Postpericardiotomy syndrome.

Today's visiting nurse was concerned about the low grade fever Todd has had since he came home as well as his descriptions of how he's been feeling generally unwell in fits and spurts. A quick call to the team at Scripps and they had us come in to check all was well ahead of the three day weekend.

And thankfully all was indeed well. What he is feeling is due to postpericardiotomy syndrome, an immune phenomenon that occurs after surgical incision of the pericardium (the membranes around the heart). 

Todd had a chest X-ray, did some blood work and had an examination which set everyone's mind at ease and boosted our confidence that all is going well and to plan. 

Some fun photos from the day:

Todd's ribs with the eight wires that now hold them together.

Can you spot the new valve?! To the right about even with the fourth tie from the bottom.

Here's what it looks like... The cream colored part is the part manufactured from bovine tissue. Crazy!

Cool stuff. Happy they know how to make all this happen!