Nicholas's Journal

Two hours after the cancellation, I was back on again and I just got home from the hospital a couple of hours ago after having an On-X mechanical valve replace my defective aortic valve last Friday afternoon, October 13th. Surgery went smoothly, pain levels very manageable, all staff at the hospital were wonderful and I now have to adapt to new drugs, some blood tests and a whole new life! Thanks for all the support on here and I have to say that apart from an expected couple of problems resulting from my long-standing spinal injuries, nothing could have gone more smoothly.

False alarm as anticipated. I was walking home from brunch to catch a taxi to the hospital and got a mobile call from the Cardiology Co-Ordinator and my surgery has been bumped by an inpatient emergency. My surgeon is operating again next Wednesday and Thursday and I should have a new slot booked at tomorrow's Cardiology Department meeting. I will let you know more when I do 🙂

Had a very busy and exhausting day on Wednesday, 4th October, at the Austin Hospital, completing all pre-surgery tests and consultations. Chest and cervical spine X-Rays, repeat urine sample, ECG and meetings with Cardiac Surgery Co-Ordinator, Cardiac Ward Doctor, Anaesthetic co-ordinator and Anaesthetist. Everyone was delightful, helpful and respectful, leaving me in no doubt about the quality of care that will be afforded me. And as I qualify as a country Victorian resident I was told that I will be booked into the Medi-Hotel at the hospital the night before surgery so that I do not have to make the long trip on the day. Then, this afternoon, Friday 6th October, I received a call from the Cardiac Surgery Co-Ordinator following the weekly Cardiac Surgery meeting to inform me that, all things being equal, I am booked for surgery at 09:30 am next Friday, 13th October. Lots of running around now to organise supplies and transport while I am away and I am, apparently, looking a day or two in ICU and 5-7 days in the Cardiac Ward to establish and stabilise Warfarin levels before coming home as the newly minted Cyborg me! More to follow :)

Met with my surgeon to be, Shoane Ip at the Austin Hospital on Monday and a very relaxed and informative chat before making the decision to, of course, respect my 40-year vegetarian principles and elect to have a mechanical replacement valve fitted. Shoane explained the procedure and the need for life-long Warfarin afterwards. A good friend of mine was unfortunate enough to have had a stroke at 31 and has been on Warfarin ever since and works as a carpenter and has not found it to impact on his life significantly. I then signed the consent form (noting the paragraph that stated that I acknowledge the risks, including death, involved) and booked in for a chest X-Ray next Wednesday, and because of my long-standing spinal injuries, cervical spine X-Ray to make sure that the anaesthetist is aware of the need to take care of my neck during the procedure. I will then meet with the anaesthetist on the same day. Shoane has already placed me on the waiting list and said that I should have surgery in the next couple of weeks and I had my pre-operation blood tests and swabs on Monday, So, onwards and upwards :)

Had my angiogram last Wednesday and results all clear, so appointment with Cardiac Surgeon on Monday at the Austin again to discuss surgery options, etc. Thanks Paul Jenkins for your advice, took the right wrist route and sailed through with nothing but a bruise to show for it all :)

Lung Function test OK this morning and got home to find a letter from Austin hospital with booking for an angiogram on 6th September. More blood tests to do beforehand, but things sure are moving swiftly. Only found out about all this six days ago!

My 67th birthday today and just yesterday I was informed by a very pleasant young cardiologist that my recent dizzy spells following exertions are the result of a defective aortic valve and will require some form of surgery. Lung function test and angiogram to follow before I progress to meeting surgeon, etc so no idea, at this point as to where this is going to lead.