Journal
I would like to start with thanking a few people before we get down to the nitty gritty of this update. First, my amazing boyfriend, Nick, who has loved, supported, dried my tears, calmed by nerves and so much more over the last few months; Dr. Ian Rogers and the Cardiovascular Team at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA for all their research and care; my Friends, Family and Prayer Warriors who have (and continue to) pray, love on me and help in any way they can.
Since returning to Coeur D Alene in early June after spending a week at Stanford Medical Center in the care of Dr. Ian Rogers this journey has been one heck of a rollercoaster. However, God has never left my side, nor has he forsaken me. I have had to lean heavily on my faith and as well as my sobriety to get through some tough calls. To recap, Nicholas and I went down to California for a few tests to gain more information on the myocardial bridge that has been causing health concerns and difficulties. While we were there, Dr. Ian Rogers and his team discovered that it was much more than what was originally thought. Before we left, Dr. Ian Rogers came and discussed the findings with us. He said that the myocardial bridge was causing the bottom of my heart to be functioning at 40% and the blood flow to that portion of the heart was only at 37%. There is also a deformation in the cells lining the blood vessels called endothelial dysfunction, which also causes some pain as well as other issues relating to the vascular relaxation, contraction of the muscle, production of enzymes that control blood clotting, immune function and platelet adhesion.
There are two things we tried to do help this: a medication change or look further into another surgery and bring those vessels to the top of the heart muscle. We did the medication change and continued to look in to the surgery as well. After my regular meeting with my cardiologist here in Spokane, and a lengthy discussion of the last few months, it was decided that surgery would be the best option for a better quality of life. This was not an easy decision and there was much prayer involved.
In the end, I know it is the best option.
November 12th, 2018 I will be traveling with my father, George Stevens, to Stanford once again to undergo a full open heart surgery. On November 15th, I will spend all day meeting with the Cardiothoracic Team, completing numerous tests and finishing paperwork to undergo surgery. The following morning, November 16th, very early in the morning I will begin the surgery. Dr. Miatas and Dr. Rogers will be the surgeons in the room (But God will be the most important one in there with me!)
The surgery will be an unroofing procedure to relieve pressure on that vein that is the myocardial bridge on the heart as well as repair a valve that is leaking, a weekend neocortical root and pulmonary artery. This is a fairly complicated surgery and will take a minimum of 8 - 10 hours.
After surgery, I will be moved to the CICU (Cardiac/Critical Intensive Care Unit) where I will remain in a medically induced coma for the first 48 hours after in the case they need to reenter my chest. My dad will have my cell phone and will update you all when he receives updates himself. Please, during this time please be courteous to him as this will be difficult. Lynda Daniels will also be able to update you as well.
Feel free to follow this, as well as my Caring Bridge and Facebook in the coming weeks for the latest updates.
I cannot thank Stanford's Cardiovascular team, Angel Flight West, Los Altos Home Apartments, all my prayer warriors, friends and family during this time for the love and support they have given us. Feel free to shoot me a text and keep me company :) I love you all from the bottom of my heart!! xoxo!
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