Katie O-K

Katie's surgery went as well as could be. They removed all three lesions, and there was minimum to no brain damage. She'll be up and walking today, and out of ICU too. So, thanks to everyone for keeping her in your thoughts, and a big thanks to everyone who offered up miles. It seems that the response was so good for that, that they're all set for now.

In Chris News:
So, I had originally scheduled my surgery for Monday, May 18. However, prior to the surgery, I need to have a Heart Catheterization. Which sounds like an awful lot of fun! Basically, they shove a catheter into my leg, and up my femoral artery. This will then travel up above my heart, where it will inject dye into the aforementioned heart. Then, my heart is the subject of a photo shoot, designed to tell if there are other problems (blockages in my arteries, aneurysms...etc.). I would rather do the CAT scan, but Dr. Goober feels that, since I'm an athlete, the catheter is a better option. I don't know why. Goober...that's just funny.

SO, anyway, the surgery is now tentatively on the 19th, and the HC is going to be on the 18th.


Oh yea...I'm having the surgery at Porter Hospital. And I still don't know what valve to choose. But with all the swine flu going around, I should probably go bovine. It's not actually a cow valve, but rather a valve constructed from the heart tissue of a cow.

Hey...here is something interesting:

Surgical Technique for Aortic Valve Replacement:

Aortic valve replacement requires the use of a general anesthetic. Once the patient is asleep, the chest is opened and the heart is exposed. Patients are placed on the heart lung machine by placing catheters in the aorta and right atrium. The heart-lung machine does the work of the heart and lungs so that blood can be redirected from the heart. Once the patient is placed on the heart lung machine a clamp is placed on the aorta to stop blood flow into the heart. This allows surgeons to work on a motionless heart devoid of blood. The aortic valve is exposed by opening the ascending aorta. The diseased valve leaflets are removed. Sutures with Teflon felt bolsters (pledgets) are placed along the rim of tissue where the native valve was once attached. Sutures are then passed through the prosthetic valve. Prosthetic valve is then secured in place by tying the sutures. The aorta is then closed and the clamp removed from the aorta. This allows blood flow to resume to the heart and the heart begins to beat. Any air is evacuated from the heart; the support of the heart lung machine is withdrawn. Temporary pacing wires are placed, drainage tubes inserted, and the incisions are closed. The patient is then taken to the intensive care unit for recovery.

Sounds easy enough, eh?