Valve Replacement Surgery - Rehab Was Hard Today!

It is a known fact that recovery from open heart surgery goes a lot faster when you join a rehabilitation program of some sort. I'm fortunate enough to have access to the New Heart Cardiac Rehabilitation Program here in Albuquerque. It is a state of the art facility, with all the latest exercise equipment and programs, exercise physiologists, dietitians, therapists, and in-house Doctors.

We cardiac patients are permitted to exercise only on the days a Doctor is scheduled. I feel very safe exercising at New Heart as my heart is monitored constantly while I'm exercising. So far, there haven't been any emergencies necessitating a Doctor, but it is comforting to know that one is on the premises.

My rehab schedule is three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon. Up until last Friday, I was restricted to just lower body exercises, but now my exercise physiologist, with the permission of both my surgeon and Dr. McGuire, one of the in-house Doctors at the rehab clinic, has added a couple of light upper body exercises to my program.

I'm very happy to be doing both upper and lower body exercises now. The muscles in my legs are beginning to firm up a little and I'm anxious to see the same improvement in my arms, chest, and back.

While I am excited to be released to do the new upper body exercises, my entire exercise schedule was daunting for me today. I did make it through all of my exercises, but for some reason it was like climbing a mountain. My nature is to improve at least a little everyday, so I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to add more minutes or increase the level of difficulty on any machine today.

Everything that I've read about open heart surgery recovery says to expect good days and bad days. It's been almost seven weeks since my valve repair surgery, and I still get exhausted at the drop of a hat. The Doctors say that I'm doing great and to take it easy. It is so hard for me to patient through this recovery phase.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Still Cramping!

Well, I'm puzzled today. For the past couple of weeks or so, I've had muscle cramps in my fingers, toes, arms, calf and side muscles. Dr. Blake, my cardiologist, had me do a BMP to determine if I was low in sodium, magnesium, or potassium. Everything was normal except I was slightly low on sodium.

My family on my mother's side has a history of not holding sodium, but according to the lab results, I wasn't low enough on sodium to cause muscle cramps. I eat salt like crazy all the time, nevertheless, I'm usually border-line low on sodium.

Before my valve repair surgery, and while I was waiting for my open heart surgery to be scheduled, I remember having muscle cramps. Dr. Blake, at that time, suggested Tonic Water for its quinine content. I'll try that again today.

I can't believe that all these diuretics are not causing the cramping problem, however, I now don't know what to do next. Anyone else experienced this? At this point, I'll try anything.

Lynn, my very best friend in the whole world and a darn good researcher, emailed me to say that the Prednisone medicine I took recently to treat my pericarditis could be the culprit. Prednisone has an extended half life (stays in your body and continues working).

Called the oxygen supplier today to have them pick up all this oxygen equipment. It made me so happy to be well enough to make that call.

On Saturday of this weekend, Connie, Lynn and I went to the outlet mall outside of Santa Fe. Lynn needed some new sandals. We drove on in to Santa Fe hoping to eat at Tomasitas Mexican Restaurant at the Santa Fe Station. No such luck, there was once again at least an hour's wait.

We almost never found the place as we came in from a different direction, but even getting somewhat lost was reason enough to laugh at ourselves as we circled, twisted and turned all around downtown Santa Fe.

We did eat some mediocre to down right awful Mexican food on our way out of town. I don't remember the name of the place, but we all agreed to NEVER go there again.

The trip was great; we had a good time and a lot of laughs. It was yet another great outing for me, but I was happy to get home and take a nap.

Sunday, I camped out at home to rest and recuperate from the very busy week. Sometimes, I just feel completely wiped out for no apparent reason.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Hurrah, I Got Off The Oxygen!

I'm free, I'm free at last! No more oxygen for me. Today, for the first time since my heart valve surgery more than six weeks ago, I can breath well enough on my own to not be on oxygen during exercise.

I wasn't using it at night or even while I was up around the house, but I was having to strap on the old cannula and push the oxygen canister around for my walks up and down our marvelous Sandia Mountain foothills.

One of the exercise physiologists tested me today, and boom, I passed with flying colors. My pulse oxygen did not drop lower than 94 throughout all the exercise today. Last week, it was still dropping below 90 (the cutoff level).

To say that I'm a happy camper is an understatement. I can't wait to gleefully call the oxygen supplier next week and have all this oxygen equipment picked up. To me, the telltale paraphernalia has been a constant reminder of my physical limitations since the open heart surgery.

Also, today, I got to begin doing some level one (very low level) upper body exercises. Dr. Levy, my cardiologist, released me to start them with the stipulation that I not lift over 10 pounds. My upper arm muscles, as well as all the other muscles in my body, have atrophied during these last five months, so I'm very excited to be able to begin getting my body back in shape.

Before my open heart surgery, I had been walking our beautiful Shih Tzu and Boxer 2 -3 miles every morning. My progress today makes me know that someday very soon we will be resuming our delightful walks.

Poor babies, they just look at me longingly nowadays when I put on my tennis shoes and head for the front door. They have gotten somewhat used to the idea that they won't be going. Now, I can tell them that it will be just a little while longer and we'll be back in our regular groove.

Being able to walk our dogs is one thing that I did take for granted. Before my open heart surgery, I never once thought about or appreciated the fact that I could physically do it. No, to tell the truth, I never once gave it a second thought.

In fact, there were literally a gazillion things that I took for granted. I do notice that I'm taking more time to really tune in and focus on the beauty of the animals, birds, flowers, countryside, and people that surround me. Right now, almost everything is beautiful to me.

Probably, everyone that is recovering from open heart surgery develops a renewed interest in and an appreciation for the everyday activities of life. I for one, am mighty glad to be alive.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Muscles Cramping!

I went home from the hospital after my valve repair open heart surgery on heavy diuretics, and now six weeks after my surgery, I"m still on most of them. I'm now experiencing muscle cramps in my fingers, toes, hands, arches, arms, calves, and now in my sides below the rib cage. These symptoms are probably due to the cumulative effects of the diuretics over time.

My common sense tells me that the heart is a muscle, so I want to bring these cramps in check before anything weird happens. My mother suffered a stroke when her electrolytes got out of balance. Turned out that her body would not hold sodium.

Maybe Dr. Blake needs to reduce the diuretics or give me a supplement for whatever is being stripped from my body. Could be potassium or magnesium, but I don't think it is low sodium. I"m a salt hound!

Called Angela in the research department to ask her to contact Dr. Blake for me. She is usually the quickest avenue to Dr. Blake. Angela called back and said that Dr. Blake wanted me to get a MBP (Metabolic Blood Panel) right away.

With the same MBP lab order, she also wants to check my magnesium level. This blood work should give her the answer as to how to adjust my medicines or prescribe supplements. Dr. Blake loves to get answers! I will be glad to get this problem solved as the little finger and outside palm on my right hand draws and cramps nearly all the time.

Because of the muscle cramping and extreme fatigue, I did not do much of anything today except drink lots of Pediolyte (Power Aide, Gatorade, Pro Aid). Rest, rest, and more rest, and that was just about it. I don't want to over-tax my heart with all this continuing muscle cramping.

Primarily, it is up to me to weigh daily, and to notice anything new going on. It's a little bit of trouble to get in touch with the Doctor, but I want to be safe rather than have something go wrong that could have been prevented by just plain old Doctor/Patient communication.

Why is it that we don't want to call the Doctor? For me, it is all the hoops you have to go through before you finally get an answer. Usually, I'd rather wait and hope the symptoms disappear on their own; however, since my open heart surgery, I've become kind of a pansy. Where my heart is concerned, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Surprise At First Rehab Evaluation!

Prior to doing my rehab today, I was scheduled for my first rehab evaluation since my valve repair open heart surgery. Now I'm thinking that this evaluation would be about my progress on the various exercise machines, what I think about the New Heart Rehabilitation Program, how well I think I'm doing in rehab and things like that, right?

No, no, no! This was not the case at all; my appointment was with the house "Shrink". It came as a complete surprise to me that my appointment was with a therapist. I'm expecting to talk repetitions and ask if I can start upper body exercises while she is wanting to know about my history of insomnia and how I'm doing emotionally since my chest was cracked open.

For the last couple of days, ever since Dr. Levy, the surgeon, told me that my healing was going to take time ( rest, relax, and don't get greedy), and that I was still in mild congestive heart failure (I hate that term), my emotions have been right under the surface.

Well, you can guess what happened. The water works opened up and continued until almost a whole box of her kleenex had disappeared. Dr. Levy, the surgeon tends to give you the hard bare bones facts, while Dr. Blake, my cardiologist, tends to hold her cards close to her chest, giving you the facts only in tiny increments which are heavily dosed with sunny optimism. As the therapist pointed out, the real truth is probably in the middle.

I'm the type of person that likes to know what I'm letting myself in for. I certainly don't fancy expecting the unexpected. What in God's name are these heart surgery people talking about anyway? Who wants to turn a corner and slam into a brick wall? I would like it if all these medical people could just be up front with what to really expect after open heart surgery. They could at least tell you about the more common complications and what to do about them.

I'm still a little bummed out, can you tell?

Kathy and Judy, our precious friends from South Carolina, are leaving tomorrow in the early a.m. They have been wonderful to hang out with. Judy spoiled me almost every single day with a Star Bucks Mocha Frappe. She is a Star Bucks junkie and she pretty darn near made one out of me while she was here.

Kathy will be 60 years old in August, so we (Judy, Connie, Lynn and I) decided to have a little early birthday celebration for her here in New Mexico. We went to the El Pinto Restaurant for dinner. El Pinto has only average Mexican food, but it does have a delightful one-of-a-kind vine covered outdoor dining area. The patio is spectacular with its enormous old elm trees, and trumpet vines. We even had some odd-sounding Mexican bongo music as a bonus.

After dinner, we came home for desert and presents. Lynn and Judy had put their heads together earlier, and somehow came up with a birthday cake decorated like a Navajo blanket. Kathy was both surprised and elated. It was the perfect ending to a perfect visit. I'll miss those two amazing people very much.

Tomorrow, I'll be alone again and no more company in sight. Guess I'll have to cowgirl up won't I?

Valve Replacement Surgery - Surgeon's Six Week Check-Up!

Good news and bad news! I saw Dr. Levy, my cardiovascular surgeon, for my six week post valve repair surgery today. He was simply ecstatic with his ultra successful surgery.

The scar was healing extremely nicely (I already knew that). While I am still in a fixed A-Fib rhythm, in six more weeks there should be enough scar tissue formed as a result of the Maze procedure to eliminate the A-Fib (we're keeping our fingers crossed). My heart is healing, but will still take up to six months to re-form.

Dr. Levy said that the right side of my heart was grossly stretched out of shape at the time of my open heart surgery. He said that it will just take time to heal and resume its normal efficient shape.

He added that I still have mild right-sided congestive heart failure due to the newness of the surgery and the shape of my heart, but this too will improve as the months go by (Months?).

I have to stay on both the diuretics and the coumadin until my heart heals and becomes a more efficient pump (not what I wanted to hear). I especially would like to get off the coumadin, however, the diuretics are a pain in the rump too.

He said that I could start doing upper body exercises at rehab, but to relax and take it easy. Don't get greedy, and nothing over ten pounds. In fact the over-riding theme of the day from Dr. Levy's view point was that I was doing great but not to get greedy. "You can expect to feel more like yourself in six to nine months". "Rest, relax, and don't get greedy".

He acted as though I'd been unreasonably pushing myself to get stronger faster. Actually, I feel like I'm resting constantly. Six to nine months of more sitting around sounds like eternity to me.

My INR was high at 2.9 today. Rita, the INR nurse adjusted the coumadin a little. It needs to be between 2.0 and 3.0; however, since my finger bled and bled from the tiny finger prick she made today, she was afraid to let the current coumadin dose schedule continue for another two weeks. See what I mean about the coumadin?

I also met with Angela Mineheim today, head of the research department. She is going to check with Dr. Blake about the muscle cramps in my right hand, arch and calf muscles. Probably Dr. Blake will adjust the diuretics a little. In the mean time, I'm to eat more foods with potassium (that's okay, I like bananas).

It was an emotional day for me. My dear friends, Lynn, Kathy and Judy all provided terrific broad shoulders to cry on. Who knows why I got so upset. Guess I'm still feeling vulnerable from the open heart surgery, or maybe it was that some of what he said was totally unexpected. Have I turned into a complete bawl bag?

The thought of possibly having and managing congestive heart failure from now on was overwhelming to me. Dr. Levy did not say that I would have it, but he did say that there was a possibility. I had been under the impression that I was already completely over it.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Wild, Wild Weekend!

Getting out and about in nature or just taking a little day trip is really great for the spirit, mind, and body! Every single time that I've made the effort to get myself out of the house, I've really enjoyed myself, and my mind has been distracted from the sometimes boring open heart surgery recovery process.

I've found that if I don't take advantage of opportunities to play, I will tend to focus on the negative aspects of my recovery. Like I've said before, it would be easy to just lounge around in my favorite chair and watch TV or read, but there is so much more to be gained by getting out in the air and laughing and having fun with friends.

And, fun we certainly did have this weekend. Kathy, Judy, Connie, Lynn and I all trooped to Santa Fe on Saturday in the rain. Kathy and Judy are from South Carolina where it really rains, I mean for days on end, so they didn't think that our rain was much to speak of. However, our native New Mexican shop clerks were apologizing to our tourist friends for the "bad" weather we were having.

Five women in the car! And, as you can imagine, we laughed all the way to Santa Fe from Albuquerque. Everything was hilariously funny for some reason. I'm thinking that it was probably due to the sheer joy of dear friends spending time together.

We visited the marvelous Georgia O'keeffe museum first. It was, of course, fantastic. There were benches there, so I could rest whenever I needed to.

Then, for lunch, we went on to Tomasitas, said to be the best Mexican Restaurant in New Mexico by some (Connie disagrees). There was more than an hour wait, so we had to settle for the La Fonda (Connie's favorite restaurant). The La Fonda doesn't hold a candle to Tomasita's as far as good authentic Mexican food goes, but the La Fonda is steeped in New Mexico history and you can use the restroom there (a bonus).

Unbeknownst to any of us, the city of Santa Fe was hosting a top quality Native American arts and crafts fair in the Town Plaza. Extremely finely crafted inlaid silver jewelry, excellent pottery, beautiful bead work, and expertly woven Navajo rugs were all on display and for sale. We felt kissed by the Gods to have happened upon this unexpected and delightful event.

From the Plaza, we walked a short distance to the recently restored Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. I am simply awe struck every time I visit this wonderful old Cathedral. No matter what their religious affiliation, most people find it calming and peaceful in and around this ancient spectacular old church. Kathy, Judy, and I took the opportunity to rest and absorb the sacred and serene atmosphere.

Sunday, Lynn had a wild trip planned for the Jemez area of New Mexico. Again, we had the same five insanely crazy women in the car. Judy and Lynn alternated driving, I rode shotgun, and Kathy and Connie took seats in the back.

Connie and Lynn have been promising me for YEARS that we could take the tour at the Ponderosa winery; however, once again, they blew right past it with the usual excuse that we had to find a restroom.

They did, however, promise to backtrack, and since I'd survived open heart surgery, we would actually get to take the tour today. Just lovely that it takes an open heart surgery to get those two teetotalers to stop and tour the winery?

Our first stop was the Jemez (pronounced HAY-mes) Pueblo Indian roadside food stands. They are located on Hwy. #4 in the Jemez Mountains and right across the street from the Walatowa Visitors Center and in front of the breathtakingly beautiful Jemez Red Rocks. You will see nothing like it anywhere.

The stands feature traditional fresh horno (outdoor igloo shaped oven) baked bread, fresh Indian fried bread (they fry it on the spot), Indian fruit pies, Indian tacos and tons of other authentic Jemez Pueblo "taste-treat-delights". Kathy was like a kid in a candy store (can you tell from the picture?), and the rest of us were in hog heaven. Talk about melt-in-your-mouth, unique food; it was beyond wonderful.


Connie purchased some butter to go with the fresh baked horno baked bread and the three in the back ended up with laps and seats full of bread crumbs. I don't know what the other two did to poor Judy, but she had butter smeared from one end to the other. The laughter was loud and almost constant as we did a flip turn to head back to the Pondersa Winery.

We followed the Ponderosa Winery sign into what looked like ordinary, dry, barren desert land, and right there in the middle of nowhere was the quaint little Ponderosa Winery.

Everyone except Lynn (a true teetotaler) tasted some of the wine. I purchased a glass and Connie sprung for a whole bottle. We sat on the porch sipping our wine and enjoying the breeze and our own company. As you can imagine, I was happy to finally get to take the tour (they probably won't ever stop again).

We stopped at Soda Dam, but none of us felt like trekking down to the water and falls. We found a quiet spot off the road and down in a New Mexico campground area for our picnic.

We had hoped to visit Bandelier National Monument, but just flat ran out of time and energy. We did walk along the lovely clear stream at Los Conchas. Los Conchas is lush meadow land, rock climbing cliffs, cold mountain streams and huge pine trees, and is a far cry from what you might expect to see in New Mexico. The rock climbers were friendly, and seemed to enjoy our blatant gawking.

After our leisurely walk at Los Conscious, we drove just a short distance to Valles Caldera National Preserve (an enormous lush meadow spanning some 14 miles across and growing on top of rich ash left behind by a collapsed volcano). Driving around a bit on the Caldera was all we could manage this late in the day.

Too pooped to pop and worn slap out from hiking, and laughing, we headed back to Albuquerque and home.

The entire weekend was probably the most fun we've all had in a very long time. I know that it was a very special outing for me. What could be better than spending time with dear friends and experiencing some of the unique New Mexico scenery.

Mostly I went at my own pace and rested when I needed to. Usually, no matter where you go there are places to sit and rest. Again, if you will make the effort to get yourself out of the house, your spirits will be lifted and you will most likely heal faster.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Yikes! Lung Fluid Drained With A Needle!

It's now been five weeks since my double valve repair surgery. I had my fifth follow-up appointment with Dr. Blake, my Cardiologist today.

My concerns are that I'm still exhausted most of the time. I also get winded (short of breath easily). My hands, arches, and calves cramp (probably from the heavy doses of diuretics). And, my right lower lung area still hurts like the dickens. These are all probably common complications of the open heart surgery, however, I wanted Dr. Blake to lay out a plan for resolving them.

Dr. Blake said that she has been hoping that the diuretics would completely get rid of the fluid on my lower right lung. However, she said, you might just be one of those people where the fluid needs to be drained off with a needle.

Hey now, I've already been poked, prodded, and cut on enough to last a life time, and the idea of aspirating that lower right lung area with a long needle is a little disconcerting to say the least. Dr. Levy, the surgeon who performed my open heart surgery would be the one to drain the fluid.

I'm to see Dr. Levy, the Surgeon, next week for a follow-up, but before I see him, I'll have yet another chest xray and and "echo" to see if the fluid is still present. I'm hoping that the by then that lung area will be dry as an old desert bone.

Dr. Blake said to take recovery one day at a time. "On days you feel really tired, just take it easy, probably in the next day or so you will feel better, and you'll be able to push yourself a little more." There are three causes of my fatigue: 1. Fluid on right lung. 2. Fixed Atrial Fib. 3. Pericarditis (inflamed sac around heart).

The Atrial Fib, hopefully, will be resolved by the Maze Procedure, but that takes 3 months for the scar tissue to form enough to block the haywire electrical which causes my A-Fib. Also, most likely, 3 months post surgery, I'll have another cardioversion (a mild shock to the heart that puts the heart back into a normal rhythm).

She increased the Spironolactone (Potassium saving diuretic) to three 25MG tablets twice daily, which should allow me to leave off the evening dose of Furosemide (Potassium draining diuretic). These adjustments should keep me from retaining fluid, and should gradually bring my electrolytes back into balance which should eliminate the cramping.

I'm still weighing myself every morning to see if I'm gaining any weight. Checking your weight everyday is key to determining if you're starting to retain fluid.

All-in-all, I think Dr. Blake is happy with my progress. To her, my concerns are just small routine complications to deal with, to me, right now, they are limiting my life. Patience has never been a virtue of mine, can you tell?

Went to rehab this afternoon. Again tried to get off the oxygen during exercise. No such luck today. The exercise physiologist had to bring the oxygen after only a couple of minutes on the treadmill. I can't say I wasn't disappointed, but at least I didn't tear-up and bawl.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Cutting Back On Diuretics!

It is now five weeks post open heart surgery. In an effort to drain the fluid off my lungs and from around my heart, Dr. Blake, my Cardiologist, still has me on boo coos of diuretics. I'm getting concerned though because I've been waking up every morning with severe cotton mouth, muscle cramps in my feet and hands, and continuing weight loss (now I'm all of 118 lbs.).

Dr. Blake told me last week when I saw her that I could try stopping the Furosemide at night. However, she said to be careful since she didn't want to see any new fluid retention.

Here is what happened: I stopped taking it the first night, and nothing changed. Same weight, same cramps, same cotton mouth. The second night that I stopped taking it, no cramps, no cotton mouth, but I gained a pound and a half, and hurt like crazy all the next day from the increased fluid retention in my lower right lung area.

The renewed fluid retention scared the the Bejesus out of me, so, I resumed taking the night dose of Furosemide. After only one night, my weight dropped back down to 118 lbs. and the pain subsided to tolerable levels.

Dr. Blake said that I might be one of those people that has to wean off the diuretics very, very, very slowly. My plan now is to take the Furosemide every other night to see if I can begin to get off the stuff. How wonderful it will be to get off all this medication.

Have any of you experienced anything like this? From what I've heard, it is a delicate balance and your body has to be retrained to take over managing its own fluid levels.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Tried To Cut Back On The Diuretics!

Valve Replacement Surgery - Picture This!

Our dear, wonderful friends Kathy and Judy arrived from South Carolina. What a joy to see them again. They will be here for ten days. Since I'm driving myself to follow-up Doctor appointments and cardiac rehab now, they will be free to really enjoy some of our spectacular New Mexico sites and activities.

Kathy is a gifted math school teacher and Judy is a retired librarian. They are both fascinating and fun-loving human beings. Right now, Kathy is into beading. If someone said that I would have to learn beading or die, they would just have to shoot me right there on the spot. My patience would not last longer than stringing more than two or three beads together.

Judy never tires of learning, has an inquisitive mind, and just finds tremendous joy in being alive. As an added bonus, she has promised to cook some of her fabulous specialties while she is here.

She recently had double hip replacement surgery, came through both surgeries with no complications, and now is pain free. She, like me, is one of those folks that truly enjoys rehab!

Honestly, I can't think of two more positive people to have around during this recuperative phase of my open heart surgery. I'm smiling just anticipating the fun we'll all have.

Kathy, Judy, Connie, Lynn, Bo, Bentli, and I all trooped for a mile walk around our beautiful Sandia foothills neighborhood this evening. I guess we had something of a hilarious parade going on. People on foot and in their cars were smiling and waving as they passed us by. I have no doubt that they went straight home to share what they had just seen on our normally quiet streets.

Here's the picture: Judy, leashed-up our 70 lb., very rambunctious Boxer. Kathy took our well-behaved, yet very independent Shih Tzu. Connie once again pushed my oxygen tank for me (the one with a mind of its own), I'm walking along with the nasal oxygen cannula hanging out of my nose, and Lynn is keeping us all amused as we progress up and down the hills.

Connie was trying to run me down with the oxygen tank every few minutes. Bentli was jerking Judy into the next world, Bentli got passed to Lynn fairly shortly, Bo played Thumblina most of the way (when she gets tired, she smells every other weed and tinkles just a couple of drops), and I was enjoying being with friends, having them care enough about me to walk with me, and just having the chance to be alive and laugh again.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Making The Most Of Cardiac Rehab!

Now that I've been to cardiac rehab for a few times, I'm beginning to recognize faces, and I've started meeting interesting new people. Those of us in the cardiac rehabilitation program all have something in common; the conversation usually starts with, "what are you in here for"? Sounds like a bunch of prison inmates doesn't it?

Introductions follow, and then we swap stories about our heart attacks, stints, valve replacement, or valve repair open heart surgeries. I usually ask how long they've been in the cardiac rehab program.

Then, after the preliminary gruesome details are exchanged,the conversation moves on to everyday normal topics. Where are you from? How many kids? Grand children? Married? Occupation? As you might imagine, most of the heart rehab participants are older and most of them are retired.

Today at rehab, I met Susan, a delightful grandmother of nineteen. She told me that her oldest son was strictly a sperm donor and had ten children of which he supported zero. "He is just a bum", she explained. She and her husband were raising three of the children.

Her children complain to her that now that she has had the heart attack, she doesn't want to do anything. Susan regards her heart attack as a green flag to do as little as possible from now on. She values a low stress life now, and pretty much does only what she wants to do. Looking and listening to her now, I can only imagine what she was like in her youth.

She tells her story as a matter-of-fact, spices it with lots of humor, and remains completely void of self-pity throughout. Susan has been coming to rehab for three months and knows the "low-down" on most of the regulars. "See that man over there, he had a heart attack on the golf course, they had to call 911 twice, by the time they finally got him to the hospital ER, he had permanent brain damage."

The point is, that while I could have just sat on my Nu Step machine and passed my twenty minutes of exercise, I didn't, instead I chose to reach out and engage another human being. The twenty minutes passed quickly, I met a new friend, we shared lots of laughter, and our spirits were jointly lifted. Cool Beans!

Some people dread rehab, while most look forward to it. I'm thinking that a positive experience is directly related to your willingness to engage and be engaged by your fellow cardiac rehab participants.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Getting Out And Feeling Better!

Is there a tendency to just hang around the house after valve repair surgery? I know, that for me right now almost 5 weeks post open heart surgery, I have to make myself get up, shower, get dressed and get out of the house. I still tire easily, and it's just easier to stay home.

No resting at home today, though! Lynn obtained three tickets to a huge Bead & Gem Fair, so Connie, Lynn, and I trooped down to the fairgrounds to see the beads. They dropped me off right at the door so I wouldn't have to walk so far and then parked the car.

There were no chairs or places to sit down once you got inside, so I had to come back outside and sit on a bench about midway through the bead show. It was fine, I enjoyed seeing the people and the beads and just being out in the NM air and sun.

After the show, we had lunch at our favorite Thia restaurant. Everything tasted absolutely delicious today. I found that I was really enjoying the meal and being out of the house. The effort was definitely worth it!

Encouraged by my successful outing on Saturday, I had yet another outing on Sunday. This time I drove myself to my A Course In Miracles class. It was wonderful to see everyone again. I did get tired, but not terribly so, and my spirits were uplifted once again.

While it is easier to stay at home while on open heart surgery recovery road, the benefits of getting out and back into the mainstream of life are enormous. I just feel better, happier, and stronger after getting out and about. Every little thing you can do is a step forward to a total healing and full recovery.

Try it, you can do more than you think you can.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Trying Hard To Get Off The Oxygen!

Many open heart surgery patients are sent home from the hospital with oxygen after their and surgeries. No one wants to be tied to the oxygen. It's like a red flag that says, there is something wrong with my lungs, I can't breath on my own. Besides the stigma, it is inconvenient and bothersome to drag the oxygen everywhere.

I didn't want to come home with oxygen, and I've been doing everything I know to do to expand my lung capacity ever since I got home. I've been doing deep breathing exercises, walking, and I haven't missed a single rehab appointment. So, today, I asked to be tested at the rehab clinic in hopes that I might kiss the oxygen during exercise goodbye.

No such luck! My pulse oxygen plummeted to 83 after only a couple of minutes on the treadmill. The exercise physiologist had to bring the oxygen to me while I was on the machine. She told me that I could try again after a full week had passed.

For some inexplicable reason, this relatively minor setback broke my heart and started the water works flowing. I began to tear-up right then and there at the rehab on the treadmill, and then the flood waters really broke loose when I got home. According to open heart surgery literature, bursting into tears at the drop of a hat is fairly common after open heart surgery.

However, this was the first time that my own emotions have erupted over seemingly nothing. I didn't even shed a tear when Dr. Blake told me that I would have to have open heart surgery. I consider myself to be stoic and was totally surprised at my inability to control my emotions.

I haven't been sleeping well at all since I started taking the Prednisone to cure the inflammation of my pericardium, so maybe insomnia contributed to the situation.

Today, at rehab, I increased my time on one machine by only one minute. I was disappointed in my effort today, yet I was completely worn out when I got through. In fact, it was all that I could do to duplicate what I had done the previous session.

Yes, recovery from open heart surgery is definitely a jagged marathon. Most days, I feel like I'm well on my way to a full recovery, and then out of the blue, I have what I would call a downer day.

To end on a good note, I saved a dove's life today. The poor little thing had gotten trapped in our bird feeder. It's head and wings had gotten through the bars, but it's body was too big to follow. It took all my strength, but I was able to bend one of the bars just enough to let it's little body free. The split second it felt the bar release, it flew right past my head to freedom. I cried over that too! These were tears of joy, though.

Valve Replacement Surgery - I Walked A Mile Today, Almost!

I am so excited! It's been only four weeks and one day since my double valve repair open heart surgery, and this evening when Lynn and Connie took me on a walk around our neighborhood in the beautiful Sandia foothills, we walked for nine tenths of a mile. That's almost a mile, WOW!

I'm not saying that we burned up the track, but I'm both encouraged and proud of our accomplishment. Connie pushed the oxygen tank again today. She will have some muscles before all this is over.

Lynn reminded me that it was only a week ago that I'd struggled to walk up our drive and down to the next door neighbor's mailbox and back. Progress seems so slow to me, but I guess I'm doing a lot better than I think. The trick is to keep after it even if you're not feeling up to par.

I remember the days after surgery in the hospital when the nurses would have me walking the halls NO MATTER WHAT. There were indeed some days when I just thought that I couldn't do it, however, my experienced post operative nurses knew that the quickest way to a full recovery was to get me out of bed and walking around those long halls.

Today, I've been in quite a bit of pain from the fluid retention and pericarditis and I have felt totally exhausted all day. In fact, I almost called the walk off, but I didn't want to miss a day of exercise. Besides the benefit of gaining your strength back, walking and moving around also helps clear the fluid out of your chest.

I'm still sporting the Prednisone mask today. It seems to get fire red like a sunburn, but then gradually fades only to return with the next dose of the drug.

Recovery from open heart surgery is not a sprint, I'm finding that it is a jagged marathon. As in a marathon, you need to pace yourself, but you also need to keep doing the things you know to do that will help you cross the finish line.

Valve Replacement Surgery - The Rehab Scene!

My Cardiac Rehabilitation Facility is a bustling beehive of activity. There are three different levels of programs offered at New Heart Center for Wellness, Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation. My 36 week program (3 times per week) is specifically geared toward the rehabilitation of open heart surgery patients.

Thousands of Cardiac Rehabilitation Centers have opened their doors across the country and there is probably one near you. From my own beginning experience at New Heart, I can see that my personal cardiac rehabilitation program will put me back on a path to a full recovery in the least amount of time.

Down to the last employee at New Heart, they are a smiling, encouraging, and dedicated group of professionals. They are alert to your needs and graciously help you with anything that pops up. They treat everyone with respect, yet they do not baby anyone.

One of the best benefits of exercising in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Facility is that once you get going on a machine, you exercise continuously so that your heart rate gradually increases to your target heart rate. Reaching and sustaining your target heart rate while exercising builds a strong healthy heart.

While walking and exercising at home is great, there just isn't that intense focus that there is while you are doing your own specific cardiac exercise program at the Rehabilitation Facility. To me, there is more of a sense of accomplishment, and there you can precisely measure your progress.

For example, today, I doubled all my times, and I also increased the resistance level on a couple of machines. I'm still at very, very low levels mind you, but I found that my initial starting levels were just too easy for me today. This tells me that my heart, lungs, and muscles are getting better daily. Hallelujah!

There is a Doctor on the premises when we are exercising just in case someone gets into trouble. Also, there are from eight to ten exercise physiologists on hand to take your blood pressure, pulse oxygen level, and heart rate.

If you are diabetic, they test your blood sugar. Additionally, they check your heart rate monitor and enter you into the computer so that your heart activity can be monitored on the computer screen the entire time you are exercising.

This is quite comforting to me as I'm only four weeks post open heart surgery. While anything could happen, and even though I do still feel a little vulnerable, I feel extremely safe exercising in this controlled environment.

If the exercise physiologists see anything on your particular monitor output to be concerned about, one of them will come to you while you are exercising and ask how you are doing and test your blood pressure, heart rate and pulse oxygen while you are still on the machine. They may ask you to slow down or even terminate your session for the day.

I've already met by-pass, valve replacement, and valve repair surgery patients who are determined to reclaim their lives. So far, down to the very last one of them, these patients are pleasant and go out of their way to show newcomers the ropes. There is no time in this environment to feel sorry for yourself. Everyone is pretty much in the same boat here.

You can immediately recognize those of us in the cardiac rehabilitation program; we are all required to be hooked up to a heart monitor the entire time we're exercising. The monitor hangs around your waist or over your shoulder and the leads peak out from under your shirt or top. Additionally, like me, many still require oxygen while exercising.

Open heart surgery is indeed a great leveler. You'll meet people of all ages and from all walks of life. Good humor and camaraderie is always the air. All-in-all, a trip to rehab is inspirational and productive. It makes you feel optimistic about your open heart surgery recovery.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Picking Up The Pieces Of My Life!

Today, almost one month post valve repair surgery, I began to start doing some of the little things that I normally do. For instance, since my open heart surgery scar (about 8 -9 inches long) has almost healed, I put on my favorite turquoise necklace again. I wrote thank you notes to friends and family for flowers and other kindnesses. I drove to Whole Foods and to the Bank just to help out with the errands.

You can't imagine how liberating it was to be able to just get in the car and drive somewhere other than the hospital, Doctor's office, or Rehabilitation Facility. I think that cabin fever had begun to set in. The sky was bluer, the desert was more alive than I've ever seen it, and the clerk, cashier, and ordinary people I rubbed shoulders with were especially friendly today.

I'm now taking the Prednisone to eliminate the inflammation of my pericardium. One of the side effects is insomnia, and another is a red rosy rash on the face, neck and ears. I look like I've been sitting under a sun lamp or something. I'm hoping I look healthy instead of sickly.

My weight today is 120 lbs. I would like to maintain this weight, but I need to build up my atrophied muscles. Right now, my body is not a pretty sight to see (the mirror is definitely not my friend); however, the exercise program should have my muscles firmed up in no time.

Notice how I'm beginning to think about things other than my open heart surgery? For quite awhile, just about all I've focused on was getting through the surgery and recovering from it. I really didn't care what I looked like or what clothes I had on.

Connie and Lynn took me on about a half mile walk late this afternoon. Connie pushed the oxygen tank for most of the way. That two wheeled oxygen tank has a mind of its own, and it can be quite a chore to just move it straight forward. We had to stop many times for me to catch my breath, but we did finish our trek up and down the Sandia hills route we had chosen.

My sister, Skeeter, called this evening to see how I was doing. She has been worried out of her mind about me, but couldn't bear to talk with me on the phone for more than a minute or two because I sounded so weak and exhausted.

When you have fluid retention in and around your lungs, it does take a great deal of effort to talk. Today, I was able to carry on a more normal conversation with her, and I could hear the deep relief in her voice. She would have her sister back!

Sometimes, loved ones can act kind of strange when dealing with open heart surgery in someone they love. Actually, they are afraid that you might die, and they can't bear facing your death, so they withdraw to protect themselves from that possible pain at a time when you need them the most. Have any of you had a similar experience?

Valve Replacement Surgery - A Big Red Letter Day!

Good news today! Saw Dr. Blake, my cardiologist, today for my third follow-up appointment post valve repair surgery to find out the results of my latest "echo" and chest xray, and to get any medicine changes.

The good news is that the valve surgery is a complete success, but just needs more time to heal. Instead of severe tricuspid valve regurgitation, the "echo" shows that I now have mild regurgitation from that same valve.

Dr. Blake said that the reasons that my tricuspid valve hasn't already healed is that the pericardium (the pericardium is the thin sac (membrane) that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great blood vessels) is inflamed.

Also, the xray shows that I still have some fluid retention around the heart and particularly in my lower right lung region. These are both painful conditions, but not life threatening like the damaged tricuspid valve was. Treatment for the inflammation is a 15 day round of Prednisone. Treatment for fluid retention is continued use of the diuretics for now.

I was greatly relieved and elated to receive this wonderful news. Since the veins in my neck are still visibly pounding, I've been afraid that something had gone wrong with the valve repair surgery.

My thinking had been, if the valve is fixed, why am I still having these bongo drum symptoms. I could have and did hug Dr. Blake when she gave me the excellent news. I certainly did not want to face open heart surgery ever again.

I drove myself to see Dr. Blake today. It was the first time I'd driven since the surgery. Driving was a snap for me. Getting in and out of the car was a little painful, but no more so than getting in and out of the passenger side which I've been doing while being chauffeured around by my terrific support folks.

From Dr.Blake's visit, I drove to rehab. I was able to double my time on the Treadmill and Tru-Step and add a couple of minutes to my time on the Recumbent Bike. So, now I'm doing 10 minutes each on the Treadmill and Tru-Step and I'm up to 5 minutes on the Recumbent Bike.

No great shakes to those of you who exercise regularly, but quite an accomplishment for me today. Eventually, my personal rehab program calls for 60 minutes of continuous exercise.

Then, I drove myself to Walgreens to get the Prednisone perscription filled. It's always a hassle down there at Walgreens; they had to call Dr. Blake's office to get specific dispensing directions for the medicine. Prednisone is one of those medicines where doses are gradually decreased over a time.

By the time I got through with all my running around for the day, I was a whipped puppy, and also, I was in a great deal of pain. Since I don't want to drive under the influence of pain medicine, I waited until I got home to take a much needed pain pill.

When I got home, I sat down in my chair, and while I waited for the pain pill to kick in so I could take a nap, I thought about how I really could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Today, I realize for sure and certain that I've been given a brand new opportunity at life.

I am immensely grateful to everyone who has helped me through this very unexpected and challenging period of my life, and I feel so blessed to count them all as my friends and loved ones.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Picking Up The Recovery Pace!

Today, almost four weeks post surgery, I was determined to start doing some of the everyday activities I was doing before my double valve repair surgery.

Actually, my open heart surgery involved much more than tricuspid and mitral valve repair. Since my heart had rapidly enlarged following the severe damage (open swinging door effect) caused by the fractured lead extraction, both the right and left atria were reduced in size surgically.

Additionally, a biatrial MAZE procedure (commonly referred to as afib ablation) was completed in hopes of eliminating my atrial fibrillation forever. As you can imagine, I'm crossing my fingers that this will work. It would mean that I would be free of the afib and the accompanying treatment (Coumadin). No one wants to be on Coumadin and I'm no exception.

Also, the left atrial appendage (a main culprit in open heart surgery blood clotting complications) was removed to prevent blood clotting, a lead was implanted on the outside of my left ventricle and tunneled up to the pacemaker pocket (this is a spare lead to be used in the event that one of the other leads fails), and my right atrium lead was reimplanted. This was a tremendous amount of work on and inside one little heart.

Never the less, it has been almost four weeks since my surgery, so today my goal was to fix breakfast and walk a longer distance than I've been walking. It's important to me to accomplish a little bit more each day.

Fixing breakfast definitely agitated my sternum and lower chest, and subsequently, the pain increased dramatically. I did take a pain pill, but not before the pain had reached a high level. Dumb, dumb, dumb! I know to take the pain medication before the pain gets too bad; it's harder to get it under control if you wait until it reaches a high level.

Bending down to reach pans from lower cabinets, reaching to higher cabinets, looking in and retrieving things from the refrigerator are all cooking activities that you really don't think about until you start to do them for the first time after open heart surgery.

Retrieving items from the back of the refrigerator is especially difficult and painful. Fixing breakfast myself sure made me appreciate all the wonderful caring support I've had over these past three weeks.

While the pain medicine was still in effect, Lynn took me on a thirty minute walk up and down the hills of our beautiful Sandia Mountain neighborhood. Today was the first time I had walked off the flat ground, so it was major for me.

We hadn't really intended to walk that far, but although I did get winded and had to stop for a brief rest from time to time, I noticed that my stamina was beginning to increase, and I pushed to continue.

In retrospect, I was probably able to walk up and down the hills for the long thirty minutes because I did have the pain medicine on board.

We must have been quite a sight, Lynn pushing my oxygen tank and me huffing and puffing up and down the hills. Yes, I still have to use the oxygen while exercising since my pulse ox drops to below under 90 when I walk or do other exercise.

No one wants to be tied to the oxygen, but right now it is necessary for me. Using oxygen in public makes you a little self-conscious; however, although we do have a lot of walkers, joggers and bikers in this area, they were all just as friendly as ever. Albuquerque is filled with friendly, genuine people.

It was great to be out in the sun and to be able to feel our wonderful New Mexico wind on my skin. Today's outing raised my spirits, and lets me see that I am making definite progress. It helped me to know that this recovery phase is only temporary.

Tomorrow will be the first day since my valve repair surgery that I will be alone for most of the day. Connie, our dear friend from up the hill, is only four minutes away. She will be here in a flash if I need her, so there is help nearby. It's not as though I'm stuck out in the desert with no help in sight. Still, I will be alone in the house except for my wonderful canine companions, Bo and Bentli.

Bentli, our Boxer, weighs 75 lbs. She is way too much for me to handle, so Lynn has to take her outside to do her business before she goes to work. Bo is a little Shih Tzu, and so I can manage her myself.

Also, tomorrow I plan to drive myself to see Dr. Blake for the third follow-up appointment and then on over to rehab to start my regular sessions. It's only two days away from four weeks post surgery so I feel fairly comfortable with this decision. There is no doubt that it will be a big day for me; just thinking about it makes me feel more independent.

Will post again tomorrow to let you know how it all goes.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Walked Up My Drive!

Allen started for home early this morning. I cried! I've always been an independent sort of person, but I feel especially vulnerable since I know that next week I'll be mostly alone during the day. Help is close by though, and I should be fine. What is there about open heart surgery that makes us feel so dang helpless?

This morning, Lynn rolled the oxygen tank, and I walked up our drive and down the road to the next house for the first time since my valve repair surgery. Walking up an incline is much harder than walking on the flats. I did get winded, and was huffing and puffing by the time we got back inside.

I felt very weak this morning which might be attributed to the large doses of diuretics I'm taking to reduce and prevent fluid retention. Lynn started giving me a pediatric electrolyte drink to prevent dehydration. It is mainly used to restore body water and minerals lost during diarrhea and vomiting in babies, but works equally as well for adults on diuretics.

Trying to prevent fluid retention without overdoing it to the point of serious dehydration requires a close watch and rapid intervention. Lynn is very good at interpreting my symptoms and suggesting solutions. I'm feeling stronger this afternoon.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Unexpected Pain!

In preparation for my third follow-up appointment, I needed to have an echocardiogram to help assess how well my mitral and tricuspid valves were performing post valve repair surgery. It is now three weeks and two days since my surgery.

If you are reading this, you've no doubt had at least one and probably more than one "echo". As you know, they usually take 20 - 25 minutes and are quite painless. Today's "echo" was a totally different story. The sonographer asked me to lie on my left side, a body position I'd not been in since my double valve repair surgery.

The whole process hurt like crazy from beginning to end. Lying on my side even for a few seconds was painful, but to stay in that position for the duration of the "echo" became almost unbearable. The side position put a lot of pressure on my newly wired together sternum. Had I known about the pain involved, I would have gotten some pain medication on board before the test.

When the "echo" was over, Allen drove me over to the lab to have some blood drawn for a BMP, another test ordered by Dr. Blake in preparation for my follow-up visit next Monday. Like you, I've been jabbed a gazillion times. No one likes the needles, and all the poking is somewhat uncomfortable, however, this particular needle stab caused me to scream out in pain.

Allen heard me scream from the waiting room and was on his way to see what the heck was going on when the lab tech called her supervisor to finish the job. I still don't know what happened except that it was painful.

Allen is most likely going to head back to Arkansas tomorrow. He, as the third leg of my support group, has been absolutely terrific. I could not have asked for a more considerate and compassionate caregiver. He dropped his very active life, drove his big ole white GMC truck hundreds of miles, cooked, cleaned, took me on walks, drove me around to all my medical and rehab appointments, washed and waxed both cars, and just hung out with me for this past week.

There is never a dull moment with Allen around and we had plenty of wonderful laughter. Allen is an outside type of quy, and I know that it was hard for him to be indoors as much as he was, however, he jumped down in the trenches with us and did whatever he could to help in every way he knew how. No one could ask for a better friend, and it was truly a blessing to have him here with us this week.

Allen wanted to pick up a couple of souvenirs to take back to AR, so we stopped off at Jackalopes, a well-knownl local pottery, rug, and a little bit of everything store, on the way back home. I even walked around the store without my oxygen for a few minutes. It was fun for both of us.

Today, was my first actual rehab session. The exercise physiologist goes over all the heart rate monitoring, pulse oxygen, and exercise equipment with you. They are careful to answer all your questions. This introductory session dispells any fear that you may have about hurting yourself while exercising. You are monitored the whole time you are exercising much like you were while in the hospital.

My personal program included exercising on three different machines at level one or two for a total of 13 minutes exercise time. All of my muscles have atrophied since all this started more than four months ago. I am restricted to only lower body exercise for the next two months, and then I can gradually begin to incorporate upper body exercise.

After exercising on the first machine, my pulse ox dropped to 88, so to be safe they had me on oxygen the rest of my exercise time. I won't tell you that it was easy, but at least it was a start. Next week, I'll be going to rehab three separate times.

Connie, our dear friend from up the hill, brought some delicious baked chicken and small new potatotes for dinner. Allen, Lynn, and Conne prepared a salad to go with it, and we all feasted and watched a program on TV.

It was a full, full day!

Valve Replacement Surgery - Walk Stress Test!

It is highly recommended that valve replacement, valve repair, and by-pass surgery patients start a rehabilitation program as soon as they are able after their open heart surgeries. Rehabilitation programs are credited worldwide with getting you back into the mainstream of life. It's a fact, before you start rehab, you may think that you'll never return to a normal life, but as you dig into your rehab, you'll begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Before you officially get started with your Cardiac Rehabilitation program, a baseline assessment will be completed.

Today, I'm exactly three weeks post open heart surgery, and today I completed my Walk Stress Test evaluation. This test is the gateway to your rehabilitation program. The test involves walking on a treadmill while all your vital signs are being monitored. The test endeavors to establish a baseline from which you'll steadily build your stamina, increase muscle mass, and improve your overall cardiovascular condition.

Before the test is started, your blood pressure is taken in the arm and in the ankle. You are weighed, and they even measure your height and waist circumference. You are wired with a 10- lead heart rate monitor, and a blood gas monitor is placed on your finger. They want to keep a close watch on what your newly repaired heart is actually doing during the test. I was happy and comforted to know that I would not be doing any damage to my new valve repair surgery.

As the treadmill starts, the speed is gradually increased until you reach a level where you think the effort is moderately hard. At that time, the exercise physiologist stops the tread mill and takes your blood pressure. Then, they begin to compile all the various data they've learned from your test. After all the data is compiled, your picture will be taken and attached to your file.

Next, you're sent to visit with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Doctor. At New Heart Center for Wellness, Exercise and Cardiac Rehabilitation here in Albuquerque where I'll be doing my rehab, the Doctor goes over your surgery with you and evaluates with you the Walk Stress Test you've just completed. The Doctor determines if you're fit to start rehab and at what level. I am fit enough to start and will begin day after tomorrow.

My program lasts 36 session at 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Every time I exercise, my heart will be monitored. Great, this element of the program will let me know how hard to push myself and when to slow down. It lets you proceed with you exercise program with confidence knowing that you won't be doing any damage to your heart.

Connie, our dear friend from up the hill, brought over a delicious beef tipped casserole for dinner. WOW, was it ever a hit! Lynn and Allen prepared a wonderful crisp salad to go with it, and my how we did feast. Connie visited for awhile and we all laughed and giggled about everything and nothing. Laughter is indeed the very best medicine available on the planet.

This was my best day so far.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Visiting The Hospital After Surgery!

Tuesday, Allen took me to the hospital to get the follow-up xray done. The xrays are done right in the bowels of the New Mexico Heart Hospital, the same place my valve repair surgery took place. Things went fairly smoothly, and I got to see some of the wonderful staff who had helped with my care when I was in the hospital. They all said that I looked good with my street clothes on.

I know from looking in the mirror that I look like a I've been run over by a train, however, I do realize that I look much better than I did when a gazillion drips were attached to my IV's.

I found everyone from the environmental staff, to the cafeteria staff, to the nurses, to the patient advocate, to the respiratory therapists to be caring and compassionate. When you are almost totally dependent on these folks for days at a time, it is wonderful to see that their kindness extends to their everyday life.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Follow-up Care Is Critical!

Allen, bless his heart, fixed breakfast, took me on a walk, and then took me to see Dr. Blake for the 2nd follow-up appointment.

I told Dr. Blake about the pain in my lower right lung and in the center of my chest below the sternum. She could see that I was huffing and puffing and short of breath She said that she thought I was retaining fluid and adjusted my medications to include almost double the diuretics I was taking. The idea is to pull more fluids off so that I don't develop pneumonia or other complications from my heart repair surgery.

In addition, she also ordered a chest xray, an echo, and more blood work to be completed before I see her next week for my 3rd follow-up. I feel like Dr. Blake is doing everything in her power to make sure that my very complex heart valve repair surgery has a good outcome.

There is no doubt in my mind that frequent and good follow-up is critical to a complete recovery. From my own experience, you can be feeling like the worst is over only to be faced with a new uphill battle. Once you know that setbacks are a normal part of recovery, you won't be as discouraged when new challanges present themselves. In other words, it is safe to say that you can expect the unexpected.

When I asked Dr. Blake about the still visible pounding in my neck, she told me that the echo should tell her what is going on, but that probably the extra fluid was preventing the timely healing of my tricuspid and mitral valve repairs.

She also said that allthough it might seem like we were going up and down the ladder with the medications, it was necessary to find the unique combination that would best provide a full recovery for me. She indicated that all-in-all things were progressing as expected. I think she thinks that I'm a little impatient.

Additionally, Dr. Blake explained that valve replacement surgery and valve repair surgery to remedy heart valve reguritation and damaged or diseased heart valves involves longer recovery times than heart by-pass surgery. In heart by-pass surgery, the vessels on the outside of the heart are by-passed while valve replacement and valve repair surgery involve actually operating within the heart itself.

Talk about exhausted! When I got through with my visits to the INR clinic and Dr. Blake, I tried to get the chest xray done to save a trip the next day; however, I was short of breath and hurting, I totally hit the wall, I just couldn't do it, and I had to get Allen to bring me home. We would have to save the xray for tomorrow. You can push yourself to a point, but you'll know when there is absolutely no more gas in your tank.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Two Steps Forward & One Step Back!

Thought my recovery was going great, but went to bed with extreme pain under my right rib cage and below my sternum. I think that I might be retaining fluid in my chest area. I haven't had this degree of chest pain since I left the hospital so I'm a little concerned. Took two pain pills, which didn't really knock the pain.

Also the veins in my neck continue to pound so that I can count my heart beat by watching the veins in my neck.

Will be seeing, Dr. Blake tomorrow for another follow-up visit. I have every confidence that she will find out what is causing the new pain in my chest. She will also be able to answer my questions about the bongo display in my neck.

Valve Replacement Surgery - Laughter Heals Heart Valve Sugery

Laughter does heal heart valve sugery. It seems that Valve Replacement Surgery recovery is a full-time job, but that doesn't mean that it has to be a glum, morose drag. Having happy, involved other people around is a great way to constantly remind yourself that there is life beyond valve repair surgery recovery. Just hearing them talk about their lives makes you aware that this recovery phase is only temporary.

Kris and Lisa with their adorable little Pugs, Onyx and Louis left this morning to drive back to Irvine, California. All of us except Bo, our little Shih Tzu, were extremely sad to see them go. Bo, who doesn't usually get out of bed until 9 or 10, came bouncing down the hall so fast her harness jingled the minute they were out the door a 6:30 A.M. Bentli, our Boxer, was pouting before they even left. Bentli had enjoyed countless wrestling matches with Louis, their cute and fiesty 6 month old pug.

Kris and Lisa helped us in so many ways while they were here. They hauled me to Doctors' and rehab appointments, cooked, cleaned, took me on walks and helped with my care in every way. They just took over the household and allowed me time to heal. To say that I'm grateful is a gross understatement. I am truly blessed to have friends and family that will drop everything and come and stay and really take take of me during me time of need.

Even though, they were here to help us through a very difficult time, they brought joy, life, and much laughter to our household. Just their being here, took my mind off the discomfort and sometimes downright agony of my recovery.

Tomorrow, Allen, a long-time friend, from Little, Rock, AR. is arriving to take the 3rd leg of my caregiver support group. He has a great sense of humor, and is wonderful to be around.

Lynn, my dearest friend, has been cleaning and taking care of me today. She is getting everything ready for Allen's arrival. When my emotions turn south, she's always there with a joke or something that will make us both laugh.