Leaving for Pectus Ecavatum Surgery
We’re leaving for Alabama tomorrow morning! It has been crazy busy lately preparing to leave. I am not sure how I will feel when we come back, so I’m trying to do a lot right now. Today was the last work day for me, since I’m a teacher. I can’t believe the time has come to leave!!!
I am going to be having a pectus excavatum surgery called the Nuss Procedure in Alabama. I have a condition called pectus excavatum I’ve had since birth. I just turned 26 and didn’t even really think much about this condition until about 6 months ago. I didn’t know what it was until then. I found out in January that my pectus measurement is 5.1. The cut-off for the pectus surgery is 3.25 so I am well above the number. We also found out that my heart is being compressed by my sternum as well. Needless to say, several doctors told us that I needed the pectus surgery. So… I’m going to have surgery on Tuesday!
My husband Dan just set up this blog for me to journal my thoughts and feelings during this experience. Our hearts desire is that it helps others with my same condition. I know that the couple of blogs I read were wonderful and extremely helpful! It was so comforting to read the details of what happened to another person and how everything felt.
I am currently very tired from working so much, but in very good spirits. I have a peace that is absolutely incredible from the Lord. I tend to be a worrier and there have been definite times of frustration, mostly from the uncertainty about whether or not my paperwork would be sent to the insurance companies in time, but I had a breakthrough where I really gave everything over to the Lord. He has worked everything out and given me such peace.
I love it that you have your very own blog! We are praying for your trip and the surgery, and we’ll check back for updates soon.
With love!
Jaimee
hi i’m praying for you and im so happy that i got to meet one of the most sweetest women that actually portrays the Godly woman. You are everything that it tells us in word that we should strive for in our earthly home. I will be reading daily and uplifting you in my prayers and I would like to get in touch with you by mail and email. I will check back soon.
Hey Kristi,
I was so happy to see your sweet face with a smile. I have you in my prayers every day. I know the Lord will be with you during this difficult time and give you the peace to see it through. I can’t wait to hear how everything goes. You and Dan are such a blessing to each other and I know you are going to be great.
Hugs & Smiles,
JJ
Kristi,
Thank you for being such a great friend, and your joy is a blessing to all of us back home. We are all praying for you and we know that Jesus has promised to take care of you! We love you!!!!!!!
Kerry, Rob, Jennifer
Kristi,
I’m so thankful your surgery went well! Now for the recovery. I’ll be praying for you to have as easy of a recovery as you can with this type of surgery. You are lucky to have Dan there with you. I’m sure he will be a great source of strength and inspiration for you.
Jesus is watching over you and we are all praying for you. So I’d say you’ve got things pretty well covered!
I love you,
Aunt Laurie
Kristi,
Hey you made it!!!! I’ts awesome that everything went well, I knew it would. Hey Dan said were supposed to talk to you tonight. can’t wait! Grizzly and Galahad miss you and Dan, and you can tell that there both anxious for you to come home. We’ll get some rest, and we will all see you tonight. Kristi your tougher than I am, going through all this. Hang in there!!!!!
Kerry, Jennifer,Rob,Galahad,Grizzly,
Hi, read your info. I am interested to chat with you further re your experience post op. I too have had the Nuss proceedure and I am now 18wks post op. Hope to hear from you.
Hi Fiona,
I got your message and wrote you an e-mail. I would love to hear about your experiences!
Kristi
@admin
Hi. My name is Russ. I’m emlisted with the Marine Corps..theyre considering discharging me due to problems im having with the same condition. I am a native of Alabama, and wsa hoping you could give me the contact information of the surgeon. As well as a review on how well he did. Thanks.
Hi Russ! I apologize for not checking this blog in so long. I got bogged down with starting to teach school that I let this go. I hope you are doing well and that you have found a solution. My surgeon in Alabama did the Nuss procedure and I would not recommend the Nuss Procedure for adults. It was the worst pain I can ever explain. I had the modified Ravitch procedure after having two failed Nuss Procedures and it was night and day better! I was back to work and feeling great 2 weeks after surgery. I am fully recovered and feeling great. If you’d like me to ask my doctor in Texas if there is someone who does the modified Ravitch Procedure in Alabama, just let me know.
Take care!
Kristi
My 17 year old daughter had the nuss procedure done 2 weeks ago. She is home but it breaks my heart bc of the amount of pain she is in (she is not a cryer, I see the pain in her eyes). She ices the area 24/7. She complains of sharp pains along where the bar is and difficulty taking deep breathes. She is able to get up and move around on her own with the support of terrifc friends. She wishes that she never had it done. I can’t find anywhere what we can expect in terms of a time frame for diminished pain. She takes motrin, tylenol and hydromorphone (generic form of diluadid) as well as zophrain for nausea.
Missy,
I am so sorry to hear how hard it has been! I totally understand. I was in extreme pain as well. I wish I could say for sure when the pain will be gone. Personally, I had complications with the Nuss bar and so my pain got better after about a month, but then continued. My complications are rare though. From what I’ve read it seems like the pain should diminish by 4 weeks and continue to get better and better. 2 Weeks out was still very rough for me. Thankfully, she is about 10 years younger than I am and so she should recover faster than I did. But I know it is sooooo hard. You and she will be in my prayers. I know it was just as tough on my family to watch the pain I was in as it was for me to experience it.
Kristi