Visiting Nurse

The visiting nurse came to see Abby today. He opened the door and let her in the house and she asked "are you the patient?" He said "yes" so she said "you don't need a nurse!" Then she left.

Went to Cardiologist today

The cardiologist is very pleased with Abby's progress. He called the operation & outcome "perfect." He reduced the amount of Warfarin that Abby was taking. Abby is on a lot of meds. Most of them are temporary - 4 months ish.

Happy to be back home in Brooklyn!

Arrived home from Beth Israel Hospital around 4pm. Was finally able to view the incision without bandages. They told us 4-5 inches max. Oh well. Everyone is very glad to see Abby back home. Murray the dog, who had seemed "off" and more nervous than usual when he was gone, was super happy to see Abby and did not leave his side for hours (he usually prefers hanging with me).  Went to drug store to pick up his first batch of new post-op drugs. More to get Tuesday. We will keep y'all posted!

Pick-up

Driving Mr. Daisy. Abby has to ride in the back of the car. It would be very bad if the airbag hit him in the chest. He can't drive for 2 months. He is feeling pretty good considering what he's been thru.

Abby, Elvin & Agnes

Uneventful day. Trying to get some food that Abby likes. Just found yogurt with honey and granola. And some really great fruit (not from hospital) Success! 

The View from the Hospital Window

Abby's hospital room overlooked these two small historic parks on 2nd ave and 16th street that he and his brother used to play in with his grandmother in the 1950s when his grandparents lived at the Petersfield on 20th and Second. Also in the photo are the tops of Zehendorf Towers on Union Square (now Phillips Ambulatory Center) which is one block east of Abby's longtime apartment on 14th Street. 

Saturday, Shower expected

The weekend is a slow time at the hospital. No major testing is done.

Regardless Abby looks almost like himself. He's scheduled to come home on Monday evening if all his tests are normal. He's complaining a lot so you know he's feeling better. Abby took a shower by himself today.

Muzzy

Donna went by the house yesterday and took this picture of Murray. Waiting faithfully for Abby to come home!

Doing Great

Abby's doing really well considering he had coronary bypass surgery 4 days ago.  He's not liking the food and hasn't eaten much. I'm going out soon to get him something decent to eat. I just tried his dinner and it was truely disgusting.

Out of CSICU

Yeah! Abby's out of Cardiac Surgery ICU. He had a blood transfusion today to stabilize his heart rhythm. The pain is still very intense. The Doctors are very pleased. He is doing well but it's a slow process. He sends thanks for all the love & support.

Kris here

Not yet fluent in this blogging thing so sorry it's repetitive or wonky

Abby's out of bed

Out of Bed

Abby's making good progress. He's out of bed so he doesn't develop blood clots or pneumonia. Pain is bad but that's expected.

Out of Bed

Abby's surgery went well. His mitral valve is repaired. This is good news because if he had a mitral valve replacement he would have been on blood thinners for the rest of his life. He was totally out when I saw him. The anesthesia is still in his system and he is still on a ventilator. The ventilator helps to rest his heart. The nurse will try to wake him early this morning. So he should be off the vent by late morning. They will also try to get him into a chair tomorrow so he doesn't get pneumonia. I'm going to take a nap now and then go back to the hospital.

Thanks so much for all your warm wishes, love and support!

Almost ready

Abby & Kris (and Daisy) at WDW October 29, 2015.