The Big New Operation(s)?

I did have my aortic aneurysm stent correction operation a week ago Friday using the new technique of going through the veins and arteries. And, it all went along as planned. The new surgeon was able to fix the stent by replacing the left leg of it, but ended up having to use a larger size stent 'left leg' and attach it to the stent that was already installed.

The only problem was that the arterial hole they had to use to install the larger left leg stent part wasn't closing up. And, due to its location and the amount of blood pressure inherent there, they couldn't get the bleeding to stop. So, to fix that they had to do a second operation later on that same day, using the old abdominal incision technique to close up the arterial hole created by the first operation.

While they were in there they also removed a large part of the bypass tube, that was in there and not needed anymore, and other general cleanup from the other 5 operations that have happened there since 12/2/09. I am very glad that it worked out this way. It is actually the best solution, as the other doctors had all sorts of crap in there that could only just cause problems in the future.

So, I did end up with a wound, that is about 2 inches long and closed with a whole row of staples, but besides that I am very pleased with the results of my latest operations.

I woke up on Saturday morning and was feeling better than I had been for 'many moons' (a little American Indian lingo since there are so many of them in that area). Speaking of the area, we took a new route up there from Roberta's house, which we went to so she could take care of our 'kids' while we were gone. Anyway, we ended up going through 'Craters of the Moon' National Park and a whole bunch of beautiful country. And, the town of Idaho Falls itself is very nice. If I would have seen it during our first visit to Idaho, I would have probably wanted to live up there as it is very nice up there.

Skreetch - back to the hospital... The only problem was that I was feeling a little hot so they started taking my temperature and it started out about 99 deg and was going up. It got up to about 101 and both Pam and I were feeling very concerned as we have been in this position before. They were suppose to release me and around early afternoon, they did to both of our surprise. So, we packed up and headed home. And, the temperature went away shortly after leaving the hospital.

I was walking and feeling better than I have been shortly after getting home and have continued to get better ever since. I am having a difficult time doing what I am afraid of doing for so long now, with all of the problems I have had for so long, but I think my biggest problem now is lack of shape and muscle tone. I still need to get these staples out and recover from the 'details' of the last operation, but have been working a lot during the past week upstairs and have been going up and down the stairs a lot without much problem at all - which I couldn't do before these last operations at all.

Anyway, I am feeling almost 'normal' again and am hoping that I will be completely normal in the weeks to come. And, that I will again be spending my time planning fishing trips, rather than trips to Walmart...

Big Medical Happenings...

Yesterday, we went up to the new vascular surgeon in Idaho Falls, which is about 3 hours away from here. Anyway, after visiting him, he had us go over to the local hospital and we had a CT scan. After that, we came back home.

Then, this morning we got a call from the doctor. He said that he had looked at the CT pictures and that the left leg part of the aortic aneurysm stent has become unconnected from the stent and that is what is causing the blood flow problem.

I guess the stent is like a pair of pants. The left leg cut off as they put the
'pants' minus the left leg, in through the right artery and then once that is done, they put in the left 'pant' let in through the left leg artery and then attach the left leg part to the main stent.

So, the left let part of the stent has somehow come loose and must be fixed. The whole point of putting in the stent, is to protect the aortic wall material from blowing up by keeping all of the blood pressure inside of the stent. So, without the left leg part there, and having a big hole there where the left leg part is suppose to attach, the whole stent purpose is compromised and I am liable to have it blow as I was before any of this started two years ago.

Anyway, the new surgeon is going to fix it all this Friday. He is going to go in through my arm and leg and fix the stent problem and whatever else is not right - or at least that is the plan as I understand it.

I find it amazing that there are tools available that can be taken through the arteries and once they are where they need to be, have the capability to do the complex tasks required to complete the job at hand. I will have no open wounds except for a small hole in my arm and leg. And, I am schedules to be discharged on Saturday morning.

In the past, each operation resulted in at least one 'wound' that would have to go through a 2 week or more healing treatment requiring drainage of the liquids from it, clean it multiple times a day, keep it dressed properly and all sorts of hassles and pain dealing with it.

The next post will probably be after I return from having the operation. I sincerely hope that all will go as planned and I do not get any staph infection as in the past.

Lots of Happenings...

Well, lots of stuff happening around here lately. Felix the cat is all healed and is out of the cage again. He has been staying close to home at right and I think all will be OK with him as long as he keeps that up. Things seem to happen at night around here.

My leg is feeling a little better. I am completely off of the crutches these days. I still am VERY limited as to how far I can go on my feet, but it is getting better and better. I don't think it will get too much better until I have real blood flow to my left leg.

And, speaking of resolving my left leg blood flow, a good friend of mine that I use to Sturgeon fish with, has been telling me about this miracle doctor by him that saved his life last year. Early last year, he was bitten by a spider in his leg and over the next few months, it just got worse and worse. Before he saw the new doctor, they were wanting to amputate his leg as the only 'solution' to his recovery. He met this doctor in the hospital while they were doing preparatory testing for amputating his leg and after one out-patient visit to this doctor, he was totally cured. I guess this doctor uses some sort of laser in the blood veins to clean out any blockages, as most leg problems are blood oriented. Anyway, I have an appointment with this doc in 10 days now. We are having my records sent to him now to verify that he can solve my blood flow problems, but if he can, I think this just might be the solution to my leg problem. As Pam points out, I still have a back problem, but if I can get this leg problem fixed, I will be a much happier camper.

On the medical insurance front, we did see the folks from SHEBA, the state of Idaho Insurance Commission folks, and from there we went to visit a Medicare approved insurance agent. And, they were all very helpful in getting us off of the expensive Dell insurance and into plans that are far cheaper and better for our current needs. Because of the SS office allowing the start of my Medicare Part B to be retroactive to December 1st 2009, all of the medical bills that we were facing are now going to be covered as we thought, so many, many thanks to all of them for making that happen the way that it all did.

The dogs went in for their periodical grooming session. It was the first one for Hannah, our little white polar bear looking puppy. When then came back, I was completely shocked. She went from being a little polar bear to a skinny looking short haired lap dog. Before, I would have bet that she was very overweight to looking on the thin side of normal. Pam loves it and I don't. I liked her the other way. But, one thing now, you can see how she sits down, without using her back knees, which is very bear like. She still growls like a bear though when she is not happy about her circumstances.

They opened up a new Harbor Freight Tools store right here in Twin Falls, ID. Now, if we get an Olive Garden, we will have it all here. The grand opening was quite a scene. They had lots of good grand opening deals and a great time was had by all - except the Home Depot next door...

I am sure there have been a number of other things that I should be adding here, and will if I think of them, but for now, that is all I can think of for this entry going on there in DaHo...