Yesterday I had a day at Hammersmith Hospital for the Cardiac pre-admission clinic. What a day! First of all everything was double checked - lung function, ecg, x-rays, blood tests etc etc. It's good to know that they are so thorough, but it is yet another reminder of just how serious this procedure is. If you consider it 'routine' to open the chest, chill the heart and connect it to an outside machine, collapse the lungs and remove a vein from the leg then, believe me you are on an another planet! Also I learn that this procedure will 'shut down' my kidneys, which then have to be re-started. Problem is that, with my very limited kidney function, there is a very strong possibility that they won't just 'wake up' after the operation and I will have to have dialysis immediately. In fact they will prepare me for dialysis before the operation by installing the necessary 'line' to allow easy connection to the machine. It just gets better and better!
I had a meeting with my surgeon, who was keen to ensure that I had all the information. He asked 'do you have any questions?' to which I replied 'yes, are you absolutely sure that I need this operation and that there isn't a simpler alternative?'. He explained that he had the clear evidence of the problem and that, because of it's severity there is no other option. I accept this, but I had to ask! I have to say that the entire team seem to be incredibly competent and confident, and very caring. I'm sure I will be in very safe hands and the outcome will be good.
I know that the recovery period will be quite long, and that I will have to 'look forward' to further surgery for my kidney transplant, but I remain positive about my future.
Let's see how things develop.
I had a meeting with my surgeon, who was keen to ensure that I had all the information. He asked 'do you have any questions?' to which I replied 'yes, are you absolutely sure that I need this operation and that there isn't a simpler alternative?'. He explained that he had the clear evidence of the problem and that, because of it's severity there is no other option. I accept this, but I had to ask! I have to say that the entire team seem to be incredibly competent and confident, and very caring. I'm sure I will be in very safe hands and the outcome will be good.
I know that the recovery period will be quite long, and that I will have to 'look forward' to further surgery for my kidney transplant, but I remain positive about my future.
Let's see how things develop.
