"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Just as in sports, when a team encounters a set-back (i.e., interception) and their main player gets hurt (i.e., injured reserve), the team regroups and fights stronger to win.  That's what Brad and I are doing.

I wanted everyone to know that this will be my last "Caring Bridge" entry ~~ I'm going to focus strictly on the "Brad Needs a Kidney" Facebook page.  I know there are a handful of you who are not on Facebook, so if you would like to still receive updates, please email me at billiejo.jentsch@yahoo.com, and I'll be happy to send you email updates.  While Caring Bridge has been an amazing resource these last four years, I don't want friends and family feeling as if they need to donate to the Caring Bridge website (which donations to not come to Brad) ~~ while we aren't charged to create these journals, Caring Bridge does solicit donations to maintain the website.  Therefore, our friends and family do not need to feel "guilted" into contributing to Caring Bridge.

The last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind and I haven't been able to provide the "you're talking over my head" update from Brad's visit to UW Cardiology on March 14th, so here goes.

If you're not familiar with how an angiogram works, I'll tell you.  They insert a catheter in the main vein in the arm.  This catheter goes straight to the heart, at which time, a dye is inserted into the heart so the surgeon can see if there is any blockage.  If there are questionable areas in which dye is not flowing through the arteries, the surgeon pushes through another line (kind of like a fishing line) to make sure there is a blockage and not something else (I honestly don't remember what the "something else" was) - but in Brad's case, because the dye wasn't 100% conclusive, the surgeon used the line and found significant blockage all the way around.

Here are the findings from the angiogram:

1. Left main: 30% tapering distally

2.  Left anterior descending artery: Diffuse 75% stenosis in the proximal to mid portion involving the ostium of a large diagonal branch. The distal LAD is relatively preserved and potentially bypassable (um, yay?!?!). The diagonal branch is also potentially bypassable (again yay).

3.  Fractional flow reserve of the LAD was 0.68 at baseline. No adenosine was given.

4. Circumflex: 80% stenosis proximally followed by 80% to 90% stenosis in the proximal portion of a sizable marginal branch which could be bypassed (yay).

5.  Right coronary artery:  Dominant. 75% stenosis in the proximal portion. There is also a 90% stenosis at the ostium of a large posterolateral branch which could be bypassed (yay).

All of this rolled into one delicious little burrito is that he has "severe 3-vessel coronary artery disease," and the recommendation is bypass surgery.  Dr. Gimelli was the surgeon who performed the angiogram and talked with us after the procedure.  Due to Brad's complex case, he is referring us to Dr. Osaki, "the best cardiac surgeon there is."  Before we left, we also needed to get an ultrasound of his heart for Dr. Osaki to review prior to our next meeting.

After Brad's ultrasound of the heart, we were leaving, and because we had never been to this portion of the hospital, we got lost ~~ we couldn't find our way out.  It kinda felt like we were mice in a maze looking for the cheese.  Getting frustrated that we couldn't find our way out, I was getting a bit ornery (I know, it's hard to believe, but it's true- I do get crabby).  Once we figured out an outlet from the maze, Brad needed to use the restroom.  This is where I will tell you that God needed us to get lost, and God needed Brad to use the bathroom right then and there because as I was waiting for him outside the restroom, the surgeon who performed the angiogram walked out of the staff area and immediately recognized me and asked me how we were ... um, you just told us Brad needs bypass surgery, how do you think we are?!?!  He could tell (in my eyes apparently) that I had a burning question and prefaced the next part of the conversation with "we see these situations frequently here, he's in the best care."  Open verbal attack.  I asked him "is he a ticking time bomb?"  With a bit of hesitation, the answer, "yes, but understand he's not 'critical' -- if he were critical, he wouldn't be going home."  OK?  Define critical -- "he's not 100% or 90% blocked in all three arteries.  Could he have a heart attack tonight?  Sure.  ...and also remember, his type of coronary artery disease does not present symptoms, so at the slightest, what you think is the most insignificant twinge, breath or "not feeling right" call 911."  Uh ... gulp ... OK.  

Phew ~~ that's all a mouthful.  We are scheduled for the cardiac evaluation on March 23rd at 10 a.m. and per Dr. Gimelli, he presumed the bypass surgery would happen shortly thereafter.

Brad and I continue to be utterly grateful for your love and support.  I don't have the final numbers from the first fundraiser at Culver's, but the preliminary numbers provided indicate that $1,200 was raised from sales, and another $1,100 through cash donations in either the jar at the counter or to Brad's parents.  As I type this, I find that I can no longer control my tears and can't even begin to tell each and every one of you how appreciative I am of you.  Whether you attended the fundraiser, mailed a donation, are offering to help at future fundraisers, or most importantly are PRAYING.  My own daily conversations with God are getting longer and longer ~~ for which I am grateful because I know he is listening.

Until next time ~~ on Facebook.