And just like that the procedure is over and she didn't need valve replacement. She's not out of the water but the surgeon was very optimistic.

That's a marathon surgery. And a long time for you to be waiting in the waiting room for news. I'm glad you have J with you.

When a surgery gets to be that long, there are basic bodily functions for the surgeons that you have to wonder about. Do they work in shifts to get breaks?

That's like a transatlantic flight, and on one of those, they give you a meal and a snack or two and you use the toilets once or twice during that time.

Edit: I took a long time to write that and missed the update.

Glad to hear it went well.

I am so happy for you and Katkeeper (and J of course, who is alongside you)
Although KK's recovery is only just beginning.

Love, love, love.

Getting through surgery is a huge milestone.
Even routine surgeries can throw up complications.
She's out and is on the right road.

Oh, so happy it went smoothly UT. Give your mom a big Get Well Soon from Yorkshire.

hurrah!

Been thinking of you guys today.
Relieved to hear things went well.

Good to see positive news at the end of the day, here.

The ICU nurse woke her out of sedation briefly, and got her to move her hands and legs. She moved all four, which means she didn't have a debilitating stroke during surgery. (4% of patients having this procedure do have a stroke.)

Tomorrow morning they will raise her out of sedation completely and remove her breathing tube, and then we'll know she's 100% out of danger.

It's all positive!! Every last tidbit of news is positive.

:thumb:

Great news Toad - I'll continue to keep you all in my thoughts.

Great to hear UT. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Thanks for keeping us informed UT. Healing vibes being beamed across the Atlantic as I write!

Nice! That's great to hear. She did good work. :)

She's been woozy and a little confused in the ICU this morning. But she's also been complaining, so we know she's herself. I'm still worried about her mental faculties but I have no basis to understand where she is with meds and stuff.

ICU nurse: OK, you are retaining a lot of fluids from the operation, so we're going to give you a drug and you'll pee them out.
Me: is it Lasix?
Nurse: it is.
Me: my dog is on Lasix. She leaves puddles everywhere.
Nurse: that won't be a problem here.
Me: yeah some days I want to put a catheter up my dog.