Robin's Open Heart Surgery

Hi everyone, this is Kathleen, one of Robin’s friends.

Robin will be having heart bypass surgery tomorrow, July 6th, to correct a severe blockage in her left main artery. We don’t know the exact time yet because they are having to “squeeze” her in the schedule. Please pray that God would give her His peace and comfort, that He would give the surgeons wisdom and skill, that He would strengthen her family as they minister to her and that her recovery will be as quick and painless as possible.

Patients having bypass surgery are  attached to a heart-lung machine that keeps the blood circulating while the heart is stopped. After the heart stops beating, an artery (the mammary artery) from the chest cavity is grafted onto the heart at both ends, bypassing the blocked coronary artery. Finally, the patient is taken off of the heart-lung machine. The heart begins to beat again.

After surgery she will spend 2-3 days in ICU and then another 4-7 days in the hospital. Then she will be recovering at home for at least six weeks.

I will be posting an update tomorrow as soon as I hear anything.

Kathleen Dillie

Health Timeline (Added as Requested)

• July 6, 2007 Open Heart Surgery: Robin had open heart surgery (CABG coronary artery bypass graft). The problem was a major blockage in her left main artery.
• July 21, 2007 Back in the Hospital: Complications developed and Robin treated for fluid in her lungs, fluid in the heart lining.
• March 2008 Back in the Hospital: second heart surgery.
• May – June 2008 - Weekly iron infusions.
• July 20008 - Hemorrhage and hospital stay
• August- November 2008 -  Weekly iron infusions.
• December 2008 - Diagnosed with Crohns Disease, bleeding ulcers Another blood transfusion.
• January 2009 - Hemorrhage and hospital stay
• February 2009 - New doctor said not Crohns.
• March 2009 - Hemorrhage and another blood transfusion.
• April 2009- Weekly iron infusions. Allergic reactions.