Medical Update ….. 12/5/2020

If someone had told me a year ago when my medical issues first appeared on a small scale that I would be tested both medically and mentally as I have been since then, I would have called "bullshit."

I feel very blessed. I have had my family here for me, including my daughter Lauren, my son Jake, my sister Vicki, my Sister-in-Law, Sandra, and my pseudo daughter Danielle, all pitching in. They are my heroes; we are family and 100% there for me, you know, "one for all and all for one." Thank you, I love you all!

 The medical conditions are all still there, but slowly, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Spinal Stenosis, Myasthenia Gravis, Heat Disease, all during the Pandemic, has exasperated treatment and tried mine and all of our perseverance. Moving our businesses during this time and allowing my focus to be tested minute by minute has added to the stress but has helped me cope.

 On Monday, 11/30/2020, I entered Morristown Medical Center (MMC) for one of the wildest weeks I have ever had. At 7:30 AM, I had a Cardiac Catheterization under mild sedation performed by my primary Cardiologist Dr. Robert Wall. It was pretty cool to watch, listen, and understand the extent of the condition. Chest X-Ray, EKG, Echocardiogram, many nurses, nurses aides, technicians, doctors, lots of blood work and the IV line, and being admitted to Gagnon 4, one of the Cardiac Care floors, was a real awakening of the trip I was on.

 Tuesday, 12/1/202, more tests before 6:00 AM, another Chest X-Ray, EKG, and more blood, then at 7:30 AM, I went into the OR for the TAVR procedure to replace my bad Aortic Valve. My doctors' told me many things, and reinforcement by the nurses and "my team" made me feel safe and comfortable as I went under general anesthesia. One of the details I was made aware of was the likelihood that I would need a Pacemaker based on what they saw on my EKG's. I awoke three hours later, tended by my recovery room nurse Courtney Cabana whose family I have known for more than 40 years. Courtney broke the news that I had a temporary pacemaker inserted while in the OR. She also called my son and filled him in on my condition and how I was doing. Dr. Magovern, my Cardiothoracic Surgeon, had already called him to update him on how I was while I was still "under" from the OR. Dr. Magovern and Dr. Jordan Safirstein, one of my two Cardiologists, performed the procedure.

 Courtney introduced me to Dr. Robert Coyne, who explained in detail that I would need a permanent one to maintain the electrical connection that tells my heart when to pump. He further explained, in detail, that the pacemaker helps monitor and control your heartbeat. The electrodes detect your heart's electrical activity and send data through the wires to the computer in the generator. If your heart rhythm is abnormal, the computer will direct the generator to send electrical pulses to your heart. She helped me through recovery and brought me, along with patient transportation aides, back to room 427, where Lauren, my RN met us. Surrounded by six others, they moved me to my bed to continue recovery.

Sometime that late morning I was introduced to Katie Worthington, APN (Advanced Nurse Practitioner). It was not indeed an introduction because Katie is Katie Harrington to me from our town of Long Valley. She went to High School with my daughter Lauren, and our families have been friends for many years. She also started to plan for and work with the team to ensure that I was on the correct medications and plan my discharge even though I would need one more procedure, the pacemaker.

On Wednesday 12/2/2020 I was again prepped for the surgery to implant the pacemaker. EKG, Chest X-Ray, blood, etc. My biggest complaint was my lack of caffeine headache while waiting for a slot to get the device implanted. At 4:00 PM I was brought back down to the OR and had a quick conversation with Dr. Coyne and the Anesthesiologist. We decided to do the surgery under local anesthesia. Okay, yes, there was some pain and discomfort, but I was finished and back in my room by 6:00 PM and had my third meal from room service; yes, they have room service, and I felt fine. Mary and Katie both came in to get me started on my release. There was little trepidation on planning to release me Thursday because of my neuropathy and my walking. Still, they ordered PT to come to assess me and have me walk the hall and go up and down steps to assure them and me that it would be acceptable for me to be released.

On Thursday, 12/3/2020, at 3:30 AM, I again had blood drawn; at 4:00 AM, yet another EKG, and a chest X-ray at 4:30 AM. I went back to sleep and woke up at 7:00 AM when my breakfast arrived. By 1:00 PM, I was with the Physical Therapist. I walked about seventy feet with a walker and then went up and down twenty steps.

I was released at 3:00 PM, and Jake picked me up.

I want to thank the team at MMC besides those I have already mentioned. Ryan, Jeff, Elise, Morgan, all lab techs, X-ray techs, blood bank (I didn't need any, but they were ready), transportation, OR Nurses, and OR Nurses Assistants, registrars, security, and those who make the place hum. I thank god for all of you and wish you safety and health while you care for us. You are all my heroes!