Good News!

Posted on by backwoodspauli

I just want to say thank you to everyone for the prayers and well wishes. I could feel them work and they were answered! The procedure today seemed to go about as good as it could have.

Pre-procedure, there was a substantial amount of pressure built up above the narrowed portion of my superior vena cava and the doctor said there was basically no blood flow going through it.

After placing the stent graft, there is now a 13-millimeter-wide opening. The graft he placed was 5cm long instead of 7cm long that we originally talked about doing. He also didn’t go the full 14mm width all the way through because it would have been too risky. The pressure gradient post operative is now 1mmhg, down from a pre-op measurement of 17mmhg. (This is crazy high!) After a quick internet search of what that meant, it’s hard to believe I was walking around like that, let alone alive! I guess God was not ready for me yet! I am sharing the picture below that my doctor drew in black while explaining this. I’ve also added a few extra notes in blue.

On The Road to Recovery

So far, I have not experienced any major complications. I have some pain in the right side of my chest, but the doc said that is to be expected for a couple of days. Heat packs will help with this. I can already see a major difference in the appearance of collateral veins running up and down the right side of my torso. This, I hope, is good.

After I was discharged from the hospital, my mom, my husband and I went to eat lunch and then went and sat on a beach to get some fresh air. I just really wanted to feel the ground on my feet. It was really nice. Now, I am back in our hotel room for the night. They wanted us to stay close to the hospital for a day or two. Other than that, I have to take it easy for the rest of the week and hope that my body doesn’t reject the new hardware. I will be paying close attention to any new or returning symptoms.

I just wanted to give you all a quick update and encourage you to never give up hope for anything.

With Love, Pauli

17 thoughts on “Good News!”

  1. Yay Pauli! I hope you continue to feel better and the next few days, weeks and months will be uneventful in a good way! Sending love and prayers to you. Hope you have a peaceful evening of rest.

    1. Thank you Kelly! I was such a relief to wake up and hear it went good! I hope you are having a nice time away.

  4. I’m so happy to read this good news Paulina!! Love that you included a picture of you looking so good too. Hope you feel better each day. Lots of love to you.❤
    Dii & Bob

  5. Dear Pauli,
    I was so happy to hear the good news! You received another gift from God. You look amazing. Uncle Tim and I and will continue to pray for you. Love, uncle Tim and Aunt Jeanne

  6. I cried Paulina! Thank you so much for sharing. Praying for continued success and so many more things for you!

    Love from Arkansas
    Traci

  9. So glad to hear things went well!!! I’ve been thinking about you lots and happy to see this update 😊

  12. So amazing, Pauli! God is so good! I am so thrilled to hear this news and the positivity in your voice. Thank you to your amazing medical team. Keeping you in my prayers.

  13. Pauli, if there were only one gift I could give you is for you to see yourself the way I see you. You are beautiful, kind, courageous, brilliant, persistent. You have had so much thrown at you in this life but refuse to let it keep you down. Your love for God twinkles in your eyes and radiates off you like heat from the sun. You impress me more everyday!! The wisdom you have found in Jesus through these storms have touched so many, especially me!! I love you beyond words my beautiful sister/ best friend in the whole world. ❤️ keep grabbing those miracles, sweetheart. I believe in your complete healing. 🫶 444 🦁

  14. Wonderful news, Pauli! So glad things went well! Barb and I think and pray for you and your family often! Now take it easy and heal. No fire hoses ! !
    barb&dick

  15. Wonderful news, Pauli! So glad things went well! Barb and I think and pray for you and your family often! Now take it easy and heal. No fire hoses ! !
    barb&dick

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