No luck finding a Cardio-Surgeon so far to operate on me....
 

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.

Stay strong, Sir

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?

Big Teddy,

It'll happen. Keep those positive thoughts. It's always good to have a Brother in your back-up plans!

Best of luck Teddy.

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

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. :)

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

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.

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.

Good News Brother!! Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your's.

Later.
Martin

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.

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.

Wonderful news! You are in my thoughts and prayers. :)

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.

Big Teddy...
 

Prayers and best wishes for a speedy recovery, stay positive and you will be back in shape real soon...Best Wishes, TK

Prayers out for you, Teddy...

Go get em! (We got you covered.)

Great man...all the luck in the world

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.

Good luck, tomorrow, Teddy!!

Best of Luck Sir, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hang tough, Teddy! You're in our thoughts.

Pat