Peter's follow-up

Peter went for a checkup with his cardiologist today. His blood pressure still drops between 140/80 (resting) and 80/50 (standing), which results in the dizzy spells. This is still not acceptable so the Doctor has increased the dosage of his blood pressure medication. Peter also has to constantly wear stretch stockings (VERY tight) to assist the blood flow back up to the heart. The Doctor has said that he does not want to consider doing the pacemaker unless it is absolutely necessary, that is, he wants to take the less invasive route if possible. So, for now we are back into the "wait and see" mode. He is still continuing on the antibiotics as his infection has not cleared up completely. During one of Peter's numerous falls (about 3 weeks ago), he injured his shoulder. This injury is still bothering Peter and he has lost a lot of strength and movement in the arm. We now need to take him to see a sports injury specialist who hopefully will be able to find what has caused the problem. Other than all of that he seems to be improving ... gradually ...(said with guarded trepidation!)

Watch this space!

As I mentioned before, the Cardiologist will not do the pacemaker procedure until Peter is completely infection free. His infection still has not cleared up as quick as we had hoped. So believe it or not, Peter has been discharged ... that's right, again! Can you see the sense in being transferred by ambulance from one hospital to another, just so that he can be discharged. If you understand then please explain it to me? Anyway, he has to see the Doctor again on Thursday to see if the infection is improving. So, as they say in the classics ... Watch this space! Or, to coin Peter's favorite phrase, this is driving us "Uncle Willy"

Now in Medical ICU

Yesterday, Peter was transferred by ambulance from Milnerton Medi-clinic back to Vincent Pallotti Hospital. He is now in their Medical ICU section. His Cardiologist has decided to insert a pacemaker to help regulate Peter's heart rate. At the moment he has a slight infection from the initial operation. They cannot perform the procedure until he is infection free, so they cannot tell us exactly when the pacemaker will be fitted. I will keep you all updated as soon as we hear when it will be done.

Once again to ICU

It is a good thing that this blog has a kept a record of events as they have happened over the past 3 months. It is really hard to believe how quickly things have happened and how often things keep repeating themselves.
As in Peter’s own words, he has been feeling “up to sh*t” this past week and he is “worse now than he ever has been before”! He is still battling with the dizzy spells, weakness and black outs followed often by collapsing! The cardiologist said that it is being caused by a quickened heart rate / fibrillations / palpitations.
Yesterday afternoon I took Peter back to see Dr Pillay (cardiologist). He was not happy with Peter’s condition and so once again Peter has been admitted to Milnerton Medi-Clinic ICU. The Doctor has assured us that he will get to the root of the problem this time and that Peter will not be discharged until he is stabilized … completely … I’m not sure if we can believe Dr Pillay but we’ll watch this space in anticipation!

Jeanette's health

Last Thursday, Peter asked me to take Jeanette to Milnerton Medi-clinic emergency as her health has been declining and we were all becoming very concerned. After numerous blood tests, X-rays and examinations the doctor told me that there was no medical reason for her to be admitted to a hospital bed. The symptoms that he had observed during his examinations could be directly attributed to her Chronic Dementia. He said that the family should understand that her health and cognisance will continue to decline in the months and years ahead; eventually she is going to require 24 hour nursing care.
Our cousins Elize and Corrie arrived from Johannesburg on Thursday evening to visit Jeanette and Peter for the weekend. It was a wonderful tonic for Peter to see them again but Jeanette was not well enough to appreciate their visit. It was so refreshing for Ronnie and I to catch up with their news and to have their additional ‘shoulders’ to lean on during this difficult time!

Why?

"Why...?" is what Peter asked me tonight. "Why did it take them so long to find out what was wrong?" "Why was there no communication between my doctors?" "Why did I have to go through all of that?" How can you answer those questions? In the past fifty four days he has been referred from his GP to a Specialist Physician to a Neurosurgeon to a Cardiologist to a Cardio Surgeon and back again to his Cardiologist. Yet they don't seem to keep each other informed on their patient's progress or problems ... Why? Ronnie took Peter back to his GP today to see what could be done about his arm injury (the one that he got when he collapsed on Saturday). Peter asked his GP this very same question ... his GP also couldn't answer him! In today's day and age of instant information sharing and communication technology how hard can it be? I want to scream at someone (to put it mildly) but where to start ... that's the question?

At Last!

It’s as if someone has flicked a switch and … Voila … Peter is back on track and finally on the road to recovery. He was discharged late yesterday afternoon but we were very skeptical and wondered how it could be possible for him to improve in such a short time frame … especially considering all that has happened lately. He has been taken off all the medication and was rehydrated (on a drip) for 24hours and miraculously he is feeling much better

Re-admitted to ICU

Yes, unfortunately Peter is back in hospital. He has been collapsing frequently and on many occasions gets a bruise or scratch in the fall. Yesterday morning, he hurt his neck and arm in another fall but refused to let us take him to hospital. When he fell again this morning he agreed to be taken to casualty at Milnerton Medi-Clinic. His cardiologist was called and he has admitted Peter to ICU... again! The initial prognosis is that his blood pressure is unstable but the reason is unknown. He has been taken off all his medication, put onto a drip again and will be monitored in ICU for the next few days.

One month later

It has been a month since Peter's operation was done. Things are much the same... he is fine but not recuperating as well (or as fast) as he had hoped!
He will be seeing his Cardiologist next week for his one month follow-up consultation. Hopefully he will get his "Oomph" back soon so his frustration levels can start subsiding.

Jeanette is not well

Jeanette's has not been well this week. She has been listless and disorientated and all she wants to do is sleep the day and night away. We all encourage her to try to be more active and move around, but without much success. If she is still like this next week Peter may suggest that she should be taken to see her doctor.

Recovering slowly

Jeanette’s wheel chair has been very useful since Peter came out of hospital as he cannot walk unassisted. He tries to walk on his own when we aren't around, but 9 times out of 10, he lands up collapsed on the floor … he is so frustrated with this slow recovery process, he never expected that it was going to take this long! Ronnie decided to take a few days off work to remain with him at home and help him where possible. Peter had to see Dr Vosloo again yesterday for a follow-up consultation. He has had more X-rays taken and more blood tests. She has altered his medication slightly but she has assured us that his recovery process is normal for his age.

One day at a time

Peter has not been very well since being discharged on Tuesday. He tries to walk short distances on his own, but whenever he tries to do this (when we aren't watching) his legs collapse under him. We contacted Dr Vosloo once again this morning and took him to see her at Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital. Her advice to him was "Walk only when assisted and keep these walks very short ... 3-4 steps at a time ... take things slowly, one day at a time!". Xrays were taken and she found that he has a bit of fluid around his lungs and heart. She assured us that this was not unusual and has prescribed additional medication to remedy this. She also put him onto an antibiotic for an infection that he has on his arm; it developed when one of his drips leaked (tissued) into his arm in ICU and it has caused a very nasty infection and swelling. Thankfully, over the past few days, Jeanette has been quite well. She has been so amazing... attentive and concerned for all aspects related to Peter's comfort, care and recovery.

Discharged ... from ICU!

As unbelievable as it sounds, Peter was discharged today ... straight from the ICU ward. He is now at home but he is very weak. I had to bring him into the house using Jeanette's wheel chair as he almost collapsed when he tried getting out off the car ... quite a nerve wracking experience! We will keep a close eye on him over the next few days and hope that the home surroundings will help with a speedy and complete recovery.

Peter's ICU frustration

Peter was hoping to move back to the general ward today (Sunday) but the doctor has insisted that he continues to be monitored in ICU. He was disappointed to hear this as, in his own words, he is "getting frustrated with the system". He does not have access to his cellphone in ICU, however if you want to call him on the hospital line they will put your call through to his bedside ... I am sure that he would appreciate some calls, the only restriction is that calls are not allowed between 12h00-14h00 and 21h00-08h00. The switchboard number is +27-021-506-5111, just ask to be put through to Surgical ICU. Jeanette has not gone to visit Peter in hospital as he did not want her to stress over the operation or his recovery process, but she has spoken to him on the phone as often as possible. She has been doing very well at home. The nurse (Aleta) and Jeanette's friend Lydia have had their hands full during the weekdays but they are keeping Jeanette occupied and happy. Then I take over in the evenings and over the weekends. Lydia will be returning to Johannesburg on Tuesday ... she is definitely going to be missed!

Back in ICU

Please don't be too alarmed, but Peter was readmitted to ICU this afternoon. His heart beat was found to be irregular today. They have decided to administer a stronger dosage of the stabilization medication intravenously so he needs to be monitored while this is brought under control. The doctors have assured us that this is not unusual occurrence and it is a precautionary measure. He does not have his cellphone with him in ICU so he is not longer contactable

Out of ICU

Just a quick update, Peter was moved out of ICU yesterday afternoon. We will take his cellphone to him during visiting hours this afternoon. He should be able to rceive calls again from this evening.

Still in ICU

Peter is still recovering in ICU. The drugs are helping ease his pain but the down side of taking all these drugs is that he gets very confused and delusional at times, such as not knowing where he is or what operation was done. On Sunday, when we visited him the nurses had him seated on a leather lounger next to his bed but still connected to all the monitors, wires and tubes. He is getting better every day, but obviously not as quick as he would like or was anticipated.

Day 1 of Recovery

Ronnie and I went to visit Peter this afternoon. We were expecting to find him under sedation but we were pleasantly surprised to see his eyes slightly open and he even managed a slight wave with his fingers. His lungs are being assisted by a respirator and he has a myriad of tubes, wires and monitors surrounding him. He is expected to remain in the Surgical ICU ward until Sunday. Jeanette is coping well at home without Peter. She is sleeping soundly and eating well too. We have a nurse coming in every weekday to care for her and Lydia is there for her companionship and emotional support. Now that the operation is behind him, Jeanette has started asking us when he will be coming home from the hospital. We all know that he has been capable of doing fantastic things in his life ... but he would need to have superhero powers to recover from this operation at that speed!!! Jokes aside, we are hopeful that the next two weeks will fly and that they can be together again in no time.

Operation went well!

Peter’s went into surgery at noon today and Dr Vosloo has just called to give us an update on how the operation went. She said that the operation went well and Peter has now been moved to ICU for his post-op recuperation. She said that the aortic valve was extremely calcified and was amazed that he had not had further complications. Peter had a slight complication when he was put under the anaesthetic, as he had a few mild convulsions, which as she explained is quite unusual, as they administer an anti-convulsant drug together with the anaesthetic. She has asked a neurosurgeon (Dr Frost) to see Peter to get an additional opinion on what may have caused this.

New date for Peter’s Operation

Peter went to the Doctor again today and he has been given a ‘clean bill of health’... The dreaded flu is a thing of the past! His surgeon has now confirmed that his surgery has been rescheduled for this Wednesday (3 September). He is to be admitted to the Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday 2 September). He is expected to be in hospital for 2 weeks and the post-op recuperation is expected to be approximately 6-8 weeks. Peter is relieved that the date has now been confirmed but also decidedly nervous and anxious about Jeanette, as he does everything for her! Lydia is still staying with us and Jeanette appreciates having her around for companionship. We are waiting for confirmation from the nursing services who are trying to find a nurse to assist us with Jeanette's daily home care over the next 2-4 weeks.

Peter's operation has to be rescheduled

Peter went back to his family doctor today for a follow-up consultation. Although the worst of the flu is over, the decision was made that he is not well enough to undergo surgery at this moment. He has a persistent cough and his chest is still very congested... or as Peter says he has 'the dreaded lurgie'! The surgeon has said that the operation must be postponed, and she estimates that it may only be rescheduled in about two weeks or thereabouts. The date will only be decided once he has been given a 'clean bill of health' by his GP. Only then will we know the exact date when the operation will be done. This decision was made at 2.30pm today and Lydia was already on her way to Cape Town... Anyway, her visit is sure to be a good tonic for Peter and Jeanette and loads of laughter and reminiscing on the good old days will be the order of the day.

Murphy's law

Peter has caught the dreaded flu and his GP has now put him on a course of penicillin. We are hoping that it will do the trick and he gets better within the week. If he cannot shake it off then his operation will have to be rescheduled.

Jeanette's care?

Jeanette has her good days and bad days. Peter does an exceptional job of caring for her and is at her side constantly. Jeanette’s friend Lydia has offered to come to Cape Town to stay with us while Peter has the heart operation. She will be there predominantly for companionship. We have engaged the services of a registered nurse to attend to Jeanette’s daily medical and personal care during weekdays and Cynthia will look after these activities over weekends.

Peter's Health?

Peter has not been 100 percent lately and mid July (16th) everything came to a head when he collapsed while walking. It must have been quite a shock for Kevin as he had just landed in Cape Town from a long international flight. Peter spent that night in ICU and after a multitude of tests he has now been told that he must have a heart valve replacement done.

The Operation

Peter's Aortiv valve replacement surgery will be performed on Friday 22 August. He will be admitted on 21 August (his 77th birthday)! The Doctor that will perform the operation is Dr Susan Vosloo (She has been highly recommended). She has said that the operation should take approximately 3 hours. Peter will have the operation done at the Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town. Peter's initial post-op recuperation will be in ICU. He will be kept sedated and put on a respirator for 12-24 hours until he is stabilized. For the next 24-48 hours he will remain in ICU but he will gradually be taken off the respirator. After that he will be moved out of ICU and will remain in hospital for approximately 12 days, depending on his recovery. His post-op recuperation should take 6-8 weeks.