Tuesday, March 04, 2008

• Holy Crap, I almost died! (maybe)

  I have a hole in my chest, and and surgical scar. The following is a description of what was done to me.

  "Creation of a pericardial window is used to drain fluid from the pericardial sac around the heart. The approach may be below the sternum through a subxiphoid incision, or alternately between the ribs of the left chest. The indication for surgery is a pericardial effusion (fluid buildup).

  Pericardial effusion has a variety of causes, including viral infection, cancer, renal disease, heart failure, hypothyroidism, and post cardiac surgery. A pericardial window is used both to provide a diagnosis and to improve heart function. Depending on the underlying disease process, patients usually go home in two days."

  When the surgeon spoke to my parents he told them that as he cut the sack around my heart that water gushed out under pressure like a faucet.  He also said that they drained a whole liter of water from around my heart. I was told that the pressure was so severe that I was in the beginning stages of congestive heart failure, and that my heart could not beat properly.

  So I spent a week in the hospital and have been off work going on three seeks now. I am staying with my parents to recover my strength and get back on my feet. This Thursday I go to see the doctor to have my stitches removed and hopefully to find out what caused this all to happen.

  I entered the ER around 10:00pm on February 14, and was released on February 22 in the afternoon.  My friends gave me a get well card with a picture of a chihuahua dog in a hospital gown with its backside exposed. The caption in the card says "I hope your insurance has better coverage!"   What good friends, and thanks be to God it really does.

  So please, keep me in your prayers as I go to find out what caused all of this.  I also ask that you call on the intercession of any saints that you feel appropriate as well.  Thanks to you all!

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