Houston: We have a problem!

One week post-op

On July 30, Judy checked into Kaiser hospital to have her aortic valve replaced--a procedure referred to as TAVR. Reassured that, although still in an experimental stage, they do thousands of them a year. Much safer than opening up the chest. They insert a new valve into the heart using a catheter.

Mike is in the designated waiting room when at the 2 hour mark, when the procedure should be finished, her lead cardiologist comes in with a very worried look on his face and says, "There are complications. It's only a 1 Percent chance of this happening" But it did!
So commences the worst 48 hours we have experienced.

Judy is strong

She got discharged 1 day earlier than they thought she would be able to be discharged (Friday, Aug 2). The nurses had to put a whoopie type cushion under her on the chair because she would get up and go to the restroom on her own. Nurses say No No. Judy say I do this whenever I want. Siren goes off, loud noise.  But no nurses come running to her either.

Judy’s youngest brother, Eric, and his wife Erin, were and continue to be tremendously helpful and supportive throughout this ordeal. A great big shout out to them for all they do.

Our third and last night in San Francisco for this trip was Sunday night. Judy had 4 walks Sunday; saw our daughter and her family and later, some friends. She has been perky, looking very good and eating. Monday we headed up to Napa to stay with Kathy Mahoney for recuperation. Kathy has been a wonderful hostess which has helped Judy continue to get stronger, have more energy, and feel lots better. Recuperation amidst the vineyards has proven to be a great elixir.

So, because we have to stay an additional week before Judy can fly back to Hawaii, Mike took the opportunity to schedule the repair of one of his cataracts. The trip is a real two-fer.

All in all, Judy's new valve seems to be working very well. Judy has great color, has more energy, feels better and is walking more every day. The trauma of a week ago is past. Now, onto other more fun activities. And, no more heart procedures for Judy

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