Mary Joy on the Mend ❤️‍🩹

Mary Joy is on the mend after heart surgery at the Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo General. I had three bypasses and an aortic valve replacement in a 6-hour procedure on June 29. The surgery was successful and I am making a good recovery. I have atherosclerosis, a narrowing of my arteries. Atherosclerosis is caused by hereditary and lifestyle factors. It can also be caused by some chemo medicines. In my case, I took a drug for chronic myeloid leukemia that has been implicated in causing atherosclerosis. I suspect this is why my disease is so severe. I have received treatment for atherosclerosis previously. I had a stroke after a surgery in 2023, and received a stent in my left carotid artery. In April 2026, I had a stent put in my left leg, as the blood circulation had gotten bad. I felt really lousy after the Elmwood West Festival on June 13 & 14. A gusty rainstorm washed through just as we were closing. I struggled to keep the racks from blowing over. I am pretty sure that was too much for my heart. I continued to feel worse and I went by ambulance to the hospital on June 16. An angiogram showed blockages in three of my coronary arteries as well as a leaky aortic valve. I had to wait to have surgery until the blood thinners were out of my system. I stayed in the hospital during this time because they were afraid I could have a heart attack. After surgery, I spent 8 nights in the cardiovascular ICU. I found out that my heart was pumping at about 25-30% efficiency with the new aortic valve (about the same as before the surgery), That could improve over the next few months. In the meantime, I am at risk of having an arrhythmia that leads to heart failure. I have to wear a defibrillator vest until the heart is pumping better or until they decide to do another intervention. I would be grateful for some help from my friends over the next few weeks. Meals, gardening help, and company are most needed.