Spoke on the phone with my surgeon on Sunday afternoon. He was on his way to Cuba for an annual humanitarian visit where he and other doctors operate on children in need. Neat.
Dr. Cameron agreed with Dr. Ringel that we aren't burning any bridges with the minimally-invasive options we're looking at, and that none of them complicate future surgery. That Dr. Cameron has already replaced at least two Melody valves, the very new procedure I've mentioned, gives us great confidence in that assessment.
We also discussed having the first and, if needed, second procedure done at one of the centers that can also do the third step, such as Columbia University in New York. It seems that wouldn't be necessary, since any emergency condition, which was the scenario that made me pose the question, would be handled surgically. If I do need the Melody valve, it would be some time after the second procedure, after I was recovered and exercising, not as a quick fix to a problem discovered in the "cath lab", as they call it.
Next step? Meet with Dr. Ringel for some final questions, then get this on the calendar!
1 comment:
thinking of u and am and the kids :)
maggy
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