Tom's photo of cyclamen
I got the news Friday morning. My TAVR heart surgery will be delayed. I had called my cardiology team to get a timeline for next Tuesday, Feb 1, my surgery date. But alas, my contact, Vivian, paused and then said she was about to call me. My surgery will be postponed because there are no beds available for overnight stays due to the COVID surge.
While I was not completely surprised by this news, I am nonetheless quite unhappy about it. A new date, Feb 15th, has been "penciled in". No guarantees.
Waiting and being prepared for this long month has been hard. Now we have updated our calendars and are making some choices as to how isolated we want to continue to be. We will be venturing out in outdoor spaces and large indoor spaces, protected by our new N95 and KN95 masks. Safeway and Costco and garden centers are on our list of approved places. We will still avoid indoor dining.
I will not rant or let my anger boil over, but it is hard to cope with the knowledge that the hospitals are full of mostly unvaccinated people, people who have made the choice to endanger themselves and others. They have given no thought to those who will have to take care of them when they get seriously or deathly sick. My inconvenience is nothing compared to those who are at risk caring for them or whose critical medical care is delayed.
The sun is shining again today. After a slow start I made some yummy banana, applesauce, cranberry muffins this morning. Some are in our tummies and most are in the freezer for future breakfasts.
The amaryllis has three blooms now.
I am pedaling my recumbent stationary bike every day out in the garage, with the garage doors open when it is sunny so I can see the sunshine and Charlie Cat can come and visit me.
Walking is still hard but I am slowly recovering from gardening abuse. I know now that I will always have to take it easier than I was used to. I have a long list of body parts that are still falling apart.
But I am moving on. I have a new quilt block pattern in the works. I have started re-reading my memoir that I wrote some years ago. I'll write about that in another post. I'm reading another good novel, The Afterlife, by Julia Alvarez, and it's full of good quotes.
I'll walk in the sunshine, or mostly shade, in my garden. And I'll watch soccer and football and all my favorite shows. And the Olympics!
Cheering on the US Mens National Team during World Cup Qualifying.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
- W E Henley
Linda, sorry to hear about your surgery postponement. You are the second person that I know that has had this problem - postponing a heart surgery due to no room in hospital. I had to look up TAVR surgery to see what that was. If I read it correctly, it's a heart valve replacement. I'm interested as my Cardiologist says that I have some leaky valves, but nothing that needs surgery at this time. He is keeping an eye on it. I would like to know how you came to know of your heart problem... if that is not too personal to ask.
ReplyDeleteWhen i was getting medical attention for another issue about ten yeas ago, it was discovered that I had a heart murmur. From then on I had an echocardiogram every two years. in the last three years, as valve deterioration increased, I had an echo every six months. Finally after mynlast one in July I started having symptoms - lightheadedness, swelling ankles, more out of breath after exertion. After my echo in December it was decided that it was time for intervention. TAVR was scheduled.
DeleteI had the same experience last August when my hip replacement was delayed because there were no beds. It was only postponed for two days, but the surgery was done in a different hospital. It's quite possible that there are beds available, but not staff to take care of patients because of burnout and the current covid surge. I hope you don't have to do too much changing to your schedule. It's so important to keep doing the things that are meaningful if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteI too am sorry to hear about the postponement of your surgery. It seemed that it would be behind you before Valentine's Day, but apparently not. Hopefully, it will come about in a timely manner. BTW, I did check out Wordle after you mentioned it and am enjoying it very much. Too bad we only get to play once a day. So far, I've gotten three out of four attempts. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your postponement. It would be good to get it over with and with uncertainty hanging over your head it causes more stress. It is so frustrating that the unvaxed are taking up hospital beds when it was their choice to put themselves at risk...idiots anyways. There are no hospital beds available here or in the area. When my husband got his hospital bed a few weeks ago he had to wait 12 hours in the ER...and then the Nursing care was almost non existent...sad. It is a good thing I was there most of the time:(
ReplyDeleteThe surgery delays are very stressful You'd like to get it over with and carry on with your life. J hope the next date is for real.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry for the delay. You get all prepped for it then have to start over. I do have another friend in the same boat. That this is because so many taking up the beds are the unvaccinated is maddening. Hope that penciled in gets locked in.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear your surgery has to be delayed. The words I would use about the idiocy of the anti-vaxxers would not be polite so I will simply say, hopefully they don't take up a bed for very long.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the cyclamen!
Delays are another effect of COVID and selfish people. I'm sorry that you are impacted, but you maintain a good attitude.
ReplyDeleteYou are a master at coping with whatever comes at you, and a captain at making the best of it.
ReplyDeletedifficult to stay positive in this negative world but important for our own welfare...
ReplyDeleteMy niece is having the same problem - finally gave up smoking last year and still waiting to have very necessary hip surgery. She has been scheduled several times only to have it cancelled because there was no bed available.
ReplyDeleteI had my hip replacement surgery a year ago in January, during COVID, but it was a day surgery, no overnight, so I could get it done. It's quite remarkable to have your bones sawed off, metal joints pounded in, get sewed up, walk around and practice walking stairs and come home the same day and climb your 15 steps to your bedroom to go to bed in your own bed by evening.
DeleteMy husband had that, too - so I don't understand why my niece can't get the surgery and go home. By the way, thanks for the lovely new header!!!
DeleteI am so sorry that your surgery date has been postponed. It can't be easy for you. Good luck and best wishes!
ReplyDeleteThat is extremely frustrating about your surgery postponement. I hope it happens! My mom has a pacemaker replacement tomorrow; fingers crossed that it will go forward. It doesn't require a bed which may be the key. I love cyclamen and usually buy a couple to cheer up the winter gray. This year I forgot!
ReplyDeleteIt is a frustrating thing with the unvaccinated crowding hospitals, isn't it! Good luck with your continued waiting.
ReplyDelete