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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 9, 2010 9:59:15 GMT -4
Tomorrow...June 10th my mom will be going to the University of PA for Experimental heart valve replacement surgery. She has been jumping through hoops to be excepted into this study for this surgery. You have to be over 55 to be considered for this surgery...my mom is 89. My mom can not have open heart surgery due to radiation damage to her chest after her double mastectomy's 30+ years ago from Breast Cancer. Her heart surgeon told her about this study (it is not approved by the FDA in this country so its not done in many places). Its where they take the valve up into the heart through a vein in her leg and then they open the new valve in her old valve. The old valve will put pressure on the new valve and make it do the work of opening and closing. She will be in the medical books and in medical history. I am terrified...So please say a prayer for my mom tomorrow. thanks....Barb In case any of you have relatives that this might work for...here is a link to what its all about: www.edwards.com/Products/TranscatheterValves/SapienTHV.htmAnd here is some hospital info in case you need it for your relative: somapps.med.upenn.edu/ohr/card/viewpub.php?rc=N&type=display&pub=Y&sqlstr=protocol%20*%20806816
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Post by shadow1 on Jun 9, 2010 10:14:48 GMT -4
Barb, your Mom is in our thoughts and prayers.
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Post by al on Jun 9, 2010 11:04:53 GMT -4
Barb, best wishes to you and your Mom.
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Post by Water Lady on Jun 9, 2010 11:53:40 GMT -4
Barb - you and your Mom are in my prayers as well.
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Post by speedergurl68 on Jun 9, 2010 12:06:17 GMT -4
Barb, I will keep your mom and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers every day. **hugs**
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Post by mcbeth on Jun 9, 2010 15:11:46 GMT -4
Barb, your mom, you, and your family are and will be in my prayers!
I know you are very concerned about how this goes tomorrow, but I wanted to thank you for putting out the info on it. Very interesting stuff; the things they are doing nowadays to ensure "minimal invasiveness" of procedures is just amazing. How wonderful of your mom to consider being a part of this study (and to any person who participates in studies, because of how it helps to move medicine forward). She is a very special lady!!!
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 10, 2010 6:29:26 GMT -4
Thank you all...we are getting ready to leave soon...
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Post by mcbeth on Jun 10, 2010 11:43:31 GMT -4
We got your back, Barb! ;D
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 11, 2010 9:02:01 GMT -4
My mom made it through the surgery and it came out so well they took additional pictures for the medical journals. She is in a coma (doctor induced) so her body can completely rest..They will be waking her up this morning and we are praying she did not have a stroke....so more testing will be done to make sure her brain is intact. Her numbers were all good yesterday.. Woke her up today took out breathing tube...she is smiling...following directions...and is doing quite well...
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Post by mcbeth on Jun 11, 2010 17:54:24 GMT -4
Woke her up today took out breathing tube...she is smiling...following directions...and is doing quite well... WHOOOO=HOOOO!!!!! Good news! Hope she is continuing to do well! Prayers continuing for her recovery (and that you are doing well thru this, too!). ;D
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 13, 2010 16:51:25 GMT -4
They too out large port from her neck and put in smaller one...they got her out of bed and started her on a liquid diet (which made her happy)..so far so good !!
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Post by Water Lady on Jun 13, 2010 23:15:55 GMT -4
Barb - that is such GOOD NEWS!!!
I am so happy that all is going well for you and your mom. That getting up and having something to eat part is so telling in the early stages of recovery.
You are still in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 15, 2010 8:05:46 GMT -4
Barb - that is such GOOD NEWS!!! I am so happy that all is going well for you and your mom. That getting up and having something to eat part is so telling in the early stages of recovery. You are still in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted. She walked yesterday for longer and farther then she has been able to do for 2 years...she got to eat soft food yesterday...and was moved to a regular room ...When she gets home she will have to go into rehab to figure out how much she can do..and hopefully restrengthen her legs....two years ago she could dance...She told the DR. all she wanted to be able to do was dance again...sniffle...
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Post by mcbeth on Jun 15, 2010 8:52:32 GMT -4
Let her know we'll be waiting to see the dance photos in a few months, Barb, lol. ;D It's great to hear she is continuing to experience positive results. I'm sure that getting some food (even soft diet) into her is making her feel much better, too.
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 15, 2010 16:39:40 GMT -4
Let her know we'll be waiting to see the dance photos in a few months, Barb, lol. ;D It's great to hear she is continuing to experience positive results. I'm sure that getting some food (even soft diet) into her is making her feel much better, too. Today she walked too far and her blood pressure went sky rocketing through the roof...they told her to slow down...which I find humorous...lol...My husband just told me they might let her come home tomorrow... I am freaking out about that..she is NOT ready...ugh.
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Post by mcbeth on Jun 15, 2010 22:18:01 GMT -4
Let her know we'll be waiting to see the dance photos in a few months, Barb, lol. ;D It's great to hear she is continuing to experience positive results. I'm sure that getting some food (even soft diet) into her is making her feel much better, too. Today she walked too far and her blood pressure went sky rocketing through the roof...they told her to slow down...which I find humorous...lol...My husband just told me they might let her come home tomorrow... I am freaking out about that..she is NOT ready...ugh. Wow, I'm thinking the dancing will be starting much sooner than a few months.... Kinda nice, though, that she felt well enough to walk "too far", isn't it?
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Post by Water Lady on Jun 15, 2010 22:33:48 GMT -4
Barb - You have a PM
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Post by cheapshotartist on Jun 16, 2010 0:11:34 GMT -4
Our whole family has your mom in our prayers
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 22, 2010 18:44:28 GMT -4
My mom is doing exceptionally well. She and my dad came over for a Fathers Day cook out...she is on the move...lol....Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts... Oh and Water Lady...you are just a Fabulously genuine person...I am greatly touched by your offer...but the Rehab person is coming to their house in Delaware....Thank you so much... Barb
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Post by mcbeth on Jun 22, 2010 21:16:02 GMT -4
My mom is doing exceptionally well. She and my dad came over for a Fathers Day cook out...she is on the move...lol.... Let the jitterbugging commence...... ;D (Good news, Barb, so happy to hear she continues to do well).
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Post by Water Lady on Jun 22, 2010 23:27:12 GMT -4
Barb - I'm so glad that all is going SO WELL!!! ;D ;D ;D And WOW 12 days...your mom must be something else! If they (mom and dad) are ever down for a visit and would like a little "rehabilitative relaxation..." please don't hesitate to give me a call...Anytime! Your family is in our prayers.
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Post by AquaHolic on Jun 23, 2010 7:53:37 GMT -4
Barb - I'm so glad that all is going SO WELL!!! ;D ;D ;D And WOW 12 days...your mom must be something else! If they (mom and dad) are ever down for a visit and would like a little "rehabilitative relaxation..." please don't hesitate to give me a call...Anytime! Your family is in our prayers. I know...12 days and she is on the move...actually she was on the move before 12 days....but remember...she didn't have conventional heart surgery...they put the valve into her groin and took it up and opened it in her old valve (the damage on her old valve is what holds it in place...so the only cut they made on her was about 2 inches...way less down time then conventional heart surgery...its so amazing. I think I put links in my original post if anyone wants information...so if any of your clients need a heart valve and can't have it the conventional way...this is the surgery for them (but since its a study they have to jump through hoops first).... Thank you again
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