Today marks 5 weeks that Nicolas had his surgery. Everything went better than expected. Both the mitral and aortic valves were repaired rather than replaced ...Read more
Today marks 5 weeks that Nicolas had his surgery. Everything went better than expected. Both the mitral and aortic valves were repaired rather than replaced and the hole was closed. He was wheeled into surgery at 9am and we were told they were done at 1:20. He was in ICU for a day and a half and was sent home after 5 days. Although it was extremely difficult to see him have to endure all of that, we couldn't be more grateful with the outcome. He moved very slowly the first week but is now fully mobile and walking a half hour every day. He's been off all pain killers for 3 weeks and is only taking baby aspirin and beta blockers to. Slow his heartbeat. The surgeon did mention post op that the aortic valve will eventually need replacing, it could be in 5, 10 or 30 years. I am just hoping that cardiac surgery advances even further so that he will never require open heart surgery again, once in a lifetime is more than enough...we see his cardiologist on Monday and I am hoping she gives him the green light to continue with his life as a regular, healthy 17 year old.