MiddleFingerMom COOL hospital update:
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I've been holding a few things back from you -- believe it or not, I'm NOT morbid and
like to keep these communiques as positive and light-hearted as possible.
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But a coupla days ago, I got some really bad news. The echocardiogram (like the baby
videos) showed that my mitral valve (my previous problems have been with my aortic
valve), the one between my left atrium and left ventricle that pumps along the oxygenated
blood coming back from the lungs, was showing moderate-to-severe "regurgitation"
(kinda like backwash). It wasn't sealing well and it was allowing some blood to flow
backwards when it should have been going out to my body. This is a pretty fucked-up
status.
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They did the Deep Throat procedure yesterday -- this gives them a MUCH clearer view
of the structures. Turns out there IS damage... but it's in the mild-to-moderate range...
and that's livable without major intervention of any sort -- sometimes for a very long
time.
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So I was kinda privately freaked out -- but now I'm dancing inside.
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They've given me a LOT of help and info and helped me figure out ways that I can
keep good care coming my way. Rather than an unfeeling system that sees patients
as numbers and charts, the people on the ground here are exceptionally caring and
thoughtful and compassionate.
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I think I've told you before that I love this place.
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If you remember, it's where they took Gabby for her initial care.
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More later. They are DEFINITELY sending me home today.
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YEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!
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= new reply since forum marked as read
I heard that you were feeling ill,
headache, fever, and a chill.
I came to help restore your pluck,
‘cause I’m the nurse who loves to ____!
I'm off to go check out a solution to that "cleaning problem" I told you about - I found a guy... a local guy...gonna fix me up
for something out of Breaking Bad.....
Someone close to me is dealing with a similar heart valve issue. I know it can be scary..but it's great news that you are going home today.
It sounds like that hospital is a nice place, but still there is no place like home
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I get ALL my medical issues taken care of here -- my PCP and all my specialists are here -- it makes it
much easier as they can access my total records at a moment's notice.
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They are unbelievably focused on patient consideration. So nice and so attentive and so actively
concerned that you are as happy and informed and well-taken care of as you can possibly be.
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The pig valve. Kali told me that getting one of those would be WAY too redundant. 
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How old is your aunt? The pig valves have a relatively limited lifespan compared to the mechanical
valve I have, so I opted for the mechanical.
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Optimist that I am.
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Glad the news was positive. Wishing you only the best.
