Surprisingly, last night I slept great. I think I was mentally drained from the day. I took some pain medicine about an hour before I went to bed. When my head hit the pillow, I was out. I slept from 11:30pm until 5am when the pain finally woke me up again. Longest chunk of time in over a week. It felt great!
I spoke with the surgeon today. He told me, the sooner the better to schedule the next surgery. I took the first available time for the operating room, which is Tuesday. It is called a partial sternotomy with right subclavian to innominate vein bypass with subclavian vein patch. Say that ten times fast!
The surgeon will use the same incision on my chest from last week. He will try and find a viable vein from my thigh for the bypass portion. If I don’t have a good vein, I will receive a vein from a donor. Another great reason to check the donor box on your license. It not only can save someone with a major organ, it can help in instances like what I am going through.
Nikki's New Lungs 
Bless your heart. You’ve been through the ringer. Try to remember the opportunities you finally had in the past few months to shovel snow (even when you weren’t supposed to!), enjoy walking and biking again, sunsets at the lake, etc., and know you’ll get back there soon! Hang in there!
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So very true Sue.
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Keep your positive attitude. You have had a lot and have had good success. You have great doctors who are doing everything for you. Keep thinking what you have enjoyed the past months. And what you will enjoy when this is all over. My prayers are with you. You inspire a lot of us.
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Thank you very much Peggy.
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Hang in there Nik. So sorry you’ve had to go through all this : ( It was great seeing you and Travis at the wedding! It was so much fun being surrounded by so many great friends and family. Glad to see you two checked out the largest ball of twine! ; ) We got back from our Honeymoon Thursday night (Sun Palace in Cancun, great place, perfect beach and ocean, loved it) and now we’re headed up this morning to Bayfield, WI to my friend Dan Bertrand’s wedding. You’re part of my morning prayer list Nik and I’ll be praying for a successful surgery this Tuesday. Hope to see you guys soon – Rob
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Thanks Rob! We had so much fun at your wedding. Travis and I are so happy for you and Erin. Hope to see you soon as well.
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Git ‘er done! I look forward to some good pictures, video, or maybe even a pickled vein specimen in a mason jar. You’re one tough cookie, Nik. We’ll be thinking and praying for you on Tuesday. Until then, enjoy your spare rib dinner tomorrow night. Happy Father’s Day to Rosie’s dad … and yours! xoxo
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Thanks Annie! I may have a picture for you!
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I’m in your cheering section, Nikki!! So glad you’re getting this done right away. More time then to live the good life you and Travis so deserve! Prayers are on the way!!
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Thanks Marilyn.
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WIshing you all of the best with this upcoming surgery.
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Thanks Kathy!
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Oh Nikki! Another mountain to climb! Sorry you have to go through this, but you are so positive and such a fighter – you will do well!! I’ll be for sure praying for you on Tuesday. This too shall pass.
Hugs to you. ~Ellen~
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Thank you so much Ellen.
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Still praying for you and the amazing scientists and surgeons that make this all possible.
xoxo Heidi
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Thank you so much Heidi!
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