Heather's PTE Surgery

In May of 2019 I was put in the hospital for multiple Pulmonary Embolism. Little did I know I had a blood clot in my heart that took up the whole right side. I had to have emergency open hear surgery.

They removed the clot in my heart, and what they could see in my lungs. There were also some around my kidneys and liver. There were about 30 removed, not counting the clot in my heart.

It was found that I had Factor V Liden mutation, but only from one parent, which doesn't involve the blood clots.

I went to numerous Pulmonologist and Cardiologist appointments over the last 3 years. Had CatScans, Echocardiogram's, Xrays, blood tests, VQ Scans, you name it. She always said Surgery, but I wasn't ready for that again, ever really.

I was then referred to a Pulmonary Specalist in December of 2021. He determined that my condition could be improved from surgery, he calls it surgical disease, not what I wanted to hear, but here we are almost a year later, and they are still saying surgery, so, reluctantly I finally agreed. Basically because I want to be here for my grandchildren, well and my family.

So I will be traveling to Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH to have PTE surgery where they will try and remove leftover clots that are restricting my flow in my lower lungs to roughly 50% in each.

My surgery is scheduled for October 13, 2022. I will have Pulmonary appointments on the 10th and 11th, Cardiac appointments on the 12th. My recovery will be 10-14 days. So we are looking at at least 3 weeks away from home. My husband will of course be with me for the whole time.

We have a hotel room from the 8th-16th, for now. After I get in a step down room, he will be able to stay in my room with me, but there may be a point where he may want to stay in a hotel.

We are driving, it is a 10 hour drive. Going up won't be an issue for me, but coming home I will need to break it up into 2 or 3 days.

If you have any questions, I will answer them to the best of my abilities. And I thank you for any and all things in advance.

Much love to all!

Heather Lucas