Submitted by Laura on Thu,
05/09/2013 - 7:25pm
Wow, April has been
quite an interesting month. If you haven't already heard, on April 18, I
had open heart surgery to fix an ascending aortic aneurysm (AAA). When I
went in to have my stent placed, I was in so much chest and back pain, that the
doctor suspected something else and ordered a CT scan. The radiologist
found the aneurysm and I was admitted to the hospital on the 16th. Dr.
Schwartz, who performed my X-mas day thoracotomy, also did my AAA surgery.
He explained that from the March bronchoscopy, fungus was found growing
in my lung, so from that infection, it most likely traveled through my blood
and attached itself to the spot in my heart where the heart/lung bypass had
been attached to my aorta during the lung transplant. Apparently,
bacteria and fungus love to attach itself to weak/damaged tissue, so an
infection started and created the aneurysm. Ironically, the doctor thinks
the scar tissue from my lung tx helped keep the aneurysm from bursting.
The aneurysm was the size of a small orange!!!!! So, God must be
looking out for me. I was in the hospital for 9 days total. Once at home,
I actually got back on my feet pretty quickly. I do have some
incision chest pain, collar bone pain, and leg/groin pain, but I am able
to breathe better, cook some dinners, pick up, and make it to doctor's
appointments. I am doing really good, the doctors were pretty amazed how
well I am doing after 3 major surgeries!
Since I got home, Joe
and I did some house shopping, went to a bridal shower, and walked a 5K in
honor of my friend's son, who has William's Syndrome. After the 5K, I
felt pretty good, however the last three days my right side sciatic nerve is
seriously causing me tons of pain and some loss of ability to walk! After
2 trips to the Chiro, I am finally better today with only some minimal twinges.
=) Other than this, I am planning a graduation party for my cousin and
brother-in-law and getting ready for summer!
Wish me luck and pray I
have no more of these setbacks!!! I still need my stents, but the doctor
has not cleared me yet for additional procedures, so we are waiting on that.
I will try to keep all of you posted!
Laura XO
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