View Full Version : No luck finding a Cardio-Surgeon so far to operate on me....
greenberetTFS
08-01-2012, 15:54
I just got this recent opinion from a very creditable doctor on what my chances are,unfortunately it obviously wasn't what I had hoped but it's truthful and that's what I respect about him......
The blockages are pretty high up, and when they occlude, it will impact large portions of your heart. That makes it an almost gotta do. That is the coronary artery bypass part.The troubling part is the aortic root involvement. If he can swing a graft around that part, you should be good to go. This is the troubling part: I believe your doc is concerned about getting in there only to find out that the aortic graft can't be done. The tissues will be very friable ( weakened), and delicate to the point that nothing can be attached. The walls of the aorta become hardened, and break instead of flexing. These little pieces are what flow downstream to create other issues. It also makes it difficult to suture things to.
There is a lot to think about here. If all goes well, you will feel a lot better. Your cardiac ejection fraction of 40% is not all that bad, mine was less than 10% at one point. You will see changes in the amount of fatigue you feel. More blood flow will make a big difference in how you feel.
The ultimate fix here, would be a heart lung transplant. I don't know if he has talked about that much , but it could be an option if all else is good.
I was turned down by the chief cardio surgeon at the hospital I was at because he said he didn't have the equipment necessary for a "Off Pump" Coronary Bypass.... That simply means the heart will be beating thru out the surgery and the heart-lung machine will not be used.......I'm going to see the chief surgeon of cardio surgery in southern Louisiana tomorrow and see if he'll take me.......If not,there is a brother who has offered to help me here in Mississippi who knows the cardio surgeons in Biloxi-Gulfport and hopefully I'll find one who won't feel my operation is too risky...
Big Teddy
Hang tough, Bro.
Prayers out
Prayers out, remember what it took to be a QP, be positive & never stop fighting.
Big T, got my wife praying for you, God seems to listen to her....hold fast brother.
Prayers out that everything all falls into place with the operation, QP.
I'm praying it all works out BT. Have you contacted any other cardio specialists out of state to see if that's a viable option?
ZonieDiver
08-02-2012, 11:59
Big Teddy,
It'll happen. Keep those positive thoughts. It's always good to have a Brother in your back-up plans!
mojaveman
08-02-2012, 13:58
Best of luck Teddy.
greenberetTFS
08-02-2012, 16:26
Hallelujah,I've found my surgeon....... The man himself(chief cardiac-surgeon) is taking it on......He said he's not going to delegate it because his 3 surgeons don't have enough experience for my operation...... The aortic valve is 2/3 calcified which means he can't use that section because it can't be sutured and can break off and cause serious other problems,but he's got 1/3 that isn't and that's where he intends to put all "5 bypasses" and have a safe area in which to suture them...He said the total operation will take between 7 to 7 1/2 hours if all goes right....... He told Maggie it's a very high risk problem and she should be prepared.......I think he was just covering himself in case it doesn't go down successfully...... "Off pump" coronary bypass surgery isn't your run of the mill kind of surgery,but thank GOD it is available and he has done 6 in his career and 5 have been successful...... Well my day is made,my operation date is next friday at 7:30 am and I hope to get on our forum asap after it's over.......De Oppresso Liber....;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Tell Maggie to keep us posted and remember - nil desperandum, ya ol' Walrus!
Richard
So you won't be needing that short list of marine biologists/surgeons after all...
Good news, gird your loins, and get ready to dance. Prayers out to you and the Misses.
greenberetTFS
08-02-2012, 17:18
So you won't be needing that short list of marine biologists/surgeons after all...
Good news, gird your loins, and get ready to dance. Prayers out to you and the Misses.
MR2
By all means keep that list available,he may need a consult........;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Good news about the Doctor taking you on. Please remain positive and know you are on a lot of prayer lists. :)
have_gun
08-02-2012, 18:44
Hallelujah is right, that's great news BT! Prayers UP and on the way. Sound like you have the right mind set for this. Keep it up!
-HG
Barbarian
08-02-2012, 19:10
Hallelujah,I've found my surgeon....... The man himself(chief cardiac-surgeon) is taking it on.
That's great news, Big Teddy!! I'm praying for you, too.
Piece of cake, Bro. :cool:
Good news for sure. Prayers heading your way.
swatsurgeon
08-02-2012, 20:33
Best of luck, three things make it easier:
Use the pain medicine offered
Use the incentive spirometer( deep breathing toy) ALL OF THE DAMN TIME
Get the hell out of bed, despite discomfort
If you need anything you or Maggie are welcome to contact me. Will pm you my cell phone
ss
That's great news, Big Teddy!
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ambush Master
08-02-2012, 21:57
Good News Brother!! Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your's.
Later.
Martin
TacOfficer
08-02-2012, 23:57
Good luck and God be with you.
We'll say a prayer.
I love good news first thing in the morning!:lifter
Continued prayers out.
kingfish
08-03-2012, 07:29
Great news, Big Teddy! We're all praying for you!!!
Teddy I am praying for you. I used to do cardiac rehab so a couple pieces of advice for you:1) they are going to give you a small clutch pillow to hold while you cough, sneeze etc. KEEP IT CLOSE. Sneezing after bipasss without the clutch is fairly painful from what my patients used to tell me. 2) if they are taking the graph from your leg, make.sure you stay on top of keeping it clean and wearing your pressure sock. More often than not you will have problem with that site than your sternum.
Stargazer
08-03-2012, 11:07
Wonderful news! You are in my thoughts and prayers. :)
greenberetTFS
08-03-2012, 11:34
Teddy I am praying for you. I used to do cardiac rehab so a couple pieces of advice for you:1) they are going to give you a small clutch pillow to hold while you cough, sneeze etc. KEEP IT CLOSE. Sneezing after bipasss without the clutch is fairly painful from what my patients used to tell me. 2) if they are taking the graph from your leg, make.sure you stay on top of keeping it clean and wearing your pressure sock. More often than not you will have problem with that site than your sternum.
afchic
Thanks for that tip I sincerely appreciate it,I also got several from swatsurgeon......;)
I also want to thank all you guys/gals for all those PM's encouraging me and your prayers,I can't tell you how how much it means to me.......;) :D
Big Teddy
Stingray
08-03-2012, 18:22
afchic
Thanks for that tip I sincerely appreciate it,I also got several from swatsurgeon......;)
I also want to thank all you guys/gals for all those PM's encouraging me and your prayers,I can't tell you how how much it means to me.......;) :D
Big Teddy
Prayers out Big Teddy. Hope you can feel everyone pulling for you, cause we are.
Sincerely,
I am praying for you and your family, Big Teddy. May you feel God's love through this time of adversity.
tom kelly
08-04-2012, 09:27
Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery, stay positive and you will be back in shape real soon...Best Wishes, TK
mark46th
08-07-2012, 18:42
Prayers out for you, Teddy...
Dozer523
08-07-2012, 19:49
Well my day is made, my operation date is next friday at 7:30 am and I hope to get on our forum asap after it's over.......De Oppresso Liber....;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin Go get em! (We got you covered.)
Great man...all the luck in the world
Red Flag 1
08-08-2012, 13:10
Just got in from out of state, and read your options just now. I wish you the best my friend. Check your in box.
RF 1
j
Ok Big Teddy, tomorrow is your day so you hang in there and we'll expect your AAR as soon as you are able.
I am so glad everything fell into place.
I know the other QPs will try their best to take up the slack, but somehow I think they might not be able to keep up with the standards you have already set:D.
Good luck with the surgery and speedy recovery.
mark46th
08-09-2012, 10:08
Good luck, tomorrow, Teddy!!
Best of Luck Sir, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hang tough, Teddy! You're in our thoughts.
Pat
greenberetTFS
08-09-2012, 18:31
During my pre-op today,I had an ultrasound on my carotid arteries and yeah you guess it,the right one was clean the left one had blockage,no estimate or percentage was given........He didn't postpone the surgery but said he'll deal with the artery first,then my heart.........:(
Big Teddy :munchin
Eagle5US
08-09-2012, 22:03
Teddy-
The absolute best Brother. Positive attitude. Looking forward to the next chapter.
During my pre-op today,
Good luck Teddy, Our prayers are with you and your family..
:lifter:lifter:lifter:lifter
KimuraFTW
08-10-2012, 05:20
Prayers out for you BT. Can't wait to hear from you. Hang strong! :lifter
tom kelly
08-10-2012, 16:26
Good Luck Teddy, Get well soon & Take Care, TK
Good Luck Teddy........ Prayers Out Get better soon.......
swatsurgeon
08-17-2012, 22:04
Anyone hear anything from Big Teddy or his family?
ss
Teddy underwent 4 1/2 hrs of quadruple by-pass surgery - the surgery went well and he's now convalescing - he's one tough ol' walrus and should be back posting amongst us here soon.
Richard
That's great news!!:lifter
greenberetTFS
08-18-2012, 22:54
Well, I finally got released from 8 days in ICU.......:eek: I'm on oxygen 24/7 for the next 6 weeks,I had a serious bout of pleural effusion(excess water and blood surrounding my heart)I was taking water pills and getting blood transfusions to compensate for my labored breathing along with several new drugs that are helping......I still have the condition,it's getting better...... I need to go into a Cardiac rehab outpatient program to build up my heart and lungs,and push myself by walking as much as possible to gain the strength I'll need in order to beat this condition,it's dragging that oxygen tank around when I need to use it that's a pain in the ass...... I've got a 50 ft oxygen cord which I haul around with me when I eat,watch tv,be at this computer,and sleep in my bedroom thats powered by a pump so I don't have to use oxygen tanks inside the house....... A Nurse will be helping Maggie with changing the dressings and other things she will be needing to learn and do ...... My knees are shot so thats going to be my next project after I beat this......;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Teddy,
So glad to see you back here !!!!!!!
I'm also happy to see you up and around and your procedure went well.
Mend yourself and keep rockin away !!!!!!
It is indeed tough to keep the 'ol Walrus down.
Take Care
SD
BTW .... here's a little chuckle for ya. ;)
swatsurgeon
08-19-2012, 00:45
Welcome back :lifter
Recovery is never easy but worth the effort to get you back to a new "normal".
Work hard, suffer little and see your progress over time. :cool:
ss
Good to hear that you're on the mend.
:lifter
Good to hear your home and working the recovery.
ZonieDiver
08-19-2012, 05:36
The Old Walrus is tethered! :D Great to see you, Brother... Ya shoulda done those knees when... well, you know.
Alright! I guess in comparison the knees should be pretty easy. A cake walk. A walk in the park. A walk...Ohh, sorry, didn't mean to make you laugh just yet:D
Welcome back! Great to hear you're on the mend!!
PedOncoDoc
08-19-2012, 09:18
It's great to hear from you Big Teddy and that I'm glad you have been transitioned out of intensive care.
SwatSurgeon is sharing sage advice.
Oldrotorhead
08-19-2012, 09:38
I hope you continue to improve. Just don't jump rope with your oxygen tube.......yet
Great News! Rest Up Sir:lifter
Glad you're out of the ICU and on the mend, Big Teddy!! Keep doing what the docs say and you'll be fine soon.
Ret10Echo
08-19-2012, 16:16
My knees are shot so thats going to be my next project after I beat this......;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Great attitude Teddy. Hang tough... :lifter
Stargazer
08-19-2012, 17:02
So delighted to see you back online and on the road to recovery greenberetTFS. Take care of yourself and follow orders! :)
I am sure you kept the pretty nurses entertained and Maggie had to fight them off with a stick to ensure they knew who you belong to.
Keep up with your rehab! If your knees are bothering you, and once your sternum is healed and you doc approves it, ask them about using the hand crank (not the technical term) but basically it is the mechanism of a bike but you use your arms instead of your legs. Good workout:)
cetheridge
08-19-2012, 22:16
Big Teddy....it's good to have you back! :lifter
Prayers are still out for your speedy and full recovery, and for Maggie to have the strength to assist you. :)
Carl
greenberetTFS
08-20-2012, 02:44
I am sure you kept the pretty nurses entertained and Maggie had to fight them off with a stick to ensure they knew who you belong to.
Keep up with your rehab! If your knees are bothering you, and once your sternum is healed and you doc approves it, ask them about using the hand crank (not the technical term) but basically it is the mechanism of a bike but you use your arms instead of your legs. Good workout:)
afchic
You were dead on regarding that clutch pillow,it sure reduces the pain from my staples when I had to cough especially sneezing,sure appreciated the tip you gave me..........;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
Dozer523
08-20-2012, 08:46
Great to have you back, friend.
Great to Have you Back and Hopes and Prayers for a quick recovery.:)
Red Flag 1
08-20-2012, 10:12
Good to see ya back Big Teddy!
RF 1
j
Glad to hear everything worked out for you! Keep on truckin'!