Peggy's Journal

Well, rather than going home today we are waiting for Peggy to receive a unit of blood after her surgeon determined that her blood level was low and needed to transfused before we can go home. Since that will take most of the day he and I agreed that we should not be on the road for the long drive at night so discharge is scheduled for tomorrow maybe. I am now beginning to fully appreciate the complexity of the procedure she had and the recovery from it. I guess my role as caregiver will be more than I initially expected as well.

Well, we are in the final phase of Peggy's hospitalization. Her surgeon and PA have scheduled her for discharge tomorrow. We will have a long drive home with hourly rest stops. Then she has to deal with me acting as the caregiver. Pray for both of us as we head home and for Peggy for a continuing good recovery.

We have been in the hospital for five days with check out on Tuesday! Hooray. Peggy celebrated this morning when her nurse told her she no longer needs to drink potassium which taste awful. We went for a walk at 7 AM so that tells me she is feeling good and all of her vitals are where they need to be. Her doctor is being cautious by keeping her for six days considering the extent of her surgery and the four hour drive home with many stops along the way. Thank you all for your support and prayers, just keep it up especially on Tuesday when I am truly on my own taking care of her while driving home.

Peggy is in her first day of recovery after surgery and has ask me, her husband, to update everyone on her status. Yesterday she had a partial sternotomy with replacement of the aortic valve with a St. Jude's mechanical valve and a portion of the aorta with fabric. Her surgeon has visited twice today and says that her vitals are good as well as her progress. She as been disconnected from everything and up to walk twice so far today. When a room is available they are taking her to the Cardiac Support Unit where they will focus on preparing her to go home. Her surgeon Dr. Castro, his staff and the staff and volunteers at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA have been outstanding! We would recommend them to anyone who is in need of heart repair. Thank you for your support, prayers and best wishes.

Don & I met with my surgeon, Dr. Luis Castro early this morning. We both found him to be very personable. He told us my valve has an opening of .6% which is extremely small and has caused my aorta to balloon out. Because of this he has changed the cut he will make to a partial sternotomy which is a little higher up. I am first for surgery tomorrow. Up at 5 with surgery beginning at 6:30 and I should be done by 9:00. Thank you to all who are praying for me. I am staying strong resting in the Lord's hands.

Now at one week before surgery. Waiting for it to be over. Thanks to those who have sent messages. So good to know I have my heart family support as well as friends and family. Blessings to all!