have been doing.

After they left (last Saturday) around noon they took me for an angiogram to see if my heart was strong enough.

Technique

Access to the valve was gained through the right femoral artery, to look at the left side of the heart and the arterial system as well as pushed into the lungs. Using a system of guide wires and catheters (pushed up through that artery all the way though the cambers of the heart, a type of contrast agent (which shows up by absorbing the x-rays), is added to the blood to make it visible on the x-ray images. ~adapted for wikipedia

They found that everything looked good--strong heart muscles, clean veins & arteries. My aortic root above the valve was found to be enlarged (at least doubled in size) and they thought they might have to repair or replace that part as well.

Sunday I just had some x-rays and blood work done. The surgeon cam in several time to talk with me and show me the different types of valves. Because of my young age, we opted for the mechanical vale. It is wrapped w/carbon filament and is the most long lasting.

It has taken me 25 minutes just two write all of this so far--I am not on my own computer & am on pain killers.

Monday Phil showed up at 6:30 a.m. They took me at about 7:30 a.m. I remember entering the room and some gentle preparation--nothing more.

I woke up in the ICU. I had a breathing tube down my throat which was very uncomfortable and meant I couldn't talk. Phil was right there, looking down at me, squeezing my hand and being very reassuring,

I am finding it increasingly hard to type, so I will expand on this tomorrow. Just quickly, I was in the ICU 2 days, then the normal care unit for 4 days and was discharged yesterday. I am in lot of pain, as they cut though your sternum & it take a long time to fix that. Thank goodness for pain killers. I was discharged late afternoon Sunday. We are staying t the Hickel House (click on the link to see) until at least Tuesday to follow up with the surgeon. It is nice here. Finally today, after a week, I can take a shower and have no needles in me.

I am very grateful for the hospital staff, for my parents and to Phil who has been a friend and a help to his "patient".

I now have a big, new, red scar 9 inches down my chest and some smaller scars below from the drainage tubes and from where they pulled out the pacer wires (for a temporary external pacemaker). I gained about 18 pounds from surgery from all the fluids pumped in, so I am on medicine to get me to pee a lot to reduce the water swelling,

The wedding is still planned for July 9 in Homer.

Unexpected Heart Surgery

Well, I am in the hospital in Anchorage. I have had a hard time breathing lately and it turns out that my aortic valve which used to have mild stenosis(hardening) now has severe stenosis. The valve (which is bicuspid rather than tricuspid) is barely opening and blood is not pumping through well.

Today I am having an angiogram where they use a catheter to look at my heart and make sure I am good for surgery. After that I talk to the surgeon and should have open heart surgery on Monday or Tuesday. I still don't know if I will have a mechanical or tissue valve--probably mechanical will be recommended for me.

I should be in the hospital for 4-5 days. I am at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. My parents flew up today and got Quin, who will be staying with them in Homer for the next week or so. After I get out mom & Quin will come over and take care of me at home.

Phil is here with me now and will come back up for the surgery. He has to work a few days next week, but will come back up when he can and will be here when I get discharged.

You can call our house/Phil if you want more info/updates or email my parents at: dan@kachecab.com

I am a little scared, but know that this is a quality facility and I am being well cared for.

I hope to get to write more soon.

~Naomi

Finally moved

We are finally all done moving. Granted, our garage is now full of boxes that will probably take all summer to go through, but at least we are out of there and all the packing and carting is over.

It is a beautiful day today, which is great after we have had weeks of rain. Our yard is almost clear of snow. We have a great back yard, complete with a campground-like park setting with a picnic table and fire pit.

Tomorrow is Family Day! It was one year ago that we met Quin and became a family. The 8th grade is going on a field trip to Anchorage tomorrow and Quin is coming with us. We are going to the newly opened planetarium and to the zoo. It should be lots of fun. In the evening, if Phil doesn't get called in to work, we are going to go out to dinner for Chinese food and have a special celebration for just the three of us.