Derek Update:
After 9 long hours of surgery, Derek is stable in ICU.
Dr. Youssef hopes he found the source of the e-cool infection - the tubing from the LVAD that carried the blood to the body. He removed it and flushed out the infected area.
When the LVAD was decommissioned the tube was supposed to clot. Which it did, but it clotted with e-coli in it that has been growing for the past 2 months.
Unfortunately due to the heavy scar tissue, he was not able to remove the LVAD without damaging the heart.
So now he has a washout surgery tomorrow then again on Friday to address the infection which is still prevalent throughout his chest.
If there is no new infection, they will close his chest on Saturday. If new infection is found, they might go in for another surgery by removing 2 ribs and going through his side to remove the LVAD.
It’s not the result we hoped for but we are grateful that he is stable and that his heart is strong. We continue to pray for healing over the next few days.
We appreciate you all! The Forseths
