The Bill Cosby show made its debut and Madonna’s, “Like a Virgin” was blaring on the radio. Leg warmers were being worn even when it wasn’t chilly and guys’ collars were turned up as the term “yuppies” made it into everyday lexicon.
The year was 1984. I was 13 and hadn’t even found out yet that I had a heart murmur. My hair was probably feathered (I had enough then to do that) and I likely had more than one pair of corduroy OP shorts.
1984 was also the most recent documented medical case that is similar to mine…and that occurred in Australia.
I’m going to run the numbers when I have the patience (pun not intended but noted), but suffice to say it sure isn’t common. Fluid around the heart after Mitral Valve repair is, in itself, a 1 in 1000 occurrence. Fluid containing triglycerides just doesn’t happen. Well, maybe once every twenty years. I guess I should buy a lottery ticket with those kind of numbers, huh?
So the surgeons, cardiologist and other specialists have been conferring with one another on the game plan and here is what comes next.
Starting immediately: No Salt, No Fat diet….Yummm! No fat, no salt hospital food! Whoo hoo!!!
Tuesday: Savor saltless Salteens. Read next couple of chapters in “Devil’s Teeth”
Wednesday: Undergo new test. Only three facilities in the US can perform this test. They will inject a dye into my lymph system via my foot and then watch with a ‘special’ monitor that allows them to track the dye. If the integrity of my lymph system has been compromised they will be able to see both where as well as how quickly it is leaking.
Thursday: If the test shows the leak to be in my thalamus as has been postulated, Dr. Gillinov will operate on me again through the same incision and try to find and repair the leak. At the same time they will drain the fluid again.
Friday: Recovering, Echocardiogram
Saturday: Recovering
Sunday: Recovering, Echocardiogram…..
I thought this was going to be a sprint…feels more like wind sprints.
I’m tired. Really tired, more emotionally than physically at this point but my support system is strong. Allison, Max, my Mom, Dad and Father-in-law, Norm are all here and they have been my beacon in the storm.
We’re going to make it and we’ll be stronger because of it.
~Joe
10 days post-op
PS. Maybe I’ll wake-up and just realize that I was abducted by aliens. http://www.alienscalpel.com
PPS. I’ve moved rooms again so my new number is 216-444-1348.
7 comments:
You know, Joe, Powerball just hit an all-time record. Might want to give it a shot...
I'm really sorry to hear that you will be stuck in observation for longer yet. No doubt it is taking its toll on you (and your family), but if anybody can take it like a champ, it's you. Your strength and humor has been more than impressive so far. Keep your spirits up. I hope everything gets resolved soon.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again when you get back to CT. Will you autograph a New England Journal of Medicine for me?
We always knew you were a 1 in 1000 kind of guy, Joe, but you didn't have to do this just to remind us.
I'll use this new dietary restriction as an opportunity to reiterate that our margaritas are waiting for you when you get home: 100% fat and salt free!
Hang in and come home soon.
nicole & duncan
Joe & Allison! We are way-late in hearing all of the news. Joe your posts are full of your humor and light - when you are 85 they are going to be an incredible record of this journey. Clearly you are in need of some California time. No salt and no fat - sounds like Californian food to me! ;-) We miss you - hang in there - I'll try to call you tomorrow.
Liz & Steve
fluid? eeeww(sp?). hang tough Joe - holidays are comin soon - you'll be deep frying that turkey before you know it. Besides - Cleveland rocks. Are you receiving calls? I'm trying to think of some awesome saltless fatless things I can send you to munch on. Cardboard is the only thing that comes to mind. Corrugated ok with you? Take care - PS - If I win the big fat powerball I'm not sharing.
If you like, we can send out Laura Hurwitz, Pat Flick, and a small QA team to run a little post-op QA? It sounds like some quick regression testing - run against a QA test plan is in order. Maybe some stress testing is appropriate too? We can send laptops and setup test documentation in Test Director for you - it always works for me. Find and issue, shut it down, find and issue, shut it down, find an issue... etc.
My experience says that this will limit the risk, and ensure a stable environment prior to launch (or , in your case, prior to leaving the hospital).
;-)
Luv ya man!
Hang in there!
(Hey wait, did someone say that there's a margarita party at Nicole & Duncan's? ... I'm in! Ole!)
Hey Joe, Al and Max,
Just catching up with all of this. I knew you were due to have the surgery but I must confess that I had assumed that you, being the fine physical specimen that you are, had come through all of this with flying colors and were home tossing a ball to Max already (he having taken after your specimen-ness). ENH! Thanks for playing folks...
It seems clear that you are all there to give someone or ones a wake-up call and that others will no doubt learn from your situation. I know you, Al and Max will win the good fight and be home resting and recuperating soon.
As to the diet? Just think of the sveltness to follow!
It's also amazing to see all these folks from my past posting here, so I'm giving a shout-out to all of them as well. You guys are lucky to have Joe to look forward to having back in your lives on a daily basis.
Hang in Joe - our thoughts are with you and Wayne and I look forward to seeing you all soon!
I spoke with Joe's Pizza here in New Canaan and they are going to make you a saltless, fatless pizza for the moment you come home. Don't quite know what will be on it, but sure it will be delicious.
The Post Road Norwalk McDonald's wasn't quite sure what to do, but they suggested a tossed salad and a glass of water.
Post Pizza in Darien is thinking about what to serve you. They have a Penne with Marinara sauce that they can prepare without salt. And a tossed salad. And water too.
So it looks like we've found some local spots that cater to the health conscious and those from the left coast.
And I'm sure when you're back soon for the biggest coming home party this town has seen since the 2000 Yankees, we'll all join you for some of that pasta, salad and water.
No salt or fat in champagne or beer, is there?
Cheers... to a successful test tomorrow!
Jamie
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