Sunday, April 26, 2009
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To Family and Friends,
My parents Larry and Pearl Heringer mailed the following to each of us: Pearl and Larry Heringer health 1971, with the exception of Janice. Although Cyndi and I are no where near the health problems that had developed in our parents life, I would like to keep everyone among our vast family and friends updated.
As you may know or not know when I was still living in California, back in the late 80’s our doctor at the time detected a heart murmur, which is not all that unusual, so sent me to have an echo cardiogram performed. This showed that I had a Mitral Valve Prolapsed, for the un--informed, this means my Mitral Valve was not closing all the way and thus leaking blood back into that chamber of my heart. At that time I was told that I probably should wait and see what happens down the road. Well down the road has occurred, my current doctor was concerned, because that valve was more pronounced then it had been. My doctor here in Kentucky sent me for another echo cardiogram and it showed that the prolapse was even more pronounced then it had been with a significant Mitral Valve regurgitation.
An appointment was set up with the cardiogist here in Kentucky and he ordered a Heart Catheterization to be done. The heart catheterization was done three weeks ago and it showed that the valve was not closing completely. Together with all this and his observations it was determined that it is now only functioning at 25% of what it should be doing.
A Trans Esophageal Echo Cardiogram was performed last Friday and it showed a small tear in the aorta, but with a flap, which is a good thing. I have appointments this following week to have two more tests done. The following week I have an appointment to see the surgeon again. After this the plan is to have the operation in early summer, perhaps as early as June. This in no way affects my seizure disorder, diabetes and poly neuropathy.
Then this last Tuesday, I had a carotid artery echo cardio gram and a pulmonary function test. Both of these turned out real good.
Today, May 6 I met with my Cardiac surgeon to review the tests and set my surgery date. At present that is to be on Monday, June 1, 2009, with a pre op being done on the previous Friday.
Cyndi, had an accident at home on March 20, for those of you who do not know that also happens to be our wedding anniversary.
For a present we got to spend our day in the emergency room at University of Kentucky. She tried to toboggan down the 12 steps of our stair way without the toboggan. She wacked her for head against the metal door that goes into the garage at the foot of the stairs.
I had been upstairs and was pulling on some clothes because we were going to go and do some shopping, when I heard a thump followed by a much louder BANG. I looked over the banister and saw her on her stomach with her forehead against the door. I went down to see if she was OK and found her mumbling something.
Unfortunately for me I had left my phone in the car after I had dropped Peter off at his work.
I had to carefully move her around so that I could get out the door so I could get my phone. With my phone in hand I called 911 while watching to make sure that Cyndi was still breathing and trying to keep her awake. At this point I noticed a softball size lump on the right side of her head. These last three months have had more health events then any time before.