Well, not a whole lot of news. When Brent was in the CICU in August, the Dr ordered a cardiac MRI. He had that a couple of weeks ago. We have access to our medical records via the internet, and usually get the results of his tests before the Dr. does. We read the report from the MRI, and were quite discouraged. It repeatedly stated that there was more endocarditis on the new heart valve and on the heart itself. Endocarditis is what started all of this fun. We were, of course, thinking the worst, and wondered if he would need another valve replacement. He has been on IV antibiotics since the open heart surgery in May.

We received a phone call from Dr Caine, the cardiac surgeon, on Labor day, and he said unfortunately the next step was to have a TEE, which is a transesophageal echocardiogram. Basically it is an echocardiogram done from the inside of your esophagus. He wanted to be absolutely certain that there was/wasn't infection on the valve. We scheduled it for the next day, both took off work, and got to the hospital in Murray only to find out that he was scheduled for the wrong test . . . and they wouldn't do it that day because he had had a glass of water several hours before . . . in other words, the person doing the TEE didn't want to add him onto the schedule since it was nearing the end of the work day. Grrrr. so, scheduled the right test for the next day . . . both took off work again, and the TEE was done. The Dr. that performed it was extremely thorough, knowing Brent's history, and said without a doubt that he did NOT see any endocarditis.

We kind of just sat there, not quite knowing what to say or how to react. We aren't used to good news, only bad news. It's funny when you are so accustomed to receiving bad news over and over again, when you get good news, you are stunned. Don't get me wrong, we were elated, thankful, ecstatic, etc., but it was just weird. The Dr wants to repeat the TEE in a month to make sure there is no change.

So, tomorrow we have two appointments, one with the cardiologist that treated Brent in the CICU, and one with the infectious disease Dr that is handling the IV antibiotics. Hopefully we will have a plan to wean off of the antibiotics, and hopefully he can get his Hickman tunnel IV line put back in soon. The PICC line just isn't as convenient or as permanent.

This heart thing is just crazy. We know guts, not hearts.

The paricarditis that he has, the pain that put him in the CICU in August, seems to be getting better.

Thanks for always checking in, and for the love and prayers.

Lisa