well… with minimal fuss from the weather [was forecasted to snow all night last night and all day today. it did neither.] i managed to finally meet the surgeon. without prancing around the issue… the mass is so large, and is on the wrong side of my heart to allow for a minimally invasive surgery. thus, my option is to have a median sternotomy, or a median sternotomy.
what does this involve you might ask? well… they cut from above the sternum down my chest. then they pull out a little saw [i haven't found out if it's a push or pull style. i was hoping for a japanese hand saw] and cut me in half. spread my rib cage, using the spinal area as a hinge… and wham! they get full access to me.
the lungs will collapse during the surgery. i will wake up with little tubes coming out of me that will allow fluid to drain from my lungs while i cough and breathe deeply to get them open again. apparently, i get a special coughing pillow cus the pain sucks so bad. fun.
anyways… it’s a horrible sounding procedure, but it’s done all the time. i mean all the time. and i’m in good hands. the chief surgeon at uw who specializes in lung transplants will be doing the work. and his team will be there. so i’m really not nervous of that.
i will be doing all this monday dec 22. i will be in the hospital for 2-4 days until i get released to come home. they say that i will be able to move around and start to feel human again pretty quickly. i’m not allowed to lift anything greater than a few pounds for six weeks.
i just wanted to send out an update, i’ll write more later. i’ll be fine, and i’ll get through this with flying colors!
mahalo, kev
ps… if anyone wants to see what the beginning of the median sternotomy looks like… and you’ve got no squeamish actions.. you can see a quick clip of it here on youtube
So bummed you have to go for the full open-chest version. Just think of the gruesom scar though you can point to at bars etc
I’m thrilled to hear there is a concrete plan in place though after all this time.
Let me know if you need ANYTHING
Love you and thinking of you . ..
Hey Kevin,
I don’t know if you’ve received our previous comments….we want you to know that we have been following your blog and appreciate all your info and courage to face all of this.
You know Rick says a little more sex would sure help that breathing.
Joking aside, we are praying for a successful operation on the 22nd and will anxiously await news of your surgery recovery.
Love to you and all the family. We love you, Aunt Colleen and Uncle Rick
Kev, I just watch a median sternotomy surgery on YouTube – cool…you will come out with a killer scar. It will be good to see you sporting that this summer
. I know it wont’ be fun, but you’ll get through it just fine. I just wish it was yesterday for you – I know the waiting around is a drag. Hang in there. Kristen
km,
glad to hear you have an answer. please let me know if you need anything. i have a flexible schedule & it would be a great opportunity to catch up! and the offer for reiki still stands….
thinking of you.
love,
jenna
Glad you finally have an answer and an end to all the waiting. I’m just sorry it wasn’t the most ideal option for surgery.
Can’t wait to check out the battle wound come January, warrior.
Keep your head up, son.
Aloha,
J$
Hi Kevin,
Eric has been filling me in on your adventure story. What an ordeal but thank goodness it wasn’t the “c” word. Some years ago Philip, my husband, had his sternum cut and chest cavity opened much like what you are describing. He healed well and, after a recovery period, was fully functional. Luckily, you’re a strong and fit “hunk”
so you’ll probably be back in the canoes within no time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and I’m sending all the positive energy I can muster your way, especially on the 22nd. This will definitely be a Christmas you will never ever forget! I’ll be in Hawaii next month so if you fancy anything from the Islands let me know as I’ll be staying in Seattle on my return on the 18th & 19th. Aloha Nui Loa…Ann (Eric’s mom).
Stay strong, broham! Sounds painful, but like you said, it’s done all the time. You’re young and strong and you’ll bounce back alot faster than most people, I reckon. Aloha, James
Brother Kev,
Hang in there. I agree with James on this one: you are young and will recover quickly (unlike us old guys). I love your uncles advice. Though I can’t help much in that department I do think this might catch on as a recovery plan!
I’ll be thinking of you monday…
Than
This is better than having cancer. You are doing all the right things. Having surgery is like being a passenger in an airplane. You have to put yourself in the hands of an expert (you can’t fly the plane). So just concentrate on doing your part. I had a (benign) abdominal tumor removed years ago, big old vertical cut (but no rib cage splitting!). You just have to do what the nurses say, sit up, cough to get the lungs working, whatever it is. I felt like I would split open but of course had a ton of metal staples holding me very securely together. So maintain that well justified confidence in your surgeon and your medical team, and trust in your own good health and attitude, and all the good wishes coming to you from everyone, including me!
dude. that’s the word. well nothing to be done now but preparing for the rest of your life.
Salute to that.
Where can I get my own special coughing pillow? Sounds neat!
xoxo
Kev, Keep that great attitude going. Medicine has improved so much over the years – and sounds like you are in great hands. In 74 I had a full leg cast for 9 weeks for an ACL injury. Heck, now they operate on the sidelines at halftime:-) Take care.
wow – that procedure looks really gross.
and the recovery sounds hella painful.
couldnyt happen to a tougher dude though. if anyone can get thru that – im sure you can.
(can you say oxy-contin?) we are all sending posi-vibes your way on the daily, bro…we’ll come visit you soon. be well! also – sallie said if she was here shed make you some chicken soup with matzoh balls….i told her you already got enough balls.
I only made it through 35 seconds of that video and I don’t consider myself squeamish, but I’m sure you’ll kick ass and you’re surgeons are much less wousy than me!
Dude. That video was awesome! My dad have open heart surgery in 1961. His scar is gnarly. You better get some rogain for your chest to cover that mofo up!
I will be up before Monday to give you a big hug. Then again to poke you in the chest after your knifing.
-Curtis
I heard they were gonna need a hedge trimmer to penetrate your chest hair and a power auger just to start the hole in your chest.
The doctor told me in secret that they’d have to sedate your pecs individually because, as he said, “I’m terrified that those chest pythons of his might resist and overpower me, trapping my hands in his thorax like some sort of boney bear trap.”
True story!
Kev:
Jo and I have been keeping up with the blog regularly, and are greatful for the technology. It’s helped to ease our minds. I can’t believe you’ve been able to keep it so current through the pain and discomfort.
We are so happy to know that you are in good hands with family, and skilled medical experts regarding your surgery.
I was going to send you some of my prized Swedish Porn- as soon as Jo isn’t looking… However, it may have a deletarious effect on your already compromised lung capacity.
Stay strong, and keep us all posted.
Regards,
Scotty B.
ps save me some opiates
wow kev,
you are a real living warrior, i don’t thin anything can stop you and think where you will be by the time of St. Paty’s day! kick ass in no time
Damn Kev,
Here I thought I had an impressive surgery and you have to go and outdo me with the ole’ median sternotomy! I just hope they have no trouble getting around that big ole’ heart of yours.
Christmas in the hospital should be fun! Can’t wait to compare scars soon!
Take care,
Bobby
Kevin,
It’s your cousin from California. I heard the news from the grapevine(The McHugh family). I am sorry to hear the news but I expect that you will come out of it even stronger, physically and mentally. We will be praying for you.
Love, Lisa
Wow that video was amazing. The surgeons will be able to see just what is going on and remove it. Sending prayers and hugs for a speedy recovery. Love Aunt Cher
good luck tomorrow. we’re all thinking about you and praying for a speedy recovery! aloha,
jaimie
I’m thinking some sort of giant Eagle tattoo to cover up the scar will be appropriate. I’ll start sketching some ideas.
I’m pretty sure they just use a standard Dremel Tool with the Median Sternotom saw attachment – http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/MDMCache/t06/0000000/r00116v3.jpg. It’s encrusted with Diamonds!!!
Hey Kevin, Good luck this week. I’ll be sending you positive thoughts. I was so relieved to hear that it wasn’t cancer, but it still doesn’t sound like a trivial surgery or recovery. At least you are strong and in good spirits, and are surrounded by a loving support group of friends and family. I am sure the surgery will go wonderfully- it sounds like you are in good hands
Do you remember my brother’s (now ex-) girlfriend Dawn? Last year she found a lump in her neck and it ended up being non-Hodgkins lymphoma. After about 6 months of chemo followed by radiation, she is now finally on the mend and appears to be cancer-free. To make her recovery harder, her new husband left her while she was in chemo! She has been through a lot, but has somehow stayed positive through it all and is now stronger than ever – just like you will be in very short time.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Take care,
Heather
Sending good vibes for your surgery day. Prayers for a speedy recovery. I’ll be thinking of you Kevin. Love you,
It was great to talk to you yesterday! Thinking of you right now, and what a badass you are for going through this surgery. I know you’ll be back on your feet in no time.
Thinking of you Kevin hoping you are in recovery or out of it by now. Sending lots of white light your way to heal your body. Love you Happy Holydays. Aunt Cher
Thinking of you this morning. Sending hugs your way.