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...