Well, the doctors have finally decided. Sometime within the next week or two, I’ll be receiving a stent that should correct the heart blockage. Once that stabilizes, in 3-6 months, they’ll do the open heart surgery for the aneurysm and the leaky valve.
I’m grateful for doctors who are thoughtful and not given to a gung-ho philosophy toward surgery. And I’m grateful for the time to process this internally. I’ve gone through most of the grief process, and we do grieve when our bodies fail us. I believe I will be grieving also for the loss of butter and steak. That will take a while.
And I’m grateful to live in a time when medicine offers these options. Both my parents, my uncle, and one of my grandparents died of heart issues. We live in a different world, now, thank God.
Mostly, I’m grateful for the care and love you’ve all poured on me. I have no words but thank you. We’ll keep you posted on dates.
Ellen, there is a somewhat experimental medical study presently in the USA that replaces valves via catheter and goes through the aorta and the chest is not opened. It was done in Baton Rouge this week with a friend. She went home in 24 hours. The process may be available close to you.
I do wish that were an option. They can do that, but not with an ascending aorta aneurysm which is what I have. They are doing that with the blockage, for which I am grateful.
Indeed, you (and all of us) have so much to be grateful for, even in the face of adversity. Here’s to your return to good heart health!
I love your sense of humor, Ellen, even in difficult times! May God bless you with a full recovery and a long life! 🙂