Start to Surgery Ran Like Clockwork

Well with all the massive problems, high profile media coverage etc in relation to surgical cancellations due to lack of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, this morning went like clockwork. We got across to the hospital at 6:45 am and by 8am I was able to go with Connor and wait until he went to sleep. I must say that the team on deck were sensational and accomodating given Connor's fears/anxiety. I don't think his fears are anything unusual given his massive medical history and amount of surgeries/hospital admissions. The pre-med didn't seem quite as effective as in Adelaide for the cardiac catheter and not so many knock knock jokes this time.

The discussion with the surgeon was last thing of the day yesterday and we left the hospital at 6pm after a full day from 9am ... Connor (and Tarn and I were knacked). Basically we do not know what will be happening in the surgery except that they are trying to improve his mitral valve. This is due to some conflicting information in relation to pressures in the left ventricle and the size of the annulus leading into the Mitral valve 'appearing' too small in diameter to take the smallest mechanical valve unless absolutely necessary if repair number three on the valve results in a leaking or damaged valve. Given this is number three surgery on his heart there is significant scar tissue to work around/through etc and the time taken will be longer and risk slighly higher. No further mention of risks because I am feeling very comfortable that all is going well and will go to the best possible outcome. One thing Christian (Connor's surgeon Christian Brizzard) is that the reconstructed Mitral valve has become obstructed with growth as it did after the first reconstruction. However it is good that it lasted four years this time I guess looking at the glass half full perspective and he is confident that they can improve the "gradient" by a number of points (ok .. I hear the jargon but take this as "we can improve the performance of the valve).

The only concern is the conflicting measurements in relation to pressures and we hope and pray that the measurement from the cardiac catheter (more likely to be accurate) was a furfy despite being repeat measured due to the unexpected result as I don't believe that is a particularly great scenario. Let's get past the surgery and get into recovery first anyway. Thanks for all the texts, emails and messages via this forum.

Tim & Tarn