Surgery #1 was successful in all they were able to accomplish, however, since the clots were actually "old" the TPA medicine doesn't typically work on an old clotting. What is old clotting anyway? In the blood world, old clotting is just a couple days old.
Here's the story told through my actual text messages from the day after Steve's first surgery:
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2016 at 7:12 AM Steve nor I got much sleep last night. His nurse came in every hour for tests (she was quiet & left the lights off), but every time Steve stopped breathing for a moment his machines started buzzing - that happened a lot earlier on in the night due to the medication. Then it was just a matter of noise, discomfort, etc. His docs just came in for their morning rounds. They were able to find a faint pulse in 1 of 2 veins (the 3rd is too deep inside the foot to listen to) which is a good sign that the meds are working on those clots. This afternoon (no time, he's the 2nd case again today) they have to knock him out again so he'll go back to the operating room so they can look inside to see what's really happening.
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2016 at 8:03 AM Okay, Steve's surgeon just came in. The clotting he was able to suction out yesterday was a couple weeks old (consistency of a pencil eraser). Unfortunately the meds, although worth a try, doesn't typically work on old clots. So Steve will be going back to surgery, they will see what the meds have done to loosen it up, but will more than likely have to do angioplasty (ballooning) to try to open those veins up in order to get flow. The Dr has a 7-8 hour surgery ahead of him today & Steve's will take 4-5 hours. So it will likely be after 10pm before I have another report unless something else changes.
Breathing in-and-out...and staying positive. Steve's mind set is to "get'er done"
So grateful for all your support, love & prayers.
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2016 at 6:27 PM Just waiting for them to come get Steve for his surgery...
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2016 at 7:19 PM They finally started the pre-op stuff. Still sounding like it could be a 4-5 hour surgery once it actually starts.
Date: Wed, Oct 5, 2016 at 8:19 PM They're just now taking him into the operating room...