My allergies have kicked in big time, and the most likely culprit is all of the maple trees right outside my window and the thousands of seed pods they send raining down to the ground. The wheezing came out of nowhere one day last week: I heard this strange sound, like someone crying or screaming from a distance, and it took me a while to realize that the sound was coming from my own throat. Somehow all of the allergens have chosen to bypass my nose, and mostly my eyes, and lodge themselves in my throat where I inconveniently need oxygen to breathe. Sleep has been tough, and the allergy meds I take day and night are not helping much, but it is sort of fun to sound like Darth Vader every once in a while; it breaks up the monotony. Not that there’s been much monotony lately, to be honest.
This past week Mom and I went to see a cardiac surgeon to find out the next steps for dealing with her damaged mitral valve. I was very nervous about the appointment, we both were, in large part because there was so much we didn’t know. We spent about four hours at the hospital on Monday and met with the cardiac surgeon and then with his colleague who specializes in cardiac interventions other than surgery, and the plan going forward is to have a minimally invasive procedure (sort of a combination of an angiogram and an endoscopy with mitral valve clips thrown in), in the hope that clipping the mitral valve (rather than replacing it) will be enough to mitigate the damage. The doctor explained that at this point about fifty percent of the fluid leaving Mom’s heart through the mitral valve is going into the left ventricle, which is stretching it out of shape and wreaking havoc. The clips will close the holes in the mitral valve, at least partially, to redirect the fluid to where it belongs. This less invasive procedure will only require one overnight stay in the hospital (as opposed to a week in the hospital and then two weeks in a rehab facility after the full surgery), and recovery will be minor.
But there’s something so un-reassuring about the image I have in my mind of the mitral valve clips: I keep seeing tiny wooden clothespins, like the kind that hold laundry on the line so it won’t blow away in the wind, but the doctors say it’s worth a try and could reduce the symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and heart palpitations to a more manageable level. The problem is that Mom’s mitral valve isn’t just damaged in one place, it’s more like Swiss cheese, so there’s a fifty/fifty chance that the doctor will go in to do this procedure and on the spot decide it’s not working and we will have to go ahead and schedule the full heart surgery after all.
I feel a little better knowing the steps involved in all of this, even if we end up having to go the full surgery route after all. The worst part was not knowing and leaving it all to my imagination, which is vivid. The doctor made sure to say that the chance of death from the minimally invasive procedure is about 1%, which is close to the risk from, say, going for a walk on a spring day. The full surgery’s risk is at about 5%, which is higher, but not high. I’d prefer zero risk and full recovery, but I understand that I’m being unreasonable.
The cardiac surgeon was pretty optimistic about the success of the full surgery, and said we could just go ahead and do that if we wanted, but as soon as he used the words “heart lung machine” in describing the surgery I came close to having a heart attack myself, so I’m happy that we’re starting small. The ultimate decision to try the less invasive procedure first, of course, was Mom’s, but I think a small part of her was disappointed that she wouldn’t get to stay in a hotel (pardon me, a hospital) for a few weeks, with room service and house cleaning and varied and interesting company.
I think this is more evidence that Mom has reached the second phase of retirement. The first ten years were about making up for lost time, doing all of the projects and trips and socializing she didn’t have time for while she was still working, and the next phase looks like it’s going to include more pampering and siestas. I guess I’ll need to look into getting the co-cop to agree to a pergola in the backyard, and maybe a hammock, so Mom can get her moments of nature and her rest at the same time. If all goes well this summer, this second phase of Mom’s retirement could be even longer than the first, and filled with good health and relaxation, and time to build more happy memories with her grandchildren. And a dog. There really needs to be a dog.
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rachelmankowitz 
Hi Rachel,
I hope the procedure is successful without the need to transition to an open procedure or value replacement. Hopefully your mother will be able to enjoy a long phase II of her retirement.
Fingers crossed!
The surgeons sound reassuring, so that’s good. I’m with your mom on being served my meals and having housekeeping…but not in a hospital! I hope everything goes well. And that dog is adorable.
I’m feeling a ;lot better than I was before the doctor visits. Here’s hoping things go well!
Modern medical science has been amazing with new, very effective surgical techniques to help heart patients. I’m sure your mother will benefit greatly from these.
I hope so! Thank you!
It sounds good and worth trying the lesser surgery first; and absolutely YES to the dog! 😸
Here’s hoping the universe is paying attention!
All best wishes for your Mom’s surgery. My husband recently had a somewhat similar heart valve procedure with a good result.
Jennifer Website and blog: https://www.jenniferbarraclough.com
That’s great news! Thank you!
🙏🙏🙏
Wishing your mom all the best and that everything goes well.
Thank you!
Hope the procedure goes well and that a pup appears soon!
Thank you!
Sending prayers and healing vibes to your mother for a successful surgery and a quick recovery, Rachel. And as you say: “And a dog. There really needs to be a dog.” Yes, there does! Dogs are a healing medicine for the soul, mind and body!
Thank you!
… and a dog. Indeed Rachel and Rachel’s Mom. There always needs to be a dog, or, in my case, a cat. Thoughts to your Mom from me and the girls (I told Bella she has to get over her fear of anyone other than me and think cat thoughts for a greater Mom good, she said “Ok … just this time”)
Thank you! And thank you Bella!
I admit my first thought when you wrote clips was also the wooden clothing pins. Not sure what brought me there and I smiled when you wrote the same thing. Wishing your mom a full and speedy recovery. And to relax outside with a new pup!
Thank you!
The universe is listening Rachel. It always does. Your mom will be fine and the right dog will find it’s way to you. Sending lots of luck and strength to you both.
Thank you!!!
I hope it all works out well for your mum. Cute dog in the photo!
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you!
Wishing your mom a speedy recovery, after her surgery, or the less invasive procedure, that she’ll have. My mom is on oxygen, and she has COPD and heart issues, so I can relate to the worry and stress, but I hope everything goes great for your mom! Xo
Thank you!
Geez…that royally sucks. I agree about allergy meds though, nothing ever really works..its the one type of med that feels like a racket to me. The only thing that ever worked were the shots in my arm I got monthly as a kid.
My allergies have gotten much worse as an adult, unfortunately, so no shots. the one doctor who mentioned the possibility said it would be a waste of time at this point. Harrumph.
Man 🫤
Sending bear hugs ʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっʕっ•ᴥ•ʔっ
Thank you!
Teehee! Sounding like Darth Vader! My allergies are settled in my nose, with a huge amount of post nasal drip, but we’re not talking about me. I hope the minimally invasive thing works for your Mom. It sounds like the doctors are being upfront with you, which is always a plus. And you are right: there must be a dog.
I’m starting to be able to breathe again, but still hearing this odd Vader voice every once in a while. I’m assuming I’m possessed.
I should be getting my dog out for a walk but I saw the picture of a pup and he’s waiting as I read this post and am responding. Hope all goes well with your mom and the pup makes her way into your life.
Thank you!
Oh, Rachel, the Darth Vader mask cracked me up. I didn’t think I had allergies, but the violent sneezes are telling me something different. I like the image of resting in the hammock in the yard, but a dog would get you up and walking, as well, which is good for recovery. Keeping you in my prayers…
Ideally, the dog will have just enough energy to encourage Mom to do her daily walking and then be absolutely thrilled with nap time. Fingers crossed!
Here’s to a quick de-Vadering of your allergic reaction, and best wishes for your mom’s speedy recovery. A close friend recently had the less invasive procedure, which made a huge difference, and my mom had mitral valve repair many years ago without incident. The odds sound very good, and your mom may find after recovery that she’s less inclined to lie in a hammock and has energy for new adventures. And yes, there must be a dog!
Here’s hoping all goes as it should!
Sure hope the less invasive surgery does the trick for your Mom. You’ll have to hold that in your mind’ eye and put it out there in the universe the same as you’re doing with the pup. Hubby used to be involved in Unity Church, and they also saw the value in the practice of what they call mindful living. He says I do that a lot without even realizing it. I’ll help you send those thoughts out there and wait for the success of both!
Thank you so much!
Hope for the best. Sweetest kiss ever.
You’re a good daughter, Rachel.
Thank you!
I hope the procedure goes well. The success rate sounds encouraging. Best wishes to you and your mother.
Thank you!
Wishing a smooth procedure and recovery to your mom!
Thank you!
Hoping all goes well. 💜
Thank you!
Hope all goes well with yourself and your mom, Rachel.
Art
Thank you!
Nice post, nice bunch of dogs… greetings
Thank you!
You are imaginative, Ms. Vader, which I think is a good thing. I’m sorry that your allergies are bad just now. I hope they naturally improve (with the progress of the seasons) and what you’re taking might turn around and do well, too. For your mom, I hope for surgical success and health. I don’t have exactly what she has, I don’t think. I suffer from left ventricular dysfunction and seem to have stents added all the time, so maybe I can relate a little. Both kinds of operation for her sound promising (considering the percentages, for instance), and I imagine she’ll get special pampering at least for a while afterward. As for a dog, yes, that seems to be instinctive for your lives. Be well (a prayer), both of you.
Thank you!
I hope everything goes well for your mum so the ‘big’ surgery isn’t necessary.
Thank you!