Saturday's Update

After the CT Scan of the brain yesterday, a decision was made to do an MRI of the heart. The CT Scan show more enlargement of the left and right ventricles than there has been previously. It also showed a shadow on the right occipital lobe, therefore the decision to do an MRI. The conclusion drawn from these tests was that two more strokes (Ischemic) have occurred. This type of stroke is where a clot has been thrown off by the artificial heart valves and gone to the brain. The increase of fluid is probably the reason for his being a lot less responsive and very sleepy.

The neurosurgeon was in and showed the scans to Mom today. At this point, with Dad having suffered two more strokes while being on blood thinners, a shunt placement will not even be considered now. The neurosurgeon and the neurologist will continue to watch him on a daily basis. Dad is also scheduled for another CT Scan of the brain on Monday.

With the heart throwing off little blood clots, it is the doctor's opinion that there is undoubtedly something wrong with his valves. The plan is to do a Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) where they should be able to see if infection has gone from his bloodstream to his heart valves.

Please pray that God's will be done in this entire situation.