We both got a good nights sleep, since things are much quieter in the CICU annex. Zayne is back to being Zayne!
The echocardiogram (an ultrasound) was performed in her bed, and showed a minor tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The leaky tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. Some studies show that TR is fairly common after transplant. The transplant cardiologist thinks it may be due to the backup the new heart had in the beginning and that the right side may have stretched a little to accommodate all the blood. Hopefully, the heart will shrink back down and the small leak will seal.
We have been walking all over the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), however, Zayne is technically still a CICU patient so we can’t go into the main hospital area. We even went outside to a small patio and got in trouble with a security guard. Zayne asked if he was going to shoot us since he was carrying a gun. We hung out in the shade and there was even a lady bug for Zayne to pickup. She stood for a few minutes in the sun, but the medicines make her skin very sensitive. Since Zayne has missed the neighborhood July 4th Bike Parade and the festivities in Golden, we have been having patriotic walks with red/white/blue shades and a flag.
Now that she is no longer catatonic in bed, we are filling the time with electronics, books, walks, and manicures (the nurse was a good sport). She is reaching up to get her own squirt of hand sanitizer (wash in / wash out), put on a t-shirt, and climbed up on to a couch.
A medical student was in the OR during the transplant (I gave permission), and she told me what Zayne said just before they put the gas mask on her face: “You guys have me all drugged up”
Happy July 4th! We will try to watch fireworks from a window
