The surgery that Michael was scheduled for on Tuesday, January 20th, has been post-poned!! We met with Michael’s surgeon, Dr. Frank Hanley, today, and he presented Michael with an additional option which he feels might give Michael a greater chance of REPAIR!! Dr. Hanley’s reasoning is that after Michael’s first open-heart surgery, he could “visibly” tell that his valve had been infected from the Lemierre’s. There was inflammation on the valve, and he could tell the valve had not fully healed. However, since Michael’s heart was enlarged, there was no option of waiting. Dr. Hanley was able to repair the valve, despite the delicate condition of Michael’s valve.

This time, however, time is on Michael’s side, and Dr. Hanley feels that by waiting about 6 months, Michael’s valve will be stronger and healthier, to the point that repairing the valve will have a much higher probability of success. Dr. Hanley told us that if he operated next week, and Michael’s valve was inflamed (and still delicate), the likelihood of repair would be almost none. It has only been a month since Michael finished his antibiotic treatment for his infection in October. The time frame is slightly less than the first time around (he finished antibiotics in March and surgery was done in June), so waiting will be a good thing for now.

Of course, to Michael, 6 months is an eternity!! He wants to move on and get this over with, but he understands and wants Dr. Hanley to have the best possible chance for success. We are praying now that Michael’s valve continues to strengthen and heal so that when surgery is done in 6 months, Dr. Hanley can work his magic and repair Michael’s valve. The second infection (in October) damaged the mitral valve which has now resulted in more leakage. A second surgery is absolutely necessary, but waiting 6 months gives Michael the best option for a repair. As Dr. Hanley said, there are still no guarantees, and even waiting 6 months, there is still the possibility that Michael’s valve will need to be replaced, but, again, we are praying for Michael’s valve to strengthen and heal, and we know that God is with our son. Please continue to pray for Michael. The good Lord is listening!!