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Re: [OM] (OT) Need that Positive Energy Again

Subject: Re: [OM] (OT) Need that Positive Energy Again
From: Johan Malmström <jmalmstrom@xxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:46:46 +0100
Some Swedish thoughts too!


Skickat från min iPad

20 jan 2012 kl. 18:40 skrev Bob Whitmire <bwhitmire@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

> Well, once again the call goes out for prayers, positive energy, good 
> thoughts, etc., for No. 2 Son, Benjamin, who will be admitted to the Maine 
> Medical Center on Sunday, and on Monday will undergo an aerobic valve 
> replacement.
> 
> You may recall back in December 2010 when Ben suffered congestive heart 
> failure and we almost lost him. Your positive energy was much appreciated at 
> the time. though the past year he has shown slow and steady improvement in 
> his heart function, to the point where now his cardiologist and cardiac 
> surgeon believe he's well enough to undergo the surgery. We've got a real 
> cracker-jack of a surgeon, so there are no worries in that department.
> 
> The plan is a Ross Procedure, which is where the surgeon replaces the aerobic 
> valve with the patient's pulmonary valve, and then replaces the pulmonary 
> valve with either a cadaver valve or an animal valve. The benefit of the Ross 
> Procedure is that the patient does not require blood thinners, as would be 
> the case with an artificial valve. The surgeon did warn us, however, that 
> once he gets in, he may have to fall back to an artificial valve if Ben's 
> pulmonary valve doesn't seem a likely candidate for moving. In that case, he 
> plans to use an experimental (in the US) On-X valve (which has been approved 
> for use in other parts of the world for a _long_ time). The benefit of the 
> On-X valve is that Ben will need Plavix rather than Coumadin.
> 
> We were amazed that they typical hospital stay for this surgery is 4-5 days. 
> Who'd-a-thunk? And, if you're interested, the Ross Procedure is the subject 
> of a series of YouTube videos under the auspices of the Cleveland Clinic. I 
> was astonished as I watched the operation (severely condensed) at how capable 
> and confident the surgeons were. Ben's family practice doctor, who was in the 
> Air Force before setting up private practice, calls it "Fighter Pilot 
> Mentality." (Go, Chris!) He says these types of surgeons are like fighter 
> pilots: they're so well trained and so confident that it never occurs to them 
> that they can't do it, and they are extremely capable of reacting to any 
> contingency. After viewing the video, I believe it. <g>
> 
> The issue, other than standard dangers of this type of surgery, is that Ben, 
> who has autism and mental retardation, doesn't understand what needs to be 
> done. He has no incentive to cooperate. Fortunately, the surgeon has done 
> this operation on children and other mentally handicapped individuals, so 
> he's confident that he and the hospital staff can manage any issues that 
> arise. To date the staff has been most compassionate and helpful, and has 
> kept in touch to keep us apprised of their plans. For example, contrary to 
> policy, Ben should get a room by himself so as not to cause some other poor 
> soul to suffer loud outbursts, etc. They've also worked with us to streamline 
> the admission process on Sunday so has to minimize anxiety provoking 
> incidents that come with waiting around for clerical details to be ironed out.
> 
> At any rate, I'm planning to take a laptop with me next week, and good lord 
> willin' and the crick don't rise, will be on and off, messing around with 
> stuff, including this list.
> 
> But in the event I'm not, have a happy thought for Ben on 
> Monday--particularly you UK and Continent types, who can get the positive 
> energy flowing while Ben's still asleep. <g> At the moment, the surgery is 
> scheduled for 6:15 a.m., but he could be bumped until later in the day for 
> any of a number of reasons, mostly having to do with patients in more acute 
> distress.
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> --Bob
> 
> 
> 
> 
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