As you can see, I did bring my laptop to Memphis. I was surprised that I could get a connection since the cath lab is in the bowels of the hospital! I refer to the "C" concourse as the catacombs! Anyway, the connection is good and I'm able to update you.

Dr. Burnett called about 30 minutes ago and said he did fine. His pulmonary arteries responded well to the medicine that simulates the stress placed on them during the transplant procedure. Of course he still has to lay still for about 6 hours, but after lunch and some fluids we will get to go home. We also don't have to come back next week to see Dr. Burnett. He said he's maintaining well enough and he doesn't want to change any of his meds since he's doing so well. He does see Dr. Lan in June and of course if there's a problem he will see him, but as of now, he's free from dr. and lab appointments! Jackie, the transplant co-ordinator has said he doesn't have to have monthly labs anymore, he can go to every other month. So, except for his pro-time to monitor the coumadin he won't have to get stuck as much.

So,this was a "routine" procedure, if any invasive procedure can be routine!

Until next time, thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

It's heart cath time again! We're going to Memphis this afternoon and have to be at the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning. Hopefully there won't be any complications and we can get home before dark!

Bill has had a little more pep lately. Since we're doing so much work on the house and he's co-ordinating contractors and electricians and plumbers he's back to "project" engineering and loving it. He and the electrician have really hit it off and understand each other. But, it has been good for him. He's been bouncing out of bed about 6:30 and has more color in his face and seems to have a little more energy. I guess we'll see what the dr. says tomorrow.

Haven't decided it I will take my laptop with me or not (probably will) so I don't know just when I will get this updated after the procedure. But I will get it updated eventually.

It's really hard to post anything during tax season! Sorry about that! I said that I would try to explain about the ablation in the last post and I haven't done that. Dr. Lan explained that electrical impulses travel from 1 side of the heart to the other. Bill has so much scar tissue that it has to travel around it and by the time it gets to the other side there's nothing left. That is why his heart starts to just quiver. In the ablation, a tunnel is made with a laser for the impulse to go through which gets it to the other side faster and makes a stronger heartbeat. So, that makes sense and made it a little clearer.

Bill saw Dr. Lan a couple of weeks ago and his Amiodorone was scaled back to the lower dose to see how he held up. His heart rate has been up a couple of times but not too high yet. If it gets to 100 we are to go to the ER if it is on a week-end. If it's a weekday he's to initiate a download and call the office.

His other heart cath has been scheduled for April 12. Not an ideal date but it can't be helped.