Ah!  Finally things are coming together and a plan has been formed.  On Monday I will undergo several tests including:  CT Scan, MRI, and dental x-rays (don't want loose teeth or fillings end up in the lung!)  On Tuesday morning I will see Dr. Svenson, Tuesday afternoon I will be admitted.  I'll meet a cardioligst and a heart cath will be performed on Wednesday.  The cath gives info about the aneurysm, but also if any by-pass surgery is needed - they do it all at one time.  Then on Friday, the big event takes place.  My chest is split down the sternum, I'm placed on the heart lung by-pass (at this point that machine keeps you alive as your lungs no longer work and your heart no longer beats.)  Post-op I will be an in-patient about 10 days as they regulate the PT/INR.
So we spend this week with family and tour Cleveland, today was spent at a very large Mall.  We really enjoy each others company. Joani is a real trooper!!

02/04/2012: Getting ready

I have a forboding as we prepare to leave tomorrow.  I don't have any fear, but as I pack and secure things for the journey to Clevland I sense that I am doing and seeing things for the last time.  It makes me sad, but not afraid.  Does that make sense?
My sisters called and they, along with my niece will be leaving from their home in Texas tomorrow as well.  God love them it seems not long ago they were battling for thir lives against cancer.  Life is so fragile and we don't always think about that.  Things can change in a single beat of the heart.
There is so much to get ready so will make this blog brief.  Will write more later.  God love you all and may He keep you safe.

Clevand Clinic - What customer service? 02/03/12

Wow.  Cleveland clinic is telling me it may be another week.  I could go somewhere else I guess, but the wait could very well be the same.  I guess I will place my life in God's hands and the plan he has for me.  One doctor tells you your living on borrowed time, another tells you to wait another week or so.  When your as famous as the Cleveland Clinic you just don't give a shit about individual feelings I guess.

02/02/2012

Well nothing new today, except I saw my shadow!  Or was that the groundhogs'??  Anyway another day slips by with no new news.  Well, not exactly true; I did get an OK on my short term disability and the paperwork to start my FMLA.  I really wish I could have stayed working this week, but understand that would not have been good.  I am praying my doctor was right when he said the Cleveland Clinic has about a 48 hour turn around.  If that holds true, tomorrow should bring us some information and hopefully a date to be admitted.
I am completely in awe the amount of support I am getting from family, friends near, friends far, and friends I have yet to meet.  I feel the love and the energy.  Thank you all!!

02/01/12: No News...

Staff at Cleveland Clinic tell me they have all the faxed medical records and they are waiting for the CD with my CT on it before making a final determination of when my appointment will be.  So now I am waiting for the U.S. Snail Mail to deliver the disk.  I hope I'll hear something by Friday.  The wait is really getting to be a drag. 
Went to lunch today with a good friend, Mike McNutt.  Enjoyed some Chic Fillet!  The whole day was overcast and kind of gloomy - but the rain is better than the snow we could (should) be getting!  So not much to add today...

Feb 1!!

WoW, February 1st today!  The beta blockers are working.  My pulse is hanging around 56-60.  This is good as it helps decrease the pressure exerted against the aorta.  But it makes me so very tired!  Which is good 2 I guess - otherwise I might be tempted to do more than I should.  Cooked a great pot roast yesterday, home grown beef is sooo... yum!!
Very much hoping today will bring an appointment at the Cleveland clinic.  They have contacted my doctor here and asked for my records...  it's a start!  Will try a short walk around the 'hood today.  Thank God for NetFlix!!  lol!  Did I mention I did a load of wash??  Trying to be a Mr. Mom!  Would truly prefer spreading manure with my tractor!!  Joani may have hid the keys to it and the 4 wheeler!!

01/31/2012 My Surgeon

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff_directory/staff_display.aspx?doctorid=4359

Looks like pretty good credentials!!  There is a video of open heart surgery, which proximates what I will be having perfomed.  I should know in about 48 hours when we'll start the trip up north to Cleveland Ohio.  I admit, I am a little apprehensive, however, the love and prayers that have been pouring in give me great strength!

01/31/2012

A nurse called from the Clevland Clinic!  Yeah, contact!!  She will mail me the names of 3 doctors who best fit my needs...  I pick one and give the name to Dr. Gaddis... Then more waiting :-(  But at least the ball has started to move!  Kind of boring just sitting around.  Slept good last night, my mind is starting to quiet.  I might throw in a load of wash, the highlight of my day!!  Ooo... thats sad!  lol!

Tuesday 01/31/2012

Can you believe it, the last day of January already.  My 1st day to sit home... waiting.... waiting... waiting!!  Many phone calls to make today.


An ex-neighbor posted this on FaceBook today.  I made it my theme for this blog!  What ever God has in store for me I am at peace with that.  one of my favorite quotes:  "Where there is faith, there is no fear".
Will keep you all posted on todays events as they unfold.  May your day be filled with peace, love, and joy.

Monday: 01/30/2012

After my CT scan I was placed on a beta blocker to lower my systolic blood pressure and to slow my pulse.  I was told by my doctor the aneurysm could rupture at any time.  I went to visit him (Dr. Richard Gaddis) today for more follow up.  He was very helpful and offerd us some options - but really left the decisions up to us.  I have recieved several helpful ideas from friends across the country and have spent hours on the internet researching options.  I have narrowed the hospitals to 2.  The Cleveland Clinic and Emory Hospital in Atlanta.  Both very good hospitals by all reports.  My insurance plan accepts both facilities.
Later on this date I made a final decision to try to get into the Cleveland Clinic, rated #1 in cardiovascular surgery - higher the the famous Mayo Clinic!  I have sent my request to them, and will follow up with my doctor tomorrow - informing him of my decision.  Wife Joani, sisters Pat and Kathy all on board.  Now to figure logistics.
Also this date I was told that I should go into "Hibernation Survival Mode."  This means taking a leave from work.  I started that process with my company, Amedisys Hospice.
Today I was given a prescription for oxazepam to help me sleep... after all I am a little nervous!!

Wednesday 01/25/2012

On Wednesday 01/25/2012 I went to East TN Medical group for my contrast CT of the thorax.  Again on The following Friday, my doctor called me personally...  I knew this was not to give me good news.  I missed his first call...  I had his nurse page him with the message to call me.  He did and I was given the news that I had an aneurysm that measured 6.1cm. (2.4 inches).  The balloon was located in the section of aorta directly adjacent to the aortic valve.  I would need both a graft, and a new aortic valve.

The start of my Journey: 01/18/2012

01/18/2012.  I went to have a routine ultrasound, a 2d Echo on my prosthetic heart valve.  The following Friday I was told by my doctors nurse the echo was abnormal and a CT of my Heart was needed.