Calling in the sympathy!

Things are looking a lot brighter than they were last week, but I'm unashamedly calling in the sympathy now this blog is only for friends. Allan was born with a faulty heart valve, two leaves instead of three, and we found out three weeks ago that it has suddenly (well.......more on that) failed and needs an urgent replacement. Unfortunately in this country that means full open heart surgery and the death rate is 4%, small but far too high for comfort. On Friday he had an angiogram at very short notice - someone else died on the waiting list poor fellow, but it took a huge weight off our minds. First because his heart is perfect apart from the valve and secondly because the operation has less involved and will be shorter if he doesn't also  need a bypass and third because if we can pay to have it done privately then nothing is now standing in the way and it should be done within a couple of weeks.

The electric recliner that we picked up today is for him to sleep in, because it will be painful to sleep flat, and also so he can stand up easily so he will get up regularly during the day and not sit still, which could cause blood clots. We have also bought him a light electric buggy and I plan on taking him out for walks in the, hopefully, sunshine, even though he won't be able to walk far. I think getting him out will be good.

He's not too good at the moment, very scared about the operation itself and we've also realised that he's been doing a lot of compensating and is actually much more ill than we knew. It fooled us that his blood pressure stayed high, it should have dropped, but it has dropped 10 points in three weeks now, which leaves him feeling weak. It's also taking the blood away from his brain and stopping him thinking properly, so it's a bit like living with someone with the very early stages of dementia. So you'll understand why things may be patchy on the horse front for a while but I know you will all be wishing us well.

C