What happens next........

First off, thanks for all of the fabulous feedback via comments and emails that were sent to me about the visual support idea that we are implementing for Ethan. I always hope that when I share a piece of our private lives, that someone may see themselves or someone they love in what I have written. This blog serves both as a vehicle to document our lives for later and to share in hopes that it will help someone else that is having a similar issue or experience.

OK, now on to what happens next with Marc....

Tomorrow, Marc will be having what is called a Cardiac Catheterization and if you would like to learn more about what this lovely little procedure entails you can read about it here. Marc's mom is coming over tonight since she does not have to take care of Marc's dad, who is presently in a rehab center, recuperating from a fall where he fractured his pelvis...yup, it's all fun and games around here these days. If everything goes as planned, then we will be home by the evening.

We are then flying to Atlanta in a couple of weeks to meet with the heart surgeon that we are hoping will be operating on Marc. By all accounts, Marc is a very good candidate for the type of surgery that he needs, which is a Heart Mitral Valve Repair done robotically. The benefit to carrying out the surgery this way versus the old school way (cracking open the chest) is that it is minimally invasive. There are just four (very small) incisions will have to be made to do the repair. Marc's heart will have to be stopped, just like in any open heart surgery and he will be placed on a heart lung machine while they operate on him. The obvious benefit to doing it robotically, is that there is so much less trauma to the body and thus pain and healing times are brought down significantly. We have consulted with a couple of doctor's already but the one in Atlanta is probably one of the more experienced in the country, so we are hoping that he is the one that will handle Marc's care. The doctors that we have consulted with us thus far have also told us that Marc's condition is very severe and his heart is quite enlarged due to the strain from the leaky valve.

Of course, as I write all of the details in such a matter of fact kinda way, it does not take into account that my own heart is racing most of the time and the butterflies in my stomach never seem to go to sleep. I will not be able to make my mind stop racing and ultimately ending up in dark places until this is behind us and thank goodness that tomorrow is the first step towards that end. Marc is steadfast and positive. He is my rock and I want to keep him in that position for many years to come.

One last thing...there has been such an outpouring of care and concern, both locally and through the larger online community that we are a part of. Marc's Disc Jockey Association - The American Disc Jockey Association of South Florida is holding an event called "A Night at the Races" on October 4th, to benefit Marc and our family. The money raised will assist us with the massive medical and associated costs that will not be covered by our health insurance. There are several ways to be a part of this event whether you can attend or not. If you would like to help, you can contact the Association for more details at:

Helpthebeat@gmail.com

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Lori, Marc, the Big's and the Little's :)