Val and I would like to thank everybody for their good wishes and thoughts during my recent operations and stint in hospitals.
I was overwhelmed by the many messages, cards and flowers from family, “old” workmates and friends . . . . some friends messages were from overseas and are people whom I’ve never even met . . . . namely, from members of Forums that I belong to . . . Fantastic camaraderie!
It’s so humbling . . . I’m really at a loss for words . . .
But, I’m on the mend, but there’s still a wee way to go and, of course, I need to get fit so I can try out this re-conditioned heart!
Anyway, as you are probably aware I'm still in the process of getting over Quad Bye-pass and Open Heart Mitral Valve surgery. That surgery was done back in mid January. It was supposed to see me discharged after about 5 days, but since then I've seen the wards of 3 different hospitals as the vein donor leg had become infected. I had to undergo another general anesthetic to have part of the incision opened up and "the muck cleaned out". I woke to find I then had a huge wound* that was 160 mm L x 50 mm W x 12 mm D. Then, eventually, Wakefield Private Hospital in Wellington sent me off to Wellington Public Hospital . . . as I'd run out of money ($75,000! . . . thank goodness for Health Insurance! . . . even though I've been cursing the outlandish monthly premiums for years now). In due course I was transferred to Palmerston North Public Hospital and finally sent home on the 17th Feb, (a bit more than 1 month in hospitals instead of about 5 days!). I was home for further healing under the care of District Nurses.
Presently and mainly because of a partial vacuum being pulled on the sealed dressing the wound healing is progressing apace (it uses a portable pump with a canister to hold the “juices”). This vacuum method (150mm hg) is really speeding up the healing process, The wound is almost filled with new flesh and has reduced to about 120mm long and 25mm wide . . . and now new skin is forming, which is great, as they were talking of maybe having to do a skin graft
On Friday 4th, I went for a check-up (x-rays, electrocardiogram, cardiac sonography and an interview) at Wellington’s Wakefield heart specialist hospital. The surgeon, Prof Riorden, was very pleased with how my heart operation has turned out . . . he gave the impression that its all that he'd hoped for and more. Soon I'll be taken off several of the drugs, including Warfarin in about 3 months time. Thank goodness . . . I may even get rid of the awful taste in my mouth and my normal taste back.
Once again . . . thanks a million for your support.
Most sincerely.
Leo.
EDITED 15 March 2011
For those who are not too squeamish here’s some wound images . . .
https://www.dropbox.com/home/Leg%20Infe ... ::36924652
