Monday, June 12, 2006
Surgery Will Be Rescheduled
Sophia went to see her cardiologist this morning. She received a good report regarding the stents. Her sats are up and her color is much better.
Unfortunately, Sophia is, just now, getting over her cold/infection. Her cardiologist suspected anesthesiology would want to reschedule. We called the hospital and talked to someone regarding this problem. They confirmed our suspicions and asked we reschedule surgery two weeks after Sophia is symptom free. Our guess is this will be within the next couple of days. So we will likely be having surgery in three weeks to a month.
The reasons they are reluctant to do surgery after a cold or infection are manifold. The main reason being associated with cardiopulmonary bypass. Cardiopulmonary bypass increases the possibility of infection and can result in an inflammatory response. If a bacterial/viral infection is already present in the system, there are obvious risks of post surgical complications of this infection being bolstered by the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. This is obviously too large a risk considering this surgery is somewhat elective. And by elective, I of course do not mean she doesn't need it. I just mean it isn't necessary it be completed immediately.
As many of you know, this type of surgery requires a great deal of mental preparation. As the date grew closer, I became more and more resigned to the inevitability of surgery. And eventually dread was replaced with what could be best described as impatience to reach completion of the surgery. As a result, it became difficult to even consider waiting.
But in the larger view of things this response just points out a possible flaw in my coping mechanism. Perhaps this delay will help me work out whatever obstacles I have to coping. I am very aware of the necessity I deal with this in as healthy a way possible as it will definitely not be the last time we are in such a situation.
The high note is, of course, Sophia is doing much better after her cath. We can only hope surgery will help her progress even further.
Comments:
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I think it's completely normal for the anxiety and fear to turn to dread and then to a need to "get it over." At least it seems to be how it affects most everyone I've talked to about it.
And yes, much better to put it offa week or 2 more than to take the chance of spreading the infection. Infections are a huge worry anyway, no need to take extra risks, though I can see how it might be frustrating to have to put it off. I'm just glad to hear that her sats are up and that the cath/stints have done her so much good.
Hang in there Michael, we're all hangin' with you.
~E
And yes, much better to put it offa week or 2 more than to take the chance of spreading the infection. Infections are a huge worry anyway, no need to take extra risks, though I can see how it might be frustrating to have to put it off. I'm just glad to hear that her sats are up and that the cath/stints have done her so much good.
Hang in there Michael, we're all hangin' with you.
~E
Praying that Sophia continues to get better. I imagine that it would be hard when you have "the date" that is so permanent in your mind to have that change. Glad the stents are helping her with her sats.
So glad to hear she is doing so well after the cath. Changes like that are so dificult, it's hard enough to prepare without the changes, it must be harder with. We had our surgery date changed on us and I was torn between happy (because then he could finally start to get better) or scared to death because I though I had more time to prepare. We are praying for Sophia as well as for you and your wife's peace of mind. So glad she is getting over her cold and that you have the option not to take risks. Hope things progress how they need to.
# posted by 
: 6/12/2006 10:25 PM
: 6/12/2006 10:25 PM
Happy to hear that Sophia's sats are much improved and that she's recovering from her cold. Hoping/praying you and your wife will be able to have some peace while awaiting her re-scheduled surgery.
I can definitely tell that Sophia's color is looking better around her eyes. It is wonderful that her sats have improved, and you guys have got to be feeling good about that! She looks great for a girl who has been fighting off a cold :) I am so sorry that the surgery has to be delayed though -- it must be quite a let down to have "the date" and be building up to it in your mind only to have it change. It's like running a marathon where the finish line keeps changing (an analogy that I related to during our adoption, and now during our wait for surgery). You expect to "get to the other side", and now you have to wait even longer. . . I will continue to pray for your guys during the wait and going into the surgery.
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