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.....