Angioplasty won't do it this time

[dreamshark]

Back in 1995 Richard had several months of increasing abdominal and chest discomfort, culminating in an angioplasty. There were a few complications (the procedure was new at the time) but eventually he ended up with one stented artery and another one (the right aortal branch) that had been "ballooned" but was still just slightly constricted. Recently he's been having the same kind of abdominal and chest discomfort, and figured it was time for another angioplasty.  He went in to Methodist Hospital on Monday for the angiogram, hoping to come home with the problem fixed. No such luck. Remember that right aortal artery that was never quite right?  Now it's pretty much worn out - too many partial blockages to fix with balloons and stents. And a couple of the other arteries aren't looking too great either. It's too much to fix with an angioplasy, so he's going to need a heart bypass.

Now comes the tricky part. His condition is serious enough that the cardiologist wanted it done "sooner rather than later" but not serious enough to schedule an emergency bypass. The soonest they could get him in is June 29.  This is inconvenient on so many levels that we asked if it would be safe to wait a few more weeks and do the thing in the last half of July.  The answer to that question is a little hazy. We're seeing the cardiac surgeon on Thursday to come to a decision (we hope). In the meantime, Richard is taking some medication that is supposed to dilate the blood vessels enough to reduce or eliminate the angina (similarly reducing the chance of a heart attack). If the medication does its job it should be safe to wait a few more weeks. It's essentially the equivalent of rolling back the clock by months or years to a point when the arteries weren't quite so narrowed.  However, if it doesn't have the desired effect we'll probably have to go with the first available date.  I hope to know more soon. 

Comments

[barondave.livejournal.com]

Without other info, put me in the "sooner rather than later" camp. Inconvenience can be lived with.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

By "inconvenience" I meant cancelling a big trip that Amber and I have been planning for 6 months and probably losing hundreds if not thousands of dollars (depending on how unrefundable the airfare actually is). Yes, of course that is a minor thing compared to life or death medical decisions. But it is a complication that adds to the stress.

[barondave.livejournal.com]

I suspected the "inconvenience" was something bigger than Convergence. And if the doctor doesn't think he qualifies for emergency surgery than perhaps it can wait. Still, sooner rather than later. If there's anything I can do, let me know.

[mle292.livejournal.com]

I hope that he is in better health soon. This sounds very frustrating.

[tesla-aldrich.livejournal.com]

I hope everything goes well! Don't forget to take care of yourself, too. :)

do you need anything?

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh. I completely understand the uncertainty and how frightening this has the potential to be. I think June 29 sounds like a good date.

K.

Re: do you need anything?

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's a good date at all. If he's really in danger it should be now, not 9 days from now.

[pameladean]

Urk. Very best thoughts and wishes to all of you.

P.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Richard, and you and Thorin and Amber.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Best wishes to Richard, and to you. I know the waiting is worrisome, but timing can be a problem to deal with.

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad he's getting the problem fixed and hope the timing works out well in all directions. I'm also glad he's been paying close enough attention to what his body is saying and taking care as needed in the meanwhile!

[dsgood.livejournal.com]

Sending thoughts for good healing!

[davidschroth.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed for the best result at the most advantageous time...

Dislike!

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

Yuck. I'm sorry to hear it's going badly for Richard. I hope the medication helps a lot soon. Heart issues suck.:(

[fgherman.livejournal.com]

What can I do to help?

[wombat-socho.livejournal.com]

Good luck.

[seekerval.livejournal.com]

Good luck to all your family. Glad Richard noticed the problem before a heart attack happened.