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.