Mom got a graft yesterday

[ODAT]

A very uneventful two-hour surgery, thank God. Mom has a graft on the underside of her left arm running from her wrist to the bend in her elbow. Couldn't get a good look at it because of the arm protection / brace. She has stitches at the top and bottom - inside stitches that will dissolve.

Asked the doctor if he was going for a fistula first and he said no, her veins are too weak. He said she'll get possibly 6 years at that site (where he put the graft), then he could go to her upper left arm and do a possible fistula and that site would last 4 years. He explained in a way that made sense why he would do a fistula on her upper arm after the graft, but I can't remember exactly what he said. I didn't sleep the previous night and was having a hard time comprehending. Glad sis was there too. Then he would go to her other arm. Guess the longevity of what he was saying made mom feel better. I wanted to ask who said she had a 50/50 chance of 2 years, but bit my tongue.

I also asked him how long it would last. He said he had one patient whose lasted 30 years. I said I was asking because she might not start dialysis for 6 months or longer.

She spent the night in Extended Care and should go home at noon today.

The only thing I'm worried about is her heart rate. It was between 44 and 51. The heart doctor did just lower her meds to 25. He went from 100 to 50 to now 25. Vascular doctor said he'll see how her bruising looks today and then tell her when to start Plavix again. She goes to see him again in 3 weeks. I'm not sure if she will wear the arm brace at all. We did want to see if doc wanted her to wear it at night. Also told her to be careful or not even use that arm to get laundry out. She's always bumping her arm doing that.

She was in no pain or discomfort after the surgery and didn't even need pain killers. The only time she had pain was when they put the 'goofy juice' in her iv line. Said it burned going in. Also a few times in surgery she moaned and the anestesiologist gave her more stuff. I wanted to ask the anestesiologist if it was a prerequesite in his position to be so cute! lol Every one I've seen is amazing! Mom said he came to see her in recovery and had his street clothes on and was even cuter. Ok, I'll stop.

[monrein]

So glad it went well Odat and a bonus that the doc was cute. LOL.  It's great that your Mom is now basically ready for dialysis when that time comes so one less thing to stress about.

[willieandwinnie]

ODAT  so glad your Mom's graft surgery went so well. I don't think I have ever seen one that ran on the underside of the arm. Hope your Mom continues to do well. 

[pelagia]

I am happy to hear that all went well with your mom's surgery.  I hope that you can find some time to get a good night of sleep.  It's great that you and your sister work as a team.  My sisters both live far away and I only see them about once a year. 

[rose1999]

So pleased it went well, you can get a good night's sleep tonight now the worry is over (and maybe dream about that anestesiologist  )

[lola]

Odat glad everything went well for your mom. Otto's brother had his fistula since he was 15 and he's 43 now and still is working.

[okarol]

  I hope mom does well and you can rest! 

[G-Ma]

I hope your mom does well and you and your sis now get some rest.

[ODAT]

I haven't seen it yet. After surgery, she had a velcro arm brace on. It is more on the side of the underarm by the thumb side. Talked to Cath and mom last night. Cath said mom's arm looked like an eggplant it was so bruised. Mom has been taking darvacet. I'll see her tonight after work.

If dreams were grounds for divorce Rose... lol  (I just love this smiley).

Lola, fistulas and grafts do have different stats on how long they last don't they? ****Skip this question. I just went to Epoman's FAQ section and reread info. Sometimes it takes a few times to sink in.**** Doc said that grafts are more at risk for infection. I hope they gave her an instruction sheet that included what to look for as far as infection.

[jbeany]

If it gets infected, it will be swollen, warm, and she will probably have a fever.  You may want to get her a stethascope to listen to the thrill.  it's easier to hear it then feel it at the beginning - it's too sore at first to press down on.

[del]

Glad everything went well 

[Bajanne]

Good news!  I too have a graft.  I got it in October 2005.  It has been doing quite well.  Hope your mom gets a lot of time out of her graft.  I was hearing somewhere about a new kind of graft tubing that reseals itself.  That should be really good to increase the life of the graft and guard against infection.
We are listening out to hear how thing go with your mom.  I love the picture of you two!  (Where is the picture of the anesthesiologist?)

[Ang]

 


hopefully  things  get  easier from  here  on  in

[ODAT]

You are right jbeany, mom says her arm feels tingly and sore. It took Cathy 20 min to get the tape off mom's arm. It looks like clear packing tape and mom was crying it hurt so much. Gonna ask about that tape. Her arm is still purple and she said this morning that her thumb is black and blue. Guess brusing travels and gets worse before it gets better.

[thegrammalady]

odat, they probably used plastic tape. it will come off very easily if you gently rub it with alcohol, which will dissolve the glue.