I have copied and pasted the text of an e-mail that I sent last night to a number of friends and family members. I thought I would share it with you folks and see what you think of the news...
Bill and Pat went to see the cardiologist this afternoon and get the results of Pat's echocardiogram and ultrasound.
I called Bill after I got home from Church tonight and he warned me that the news was not good. He said that the cardiologist said that the aortic valve - which they already knew had a massive deposit of calcium in it - cannot be treated with medication. It will require surgery to replace it.
Pat has an appointment at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in South Baton Rouge (commonly known as "The Lake" for those of you not familiar with Baton Rouge) next Thursday (8/28) for a double angiogram - they are going to go up both legs. I'm not clear on why this test is necessary - Bill may have said, if he did, I don't remember.
Once the cardiologist has the results of this test he will then schedule Pat for the aortic valve replacement surgery. How this will impact their planned cruise in October - they're scheduled to leave to travel to Miami, Florida to meet the ship on 10/24, which happens to be Pat's birthday - she'll turn 71 years old - remains to be seen.
As of when I talked to my brother, he had informed their 2 oldest daughters and while we were on the phone, the youngest (Paula) beeped in, so he exited in order to talk with her. As far as I know, my 2 nephews (Mark and Chris) don't know about their mother's pending surgery yet.
I'm waiting for additional details and the date of the surgery before I can determine whether I'll be able to travel home to Louisiana to be there for my brother when my sister-in-law has the surgery. Karen, their oldest daughter, lives in Virginia and she is also unsure as to whether she will be able to come home for her mother's surgery.
Bill said that when he informed Karen she broke down crying and that caused him to cry as well. He was on his Bluetooth with her and in heavy bumper to bumper stop and go traffic on I-10 down by Siegen Lane. He said a couple of times he nearly pulled over, but was able to compose himself enough to get where they were going safely. Melody, their middle daughter, called while they were eating supper at Sicily's - they had gone there after leaving the cardiologist's office. Bill didn't say what Melody's reaction was.
I wanted to share this with you and ask you to include Bill and Pat in your prayers.
Thanks...