Angel here...."Jilly had her operation Wed May 4"

Last week Jilly was scheduled for another operation but her veins had collapsed before she had gone into emergency surgery so she ended up going home.  They called her back in on Wed the 4th and went ahead with the second urgent vascular surgery.  Jilly was cut from the belly button to her left leg.

Friday afternoon she was released once again and was walking really well!  Her sister Vianna took her home and today 24 hours later she is in great pain.

Her own description of her self goes like this..."If she and a turtle were in a race the turtle would make it over the finish line before she even started!"

She is currently scheduled for a Dr. appointment on May 30th. that is as long as she doesn't have to go back in again.
Keep praying for Jilly!

Jilly here...."A disappointing time...."

A disappointing time it was when  I had my angiogram  on April 28,2011.  What my doctor had told me that they were going to do, they didn't do.  I was suppose to have angiogram as well as angioplasty, they were to balloon my new bypass and balloon or stent up my left side where the doctor  had tried on first operation and she figured my body didn't  take it.  So in my feeling, to me the April 28 appointment was a  waste of time. 

I came out hospital with a few more holes in my body but still having same   problems as when I went in.  My doctor was on holiday and just came back on Monday  May 2.  I tried to get a hold of her, but I guess she busy playing catch up on all her work since she been away. I am sure when she has time she go through my file and let me know of next procedure.

I also sent her a email with my concerns and  inquires to why  I did get the procedure she told me they would do to me.   So for now hanging in there with anticipation the phone will ring soon and I be able to keep  you all informed of the next adventure in the life of Jill *me*. 

Keep praying!!!!

Jilly here...."My upcoming visit to HSC"

I had a wonderful stay with my sister Irma & Allen. I arrived back home on the 16th of April six pounds heavier! And to a nicely decorated home compliments of cousins Joan and Joyce and some special surprises from my son and daughter!

I stayed with my cousin Joan until my six week appointment on the 18th.  I had  faxed my doctor with concerns that I have been having since my operation. At the time of the appointment we basically went over them.

My Dr. did a sound test to see if my bypass was opened and it was but she did not like the sound of it.   While I was in the office my left foot turned beet red (rubor) almost and she said that "was serious"! She figured my body did not take the ballooning  from the first operation.  She said she would set up an angiogram appointment.  At that time they would perform the angioplasty procedure. 

The following info is from the American Heart Association.

What is a stent and how is one used?
A stent is a wire metal mesh tube used to prop open an artery during angioplasty. The stent is collapsed to a small diameter and put over a balloon catheter. It's then moved into the area of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands, locks in place and forms a scaffold. This holds the artery open. The stent stays in the artery permanently, holds it open, improves blood flow to the heart muscle and relieves symptoms (usually chest pain). Within a few weeks of the time the stent was placed, the inside lining of the artery (the endothelium) grows over the metal surface of the stent.

Only a day after my appointment I got the call and Liza told me that Lori would call with details. My appointment date is on April 28th. That is only a week away!   I am to be at the Health Science Centre at 9 am and the procedure will take place at 11 am.

  

On Thursday I got a call from Nurse Lori. She told me that what is going to happen is this:

They are going to cut into my left groin and send a balloon through my bypass and also send another where the doctor first did it on the left side.  If need be they will end up putting in a stent.  This should clear up my problems on both legs.

This procedure will take an hour but I need to lay flat on my back for 4 hours. Yikes not sure how I am going to do that!  Better be a soft bed or they will have to tie me down! lol  Right now I can't sleep on my back for more than hour if that. No overnight stay at the hospital as she figures I will be ready to go at around 5-6 pm. 

The only concerns they have over this is I have to make sure my groin doesn't swell up.  Swelling means internal bleeding. Guess no dancing for a  while. So hoping this will all work and I be back on my feet soon!!!!

Thanks for all your love, prayers and support!

Finally Made It Back to the Blog

Time flies when you are recovering.  Jill is doing well.  She has been hanging out with sister, Irma.  Jill has been to Edmonton a few times to visit family.  Traveling was fine until last week when Jill had numb legs from the seat belt. She called the Winnipeg hospital to see what could be the matter.  They agreed that it could be from the seat belt putting pressure on the bypass tube.  She will being see the doctor on April 18th so she is flying to Wpg. on Saturday April 16th.  If all goes well, she will be back home in Portage in the afternoon of April 18th.  We do not know when the next surgery is for the next leg but we will keep you posted once we know.  Bye for now.  We will update again after the 18th when we know more.

Angel here...."Jilly is up and about and in and out!"

I have to apologize...I was asked to let everyone know they made it safe and sound and totally forgot to do so. 

The trip back worked out really great...They stayed ahead of the storm!

Anyone knowing Jilly knows that strutting a purse is unheard of! :) She was doing her sister a favor by holding it for her.  Irma decided to catch her in the act and torment her with the picture taken.

Jilly is enjoying the company of her family out at Slave Lake. Jill spent the weekend at the lake with Irma & Allen and Brenda and then to Edmonton to see her mom today.

Angels here...."Alberta here we come!"

Some of Jilly's angels are Edmonton bound.  They already in Regina for the night.  They have reported that they are all doing really great.  I am sure they are tired and anxious to hit the bed tonight after all the late nights and visiting with family.

Hope they stay ahead of all that bad weather coming our way!

Angel here...."She is up and away early tomorrow morning!"

Jilly is doing really good.  Very very tired and slow slow moving and skinny as a toothpick...but doing good!  She got a toe polishing by one of her angels and a new hair do!  Cute! Cute! Cute!

We are all so grateful and thankful that she pulled through the way she did!  We can all thank God for the awesome surgeon, Dr. Boyd, nursing staff, family and friends that have surrounded Jilly with love and support!

Big sister Vianna has housed the three sisters while on their Jilly tour.  Family really enjoyed visiting with Jilly and her sisters these past few days!  You go girl, Jilly!!!!!

Angels here..."Wow...Discharged!"

Us girls are finally together again....Brenda, Vianna, Irma and Jill.

As you know all went better than expected!  Thus, Jill was discharged way earlier than anticipated!  By the time Brenda and I got to the hospital at 9:00 am. this am Jill was already dressed and standing in the hallway waiting for us!  And wondering what took us so long!! lol We spoke to her doctor and then off we went to Steinbach. 

We met up with Vianna, our oldest sister and her cousin Joan and Kathy.  We had a nice visit but Jill is very tired.  She is still in pain and is walking very very slowly.  She just wants everyone to know she is okay and is so very grateful for all your prayers and love and visits!

Jill is with Vianna and Brenda tonight for a sleepover!  They will have a blast!!! (Nice family reunion).
We will try and keep you updated as we go.  We are looking at going back Wednesday to Alberta if all the planets line up!

The Big Day Went Well

The doctor wanted to do as little surgery as possible so the first step was to use a balloon on the veins in place.  Praise God, it worked.  Jill had blood flowing through both veins in her legs without the intense surgery.  The nerves tingling is probably the most painful part now as the blood pushes through to the end of her feet.  She will be out much sooner than expected and recovery will be much easier on everyone.  She has to walk a lot now to keep her blood moving.  No sitting around the TV for her as she recovers.  The doctor wants the damage in her feet to heal naturally so hopefully there should be no more surgery there.

 PS  The care she received in the hosiptal was awesome.
PPS  Thank you, Joan and Joyce, for being there for Jill.  Get some rest.

Jilly here..."The day before the "BIG" day!"

My last fling before I hear bells ring!!! lol

Having a great time with family.  Spent two days with my sister Vianna & Les.  She fed me home made chicken noodle soup for the soul.  She will be bringing a jar of chicken noodle soup for me to the hospital.  If you all know me...homemade chicken soup is the soul of my life!  So I should be up and running around the hospital by Saturday afternoon checking out all the good looking single doctors! :)


My last evening before the "BIG" day is being spent with my second family of cousins.  So far we have hit the Steinbach mall and the big Dollarama in Wpg.  Check out my pics with my new look! 

Kathy has planned a very healthy dinner menu for my "last" meal!!!! Then after wards Joyce, Joan and myself are off to stay at Elvis (Nick) and Prescilla's (Colleen) once again!

PS...Thanks Carol!

Jilly here..."Pre op update"

Tick tock tick tock....getting closer to THE day!  Travelling through blowing snow across the highways in
-40 weather...we made it! We spent the night at Elvis's place once again :)... We played price is right, family feud, and wheel of fortune with Priscilla.  Had a good time...even though it was a semi dry one.

Met with a nurse and anesthesiologist.  They walked me through the processes of Friday morning.  At the hospital at 6:00 am, operated on at 7:30 am, in operation for 4 hours min., in recovery for 2 hours min, until they can get my breathing going steady.  Once my blockage is no more then the blood will be flowing big time into my leg and so breathing will be an issue initially.

After the surgery, I will be brought to A3 floor.  So you can find me somewhere up there??? Joan says that I will probably be sleeping over the cafeteria and will be able to smell all that delicious food!!! :)
They gave me a choice of being frozen waist down or knocking me out!  And I said "OUT BABY, OUT!"

My blood pressure is still in the high 160's.  It came down some but not a whole lot. 

So keep those prayers coming!!!!

Jilly here..."Vein mapping a success!!!!"

Started my day off -40 below weather to head out to my map veining appointment in Wpg.  Went to my Aunt Joyce's and met my cousins Joan and Joyce there.  We had a feast of a lifetime.  Then headed off to Health Science Centre.

We got there early and had to go for some tea! :)  Appointment went well and took about 1/2 hour.  They took an utra sound of my inner left leg and they realized I may have some good veins there after all.  This means they may not have to use a plastic tubing for the bypass.  All in all that would be great because if you use your own vein there is less chance of infection or rejection.  Only once they open me up will they really know which way they will go.

One more hurdle to cross then the big operation day!!!!

I was really happy with the results!!!!  It has given me a new look on life!!!!

Angel #1 here..."Here we come!!!"

Joan and I are getting ready and Brenda and I are heading out there soon.   Jilly look out we "all LOVE" you, and you are getting our love and care whether you want us or not. LOL. There is a saying, "Love conquors all".

Jilly here... "another update"

Call from Laurie, Dr. Boyd's nurse.

March 1st....takes about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hrs. unless more testing is needed.
Pre op consists of blood cross match incase I need more blood during operation.
Possible blowing into something to see about my breathing.
Anesthesiologist will talk to me , depending what he things, he might require a few more tests before I go under which he will send me that day to do.

March 3rd
No food no drinks after midnight

March 4th
6:00 am go to admitting desk,
Operation at 7:30 am.. Will be done by 11:30 am.
I will be in for a couple of hours for recovery.  I will be in intensive care for the first day where only family can be.  Usually, they will put in dissolving stictches but if she feels that she may put in staples.

Swelling, leakage, and brusing are normal but if leakage is yellow or green or smelly that is not good. I will have to do as much walking that I can handle and rest with my feet up to prevent swelling.  Sponge baths only and no driving for 6 weeks after operation till they see me. 

"Intro to the blog"

With our family and friends being so far apart a few of Jill's angels got together and thought we would TRY the most easiest way to keep everyone up to date on how she is doing by just simply placing it on a blog.

After each post you can click on the comments text and you can add your very own good wishes and comments for her to read.

Jill's first appointment with the surgeon went extremely well but came with more surprises in regards to her condition.  Quoting from the CT Scan report....Jill's external iliac on her right leg is occluded.  (plain English....has a completely blocked artery from her knee to her upper groin on her right side).

Jill also has mild stenosis in various other parts of her upper leg areas.  Her left leg has issues also.  At least her left upper leg is not completely blocked as her right one is. She will be receiving the utmost in expertise care from the staff at the Health Science Centre!  We are all so thankful for the expertise and care of all these professionals.  She will have to under go a few more things before the scheduled surgery date of Friday, March 4th, 7:00 am.

Her hospital stay will be anywhere from 5-7 days.  She will have a great head start in putting away her cigarettes which will be just one of her life changes that she will have to deal with straight on.  A short version of part of the artery bypass operation is that they will be cutting open the side of her right leg and running a plastic tube from her knee to above her groin. She is going to have alot of stitches by the sounds of it. Then they will make a small incision on the right side of her abdomen and slide a plastic tube across over to her left side where they will make another small incision to connect to her existing artery. To our horror Jill was told she has a touch of gangrene that has developed on her heel.  That will also be addressed at the same time.  Talk about frightening issues for her to deal with before she even gets under the knife!

The most effective way that a person can deal with the P.A.D. (peripheral artery disease) is to make lifestyle changes.  No alcohol, No smoking, and a healthy diet along with regular exercise. That way the plaque build up can hopefully remain at an acceptable level.  The surgeon stressed that when a person smokes it is not "if" it is just a matter of "when" they WILL have artery issues in their life.  That is a pretty sobering fact! 

Jill's sisters are banning together, (none of them live in Wpg.), two are driving in from Alberta and one from South east MB. They are covering the majority of the hospital time after her surgery so she will not be alone. However, if you want to relieve the sisters please schedule by commenting below and letting us know!!!   She always tells her other angels how so thankful and grateful she is that she has a mother, sisters & brothers & cousins & friends for all that they are doing to help her get through these next few stressful months of her life. 

Jill is in a spot where she has to deal with personal challenges on a daily basis on many many levels.  So she will need the continued encouragement of all her angels to make this a real permanent life change for her.  All that her angels have done for her have been a great help in keeping her stress level down for the time being.  That way she can go into her operation and recovery time with less stress to deal with.  We all know that this road will have many bumps and humps..... but Jill you CAN do it!!!

If you double click on the image you can make it larger.  All the marked areas are the areas that have blockages or partial blockages. You can see everything thankfully is above the knees. Please check out the video on the top right hand side for more info.

Too see more previous updates check out the right hand side under blog archives.....