Heart Journey: Final Preparations

Yesterday, I met with the surgeon who replaced my heart valve almost nineteen years ago. I'm told he is semi-retired and only does surgeries anymore for "special cases" where his expertise is needed, or for patients he has cared for before. Either way, I'm glad to know he's on my team. We talked about the options for Thursday's surgery, which really include a whole lot of options and possibilities.

First of all, he will replace the aorta with a graft. That will take care of my aneurism problem because the aorta will be new and clean. Next, he will inspect the current valve. The tests show my aortic walls (and, any doctors who are reading, forgive me if I use the wrong language...I'm not a medical person) have pulled away from the valve, and so there's an outside chance that the leakage is coming from the expansion of the aorta and not a bad valve. He said that's not likely, but there's a chance, if the valve is viable and will continue to be so for the coming years, he could repair rather than replace the valve. It's a very small chance, but he is going to check it anyway. He will also need to examine my pulmonic valve, which he also worked on nineteen years ago, to make sure it is still working properly. There's an outside chance it might need to be replaced or repaired as well.

After that, he will do what needs to be done with the valve. We discussed options of metal valve versus tissue valve, and honestly at this point, a lot will depend on what "fits." As mentioned earlier, there are benefits and drawbacks to each one. I trust Dr. Fehrenbacher to do what is the best for my healing, and I told him that.

After my visit with him, I was sent to donate vials of blood (five to be exact) and listen to a nurse tell me how to shower on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, as well as what to expect in my pain level going up and down (and when I should push the button to call for more pain medicine—I wanted to tell her, "Don't worry, I'm a wimp. I'll push it often!"). Oh, and they gave me some "yummy" "like Ensure" stuff to drink three times a day prior to the surgery; it's supposed to help with my healing. Then, after yet one more test (an EKG), I was on my way.

For those asking (this is the "frequently asked questions" section):

• No, I don't know how long the surgery will take. A lot of that depends on what exactly they find when they open me up.
• Yes, we are going to Indianapolis the evening before and spending time together as a family with "my last meal." (Okay, it's just the last GOOD meal I'll have for a while.)
• No, I don't know exactly how long I'll be in the hospital. I'll be in Critical Care for at least the first couple of days, during which visitation is restricted. After those days, I'll be in a regular room on the cardiac floor and will be glad to have visitors, especially those equipped with Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks (non-fat, no water).
• Yes, I am a bit nervous. They're cutting my body open and stopping my heart—who wouldn't be at least a bit nervous? But I know Who holds my heart and Who has me in his hands. So while I am anxious, I do not fear.

Janet Wood asked me on Sunday what Biblical promises I'm standing on for this surgery. In my smart-aleck way, I said, "All of them." And that's true. But when it comes to my heart, I have always held on to Psalm 73:26, so with it I'll close this blog.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.