I'm Off To See The Wizard...
Here is an update. A few weeks ago the woman I have been dealing with at the Golden Jubilee Hospital, Elaine (a SACCS nurse), said they had a preliminary date in mind BUT that it was not one-hundred percent yet because they still had to make sure that the right people were all available on that date. At this point I asked her about the valve and the situation with the medication I had been worried about (see previous post). She explained that the artificial valve used in America is different from the artificial one used here, patients given that valve are given warfarin and that is the medication that causes the problems. I, however. am most certainly been given the Melody valve (couldn't help but think of Doctor Who when she said that) which is the one made from a valve in a cow vein, therefore I will be given Aspirin (only because of a study that was done in which patients with valve transplants took aspirin once a day and some didn't, the patients who took it had valves that lasted longer than those who didn't) and that does not stop me having children. So... Yay for that.
Anyway, I got a phone call the other day from Elaine saying that it was all go. So, on the 25th of November I will go through to Dalmuir to the Golden Jubilee Hospital and have tests done (the usual bloods, ECG and Echo business). The next day I will go up to the ward, most likely bumping into things with one eye closed it's that early, and have my heart valve replaced but it will all be done (if everything goes to plan) with just a cut, about 1cm (if that), in the top of my right leg. It's insane what they can do now.
The last time I had this done they had to open my chest down the middle of my rib cage, take out my heart and lungs (I think) and put me on a machine while they did the work that needed done, then put it all back and hope it worked. Now? Now, I might have to lie down for a while then sit in bed for a couple of days but I'll be home by either Thursday or Friday. Where I will no doubt hear "Will you just watch yourself?" for the next 6 months haha.
I might get there and it might all be cancelled. The valve is being shipped from America so it might not get here on time. I might wake up and they had to go in through my chest but, to be honest, I don't care. Things could be a lot worse. I said to my Mum, "At least I can say that I'm part American." :)
So, I'm off to see the Wizard for a new (not quite) heart. And hopefully, a new life.
Wish me luck :)
Anyway, I got a phone call the other day from Elaine saying that it was all go. So, on the 25th of November I will go through to Dalmuir to the Golden Jubilee Hospital and have tests done (the usual bloods, ECG and Echo business). The next day I will go up to the ward, most likely bumping into things with one eye closed it's that early, and have my heart valve replaced but it will all be done (if everything goes to plan) with just a cut, about 1cm (if that), in the top of my right leg. It's insane what they can do now.
The last time I had this done they had to open my chest down the middle of my rib cage, take out my heart and lungs (I think) and put me on a machine while they did the work that needed done, then put it all back and hope it worked. Now? Now, I might have to lie down for a while then sit in bed for a couple of days but I'll be home by either Thursday or Friday. Where I will no doubt hear "Will you just watch yourself?" for the next 6 months haha.
I might get there and it might all be cancelled. The valve is being shipped from America so it might not get here on time. I might wake up and they had to go in through my chest but, to be honest, I don't care. Things could be a lot worse. I said to my Mum, "At least I can say that I'm part American." :)
So, I'm off to see the Wizard for a new (not quite) heart. And hopefully, a new life.
Wish me luck :)
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