About Me (In My Own Words)
I went to the hospital on the April 27,2020 for my aortic valve replacement (AVR): At that time I was 51 and ostensibly in real good shape even though my ejection fraction (EF) was 13. Because of my age and fitness, the surgeon recommended that an AVR with a costal approach. He/She said that the procedure would take 4 hours, and I would be better than before in a few months. The prognosis excited me. The last thing I remember is the surgeon touching my right leg saying the surgery is about 4 hours. Well that 4 hours turned into 7 hours as I went into cardiac arrest.
When I gained consciousness, I was in a different hospital. It was around June 10th. And my wife recounted the events that led to my hospital transfer as well as the time that I lost: The staff at the original hospital tried to get me walking within a few days of my procedure. Shortly thereafter I went into cardiac arrest again. I went into cardiac arrest two more times before transferring to the new hospital on or about May 8. At the new hospital, the doctor(s) put me on ECMO. Not only was I on ECMO which meant life support also, I was on dialysis for two weeks as my kidneys were failing. If that was not enough, my liver began to fail. The doctor(s) decided to take me off ECMO on May 18. I went into cardiac again. The medical team stabilized me and detected a bleeding ulcer in my stomach which the medical team addressed. They also addressed my A-Flutter and placed a pacemaker. As mentioned above, I gained my wits on June 10 in acute care unit when I realized I had tracheotomy, and I was about 50lbs lighter. But the story does not end there.
As health professional came in and out of my room, I realized that I had necrosis in several fingers as well as all of toes. The prognosis was not good. After being moved to the rehabilitation hospital from acute care, I was discharged and home July 10.
I continued my rehabilitation in an outpatient facility. But after 5 weeks of physical therapy which included walking, my feet, especially my toes, became painful and uncomfortable. I subsequently consulted friend who is a podiatrist who referred me to a colleague. The colleague said that all my toes had to be amputated. On October 11 all of my toes were amputated which started another two week stay in a third hospital. This included several more procedures on my feet, especially the right. As I was in the hospital already, I had parts my right thumb, index finger, and long finger amputated. And yes I am right hand dominant.
Friends and loved ones remind me how lucky I am to be alive and that I have strong spirit. I thank God for giving me the strong spirit, for I knocked on heaven's door several times, but He did not answer. I have come to accept my physical deformities and still having a full life. My fear now revolves around my heart and the damage done it. How much can my heart take? I guess the short of it is time will tell.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Potomac
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My surgery date is:
April 27, 2020
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
