Heart Surgery is usually associated with being overweight. The instructions I was given when I was released from the hospital warn of the dire consequences of rapid weight gain after surgery. I wish I had that problem, I could be mistaken for a lamppost. As part of normal hospital procedure a nutritionist visited me just before I was released from the hospital to coach me on a low-fat diet. She weighed more than me. Even the hospital doesn't seem to know what to do with a skinny heart patient.
Lewis Grizzard often commented about how skinny he was. He claims to have been 160 pounds and 6' 1” tall. That's 3inches taller than me. Most of my adult life I've been just a shade under 150. I don't have data to back this up, but I suspect that Lewis and I are the two skinniest guys to ever have heart surgery. At least Lewis had a benefit to his defective valve – it kept him out of Vietnam.
One guy who has never been called skinny is my friend Joe Edenfield. Joe is on the other end of the spectrum. Two guys the size of Lewis and I could play cards behind Joe and no one would know we were there. Joe came by for a visit today. I don't think there is medicine any better than a long chat with an old friend on a warm day. I've known Joe since elementary school. In high school we were on the wrestling team together. Wrestlers compete in ascending order of weight class, I went first – Joe last. Joe said that if Endocarditis had attacked him his body would have assumed the bacteria was calories and he would have gained 40 pounds.
In 7th grade gym class the coach had us get into two lines and run the 50-yard-dash. Seeing that I was lined-up beside Joe, I figured I had an easy win. To my surprise I learned that some big guys can be quite explosive and move pretty fast over a short distance. I spent the rest of that day and most of the next being taunted by classmates. I had been beaten by the guy the gym teacher had nicknamed – Harpoon. The night before my brother David's 2005 wedding a group of old friends were drinking beer and smoking cigars. I challenged Joe to a rematch of that race 33 years ago. I'm pretty sure I could have taken him. Fortunately, Joe's too smart (and the most sober one there) so we didn't end up making fools of ourselves that night.
In school the fat kids get taunted mercilessly. I don't know how, but Joe always kept his cool. Well except for one incident when a classmate got a well deserved swirly in the boys room, Joe got the best kind of revenge, he ignored the taunters, accepted what genetics had dealt him, and went on to live an exemplary life. He's a successful IT professional with a lovely wife and family. I admire him and glad to call him a friend. Although, I was disappointed that today I was unable to accept his challenge to rerun the 50-yard-dash.
My point in all this is that a few months ago no one looking at the two of us would have believed that Joe would be visiting me after heart surgery, the other way around would have seemed more likely. I could let myself get depressed and ask, why me? But I'd rather follow Joe's example. Genetics set me up with that defective valve, the bacteria did the dirty work. It was all just a roll of the dice. I hope I handle my setback with the same attitude Joe always has.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Space Shuttle
We watched the Space Shuttle launch in the back yard. It was a spectacular site. At this distance (about 150 miles) we can only see it under ideal conditions. This evening our skies were clear and it was just getting dark for the 7:43pm launch.
I did not know if I would ever have the chance to see a launch again. I've seen about 10. The last one I saw a launch it was the ill-fated Challenger that exploded 23 years ago. At that time I was living in Melbourne, Florida about 25 miles south of the cape. (by coincidence, I've also lived in Melbourne, Australia.) My co-workers and I left the office to watch the launch from the building parking lot. The explosion left a great cloud of smoke that remained in the sky the rest of that cold day.
Today's launch was perfect. I'm glad that I lived to see it and that I won't any longer say that the last time I saw the shuttle launch it exploded. Well done NASA!
I did not know if I would ever have the chance to see a launch again. I've seen about 10. The last one I saw a launch it was the ill-fated Challenger that exploded 23 years ago. At that time I was living in Melbourne, Florida about 25 miles south of the cape. (by coincidence, I've also lived in Melbourne, Australia.) My co-workers and I left the office to watch the launch from the building parking lot. The explosion left a great cloud of smoke that remained in the sky the rest of that cold day.
Today's launch was perfect. I'm glad that I lived to see it and that I won't any longer say that the last time I saw the shuttle launch it exploded. Well done NASA!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Lewis's Finger
About two months after his near-fatal heart surgery, Lewis Grizzard was busy banging out a book on his ancient manual typewriter. He was on a mission to complete his book about his heart surgery as quickly as possible, hopefully before his finger fell off. You see, while Lewis was out of it, a small blood clot broke lose and lodged in his right index finger, actually his favorite finger. This finger was completely black and doctors told Lewis it should be amputated soon. If left alone, Doctors warned, the finger would become very painful, and fall off anyway. Lewis gave the Doctors a response I don't want to print in a family blog.
Knowing that without his favorite finger, completing his book would be nearly impossible, Lewis wrote furiously. In spite of his terrible condition, abandoning the book was not an option since Lewis had already spent his advance check. So he typed furiously and completed the book before losing his finger. As we know the finger proved to be a minor consideration since Lewis would be dead in less than a year. Incidentally, that typewriter is now on exhibit at the Lewis Grizzard museum in his hometown of Moreland, Georgia.
I have a sore left pinky for reasons I can't explain, but it looks normal and I'm pretty sure it won't fall off. Thankfully, no clots damaged any of my appendages. But without the deadline of a book to publish or a finger in imminent danger I'm not banging out the words at anywhere near Lewis's pace.
I have kicked the narcotic pain killers. Thank God for those little pills. Surgeons split my chest wide open, fiddled around up to their elbow for seven hours, then two days later slit my chest open again to slip in a device the size of a pocket watch. This left me sore as hell. I bet even John Wayne would have been ornery. Being hit by a train may have been less painful. But those magic little pills kept the pain at bay. They also called my name from the other room. I could hear the bottle saying “Ken – time for another dose.” My little pills kept me sleeping without too much discomfort, but my brain function was bordering on stupid. I can see how people get addicted to these things – not to mention any names, but a prominent radio talk show host comes to mind.
Lewis was proud of his crossword puzzle skills. His surgery disaster deprived his brain of oxygenated blood for an extended time. He emerged with his writing ability in tact, but he could no longer solve a crossword puzzle. I was never very good at crossword puzzles, but I can do a Sudoku pretty fast. To test my intellectual skills I've done several and I'm glad to report that at least that part of my intellectual ability still works. I also spent a few minutes on my 2008 tax return today – only to find out I am way too stupid to understand our tax forms. But I'm pretty sure that was the case before the surgery. You would think they would throw in an accountant to do your taxes for you when you have open-heart surgery. That should be part of the deal.
The incision on my chest no longer aches, but is sensitive as hell to touch. I'm able to walk and ride the stationary bike at a slow pace. The idea or running is still off in the future. While on my walks around the block I hope no one needs to be rescued from a burning house since I'm not physically up to it. I was physically up to a trip to Olive Garden today where I gorged on pasta, alas I didn't help me gain any weight. More on that later.
Knowing that without his favorite finger, completing his book would be nearly impossible, Lewis wrote furiously. In spite of his terrible condition, abandoning the book was not an option since Lewis had already spent his advance check. So he typed furiously and completed the book before losing his finger. As we know the finger proved to be a minor consideration since Lewis would be dead in less than a year. Incidentally, that typewriter is now on exhibit at the Lewis Grizzard museum in his hometown of Moreland, Georgia.
I have a sore left pinky for reasons I can't explain, but it looks normal and I'm pretty sure it won't fall off. Thankfully, no clots damaged any of my appendages. But without the deadline of a book to publish or a finger in imminent danger I'm not banging out the words at anywhere near Lewis's pace.
I have kicked the narcotic pain killers. Thank God for those little pills. Surgeons split my chest wide open, fiddled around up to their elbow for seven hours, then two days later slit my chest open again to slip in a device the size of a pocket watch. This left me sore as hell. I bet even John Wayne would have been ornery. Being hit by a train may have been less painful. But those magic little pills kept the pain at bay. They also called my name from the other room. I could hear the bottle saying “Ken – time for another dose.” My little pills kept me sleeping without too much discomfort, but my brain function was bordering on stupid. I can see how people get addicted to these things – not to mention any names, but a prominent radio talk show host comes to mind.
Lewis was proud of his crossword puzzle skills. His surgery disaster deprived his brain of oxygenated blood for an extended time. He emerged with his writing ability in tact, but he could no longer solve a crossword puzzle. I was never very good at crossword puzzles, but I can do a Sudoku pretty fast. To test my intellectual skills I've done several and I'm glad to report that at least that part of my intellectual ability still works. I also spent a few minutes on my 2008 tax return today – only to find out I am way too stupid to understand our tax forms. But I'm pretty sure that was the case before the surgery. You would think they would throw in an accountant to do your taxes for you when you have open-heart surgery. That should be part of the deal.
The incision on my chest no longer aches, but is sensitive as hell to touch. I'm able to walk and ride the stationary bike at a slow pace. The idea or running is still off in the future. While on my walks around the block I hope no one needs to be rescued from a burning house since I'm not physically up to it. I was physically up to a trip to Olive Garden today where I gorged on pasta, alas I didn't help me gain any weight. More on that later.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
A minor setback, but I'm better now
I've been told to expect ups and downs during the recovery process. Friday was one of the downs, but today (Sunday) was a very good day. So the progress is forward.
Friday evening I was not feeling well and my left arm was in a lot of pain. Left arm pain is a symptom of heart attack. My left arm had swollen during surgery and had a small blood clot in the days after surgery. But the swelling had gone away at least a week ago. As instructed I called the doctor and his advise was to get into the emergency room. Dad was dressed and had the car started in about 3 minutes. My heart was checked out, first by the emergency room doctor, then by two members of the cardiology team who were called in. Thank God, there was no heart issues. They kept me under observation for five hours just to make sure nothing was wrong. Needless to say Dad and I got almost no sleep, but we still felt that the doctor was right to tell me to go in.
So the mystery of the left arm pain remains, but when I woke up today the pain was gone. Tomorrow the doctors want to check me out again. On the positive side, the weather today was beautiful, Mom and I had a couple of pretty long walks, and I had two good sessions on the stationary bike.
Friday evening I was not feeling well and my left arm was in a lot of pain. Left arm pain is a symptom of heart attack. My left arm had swollen during surgery and had a small blood clot in the days after surgery. But the swelling had gone away at least a week ago. As instructed I called the doctor and his advise was to get into the emergency room. Dad was dressed and had the car started in about 3 minutes. My heart was checked out, first by the emergency room doctor, then by two members of the cardiology team who were called in. Thank God, there was no heart issues. They kept me under observation for five hours just to make sure nothing was wrong. Needless to say Dad and I got almost no sleep, but we still felt that the doctor was right to tell me to go in.
So the mystery of the left arm pain remains, but when I woke up today the pain was gone. Tomorrow the doctors want to check me out again. On the positive side, the weather today was beautiful, Mom and I had a couple of pretty long walks, and I had two good sessions on the stationary bike.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lewis Grizzard and I have company
Seems like I'm always being upstaged. Or maybe I'm a trendsetter.
Robin Williams is due to have Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery. It sounds like he has the more common problem of the valve wearing down over time, as opposed to the bacterial assault that infected Lewis Grizzard and me. If a sense of humor will help get you through it then who could be expected to have a better outcome than Robin Williams. On second thought, it didn't do Lewis much good. So who knows.
Former first lady Barbara Bush also had her aortic valve replaced this week. She is 83. She has my respect if she can handle it at that age.
If more people start having heart surgery, maybe that vertical scar down the center of the chest will become fashionable. One day people may ask me if it is real of if I just had a tattoo to make it look like I had a cool surgery. Of course, I can also show off the horizontal scar where the pacemaker went in.
Robin Williams is due to have Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery. It sounds like he has the more common problem of the valve wearing down over time, as opposed to the bacterial assault that infected Lewis Grizzard and me. If a sense of humor will help get you through it then who could be expected to have a better outcome than Robin Williams. On second thought, it didn't do Lewis much good. So who knows.
Former first lady Barbara Bush also had her aortic valve replaced this week. She is 83. She has my respect if she can handle it at that age.
If more people start having heart surgery, maybe that vertical scar down the center of the chest will become fashionable. One day people may ask me if it is real of if I just had a tattoo to make it look like I had a cool surgery. Of course, I can also show off the horizontal scar where the pacemaker went in.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Food
Lewis Grizzard wrote a column once explaining the proper way to make cornbread. All too often, sugar is added into cornbread in the misguided attempt to turn it into some kind of sweet dessert. Lewis even claimed that the bible said "Thou shalt not add sugar to cornbread." However, I'm unable to find the chapter and verse.
I'm very lucky that Mom cooks it the proper southern way. In fact, her only serious rival was my late Grandmother. Mom made cornbread tonight and also sauteed some vegetables. Dad grilled Salmon outside to absolute perfection. Something about the combination was magical. It was the first time since the surgery that food tasted good. I mean really good.
Anyone who knows me knows I like to eat. I also get hunger pains earlier than anyone else. An accident of genetics gives me the ability to eat all I want and never gain any weight. It also means I burn up whatever I eat and so I can't go very long without eating. Between the surgery and the medications I'm on, I have not felt hungry or enjoyed food much at all. Mostly, I only ate because I knew it was time to. Until now, fresh fruit was the only thing that tasted really good. Tonight that changed. I really enjoyed my dinner.
The infection caused me to lose about 15 pounds off my normal weight. Normal for me being very skinny to start with. I gained about half of that back between the time the infection was treated and the surgery. Since the surgery I lost it all back. Hopefully, today signals the start of some serious eating! I really need to put on some pounds.
Hey Mom, What's for dessert?
I'm very lucky that Mom cooks it the proper southern way. In fact, her only serious rival was my late Grandmother. Mom made cornbread tonight and also sauteed some vegetables. Dad grilled Salmon outside to absolute perfection. Something about the combination was magical. It was the first time since the surgery that food tasted good. I mean really good.
Anyone who knows me knows I like to eat. I also get hunger pains earlier than anyone else. An accident of genetics gives me the ability to eat all I want and never gain any weight. It also means I burn up whatever I eat and so I can't go very long without eating. Between the surgery and the medications I'm on, I have not felt hungry or enjoyed food much at all. Mostly, I only ate because I knew it was time to. Until now, fresh fruit was the only thing that tasted really good. Tonight that changed. I really enjoyed my dinner.
The infection caused me to lose about 15 pounds off my normal weight. Normal for me being very skinny to start with. I gained about half of that back between the time the infection was treated and the surgery. Since the surgery I lost it all back. Hopefully, today signals the start of some serious eating! I really need to put on some pounds.
Hey Mom, What's for dessert?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The Two Week Mark
I am pleased (more than you know) to to report that there have been no further complications since my 24-second "vacation." I intended to write lots of blog entries but since coming home I have mostly been sleeping. I never slept this much in my life. Doctors tell me that is a very good sign. I've cut the use of pain medications down to about one quarter of what I was taking when I first came home. To protect my delicate sternum I am under a five pound limit for lifting anything. Driving will be out for at least 2-3 more weeks.
Dad took a photo of me with my shirt off, showing my scar. I'm not sure if I feel worse or look worse. I thought about posting it, but it is a frightening site, so I decided to wait on that. I know that a few months from now it will be a source of pride that I worked my way back from such a low point.
I've been able to walk pretty well since coming home. I usually have two walks a day around the neighborhood. Mom usually goes with me, but Dad does sometimes. On Friday Dad gave me a special treat. We drove to the beach and walked. It felt so good, but I was beat afterward. Sunday I found out just how far I have to go on my recovery. I got on the stationary bike for about 4 minutes and I was spent. The next fifteen minutes - I coughed. My lungs clearly need lots of work. Saturday also brought back an old nemesis, lower back pain. All those days of laying in bed and sitting in the chair agravated an old nerve that I have worked hard to put at bay over the years. Unfortunately, I can't do my normal yoga and swimming routines that keep my back in shape. Dad has been helping me stretch as much as possible and it is helping.
Monday was a better day. I was able to stretch out my back and reduce the pain, I also had a much better time on the bike. Today I had two good sessions on the bike. I have strict instructions not to let my heart rate exceed 130 beats per minute. I've been able to go about 20 minutes on the bike at a slow pace and keep the heart rate around 120 beats. They tell me this is good progress. Even though it is hard, I need to be on that bike at least twice a day. Maybe it will be a little easier when Florida weather returns later this week. It has been unusually cold.
I'm slowly getting used to my "bionic" heart valve. When it is quiet I hear it beating, like having a ticking clock in the room. They tell me that over time my brain will filter it out. Sometimes it gets on my nerves, but it also reminds me - "Hey Ken - you are alive!"
Dad took a photo of me with my shirt off, showing my scar. I'm not sure if I feel worse or look worse. I thought about posting it, but it is a frightening site, so I decided to wait on that. I know that a few months from now it will be a source of pride that I worked my way back from such a low point.
I've been able to walk pretty well since coming home. I usually have two walks a day around the neighborhood. Mom usually goes with me, but Dad does sometimes. On Friday Dad gave me a special treat. We drove to the beach and walked. It felt so good, but I was beat afterward. Sunday I found out just how far I have to go on my recovery. I got on the stationary bike for about 4 minutes and I was spent. The next fifteen minutes - I coughed. My lungs clearly need lots of work. Saturday also brought back an old nemesis, lower back pain. All those days of laying in bed and sitting in the chair agravated an old nerve that I have worked hard to put at bay over the years. Unfortunately, I can't do my normal yoga and swimming routines that keep my back in shape. Dad has been helping me stretch as much as possible and it is helping.
Monday was a better day. I was able to stretch out my back and reduce the pain, I also had a much better time on the bike. Today I had two good sessions on the bike. I have strict instructions not to let my heart rate exceed 130 beats per minute. I've been able to go about 20 minutes on the bike at a slow pace and keep the heart rate around 120 beats. They tell me this is good progress. Even though it is hard, I need to be on that bike at least twice a day. Maybe it will be a little easier when Florida weather returns later this week. It has been unusually cold.
I'm slowly getting used to my "bionic" heart valve. When it is quiet I hear it beating, like having a ticking clock in the room. They tell me that over time my brain will filter it out. Sometimes it gets on my nerves, but it also reminds me - "Hey Ken - you are alive!"
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
My Dad
My Dad turned 76 today. It was nice that I could be here to wish him a happy birthday in person. I haven't been able to to that in many years. He spent most of his birthday doing things for me. I had to go back to the hospital to have my blood tested and my blood thinner level adjusted. Dad also helped me with my first shower since coming home. It's a humbling experience to need your Dad to help you in the shower, but my Dad is very patient and we got everything done safely.
So Dad is my hero again, just like he was when I was a kid. I was very lucky to have him for a Dad. He has always been completely devoted to his family. He and Mom have been married 51 years. Mom never had to worry for even a minute that Dad might be up to something he shouldn't be. My sister and two brothers would agree with me - Our Dad is the greatest. He took me on adventures as a kid, taught me to play ball, showed me how to fix things, and always set the best example. So when it was my time to be a father, I mostly did what he did and I think I did alright. So he was, and still is – my hero.
But he was a hero to lots of other people too. Dad was an FBI agent, then later a special investigator for the Florida State Attorney. His work put a lot of bad people in prison. He has several letters from J. Edger Hoover thanking him for his work on specific cases. Mr. Hoover also sent Dad a congratulatory letter when I was born. It is one of my most important possessions.
In 1977, Dad was on the front cover newspapers all across the country. A young mother of two was abducted from her Jacksonville, FL home and held for ransom. Dad was one of the two agents that brought Jack McWilliams into the Federal Courthouse to face kidnapping charges. The scoundrel was convicted and is still in prison today. The young woman was found alive on the third day. She had been bound, gaged, tied to a tree, and left for dead in the woods. She is still alive today. My Dad was one of the real heroes behind a happy ending.
I'm really glad my hero is still here with me. He's good health is a real blessing, and the result of his healthy lifestyle. Hopefully, my new heart repairs will help me stay as healthy as he is.
So Happy Birthday Dad, and thanks for being my hero.
So Dad is my hero again, just like he was when I was a kid. I was very lucky to have him for a Dad. He has always been completely devoted to his family. He and Mom have been married 51 years. Mom never had to worry for even a minute that Dad might be up to something he shouldn't be. My sister and two brothers would agree with me - Our Dad is the greatest. He took me on adventures as a kid, taught me to play ball, showed me how to fix things, and always set the best example. So when it was my time to be a father, I mostly did what he did and I think I did alright. So he was, and still is – my hero.
But he was a hero to lots of other people too. Dad was an FBI agent, then later a special investigator for the Florida State Attorney. His work put a lot of bad people in prison. He has several letters from J. Edger Hoover thanking him for his work on specific cases. Mr. Hoover also sent Dad a congratulatory letter when I was born. It is one of my most important possessions.
In 1977, Dad was on the front cover newspapers all across the country. A young mother of two was abducted from her Jacksonville, FL home and held for ransom. Dad was one of the two agents that brought Jack McWilliams into the Federal Courthouse to face kidnapping charges. The scoundrel was convicted and is still in prison today. The young woman was found alive on the third day. She had been bound, gaged, tied to a tree, and left for dead in the woods. She is still alive today. My Dad was one of the real heroes behind a happy ending.
I'm really glad my hero is still here with me. He's good health is a real blessing, and the result of his healthy lifestyle. Hopefully, my new heart repairs will help me stay as healthy as he is.
So Happy Birthday Dad, and thanks for being my hero.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The six-day Blur
Shortly before 5:00PM Monday, almost exactly six days and 12 hours after we left for the hospital I arrived back at Mom & Dad’s home. Dad unpacked the car while Mom and I took a walk around the neighborhood. A kind neighbor had made Lasagna and salad for our first dinner. We watched a DVD and I had my first full night sleep in a week. A real sense of calm came over me and the realization finally set in – I survived it.
Through the fog of pain and pain medications, I have a hard time reconstructing what happened and when. Time simultaneously, dragged and raced. I spent a great deal of time with my headphones on listening to my iPod. Sometimes music, but mostly I listened to an audio-book that I had downloaded just before going into the hospital. The Places in Between, by Rory Stewart, Is a fantastic tale of this Scotsman's walk across Afghanistan, beginning shortly after the fall of the Taliban. I will have to start the book over because my retention was almost nil. It did serve as the backdrop for some fantastic drug-induced dreams with talking camels and meanderings through never-ending caves, and smoky coffee houses with bad guys lurking in every corner. So my heart surgery journey with a predictive positive outcome around 98%, is linked in my mind with his journey that had a survival outcome of less than 1%. Yet we both emerged from it. My journey was a no-brainer - it had to be done. I never will understand what drove him, but I do admire his courage.
The most striking thing to me is how many people at the Mayo Clinic touched my life in the last week. A few I hope I never forget, like Brenda Blevins the Intensive Care Nurse that took care of my every need for three nights. Others came and went quickly, their names can’t recall even now and their faces will no doubt soon fade away. They checked my vital signs, cleaned my room, or briefly examined me. If I were to make a guess, I would say about 200 people came into contact with me, but the real number could have been half or twice that. As I’m writing this no doubt another patient has taken my place and is undergoing heart surgery today.
By far the most uplifting thing for me was when medical students were brought in by the doctors to examine me. The doctors always ask your permission first and then each one of the students will also ask also. I enjoy the thought that years from now one of these students will see a person with and odd combination of symptoms, think to check for aortic valve regurgitation, put two-and-two together quickly enough to kill off the bacteria before it has damaged someone’s heart. Or better yet, one of these students may be the one to develop the molecular therapies that fix heart defective valve problems in early childhood.
Of course, I’m disappointed that the surgery revealed more extensive damage inside my heart than was detected by the TEE test. The need for the second surgery with a pacemaker was an extra blow that my body has to deal with. But the system worked from me this time. All those people were in place with the skills and resources necessary to fix my heart and I thank God for all of them. My problem was found in time and the repair was successful. Now I need to get busy rebuilding my respiratory system and caring for my broken sternum.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Better day today
We arrived early this morning to find Ken feeling better but very woozy from the sedatives. His pacemaker surgery went well. He now has a Boston Scientific pacemaker implanted under the skin with a wire to the heart so that he never has to experience a stoppage. If the heart fails to beat for more than two seconds it will kick in.
They want him to keep the arm on that side immobile for ten days to give the wires time to set in place. He has a "sling" for that arm. At first he said they made him wear a cast-like contraption that was very uncomfortable (invented by the nazis, according to Ken) but after he threw a "tantrum' they replaced it with the sling if he promised not to move his arm. (Oh, yes, he is feeling better!) He is unable to use his laptop in this condition so I am the deicated "blogger" for now. He was moved out of ICU about 4 this afternoon and most of the tubes and bandages were removed.
The only issue that is bugging him now is they administered a diruretic to clear his body of fluids to prevent swelling around the heart. The diruretic causes him to pee literally every 5 minutes. He has let everyone know how stupid that was since he was going fine on his own. Talk about pissin' and moanin'!!!!
He should be coming home in two or three days. Pray for me.
Mary
They want him to keep the arm on that side immobile for ten days to give the wires time to set in place. He has a "sling" for that arm. At first he said they made him wear a cast-like contraption that was very uncomfortable (invented by the nazis, according to Ken) but after he threw a "tantrum' they replaced it with the sling if he promised not to move his arm. (Oh, yes, he is feeling better!) He is unable to use his laptop in this condition so I am the deicated "blogger" for now. He was moved out of ICU about 4 this afternoon and most of the tubes and bandages were removed.
The only issue that is bugging him now is they administered a diruretic to clear his body of fluids to prevent swelling around the heart. The diruretic causes him to pee literally every 5 minutes. He has let everyone know how stupid that was since he was going fine on his own. Talk about pissin' and moanin'!!!!
He should be coming home in two or three days. Pray for me.
Mary
Friday, February 20, 2009
Scared to Death!!
When we left Ken yesterday he was feeling good (well, relatively speaking), eating, talking, moving around, etc. I was preparing to leave for the hospital this morning this morning at 7 am when the phone rang. It was Ken with the news that his heart had stopped during the night - Mine almost did too when I heard that news. We both went over there and were able to have a conference with both his heart surgeon and the "electric engineer of heart surgery", Dr. Fred Kusomodo. (yes, Fred). He explained that the electric system had shut down and they needed to insert a pacemaker to prevent a recurrence.
They took him to surgery at 1:00 and he came out at 5. He was out like a light. The doctor told us he did fine and everything would be ok - so now he has a "back-up" just in case it should happen again, which he felt was very unlikely.
When we got home, our friends Cindy and Bob had prepared a delicious dinner for us! Welcome sight!
I am using Ken's PC which is not easy for a long-time Mac User!!!
More tomorrow.
Mary
They will keep him in the ICU a couple more days.
They took him to surgery at 1:00 and he came out at 5. He was out like a light. The doctor told us he did fine and everything would be ok - so now he has a "back-up" just in case it should happen again, which he felt was very unlikely.
When we got home, our friends Cindy and Bob had prepared a delicious dinner for us! Welcome sight!
I am using Ken's PC which is not easy for a long-time Mac User!!!
More tomorrow.
Mary
They will keep him in the ICU a couple more days.
24 Seconds
I'm finally able to type my own blog entry. I'm glad my Mom was able to do that for me. My commmnets may not make much sense becauso of the pain medication and thje monitor attached to my right index finger. Mom says I'm ornery, well I'd like to know who wouldn't be. Open-heart surgery HURTS!
I sincerely appreciate all the nice comments. Thanks to everyone that took the time to write a note and keep me in yoiur prayers.
When Lewis Grizzard had his heart valve replaced, his heart just refused to restart. For several days that he was kept on a combination of heart lung machines and artifiial pumps. Lewis has me beat again. My heart started just fine. Everyuhing seemed to be going to plan. The nerses make me get uip walk about 200 feet three times yesterday. After mye evning walk last night for no apparent reason my heart just stopped - for 24 seconds! That does not sound very long, but it scared the hell out of me. I had about 6 nurses frantically running around my room. Thankfully, it started itselft back up. I guess the thing just needed to reboot.
The doctors suspect that the extensive scar tissue from my infection caused this. tell me that that wandering around with a heart that inexplicably stops and starts is not a good thing. They had so much fun have doing the first operation they figured, what the heck let's do another one.
So now I am off to the operating room for two more hours.
I sincerely appreciate all the nice comments. Thanks to everyone that took the time to write a note and keep me in yoiur prayers.
When Lewis Grizzard had his heart valve replaced, his heart just refused to restart. For several days that he was kept on a combination of heart lung machines and artifiial pumps. Lewis has me beat again. My heart started just fine. Everyuhing seemed to be going to plan. The nerses make me get uip walk about 200 feet three times yesterday. After mye evning walk last night for no apparent reason my heart just stopped - for 24 seconds! That does not sound very long, but it scared the hell out of me. I had about 6 nurses frantically running around my room. Thankfully, it started itselft back up. I guess the thing just needed to reboot.
The doctors suspect that the extensive scar tissue from my infection caused this. tell me that that wandering around with a heart that inexplicably stops and starts is not a good thing. They had so much fun have doing the first operation they figured, what the heck let's do another one.
So now I am off to the operating room for two more hours.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Ken is much better!
We found him to be much improved today. They removed the pacemaker wire, the catheter and a couple others of which I do not remember the function. He asked for some food because in his words "this hospital food sucks." (We had one breakfast in the cafeteria and we can tell you that is true!) He looked very good for someone who has just recovered from being cut from stem to stern.
He asked for his cell phone and laptop so I expect that by tomorrow he will be writing his own blog.
He will appreciate all your comments. Thanks.
Mary
He asked for his cell phone and laptop so I expect that by tomorrow he will be writing his own blog.
He will appreciate all your comments. Thanks.
Mary
Ken after surgery
We visited Ken this morning and again this afternoon. The am visit found him feeling better than we expected. He was able to sit in a chair and eat some jello. He had a sore throat from a tube they removed. He was having difficulty talking so we did the talking and he listened and nodded. His color looked good and we were pleased with the progress.
This afternoon we found him feeling lousy and his throat was so sore he could not talk at all. He had a note pad and scribbled notes to us. He was in the bed and asked to be put back in the chair as he felt better that way. He did improve after sitting in the chair and actually became a little
"ornery" He felt much better at 7 pm when his favorite nurse, Brenda, came in. God bless Brenda!
She made him feel much better. He ate some soup and drank some Boost and his throat (and attitude) improved greatly. That is it for today. We are very tired!
Mary
This afternoon we found him feeling lousy and his throat was so sore he could not talk at all. He had a note pad and scribbled notes to us. He was in the bed and asked to be put back in the chair as he felt better that way. He did improve after sitting in the chair and actually became a little
"ornery" He felt much better at 7 pm when his favorite nurse, Brenda, came in. God bless Brenda!
She made him feel much better. He ate some soup and drank some Boost and his throat (and attitude) improved greatly. That is it for today. We are very tired!
Mary
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The surgery
I am Ken's mom. We took him to Mayo Clinic at 5:30 this morning (REALLLY). They took him in at 7 am and began surgery shortly after 8. We heard nothing until 2:30 when his doctor took us to the conference room to tell us that the surgery went well, however, they found a much more damaged heart than expected. Seems the infection that he had earlier plus several years of a leaking valve had left much scar tissue and other damage.
They took him to ICU where we saw him a couple of hours later. He was still asleep and the nurse explained they wanted to keep him asleep for a few more hours. They were giving him two units of blood and he has tubes attached. We were told it would be good if we came home and got some sleep and returned tomorrow. He is in good hands and the nurse was excellent. We will go tomorrow morning and hope to find him awake and alert. I will post again tomorrow night.
Mary King
They took him to ICU where we saw him a couple of hours later. He was still asleep and the nurse explained they wanted to keep him asleep for a few more hours. They were giving him two units of blood and he has tubes attached. We were told it would be good if we came home and got some sleep and returned tomorrow. He is in good hands and the nurse was excellent. We will go tomorrow morning and hope to find him awake and alert. I will post again tomorrow night.
Mary King
Monday, February 16, 2009
Only one excuse left
I'm down to my last few hours before surgery. They have almost run out of reasons for delay.
Today, they did warn me of one last possible delay. It seems that in addition to doing heart valve replacements like mine, and other things like coronary bypass, my surgeon is on the heart transplant team. If a a donor heart becomes available for someone in need of a heart transplant, he would have to do that surgery. So unless that happens, my operation starts at 7:30am, Tuesday February 16th.
Hearing that kind of put things in perspective. Fortunately, no one has to die so that my heart can be fixed. My valve will be replaced with one called the St Jude Valve. This mechanical device will outlive me. Since everything else in my heart is just fine, the new valve should do the trick and I'll be as good as new.
Mom and Dad will take me to the hospital in the morning. I need to arrive at 5:30am. Not much point in sleeping tonight since I'll be asleep most of the day tomorrow. I guess I'm as ready as anyone can be.
Today, they did warn me of one last possible delay. It seems that in addition to doing heart valve replacements like mine, and other things like coronary bypass, my surgeon is on the heart transplant team. If a a donor heart becomes available for someone in need of a heart transplant, he would have to do that surgery. So unless that happens, my operation starts at 7:30am, Tuesday February 16th.
Hearing that kind of put things in perspective. Fortunately, no one has to die so that my heart can be fixed. My valve will be replaced with one called the St Jude Valve. This mechanical device will outlive me. Since everything else in my heart is just fine, the new valve should do the trick and I'll be as good as new.
Mom and Dad will take me to the hospital in the morning. I need to arrive at 5:30am. Not much point in sleeping tonight since I'll be asleep most of the day tomorrow. I guess I'm as ready as anyone can be.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Hold Everything - my surgeon has the flu
According to the schedule I should be in the operating room now with surgeons up to their elbows in my chest. But I'm at Mom & Dad's posting a blog entry.
Doctors are like everyone else, when something is going around they get it too. My surgeon is at home in bed with the flu. We have tentatively rescheduled for next Tuesday, but that depends on how quickly he recovers.
It is a little difficult to get mentally ready for the surgery only to have it postponed. So I will just have to find something to keep me busy for the next few days. The weather here in Florida is beautiful so I'll find something to do.
Doctors are like everyone else, when something is going around they get it too. My surgeon is at home in bed with the flu. We have tentatively rescheduled for next Tuesday, but that depends on how quickly he recovers.
It is a little difficult to get mentally ready for the surgery only to have it postponed. So I will just have to find something to keep me busy for the next few days. The weather here in Florida is beautiful so I'll find something to do.
Except for the valve, my heart is in good shape
Doctors have now checked the blood vessels of heart and found no vascular problems. This is very good news. Surgery is less risky since they don't have to worry about any existing damage and once the new valve is in place I won't have any excuse for being lazy.
Cardiac Catheterization involves injecting some dye directly into the heart and watching it on an x-ray monitor. To get a catheter into the blood vessels doctors inserted a catheter into my groin. They claim this is the best place on the body where a large artery passes close to the skin, but it has the additional advantage of maximum embarrassment for the patient.
Since they are working around the groin, of course one's undershorts must be removed. Once the entire staff of nurses congregate in the room, one of them breaks out the clippers and starts shaving. No doubt she's the one with the least seniority. Having cleared the area where the catheter will be inserted on the right side, the nurse then shaves the left side. I inquired as to why it was necessary to shave me on the left if the catheter goes in on right. They claim this is necessary in case there is a problem getting the catheter inserted on the right side. I guess that's much more information than I should have shared, so I just have one more word on the subject - Mohawk.
Oh well, small price to pay for knowing that my heart arteries are all in good shape.
Cardiac Catheterization involves injecting some dye directly into the heart and watching it on an x-ray monitor. To get a catheter into the blood vessels doctors inserted a catheter into my groin. They claim this is the best place on the body where a large artery passes close to the skin, but it has the additional advantage of maximum embarrassment for the patient.
Since they are working around the groin, of course one's undershorts must be removed. Once the entire staff of nurses congregate in the room, one of them breaks out the clippers and starts shaving. No doubt she's the one with the least seniority. Having cleared the area where the catheter will be inserted on the right side, the nurse then shaves the left side. I inquired as to why it was necessary to shave me on the left if the catheter goes in on right. They claim this is necessary in case there is a problem getting the catheter inserted on the right side. I guess that's much more information than I should have shared, so I just have one more word on the subject - Mohawk.
Oh well, small price to pay for knowing that my heart arteries are all in good shape.
Monday, February 9, 2009
My Schedule
Location:
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida
Monday February 9th
Echocardiogram
Tuesday February 10th
Blood tests (no eating for 12 hours)
Consultation with Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Blackshear
TransEsophageal Echo Cardiogram - Also know as the Garden hose down the throat test, see my earlier post.
Wednesday February 11th
Cardiac Catheterization - This sounds like no fun at all.
Surgery preparation including shaving large parts of my body that I prefer not to have shaved.
I may or may not stay at the hospital Wednesday night, that will be determined by the doctors after the catheterization
Tuesday February 17th (changed from Thursday February 12th)
This is the big day. My surgeon is Dr. Kevin Landolfo
I expect to be in the hospital about a week. My recovery at Mom & Dad's house should take four to six weeks.
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida
Monday February 9th
Echocardiogram
Tuesday February 10th
Blood tests (no eating for 12 hours)
Consultation with Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Blackshear
TransEsophageal Echo Cardiogram - Also know as the Garden hose down the throat test, see my earlier post.
Wednesday February 11th
Cardiac Catheterization - This sounds like no fun at all.
Surgery preparation including shaving large parts of my body that I prefer not to have shaved.
I may or may not stay at the hospital Wednesday night, that will be determined by the doctors after the catheterization
Tuesday February 17th (changed from Thursday February 12th)
This is the big day. My surgeon is Dr. Kevin Landolfo
I expect to be in the hospital about a week. My recovery at Mom & Dad's house should take four to six weeks.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Lewis Grizzard is dead and now they are after me
On March 21st, 1993 the southern humorist and writer Lewis Grizzard checked into Emory hospital in Atlanta to have his aortic heart valve replaced. Things did not go exactly as planned and the ensuing complications provided Lewis with enough material to bang out a book on his typewriter. The book called I took a Lickin' and kept on Tickin' was published that fall. Just about the time Lewis was able to cash his first royalty check, things began to go wrong and on March 20, 1994 Lewis died, one day shy of a year after he first checked-into the hospital. An earlier book by Lewis was called Elvis is Dead and I don't feel so Good Myself.
Well I don't feel so good myself, thus the title of this blog. Doctors have decided that I need the same surgery and have concocted a plan to plunge into my chest shut my heart off so they can tinker around and replace my aortic valve. Needless to say I'm not thrilled about this. I mean if they could kill Lewis then what's to say they won't kill me.
Like Lewis, I was born with a defective aortic heart valve. A normal aortic valve looks like the hood ornament on a Mercedes-Benz, mine is called a bicuspid, which has only two flaps. Also like Lewis I was unfortunate enough to suffer from an infection known as endocarditis. This nasty and reclusive bacteria called Streptococcus viridans finds heart valves delicious and eats them up, chomping a good size hole in my already less than perfect heart valve. As they say, genetics loads the gun – environment pulls the trigger. So now when my heart pumps, much of the blood runs right back in. Doctors say that this overwork would cause my heart to enlarge and eventually lead to a heart attack. Jimmy Buffett sang about surgeons "I don't think that I would ever let 'em cut on me" but given my alternative, I'm going to let 'em cut on me. As I write this I am 6 days away.
A smart man facing heart surgery would read optimistic tales of the 98% of heart valve replacements that are successful, but I read Lewis's book. Now my odds are significantly higher than his. For one thing, the surgical technique has improved in the sixteen years since Lewis's heart refused to restart. Lewis also had two previous heart surgeries while surgeons have not cut into me since a small hernia when I was three. For another, Lewis's lifestyle choices were somewhat less healthy than mine. His first meal after being discharged from the hospital was a Chilly dog, fries, and a milkshake at the Varsity. Lewis also had a cocktail named after him. A double Grizzard is a glass of Vodka and another glass of orange juice. Lewis ordered his drinks that way to keep bartenders from mixing more than a dash of juice into his vodka. My eating habits are a good deal healthier while bottles of alcohol around my house risk being arrested for loitering.
The surgeons may be after me, but I am very confident in their ability. My surgeon has done more than 8,000 operations (and no, I don't have any idea how many didn't make it – and I don't want to know.)
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