As many of you know, @Julia Curtis has heart failure, and was hoping to be scheduled for another open heart surgery soon. She visited her heart doctor on Tuesday (10/17/23), and he informed her that her heart is just not strong enough for them to do the procedure, so now they have to try and see if there is another way that they can help her heart, because of the calcification of her aortic valve, and the decreasing function in her heart. She said they will also be doing more tests to try and find out more specific information about what her heart is doing, and that will help them to find the best procedure for her. I asked permission to share what she told me with everyone here on the forum, because that is what we often do when someone is facing a hard medical decision ahead. Please add Julia to your prayers if you pray, and think positive thoughts for her if that is what works best for you instead. Here is a short quote of what she wrote to me, and this explains her situation very definitively : I went to see the Surgeon so he could check me out and tell me what his plan was and when I would be admitted.I cannot have the 3rd open heart, he said I wouldn't survive it, the calcification has gone inside the chamber of the aortic valve, the valve itself is still moving but at a limited pace.
Julia and I have become friends outside of the Forum . Yes it is sad, but there is always hope. I have not heard from her today. Will check on her .
WONDERFUL, @Hedi Mitchell ! I sent her my email address a while back also, so we could correspond even if she was not on the forum. She and i were writing back and forth about this today, so she is fine. I was concerned how the doctor appointment went on Tuesday, and was not sure if they were just doing an exam or actually might be doing the procedure, so I messaged her yesterday to ask. Ken said he can set up a Zoom meeting when and if Julia goes in for a procedure , if she wants to do that; which would give us a chance to actually wish her well before she goes in, since she has no one to visit her in the hospital. I have also mentioned that she could start a diary (like Beth did) to keep us updated on how the heart condition is doing and what is happening in her life.
Dear Julia, if you are reading this, please know we are all thinking about you. Hoping the doctors can figure out an even better solution.
Hugs to you Julia. Glad you joined our group. Keep us informed if you can. Good thoughts and prayers to you.
Julia, please know we are praying for you. "Let not your heart be troubled. Neither, let it be afraid". Thank you Yvonne for keeping us posted.