Got a call from Rowie this morning saying that the doctor was ready to let her go home! Quite a surprise - we expected her to be in at least until Wednesday. The drain was removed Monday AM and X-Rays yesterday and this morning confirmed that the fluid was gone and not returning so... no need for further observation.
So, eight days after the operation, Rowie was back at home and tucking into pizza to celebrate not having to have hospital food anymore!
It's quite amazing when you think about it, that eight days ago a new valve was put into her heart, and today Rowies back at home... It doesn't seem long enough somehow, one expects a procedure like this to require some significant time in a hospital to fully recover. It's standard procedure though these days - hospitals being full of germs and of course the cost to operate being a significant factor. But still, it does seem to be astonishing that turnaround is this short.
Now of course the "other" hard work begins, the long road to rehabilitation. We have a booklet on what to expect over the next few weeks and months, the key message of which is DON'T lift anything heavy. The risk that the incision and break in the bone will be compromised is the greatest in the first few weeks, but the booklet indicated that by 8-10 weeks "normal" activities should resume. Poor Rowie won't be able to drive for at least 4 weeks, and then only for short distances. No cleaning either, ironing or washing (doing and hanging) definitely a no-no... She can read a book, watch TV or play cards or do a jigsaw... woo hoo!
Anyway, she's home now and trying hard to get comfortable enough to sleep. She's gotten used to being woken up every two hours for monitoring, so it'll take time for her to adjust back to normality.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Progress
Here's the first "authorised" piccie of Rowie since her op, by which I mean the only picture Rowie will let me put on the blog without her killing me!
This was taken on Thursday evening, with only a few tubes still connected. Friday morning I did some housekeeping stuff and then took the grandparents and Oscar down to the Powerhouse theatre for a holiday showing of "Tashi", one of Oscars favourite characters. He has all the books and this is probably the last year he'll enjoy the plays (next year Tashi probably won't be cool - he's growing up too fast!). Afterwards we went for an ice-cream at New Farm park, then visited Rowie in the afternoon.
Bearing in mind she's now at four days since the procedure, here was Rowie sitting in her bed with absolutely no connections to any monitoring or draining type things - amazing really. What's more amazing is that, since Thursday, the only pain relief being offered was Panadol or Aspirin... imagine that.
Rowie was in some discomfort but, for the most part, she was battling on and without the kick-ass painkillers was able to remain quite lucid and aware. We went for a short walk - the physio-therapist and doctor recommend a bunch of exercises which will help her recover quicker - managed to get out of the ward and down the lift at which point she felt whoozy and so we put her in a wheelchair and got her back to the ward. Shortly after we left, to allow her to rest.
Friday was quite a big day actually, as Rowie had to endure a bunch of tests including an echo-cardigram (to check her new valve) and some x-rays.
The Good News
The ECG reports that her new valve is doing it's job well - the enlarged chamber is dissipating, blood pressure is good, and overall the surgeon is very pleased with progress.
The Not-So Good News
The X-Rays showed a fair amount of fluid build-up in Rowie's lungs - approx 800ml in one and 700ml in the other. This is bad although not altogether unexpected - 50%+ of all heart surgery patients get this build-up as a consequence of the procedure (apparently they use fluids to essentially "inflate" other organs and get them out of the way, which can add 5kg to the patients overall weight post-op).
Friday evening Rowie called me to say that they "might" drain at least one of her lungs... she was scared, as I would be too. That just sounded bad. I went back to the hospital.
The protocols in place around decisions are many and varied, but we as patients and loved ones only see the outcomes, which are generally lots and lots of time followed by either nothing, or sudden activity. So it was last night. The on-call doc had to make a call and advise his supervisor, who had to discuss with the surgeon, then they all had a look at the X-rays... and have another think... and another look...
Amongst all this, Rowie and I were seeking clarification from the head nurse, a nice guy named Clinton. Clinton seemed to think that they would probably wait til Saturday morning before doing anything, so after some deliberation we decided that it was best if I went home and got Oscar taken care of.
20 minutes later, Rowie SMS'd me saying that they were going to drain one of her lungs after all... so back to the hospital! I missed it, so wasn't there for her, and I felt terrible... it was quite a painful procedure, although via referred pain due to the local anesthetic. Poor Rowie has a drain tube and it looks like they may have to do the other today...
This was taken on Thursday evening, with only a few tubes still connected. Friday morning I did some housekeeping stuff and then took the grandparents and Oscar down to the Powerhouse theatre for a holiday showing of "Tashi", one of Oscars favourite characters. He has all the books and this is probably the last year he'll enjoy the plays (next year Tashi probably won't be cool - he's growing up too fast!). Afterwards we went for an ice-cream at New Farm park, then visited Rowie in the afternoon. Bearing in mind she's now at four days since the procedure, here was Rowie sitting in her bed with absolutely no connections to any monitoring or draining type things - amazing really. What's more amazing is that, since Thursday, the only pain relief being offered was Panadol or Aspirin... imagine that.
Rowie was in some discomfort but, for the most part, she was battling on and without the kick-ass painkillers was able to remain quite lucid and aware. We went for a short walk - the physio-therapist and doctor recommend a bunch of exercises which will help her recover quicker - managed to get out of the ward and down the lift at which point she felt whoozy and so we put her in a wheelchair and got her back to the ward. Shortly after we left, to allow her to rest.
Friday was quite a big day actually, as Rowie had to endure a bunch of tests including an echo-cardigram (to check her new valve) and some x-rays.
The Good News
The ECG reports that her new valve is doing it's job well - the enlarged chamber is dissipating, blood pressure is good, and overall the surgeon is very pleased with progress.
The Not-So Good News
The X-Rays showed a fair amount of fluid build-up in Rowie's lungs - approx 800ml in one and 700ml in the other. This is bad although not altogether unexpected - 50%+ of all heart surgery patients get this build-up as a consequence of the procedure (apparently they use fluids to essentially "inflate" other organs and get them out of the way, which can add 5kg to the patients overall weight post-op).
Friday evening Rowie called me to say that they "might" drain at least one of her lungs... she was scared, as I would be too. That just sounded bad. I went back to the hospital.
The protocols in place around decisions are many and varied, but we as patients and loved ones only see the outcomes, which are generally lots and lots of time followed by either nothing, or sudden activity. So it was last night. The on-call doc had to make a call and advise his supervisor, who had to discuss with the surgeon, then they all had a look at the X-rays... and have another think... and another look...
Amongst all this, Rowie and I were seeking clarification from the head nurse, a nice guy named Clinton. Clinton seemed to think that they would probably wait til Saturday morning before doing anything, so after some deliberation we decided that it was best if I went home and got Oscar taken care of.
20 minutes later, Rowie SMS'd me saying that they were going to drain one of her lungs after all... so back to the hospital! I missed it, so wasn't there for her, and I felt terrible... it was quite a painful procedure, although via referred pain due to the local anesthetic. Poor Rowie has a drain tube and it looks like they may have to do the other today...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Passing the Time
Rowie's now been moved from ICU and into the Prince Charles Hospital, which is next door. Dr. Clarke is extremely pleased with her progress thus far and is confident that she will recover "as expected". The anesthetist got it exactly right in his description - poor Rowie looks like a truck has hit her! We visited last night and, while she looked completely knackered, she also had a spark back in her eyes and colour in her fingers. For the past year Row's suffered from exhaustion and with her, you always knew because her eyes seemed always to be tired. So to see the sparkle back in her eyes despite (obviously) being very tired was great for me - a good sign that she's on the road to recovery.
Rowie called me this morning (our wedding anniversary!) and asked if we could not come in today - she wants time to recover, sleep and I think, focus. I'm cool with that although I may just pop in this afternoon (have an appointment in the city) just to make sure all is well.
Oscar saw mum for the first time since the op yesterday. We were quite concerned that seeing Row with all the tubes etc she needs at the moment might frighten him, but in his usual way he'd logic'd it out - "Well, she needs them to make sure she's ok so no problem"! He's been quite frustrating over the past couple of days, but I think that's more about us than him - how could he possibly comprehend the enormity of what's happened? So when the doctor had explained to me the situation when Row came out of theatre and I said "Mummy's going well" his reaction seemed almost disconnected and for a while I was a bit shocked, until I looked at it through his eyes... his default expectation was that Rowie would be fine, and she was - what was the big deal?! Fair enough..!
So no visit today and hopefully she'll be feeling better and stronger tomorrow.
Rowie called me this morning (our wedding anniversary!) and asked if we could not come in today - she wants time to recover, sleep and I think, focus. I'm cool with that although I may just pop in this afternoon (have an appointment in the city) just to make sure all is well.
Oscar saw mum for the first time since the op yesterday. We were quite concerned that seeing Row with all the tubes etc she needs at the moment might frighten him, but in his usual way he'd logic'd it out - "Well, she needs them to make sure she's ok so no problem"! He's been quite frustrating over the past couple of days, but I think that's more about us than him - how could he possibly comprehend the enormity of what's happened? So when the doctor had explained to me the situation when Row came out of theatre and I said "Mummy's going well" his reaction seemed almost disconnected and for a while I was a bit shocked, until I looked at it through his eyes... his default expectation was that Rowie would be fine, and she was - what was the big deal?! Fair enough..!
So no visit today and hopefully she'll be feeling better and stronger tomorrow.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Through the Operation
Just a quick update: Rowie's operation was without drama. The surgeon had expected some issues from her previous operation as a baby - scar tissue can be a real problem apparently - however it was dealt with. The surgeon gave me a full run-down of the work that had been done, and reinforced my confidence in the outcome - the valve is in place and functioning well, Rowie remained stable throughout the procedure, and was progressing well.
I've just left the intensive care unit where Rowie is getting all the care and attention she sorely needs right now. She awoke a couple of times and was looking a little dazed and confused (as would be expected!) but seemed pleased to see me waiting for her, so some browny points there! I debated for some time as to whether I would stick around the ICU all night but the decision was made for me when the night-nurse shift change-over came, and the new nurse - a stern but gently lady named Linda - suggested that I was no good to Rowie tired out, and that I should go get some rest. So I've just come home.
I was fine all afternoon right up until we got back to the hospital at 5.15pm, and I went looking for a status update. No-one could tell me anything (not sure whether that's the normal tactic) and I fairly quickly descended into worst case scenarios. Fortunately, around 6.00pm an ICU nurse came out to let us know that the theatre had called ahead to prep the ICU for Rowie's imminent arrival - which we took to be good news obviously! Around 7.00pm I was allowed into the ICU. It was a shock - Row looked pretty much how the anesthetist had described she would feel - and the nurse reacted brilliantly by letting me know that all signs were good.
So, from here on we will be limiting visits to 15 minute pop-ins, as we don't want to wear Rowie out. This next two days will be critical to her ongoing recovery so we don't want to risk anything.
It's been a hell of a day and one I won't ever forget, but now it's done and hopefully by the end of the week Rowie will be out of intensive care and beginning the long journey towards "normal" health.
Thanks again to all who have contacted me and wished us well, your messages have been great...
Looking forward to Friday now.
I've just left the intensive care unit where Rowie is getting all the care and attention she sorely needs right now. She awoke a couple of times and was looking a little dazed and confused (as would be expected!) but seemed pleased to see me waiting for her, so some browny points there! I debated for some time as to whether I would stick around the ICU all night but the decision was made for me when the night-nurse shift change-over came, and the new nurse - a stern but gently lady named Linda - suggested that I was no good to Rowie tired out, and that I should go get some rest. So I've just come home.
I was fine all afternoon right up until we got back to the hospital at 5.15pm, and I went looking for a status update. No-one could tell me anything (not sure whether that's the normal tactic) and I fairly quickly descended into worst case scenarios. Fortunately, around 6.00pm an ICU nurse came out to let us know that the theatre had called ahead to prep the ICU for Rowie's imminent arrival - which we took to be good news obviously! Around 7.00pm I was allowed into the ICU. It was a shock - Row looked pretty much how the anesthetist had described she would feel - and the nurse reacted brilliantly by letting me know that all signs were good.
So, from here on we will be limiting visits to 15 minute pop-ins, as we don't want to wear Rowie out. This next two days will be critical to her ongoing recovery so we don't want to risk anything.
It's been a hell of a day and one I won't ever forget, but now it's done and hopefully by the end of the week Rowie will be out of intensive care and beginning the long journey towards "normal" health.
Thanks again to all who have contacted me and wished us well, your messages have been great...
Looking forward to Friday now.
Sharp Focus
Rowie is currently in surgery. We spent the morning with her, deciding to pop out for some lunch at the local shopping centre only to receive a 'phone call shortly after parking, from Rowie, letting us know that she was heading into the theatre... a hasty drive back to the hospital, parked the car and ran as fast as I could to the ward, but it was too late, she'd gone in... my heart stopped. Luckily, one of the nurses saw me and allowed me into pre-op so Rowie and I spent the ten minutes prior to her going through talking and amazingly, joking. That's whats amazing about Rowie - in the face of this kind of thing she always see's the bright side, and she always put others ahead of herself...
The surgeon came in again this morning just to see how everything was. He seems a good, decent person, although his manner is what some may consider a little too frank, his view being better to completely understand what's going on than be left in the dark - which we prefer anyway. The anesthetist also came in, in many respects his job is far harder than the surgeons, far more risk. He seemed like a good man too, very concerned about the details which is always good. He set Rowies expectations well - "expect to feel a bit like a Mack truck has hit you" was the precise quote! He explained that Rowie will start to feel "normal" again by about 2 months, which we kind of knew but it's good to hear from a professional.
Anyway, we've a long wait, it's 3.00pm now and they're not expected to be out until some time after 5.30pm. Will post up another entry when I know more.
Thanks again to all for your kind thoughts - they are appreciated by us all.
The surgeon came in again this morning just to see how everything was. He seems a good, decent person, although his manner is what some may consider a little too frank, his view being better to completely understand what's going on than be left in the dark - which we prefer anyway. The anesthetist also came in, in many respects his job is far harder than the surgeons, far more risk. He seemed like a good man too, very concerned about the details which is always good. He set Rowies expectations well - "expect to feel a bit like a Mack truck has hit you" was the precise quote! He explained that Rowie will start to feel "normal" again by about 2 months, which we kind of knew but it's good to hear from a professional.
Anyway, we've a long wait, it's 3.00pm now and they're not expected to be out until some time after 5.30pm. Will post up another entry when I know more.
Thanks again to all for your kind thoughts - they are appreciated by us all.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
All go for Monday 21st
Rowie has been admitted into the hospital today, surgery is scheduled for "sometime mid-afternoon" tomorrow.
We were... subdued this afternoon, as you might expect. Once Rowie was checked in and had the hospital procedures explained to her, the surgeon came in and went through the details. At this stage the transplant valve may likely be from a cow - this is because a) a cow's valve works in a very similar way to that of a human heart valve and b) a cows valve lends itself to simpler surgery down the track - apparently when this one starts to deteriorate (and it will - as would any donor valve, even human) there's a possibility that a new valve can be inserted through a simple procedure wherein a second valve is "delivered" via the aortic artery, skipping the need for more invasive surgery.
Rowie is holding up well, all things considered. I think though that the situation becomes stark when the surgeon begins talking about a life-span of "maximum" 10 years if she doesn't have the surgery - that certainly puts things in perspective. Oscar is bearing up well, although his behaviour is up and down - again, very understandable.
Rowie's parents are here now and I can only imagine what's going through their minds, after all they've been through this once before and back then this type of surgery was extremely radical.
Anyway, we'll be off to the hospital tomorrow morning to provide support and... well, whatever we can do. It's the start of a long and painful journey for Rowie I'll do what I can to help her through it.
We were... subdued this afternoon, as you might expect. Once Rowie was checked in and had the hospital procedures explained to her, the surgeon came in and went through the details. At this stage the transplant valve may likely be from a cow - this is because a) a cow's valve works in a very similar way to that of a human heart valve and b) a cows valve lends itself to simpler surgery down the track - apparently when this one starts to deteriorate (and it will - as would any donor valve, even human) there's a possibility that a new valve can be inserted through a simple procedure wherein a second valve is "delivered" via the aortic artery, skipping the need for more invasive surgery.
Rowie is holding up well, all things considered. I think though that the situation becomes stark when the surgeon begins talking about a life-span of "maximum" 10 years if she doesn't have the surgery - that certainly puts things in perspective. Oscar is bearing up well, although his behaviour is up and down - again, very understandable.
Rowie's parents are here now and I can only imagine what's going through their minds, after all they've been through this once before and back then this type of surgery was extremely radical.
Anyway, we'll be off to the hospital tomorrow morning to provide support and... well, whatever we can do. It's the start of a long and painful journey for Rowie I'll do what I can to help her through it.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Shuffles and Re-Schedules
Blimey.
Well, we were as good as packed. Time off work booked, Oscars school notified, ready to go. One day out Rowie gets a call from the hospital advising that she's been re-scheduled due to a higher priority coming through.
Talk about last minute.
I can only imagine the psyching up that Rowie is going through, because as much as I try and empathise with her situation, I will never truly know whats going on in her mind. I would imagine though that it's pretty tough getting ready for whats going to happen. To have a re-schedule literally at the last minute is not good, to put in mildly.
Rowie was rightly ballistic, and headed down to the hospital to - I think - express her anger at this FOURTH delay. In the end though, she asked for some tests as she's been feeling a little tight across the chest and had assumed that the operation would "fix" it, so of course re-scheduling the surgery meant that she was now more concerned.
Surgeon Intervenes
After her trip to the hospital, Rowie received a 'phone call from the surgeon who will (eventually) perform the procedure. We think he was as frustrated as Rowie, because he's now re-organised the schedule so that Rowie will book into another hospital (adjacent to Prince Charles), "Holy Spirit" on SUNDAY NIGHT (20/09/09). The actual procedure is at this stage scheduled for the following Monday (21/09/09) @ midday - it's a 6-8 hour operation.
So, annoying but the schedule is only slightly changed, plus it looks like this one will hold - the surgeon intervening suggests that a) he's tired of the mucking around and b) he deems Rowies surgery as suitably important enough that it should be done sooner rather than later.
The rough schedule is now:
Sunday 20/09/09 - Rowie admitted into Holy Spirit (Private hospital)
Monday 21/09/09 - Surgery commences @ midday, then is placed in ICU for 24 hours
Wednesday 23/09/09 - Assuming all is well, Rowie will be transferred to Prince Charles for monitoring
About 6-10 days later - Rowie discharged from hospital and the really hard work begins...
Will keep you updated as/when anything changes.
Thanks to all for well wishes over the past few days, I know Rowie appreciates them.
Well, we were as good as packed. Time off work booked, Oscars school notified, ready to go. One day out Rowie gets a call from the hospital advising that she's been re-scheduled due to a higher priority coming through.
Talk about last minute.
I can only imagine the psyching up that Rowie is going through, because as much as I try and empathise with her situation, I will never truly know whats going on in her mind. I would imagine though that it's pretty tough getting ready for whats going to happen. To have a re-schedule literally at the last minute is not good, to put in mildly.
Rowie was rightly ballistic, and headed down to the hospital to - I think - express her anger at this FOURTH delay. In the end though, she asked for some tests as she's been feeling a little tight across the chest and had assumed that the operation would "fix" it, so of course re-scheduling the surgery meant that she was now more concerned.
Surgeon Intervenes
After her trip to the hospital, Rowie received a 'phone call from the surgeon who will (eventually) perform the procedure. We think he was as frustrated as Rowie, because he's now re-organised the schedule so that Rowie will book into another hospital (adjacent to Prince Charles), "Holy Spirit" on SUNDAY NIGHT (20/09/09). The actual procedure is at this stage scheduled for the following Monday (21/09/09) @ midday - it's a 6-8 hour operation.
So, annoying but the schedule is only slightly changed, plus it looks like this one will hold - the surgeon intervening suggests that a) he's tired of the mucking around and b) he deems Rowies surgery as suitably important enough that it should be done sooner rather than later.
The rough schedule is now:
Sunday 20/09/09 - Rowie admitted into Holy Spirit (Private hospital)
Monday 21/09/09 - Surgery commences @ midday, then is placed in ICU for 24 hours
Wednesday 23/09/09 - Assuming all is well, Rowie will be transferred to Prince Charles for monitoring
About 6-10 days later - Rowie discharged from hospital and the really hard work begins...
Will keep you updated as/when anything changes.
Thanks to all for well wishes over the past few days, I know Rowie appreciates them.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
All Doom & Gloom?
Lately most of the posts we've made have been pretty sober, I guess because the subject matter is fairly serious.
The upside of the bad news is that Rowie has finally found a reason behind the fatigue she's been suffering from. I have to admit that on occasion I've questioned whether there was actually a problem (before we found out what was going on) - sometimes it's "easier" to assume the simplest answer, particularly when the various doctors Rowie has seen are confirming that, from their point of view, all is well.
It's not all bad.
Sure, this operation isn't going to be easy... Just getting through the description of it was a pretty harrowing experience from where I was sitting (Rowie of course took it in her stride and asked all the right questions). But once it's done, it's done for at least 20 years, and by all accounts, Rowie's life will resume after the two months of recovery. Personally I think it will take at least six months, but then Rowie is a fighter - she has a goal in mind and wants to get there.
The oddest thing is how life goes on... but then I guess it isn't that odd really.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed the full moon and thought it'd be a good opportunity to spend a couple of hours doing one of my favourite things - night photography. I think it's the fact that you have to apply a bit of thought to actually getting a half decent photo that I like. This image to the right is of a building called "Customs House" which is one of Brisbanes older buildings.
In contrast, the photo to the left is of a group of buildings that have been built around "Kangaroo Point" which used to be a bit of an after-thought in Brisbane. Now it's a yuppy haven and prices have hit the stratosphere - even in the current G.F.C.
Lastly this one was taken from Kangaroo Point facing into the city. Story Bridge suffers a little from not being the Harbour Bridge and not being in Sydney - personally I think it has a certain character that will develop as Brisbane "grows up".
So, some stuff that's not bad news...
The upside of the bad news is that Rowie has finally found a reason behind the fatigue she's been suffering from. I have to admit that on occasion I've questioned whether there was actually a problem (before we found out what was going on) - sometimes it's "easier" to assume the simplest answer, particularly when the various doctors Rowie has seen are confirming that, from their point of view, all is well.
It's not all bad.
Sure, this operation isn't going to be easy... Just getting through the description of it was a pretty harrowing experience from where I was sitting (Rowie of course took it in her stride and asked all the right questions). But once it's done, it's done for at least 20 years, and by all accounts, Rowie's life will resume after the two months of recovery. Personally I think it will take at least six months, but then Rowie is a fighter - she has a goal in mind and wants to get there.
The oddest thing is how life goes on... but then I guess it isn't that odd really.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed the full moon and thought it'd be a good opportunity to spend a couple of hours doing one of my favourite things - night photography. I think it's the fact that you have to apply a bit of thought to actually getting a half decent photo that I like. This image to the right is of a building called "Customs House" which is one of Brisbanes older buildings. 
In contrast, the photo to the left is of a group of buildings that have been built around "Kangaroo Point" which used to be a bit of an after-thought in Brisbane. Now it's a yuppy haven and prices have hit the stratosphere - even in the current G.F.C. Lastly this one was taken from Kangaroo Point facing into the city. Story Bridge suffers a little from not being the Harbour Bridge and not being in Sydney - personally I think it has a certain character that will develop as Brisbane "grows up".
So, some stuff that's not bad news...
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