17 October 2016
Kia ora koutou
Mike is leaving hospital on Monday, to return to his flat. It’s great to see his face pink with colour again and he’s getting cheeky, which is a sure sign of recovery!
He is gradually regaining strength and mobility, but he notices how quickly he gets tired even with simple tasks. There are now a few more home supports in place for Mike. The Geriatrician, Mike Ball, suggested it would take at least a couple of months for Mike to build up strength and stamina following his surgery.
Because Mike cannot ride his bike for a few weeks, he will not be as able to get out and seek contact, have as many independent outings, or do his errrands. His friends making contact with him will be important. Mike is keen to say that he welcomes contact from family and friends.
For friends in the Nelson area, Mike and I discussed a roster for the next month, to ensure he has the support and contact he needs during his immediate convalescence.
The idea is to have one person a day to make contact with Mike to phone check in, and perhaps drop in, or take him out, or help him with anything practical.
This roster is not intended to inhibit, in any way, the lovely spontaneous friendships and contacts people make with Mike. So no pressure intended—if you’d rather not be on a roster.
Please email me if you’d like to be part of this roster: mitchell.kath@gmail.com
Mike often talks about all of you, and how you have given your support and love to him. He is sometimes quite overcome by the power of this feeling.
Aroha nui
Kath
9 October 2016
Kia ora koutou everyone
Mike flew back to Nelson on the medical flight today. He is looking well but is understandably tired tonight.
He will be in Nelson Hospital over the weekend, and assessments on Monday will help focus on the support he needs to transition back home.
Mike is in the Medical Unit. He’d enjoy visitors, but it might be wise to call before visiting, to check he’s there, as he may be going on some outings.
Many thanks to everyone in Christchurch for their visits and support. What a wonderful Sangha!
Aroha nui
Kath
4 October 2016
Kia ora koutou
Great news about dear Mike!
The TAVI went very smoothly, with no hitches and took about an hour and a half as predicted. Mike is now in the Coronary Care Unit, where he will remain, and is apperently sitting up in bed looking much like he did yesterday!
They expect to be able to take out his drips over the next 6-8 hours.
They did an Echo Ultrasound of Mike’s heart and the new valve is working well. His blood pressure and heart rate are both stable.
Murray said that Mike is off to the best start for a good recovery, and all going well, tomorrow it will probably be clear if Mike will be ready to return to Nelson on Friday or not.
So it is all good news! A relief for Mike and everyone I’m sure.
IMPORTANT VISITING INFORMATION
Mike is in the Coronary Care Unit (right next to ward 12), where he will remain for about 3 days. Visitors are welcome, however, there are stricter rules about visiting and phone calls, with only 2 people allowed to visit at a time, and no visits/phone calls to patients between 1–3pm. This is to give patients space to rest and recover. There is a phone at the door of the CCU, which you use to speak to the nurse, before gaining entry.
Aroha nui
Kath
Mike Elliot in the Christchurch Botanical gardens today, enjoying a visit from Chris, Louise, Aria and Nyima. A beautiful day!
2 October 2016
Kia ora koutou
Here’s the group email update about Mike.
Mike has had a visit from Murray the Cardiology nurse to confirm that the TAVI will go ahead on Tuesday. The CT scan results have shown no obstacles to going ahead with this procedure. Two surgeons will work together Dr Smyth and Dr Blake. On Tuesday 4th Mike will go for prep at 7.30am. They expect to start the TAVI at around 8.30am to 8.45ish. It will take approximately 1.5 hours. Mike will be consciously sedated. An email update will be sent out following to let you all know how Mike’s doing.
The risks with this surgery are low. Mike and the medical care team have had conversations and shared wishes and information, should there be complications. The surgeons make the final decisions about weather to advance to open heart surgery if, by small chance, this situation arose.
IMPORTANT VISITING INFORMATION
After surgery Mike will be transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (right next to ward 12), where he will remain for about 3 days. Visitors are welcome, however, there are stricter rules about visiting and phone calls, with only 2 people allowed to visit at a time, and no visits/phone calls to patients between 1–3pm. This is to give patients space to rest and recover. There is also a phone at the door of the CCU, which you use to speak to the nurse, before gaining entry.
It is predicted that Mike will be discharged from hospital to fly to Nelson on Friday. He will need support for about 2 weeks after the surgery. Plans are still evolving with Mike to have this happen in way that is right for him. He is really looking forward to some space, as he currently shares a room with 5 others!
Mike is in great spirits and feeling really good and confident about the TAVI. He is feeling well supported and informed. He has great friends around in Christchurch and some very good friends have travelled to Christchurch this weekend to see Mike, so he has been really looking forward to that.
Mike continues to express his gratitude to you all.
Aroha nui
Kath
26 September 2016
Kia ora koutou
Here’s the latest group update about Mike from Christchurch Hospital.
The specialist Cardiology Nurse Murray meet with Mike to discuss details.
Mike is first on the surgery list for his angiogram stent procedure on Monday, so that is scheduled to happen about 8.30am.
On Friday 30th there will be a team meeting to present Mike’s case and to make a final decision about the TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) surgery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Uk9Jvbut0 The youtube clip here is very good, and there are others. Mike has had a CT scan and the results will help to determine if his heart is in suitable condition to have this operation. The surgeon Dr Smyth will be back from holiday the following week, so the TAVI would happen that week sometime if it is to go ahead. There is an estimated 3 day recovery period following TAVI surgery before Mike would be discharged and return to Nelson.
Both the stent and the TAVI surgeries are performed via catheter without general anaethetic, so this makes recovery time much shorter and easier.
You are welcome to call Ward 12 to ask for an update on Mike’s well-being or to speak to Mike.
I’m going home today to Nelson, but I will stay in close contact with the hospital and Mike’s friends in Christchurch, and I will continue to send updates. Karen and Kathleen, two of Mike’s good friends in Christchurch will be keeping in close contact with Mike, as well as his many other Sangha friends here.
Mike said to say thanks for your good wishes, he’s sitting up in his bed studying the pamphlet about the TAVI surgery.
Aroha nui
Kath
22 September 2016
Kia ora everyone
Mike is now in Christchurch Hospital: Cardiology in Ward 12. 2 Riccarton Ave, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 4710. Phone: 03-364 0640.
Mike is awaiting a series of tests and will be in Christchurch until further notice. He is doing well.
Mike is very moved by your continuing messages of support, visits and phone calls. He is very keen to extend his appreciation and heartfelt thanks to you all.
More news as things unfold.
Aroha nui
Kath
17 September 2016
Kia ora koutou
Mike feels very touched by all the messages from his friends, and he extends his heart-felt thanks to you all for your love and on-going support.
He is still in Nelson Hospital in the Medical Unit. He is in good spirits still, although he is feeling tired and bored at times—it has now been 10 days. Mike has plentiful visitors, phone calls from friends and spent a day “on leave” last Wednesday enjoying spring sunshine and the company of friends.
Mike’s treatment plan is still evloving. Now it is likely he will fly to Christchurch Hospital (rather than Wellington) sometime next week for a more detailed CT scan of his heart. They want to look more closely at the aortic valve and state of his heart to make sure surgery is the best way to proceed for him. A valve replacement, and possible shunt or stent for the aortic artery, via catheter is still the option most likely if surgery is to go ahead. This would avoid open heart surgery and make recovery time much shorter and easier.
If surgery happens it is likely Mike will have this in Christchurch. This could mean three weeks or so in Christchurch Hostpital for tests, surgery and recovery. More will become clear as each step in the process unfolds.
Please feel free to pass this information on to any friends of Mike’s that you may know.
You can send messages to Mike via Kath: mitchell.kath@gmail.com , or post to:
Mike Elliott
c/o Kath Mitchell
2 King St
Nelson 7010
New Zealand
Thanks again for your interest and love. Mike is very uplifted by your care.
Aroha nui
Kath
13 September 2016
Kia ora koutou
Here’s a group email update on dear Mike’s Elliot’s health.
Mike is in Nelson hospital after a faint and fall last week.
He’s in very good spirits and heart, although his physical heart needs some help!
He’s had a series of tests and it turns out his aortic artery is 80% blocked! No wonder he’s been struggling with dizziness and tiredness for the past few months. His aortic valve is not functioning well either.
So the proposal to Mike is for two different procedures to put in a shunt and replace the valve. Luckily both these surgeries would be most likely to be keyhole with a catheter, and neither would involve a general anesthetic. This makes the recovery time very much shorter and easier.
If Mike decides to go ahead the surgery would need to be done in Wellington, and could possibly happen next week. The team of cardiologists are meeting with Mike this Friday to make a final assessment, check in with Mike and discuss Mike’s questions and decisions.
Ramona is on standby to accompany Mike to Wellington if needed. She is also the font of all the medical knowledge and discussions, so she may want to correct my version of things here!
We will keep you posted with updates. Please passd this on to anyone else who would like to know about Mike. He will remain in the Medical Unit of Nelson Public Hospital at least until Friday, possibly longer. Mike is receiving a stream of visitors and is having a day out and about with friends tomorrow.
Aroha nui
Kath
