We are in Charleston!
I received a phone call last month the day after I let everyone in on what was happening in my life, from MUSC. They called to schedule a CT scan of my heart to evaluate if I'm a candidate for the Harmony Valve. See what that is, here & here. This is also great information: here.
There are different factors to consider in planning a transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement. This procedure is desirable because there are only so many open heart surgeries one patient can handle (same as with multiple C-sections.) I've had 3 open heart surgeries so the possibility of avoiding another one is most attractive for scar tissue and healing. Correct measurements must also be documented for the valve to be placed as well.
Therefore, today, I underwent a CT scan at the Shawn Jenkin's Children's Hospital of MUSC.
While we are here for this, Eric and I are taking the opportunity to enjoy my second home together with good food and peaceful views. :) We got in last night and had dinner at Vickery’s at Shem Creek. To date - the best meal I’ve ever had at Shem Creek - and I’ve had countless. We saw the sunset and the pink moon rise.
This morning, before I left for MUSC to have my scan, I needed to burn off anxious energy. I started my morning in prayer for my friends and family then Eric and I got our coffees and went to do a nature walk at the “Marsh View Trail” in Mt. Pleasant. We swung on vines like monkeys, identified flowers, and watched crabs scittering about on the sand. It was exactly what my anxious heart needed. All the way to the hospital I gripped my MUSC heart pillow from my 3rd surgery in 1995. I gripped it so tight and walked in with it. It’s both beautiful and overwhelming to be back here in this capacity but I am thankful for the opportunity of an even healthier heart.
After my CTA, Eric and I bounced over to the IOP for “lupper.” I was starving because I was not allowed to eat a couple hours prior to the scan. We ate at new to us, Islander 71 for the views! Then to the beach to play and walk and explore.
Thursday, before returning home to our wild things, Eric and I plan to hit up some spots I've been itching to visit. I used to go to Charleston almost monthly when a really special precious friend was in pharmacy school there. But now, I go once a year if I'm lucky. I love it as much as the upstate so it is always a blessing to be there. Being that Charleston is such a huge part of my life from literal day one, I have so enjoyed indulging in the reality show, "Southern Charm," on BRAVO since its creation. A guilty pleasure but it is so cool to see so many of my favorite places on screen. Therefore, I am planning for us to go to “Sewing Down South” on King Street to check out Craig Conover's store.
After this little fan girl moment, we plan to go to lunch at a rooftop spot.
After eating, we plan to go to Monks Corner to visit "The Cypress Gardens," aka the famous swan/boat scene between Ally and Noah in, "The Notebook." This place has been on my list a couple years!
I hope to know the results of the scan in a day or two I’m told, and therefore also a surgery plan and date in the next few weeks, for this summer. I’ll keep you posted. Type A me is always anxious for the plan and the facts and to knock it all out. His will above all. His glory, above all. Constantly counting my blessings!
