I am resurrecting this blog in order for people to have updates on Bob's condition. As I write this Bob is having open heart surgery to repair Aortic Stenosis, 4 blocked coronary arteries and his atrial flutter. Aortic Stenosis is a narrowing of the valve which lies between the heart and aorta. The aorta is the main vessel that supplies blood to the body. He has had this condition for years. People can be born with Aortic Stenois or it can occur as a result of acute rheumatic fever--I don't know which is the case with Bob. He will have a porcine (pig) valve placed to repair this defect.

During his evaluation he was also found to have 4 blocked coronary arteries. These are the arteries which supply blood to the heart itself. Bob will have 4 bypasses done. During this part of the procedure, the surgeon takes a section of veins from his leg. One end of this transplanted leg vein is attached to the coronary artery in an area before the blockage and then the other end of the leg vein is connected to the coronary artery in an area after the blockage. This reestablishes blood flow to the heart muscle. We have been told this has probably been present for awhile is unlikely to be related to their accident. These types of blockages are what cause myocardial infarctions or heart attacks.

Lastly, the electrical activity in the small chambers of Bob's heart is causing a condition called atrial flutter. This means that the contractions of this chamber are to rapid to be effective. He will also have this problem repaired today. Each of these three procedures is a significant surgery. His heart is stopped during the procedure while his circulation is supported by a bypass machine (like an artificial heart). He will likely come out of surgery around 3 pm and have his heart restarted at 4 pm today. I would anticipate that he will be in an ICU for several days and the hospital for several weeks.

Earlier this week he had about a liter of fluid removed the spaces between his each lung and chest wall (pleural effusions)--about 1.2 liters from one side and 0.9 liter from the other. This fluid accumulated due to the heart problems discussed above.

All these issues have postponed the care of his bulging discs. These back problems are long standing and are not due to the accident in February. In fact he had these disc problems when he wrecked the Corolla several years ago.

Lastly, Ann Marie is doing quite well. She no longer is receiving care in the home. She can walk short distances without her walker. She can also eat a full diet.