Translate

Pages

Sunday, April 03, 2016

A Progress Report

I was almost afraid to have this surgery (mitral valve replacement), mostly because I remember how slow recovery was after a double bypass 16 years ago. Plus, I'm now in my 70s,which makes *anything* riskier than it used to be. The surgeon (Dr. Vince Gaudiani, the best heart/valve guy in the SF Bay area) assured me that both techniques & anesthetics have improved a lot in those 16 years.
For example, this time, I was on the heart/lung machine for 40 minutes, compared with 3 hours last time. So even though this op was *inside* the heart, not outside as in the bypass op, the speed and the fact that they reinflate the lungs while you're still in the OR rather than keep you on a respirator while the lungs reinflate themselves, means recovery is much faster.

On the whole, I'm at least 2 weeks ahead of the comparable time period back in 2000 in terms of how I feel and what I can do.
Although I must admit I overdid it a bit this past week, and now feel as if I couldn't fight my way out of the proverbial wet paper bag...
I have a few physically easy projects lined up to work on, but during the surgery they bent my left arm so far back that the ulnar nerve was overstretched and I''ve lost motor control of the outer half of my left hand (temporarily, I'm told). So no projects for a while. Even if the thumping of the beater were acceptable, I doubt I could throw or catch a shuttle with the left hand.
I have a few more things I'd like to finish weaving and fringeing before Complex Weavers Seminars in June. Anybody out there feel like weaving in my studio for a day or two? Paid, of course...

8 comments:

Meg said...

Oh, that left hand thing is a bit of a worry, but overall changes in procedures leading to faster recovery is a Big Plus. I hope you'll be thowing those shuttles soon.

Dianne said...

Very tempted to come work for you but then I'd have to pay someone at this end! Nah, probably best get my butt on my own bench. Keep healing well.

Laura Fry said...

I would happily come weave...but the commute is a killer. :(. It took about three months for my left hand to recover and knitting seemed to be the most effective therapy along with therapy putty. Glad you are doing as well as can be expected. :)

neki desu said...

good time for catching up on the reads,the tv shows,the social media,designing etc

Anonymous said...

One day at a time will win the race. Very happy to hear that you are progressing steadily and I do hope your hand heals much faster than anticipated.

Unknown said...

So glad you're on the mend!

Sheila O'Hara said...

So glad you are on the mend with your heart but so sorry to hear they damaged your arm!! I hope it heals soon. I'd love to come weave for you, too, but I now have a part-time job at the local museum so my schedule is not flexible. I hope you find someone. Take care!
Sheila O'Hara

Cate Rose said...

So glad you're recovering well, all things considered. Hope the arm problem really is temporary. Whatever, the future will take care of itself, it always does. Just take really good care of yourself now. Hugs.