MiddleFingerMom's Achy Breaky Heart Season 2
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First the two good newses.
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#1. I am still Fucking Immortal.
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#2. This is eminently fixable... and I'm about to have it eminently fixed.
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Although I haven't mentioned it, I haven't been feeling all that great lately. Some of my nasty
ol' heart symptoms have returned -- albeit in a much reduced fashion.
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Went for a major checkup a month or two ago. Turns out two of the sutures holding my
mechanical heart valve in place have loosened and it's leaking. Not bleeding, but backwashing
so that it isn't pumping all the blood it should be. 23% leakage. A little short-of-breath again.
Energy levels WAY down... napping a lot during the day (although I'm actually sleeping better
at night). The last several days -- dizziness twice while simply watching TV -- a sign of the
old heart flutter/fibrillation again.
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I'm not sure I would let them crack my chest open again. Last year was horrific and I'm still
feeling the effects of all the complications that set in. PLUS the fact that all the physical
trauma to my sternum and chest muscles make me a less-than-optimal patient for a repeat.
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Good news again. I talked with a surgeon who went to Europe to learn what is experimental
surgery in this country (though done very successfully there for a while). A young woman
who impressed the hell out of me with her confidence and her candor (she reminds me of
my cousin/godmother -- my hero/mentor/role model -- who became an ubereffective doctor
in the mid-60's, when only 7% of practicing physicians were women).
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This surgeon actually told me that (at the time of that exam), she had only performed ONE
of the procedures I'm about to undergo on Wednesday morning. When I saw her today,
she told me that she's done six more (when I finally asked the BIG question, she answered
"I'm happy to say that they were ALL successful!!!"
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Check out the name of the procedure. A precutaneous perivalvular repair. She'll go in through
the femoral artery in my upper inner thigh (cringeworthingly close to the boys, it'll be) and
send a catheter up to the valve in my heart. THEN, she'll attach two "clamshell clamps"
(about 10mm across) to the two holes surrounding the valve. Tissue will eventually grow
around these clamps cementing them in place and increasing their effectiveness.
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If all goes well, it will just be an overnight stay (I'll have to act quickly if I wanna talk a
coupla nurses into one o' those tagteam bedbaths).
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Today was all the exam/pictures/bloodwork/counseling stuff and it was a nightmare.
Everything and everyone was late, the buses were all fucked up, it was one of the WORST
scorchers yet this summer (at least subjectively for me 100 degrees 68% humidity) and I
actually fucked up and went home before everything was done and HAD TO FUCKING GO BACK!!!
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But all is done and all is set for the procedure Wednesday morning (tentatively at 8 AM
Arizona time -- but that could change at any moment).
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I'll be taking my laptop in with me, just in case I have any kind of unexpected extended
stay. I don't know how much I'll feel like posting Wednesday night, but hopefully Kali
will either get through to me or my ward nurse and fill you in with an update.
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No need to worry. Just repeat to yourself, "Well, he IS Fucking Immortal."
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= new reply since forum marked as read
Get fixed right fucking soon!
I know you're going to be fine, I just know it!
But I'm sending my best vibes, just to be on the safe side.
Hang in there, sweetie......
That OR will be crowded with all of us in there too, watching the proceedings...
You've got me in my usual state of not knowing wtf to think, Buddy.
I think that was good news, in that the problem isn't too hard to fix and you should be back MFMing in no time. But I wish it wasn't there at all.
Go do it, bet all better, and give us a full report.
I am sorry to hear you have not been feeling your best. At the same time I am so very happy for you that you have found a doc you believe in who can help you regain your health. Brightest Blessings to you, friend! We'll see you back here soon and you can resume your role as Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire!
Laura
Certainly your work here is not done. I just checked in tonight after an extended absence ( the Campaign) specifically to read your jokes.
May the luck of Goddess Kali be with you
(and afterward for recovery, of course).
Will be looking for updates from you, Kali, and the entourage.
YAY~~ It's fixable!!! I see you surrounded in Light and all this wonderful Love from your pals here in the Lounge.
Remember to breathe and be kind to yourself. Looking forward to seeing you back here again soon, hale and hearty
Vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes vibes
P.S. I agree you ARE immortal!!!
...hoping for an excellent outcome for you. Please keep us posted
The lounge will miss you!
In the mean while your nurse has something for you
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And enjoy the little gift warrior1 instucted your nurse to give you.
And hurry back , ya know we need you and all your wisdom(s).
Yeah, and that vote in that upcoming election!
Thanks for the update.
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Although I'm in no hurry, one of the reasons that I have no fear of death is that I've lived
what I consider to be a remarkable life -- my share of troubles and sorrows, but MUCH
more than my share of joy and wonder and excitement and again yes... love.
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SO much that I was given... and so much that I was blessed with the opportunity to give.
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I've felt both much-loved AND much love.
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Sorry to have hogged up so much more than my share.
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No, I'm not. 
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More recently, for a wide variety of reasons, my life has been greatly diminished in many
ways from what it was before.
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You folks are largely responsible for keeping me very glad and grateful that I'm still around.
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Thank you again.
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I might have had more to say... but I've got naughty nurses to think about.
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I think you'll understand and forgive me.
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MFM...
I'll be thinking of you...
You have more lives than a cat!
All will go well...and you'll be back soon!
*smile*
love you....
peace~
bwahahahahahahhaha 
(I'll be calling in the evening - you behave)
Glad to hear they'e not going to have to crack your chest for the procedure. The boys will be fine. 
Sending good vibes for a successful procedure.
And vibes sent in your direction. 