Tonight Daddy treated us to dinner at the Pei Wei.
Here are the girls around the big fire with Papa.
We think... we (Daddy, Lisa, and myself) met with the surgeon today. After looking at the facts in front of him, Dr. Bethencourt suggested that only the heart valve be repaired. He said the aortic valve was functioning at less than 25% thus putting a lot of pressure on Daddy's heart. He said the valve procedure was minimally invasive and would be a much easier recovery. Dr. Bethencourt plans to discuss the surgery in greater detail with Dr. Hermer, the cardiologist. The date was set for Monday, 2-2-09.
The only thing we are a bit fuzzy on is... we were under the impression that there were two other "narrowings" in the arteries that needed either a stint or rebypassed. Dr. Bethencourt said these areas were open about 50% according to the paperwork he was given. A 50% opening would not likely be cause for alarm and could be ignored. We are anxious for the two doctors to talk and clear this up. Just how blocked are those arteries? Can it wait or be put off permanently? It would be wonderful if Daddy needed only the valve repair!
That's why I say we think we have a surgery date. If the surgery is just for the valve, it will take place as planned. It will likely be rescheduled if it will involve anything else. We hope to get confirmation from the cardiologist tomorrow or Friday.
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