Sometimes in life things go better than expected. About a month ago my dad had a routine echocardiogram. The results showed that one, possibly two of his heart valves needed replacement. He had a consult with a cardiac surgeon about what would be involved. The first step was a catheterization procedure to test the pressure on both sides of the valves. That procedure happened yesterday and all went smoothly. They inserted catheters in through his neck, right wrist ang up the left side of his groin. The doctor who did the procedure said that the cardiac team still needs to confer over the results but his reccomendation will be the valves not be replaced. The earlier tests indicated severe damage but the results yesterday indicate only moderate damage. The earlier echo shows a shadow on dad's lung so he had a consult with a pulmonologist who ordered a second echo specific to the lung to happen on Monday. Thought is it is an infection. Dad has COPD.