Hi everyone! I am making another cameo appearance until Joe is up and out of bed (he promises he'll be back tomorrow).
His surgery went very well this morning...here are the details:
A large team of surgeons and cardiologists gathered today at 6:30am to open Joe's chest back up along the initial incision made only 13 days ago. With a bit more blue dye and the presence of the half and half surging through his veins, they were able to pinpoint the general location of the hole in the thymus and put in a few stitches. Then, for good measure they put in a few more and topped it off with some sort of glue substance to make doubly sure they closed it off. Then, as Dr. Gillinov explained to me on his post-op call, they all stood around for 40 minutes and just watched this tiny little vessle (no wider than a strand of hair) to see if it would leak. It didn't.
After sewing him back up, they put him in the ICU for a few hours and I escorted him back to his room at 5pm this evening. Other than being a bit loopy from the drugs (starting sentences and then falling asleep before he finishes his thought) he's feeling good. The pain in his feet is gone and we are incredibly hopeful that this is the last hurdle he will have to face here at the Clinic. Please God...let it be over.
At this point, we anticipate he will be observed through the weekend and could potentially be home early next week.
On a side note...one of my happiest memories of these past 16 days is of this past Monday night when Joe and I sat at the computer here on G71 and read all of the hilarious comments made by many of you in response to his "play along with my low fat diet" blog entry. We laughed harder than we had in a long time. For that, I am so grateful.
And finally, because I'm a proud Mommy, I have to fill you in on my precious baby boy. Max is growing like a weed!!! His feet are hanging over the end of his carseat (which he has spent WAY too much time sleeping in over the past few weeks) and his smiles have turned into small giggles and "coos". Talk about grateful...he has truly been our saving grace and has allowed all of us a perfect diversion from the stressful hours normally filled with waiting and praying.
And now, I must get back to the room to my amazing husband...a true Survivor. We have a "date" to watch tonight's episode of the reality show that makes 40 nights in a South American aligator infested jungle look like a walk in the park.
~Allison
13 days post-op
13 comments:
Glad to hear things went well! You continue to be in our thoughts.
I do have a question... Did you purchase a medical dicitionary or book because the medical detail has been great? Maybe you want to think about a medical career. :-)
Stay strong! Can't wait to hear from you tomorrow.
- Mike
Joe,
It must be fate that the other night, sitting in my bed in Dublin I recalled a memory of pesto pizza delivery and the 1996 Olympics and you. I resolved to "google" you to see if I might possibly turn you up. Imagine my surprise to find this blog.
I'll make a point of thinking good thoughts for you. I hope you're at home, resting with your family as soon as you can be.
I'm glad I found you!
-t
Joe,
Glad round two was successful. We need you out of that bed. OK, call this reverse publishing, ever since that damn clam thing, I am hooked on this Internet, and facts and figures. It's all out there, they were right, I haven't slept in 42 hours, but I feel smarter, and gash darnit people really like me.
OK fact for the day is motivation to get you out of that bed, and our of the hospital. Today's subject is: Bed Bugs.
Bed bugs are wingless insects, roughly oval in shape, 4-5mm long when fully grown, and are fast runners. They are rust brown in colour and change to a deeper red brown following a blood meal. Bed bugs are dorsoventrally flattened and being thin means that they can hide in narrow cracks and crevices, making detection often very difficult.
The two main species that bite humans include the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, and the tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus. The presence of the former species has been long known in Australia, whereas the tropical bed bug was only recently recognised in the country by the Medical Entomology Department, ICPMR.
There are five juvenile stages known as nymphs, which are miniature versions of the adults in appearance. Each nymphal stage requires at least one blood meal to moult to the next stage and it takes 5-10 minutes for complete engorgement to occur. The entire nymphal development takes 6-8 weeks, while the adult bed bugs can live on average for 6-12 months. All nymphal stages and adults of both sexes require blood for nutrition and development. After mating, each female lays 2-3 eggs a day throughout her lifespan. The cream coloured eggs (1mm in length) are cemented on rough surfaces of hiding places, and will hatch within around 10 days at room temperature, but longer in cooler conditions.
I have to go and moke some more coffee. Today I am researching the Yucatan, and the spiny lizard. This Internet is the real deal brother.
George R.
Joe-
So glad to hear they fixed your leak. Sorry it took a "foot" of blue dye and half the dairy section to find it. In my expert medical opinion I'd say it's time for you to get the hell out of that place and get back home where you belong.
You're truly blessed to have such a devoted wife and family. Let's all hope and pray that after this little adventure the only leaks you need to fix are in your sink.
-Shav
Joe and Allison,
I don't think it can be said enough how AMAZING you two are. You are truely an inspiration to all. Ok... now does that mean we can all do the Atkins diet again? Im not much of a low fat eating fan! I keep you all in my prayers. Oh and by the way everytime I see one of the children at my school drinking those lovely blue juice box drinks, I wonder if they drink enough of that dye will they sweat blue too!
Joe - you should know you've got a huge crowd here always thinking and talking about you (and there's more than a few anxious to check out your new feet).
Will be keeping an eye on you over the weekend - your walking papers are long overdue.
Curt
Hi Joe, Allison and Max
Had dinner with Duncan and he filled Danielle and I in on everything and forwarded me the blog. You guys are amazing, you're love, strength and attitude are truly amazing and an inspiration. We are keeping our fingers crossed and keeping good thoughts for you guys. Anything that we can do don't hesitate to give us a call Home 203-656-4084 or at my office 800-941-2219. Look forward to not having to read the blog and see you all at home, safe and healthy !
Joe and Allison - I am thinking of you guys and sending my best!!! So impressed with the strength and humor you've shown on these pages.
- Monica N.
A couple of years ago, I head out the door of my house to drive to work and I notice that one of the tires is flat on my car. The car was not old by any means, but with all the construction, potholes and other stressful activities going on in my neighborhood, I figured that a nail had punctured a hole creating a slow leak. Or maybe it was a faulty tire or tire valve to begin with. I limped the car down to the local gas station because their service and expertise always seems to be better than Town Fair Tires or the Chevy service department and asked them to take a look. After checking the tire for obvious puncture or nails they brushed a soapy substance (I think it was bluish in color) over the tire and watched closely for bubbles which would indicate the leak. Sure enough, after a couple of minutes they located the problem. The mechanic brought out this cool tool that looked like the thing my grandmother used to hook rugs with. He hooked on small string of rubber, put some glue on it, stuck it in the hole, pulled out the tool and, presto, no more leak. The tire was better than ever and I haven’t had a problem with the tire since. Of course I am more careful of what I do with the car now but...
Wait a minute I’m responding to the wrong blog. I thought this was my brother’s blog about the state of tires these days….Sorry!
Come home soon Joe and please no more potholes or sharp things along the way.
MA
We're so glad to know that the surgery went well and we pray this is the end of it and you'll be on your way home very soon!! We're thinking of you and send you our love. Doug and Marge
Joe, Allison and Max:
Glad to hear all went OK yesterday. Our thoughts are with you...stay strong and avoid watching too much Oprah...slacker.
Andy S
Standing in the kitchen spinning the salad, putting the ice in a glass of water, and thinking of your potential homecomming next week... just in time to catch a terrific White Sox/Astros World Series and then Halloween.
Thrilled everything seemed to go well with the latest procedure. We all are now getting great vibes about your pending return to the East Coast. Hang in there. Looking forward to hearing the next update.
Jamie
HI Guys,
I am so happy to hear that the procedure went well and that hopefully you guys will be home soon! When you are feeling strong enough for a visit, we will definitely make a trip up to see all of you! Need to meet that cute little boy Max!
Take care,
Melissa, Howard, Isabella and Sofia
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