Hospital Again

I thought I was in the clear after my incident last week with the fluid around my heart. Turns out I was wrong! This last weekend I started getting pressure in my chest again that continued to build. I waited it out until Tuesday, and finally called my cardiologist. He sent me straight to the ER and a CT scan confirmed that the fluid had returned. He admitted me to the hospital, and I have been here ever since.

My surgeon is out of town for the week, and no one else wants to take my case. My situation is VERY complicated and none of his colleagues feel comfortable treating me. They are considering a couple different options, one being the placement of a pericardial window (in my case, this normally minimally invasive surgery, would require open heart surgery). I think this is the route that they would like to take, but it has only been 10 weeks since I had open heart surgery to repair my SVC, so this makes things even more complicated.

So for now, I am stuck in a hospital in Austin, 4 hours from my family and friends, until my surgeon gets back and can decide what to do with me next week!

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as my doctors try and decide what to do with me. At this point, I am ok with whatever they decide, I just want it fixed!

Amanda

4 Comments

Thoughts & Prayers

by jessame - 2009-10-22 09:10:09

Hi Amanda,
I have not been to the site for quite a while. I am so sorry to hear about all the troubles you've been having. You have had more than your share of them from what I have been reading. I hope your doctor gets back soon so that you can get well back to your family. I will keep you in my thoughts & my prayers. Please keeps us up-dated on your progress.

Mona

Keep on fighting.

by tcrabtree85 - 2009-10-22 11:10:48

Amanda,
I have been praying for you. I wish I could just jump on a plane and come sit with you in that hospital room. I can't imagine what you are facing but my sister I know that you have gotten this far and God does not place more on us than we can handle. I believe you have told me that a couple times lately.
Stay strong and know I am always a phone call away. Love ya dear!

Tammy

Oh no!

by golden_snitch - 2009-10-23 03:10:39

Oh no, not again! Poor you!

I have that window in my pericard because they took a pericardial patch to reconstruct my superior vena cava. The surgeon said that they left it open so that what's happening with you won't happen to me. Don't understand why it would mean open heart surgery for you, though. Even with a reconstructed superior vena cava, I was able to undergo minimal invasive surgery to get the epicardial leads in. I really hope that once he's back your surgeon will tell you that there is a minimal invasive option.

Huge hug!
Inga

OMG

by Pookie - 2009-10-23 12:10:21

Amanda...I just don't know what to say. I really feel for you. I wish I could do something to help. My only suggestion is to never ever ever give up hope. Just know that there are SO many of us here that wish you the very best.

I too went down a long and hard road for almost 5 yrs now (not as complicated as yours tho) but still, it gets to you after awhile, I'm sure you know what I mean.

So, gather up what mental strength you have left and hang on.

Life is sometimes not fair, but just do your best.

Hey, if I lived in Texas, I'd come visit yah for sure!!!

Hugs,
Pookie

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