Latest updates:
3:30 update
Vladyka Gregory has been told that there has been a little bit of a
reversal, in an almost completely smooth operation. It has taken longer than
usual because of the need to clear the scar tissue from the previous
operation. When they started to take Vladyka Metropolitan off the
bypass-pumps, which is the most critical time, the heart needed help to pump
the blood until it builds up strength. The doctors elected to put in a
balloon pump right underneath the heart. This boosts the pumping power of
the heart. He told us that every bypass surgery they make provision
beforehand for a balloon pump. The doctors of course would prefer not to put
in the balloon pump. This indicates only that the heart has been weakened,
which is expected in a second open-heart surgery operation. There was a lot
of scar tissue that had to be removed, and Vladyka Metropolitan was on the
bypass pump for a long time. This weakened the heart, and, therefore, they
needed this balloon pump to boost the power that the heart has. Dr. Barry
says that he is not overly-concerned, because this is sometimes expected in
operations such as this. Vladyka Metropolitan is still in the process of
getting off the bypass pump, and this is a critical time. They expect the
balloon to remain in him for about 24 hrs. and when the heart has built up
enough strength the balloon will be taken out immediately. Vladyka Gregory
and Fr. Andrei are staying at the hospital all the time. As in all
operations of this type, they say that he is in critical condition at this
point.
4:20pm Update
The nurse just came out and explained to Vladyka that things have gotten
better now. They are closing Vladyka up. The pace maker wires have been
removed and the heart is beating by itself with the help of the balloon
pump. He is being sewn up at this time. Still, they say with the balloon
pump in place, they consider this critical. He is completely off the bypass
pump. In one half hour the main surgeon, Dr. Anderson, will come out and
speak with Vladyka Gregory. Now that he is off the bypass pump, he is able
to go to an intensive care unit. There, Vladyka Gregory and Father Andrew
may visit him and they will anoint him with oil from St. John of Shanghai
whom Vladyka Valentine loves very much.
4:50
The operation is complete. They just took Vladika from the operating room
to intensive care. He is still sedated. Doctor Anderson came out and spoke
with Vladika Gregory, and said that he expected it to be a long surgery, but
not this long. However, he is pleased that everything turned out as well as
it did. He said that when the heart builds up strength, the balloon pump
will be taken out. He said that he put in five bypasses, and his condition
will be much better than after the three bypasses that he had in 1996. It's
been very stressfull for all of us, but thank God that everything turned out
well. Vladika Gregory is going to go in to see him in a half hour.
5:30pm
Dear Faithful,
Vladyka Metropolitan is now in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. His
eyes are opening, and he is conscious that Vladyka Gregory and Father Andrew
are with him. He still has a large breathing tube in his mouth, which
prevents him from talking, but this will be taken away soon. Also, the
balloon will be taken away as well. His strength is increasing
progressively.
Thank you for your prayers.
