June 8th will be one year. All in all I am doing rather well. I am still getting used to my \"new normal\".
Ever since day zero I have had numbness and ...Read more
June 8th will be one year. All in all I am doing rather well. I am still getting used to my \"new normal\".
Ever since day zero I have had numbness and loss of feeling in my right leg from the groin where the cardiopulmonary bypass machine was attached down to my knee. The upper inner portion of my right leg seems to have neuropathy.
Also gradually my trapezius muscles seem to be more and more painful, not sure if it is related. I started physical therapy for neck and back pain about two months ago. Until tonight I never thought they could be related but now I am not so sure. I am 37 years old but I often feel like my body is at least 50 years older.
If anyone has similar experiences please share. Hope you are all doing well. Stay strong.
I know every one has a different recovery. What was your return to work like? How long were you out and what was work like once you returned? Did you work ...Read more
I know every one has a different recovery. What was your return to work like? How long were you out and what was work like once you returned? Did you work a little at first etc. Just getting a feel of what it has been like for others.
I was wondering did anyone else notice vision changes after surgery? Also the last few days my sternotimy incision is the most tender it has been. I am thinking ...Read more
I was wondering did anyone else notice vision changes after surgery? Also the last few days my sternotimy incision is the most tender it has been. I am thinking the muscles and nerves are more reconnected now!? I have cut back quite a bit on meds in the past two weeks maybe that is related.
I still can\'t sleep on my left side without pain meds. I turned onto my stomach during sleep which quickly made me wake up. It was uncomfortable. I am usually a tummy sleeper but since June 8th have been sleeping on my right side. Any one else have thoughts about sleeping patterns & habits after surgery?
Ok I think that is it for now. :o)
What an experience! I am feeling so much better than I was 6 weeks ago but I still have more recovering to do. My pain is not gone but is better. I had pain ...Read more
What an experience! I am feeling so much better than I was 6 weeks ago but I still have more recovering to do. My pain is not gone but is better. I had pain issues before so I am sure that is exacerbating the situation. I am tired as I get back to \"real life\" but not the soul sucking tired I had before my heart was repaired.
I had to wear a heart monitor for a week after I stopped my amiodarone meds. I still take my vitals daily and I was (am) having irregular heart beats. In a week and a half I will see my Cardiologist again to review the results of the heart monitor and to make any needed medication adjustments or additions.
The last few days my blood pressure has been high so that is concerning. I am logging everything so I will review that with my doctor.
I miss working and the people I work with but I am nervous and hesitant to return in 2 weeks. (that was my estimated return date). I get so physically tired from the smallest things and I don\'t know how a full shift will affect me. I am not sure I can handle even part time right now. I am thinking I can return to work slowly but I guess I will discuss this with my doctor and my employer.
So that is my status in a nutshell. Hope everyone else is doing well. <3
Although tomorrow marks exactly a month since my surgery it feels a lot longer than that. My incisions are healing ok I guess. My groin incision seems to ...Read more
Although tomorrow marks exactly a month since my surgery it feels a lot longer than that. My incisions are healing ok I guess. My groin incision seems to be taking the longest. I am hoping I will be allowed and able to put my bathing suit on and go in the pool for a couple minutes, get out, sit in a chair and repeat. My kids summer break is short and the backyard pool is a favorite past time. I intend on wearing sun block and drinking ample amounts of water. Does any one have any thoughts about this?
So it\'s been three weeks since my surgery and I\'ve been home for 16 days. Breathing doesn\'t hurt too much anymore but everything else does. Maybe I should ...Read more
So it\'s been three weeks since my surgery and I\'ve been home for 16 days. Breathing doesn\'t hurt too much anymore but everything else does. Maybe I should use pain meds again. My leg hurts so bad and is numb at the same time. That incision is healing slower than my mini sternotimy. My chest ribs and back hurt the worst today since I left the hospital.
So tired and weak and I just want to feel like me again. I don\'t like feeling this helpless. I swear my brain is slower now. Don\'t get me wrong I\'m thankful and happy to be alive. I just didn\'t expect recovery to be this bad or take so long. Silly Me!
Yeah there is no way too articulate this pain. I\'m do glad we seem to have it at a tolerable level. I got really sad that no one from my family was coming ...Read more
Yeah there is no way too articulate this pain. I\'m do glad we seem to have it at a tolerable level. I got really sad that no one from my family was coming down to see me😠but crying hurt physically do I nipped that in the bud. My kids and hubby visited Sunday and Monday. I was so happy to have them gathered around me. Jason bought me flowers 🌻 which never happens.
I underestimated the aftermath of this surgery, I was barley in the CTRU ( ICU ). I was told it was a challenge for them to sedate me.once once I was a wake ...Read more
I underestimated the aftermath of this surgery, I was barley in the CTRU ( ICU ). I was told it was a challenge for them to sedate me.once once I was a wake I noticed all of the lines wires and tubes that were attached to me.
I was intubated still had that tube down my throat, also had a central line in the side of my neck. I had two very large chest tubes. I had two regular IV catheters in the crook of my left elbow and an arterial catheter in my right wrist.
By Saturday afternoon I was preparing to go to my private step down room. The AC was broken and after a full day & evening just went and bought me a fan which helped tremendously
So I\'m in my room and the AC was broken I asked if they could bring me a fan but no one ever did. Jason my husband bought a fan for the room and boy did that ...Read more
So I\'m in my room and the AC was broken I asked if they could bring me a fan but no one ever did. Jason my husband bought a fan for the room and boy did that help!
At some point my chest tubes were takin out and HOLY shit I would rather go through another labor & delivery than ever feel that way again. The foil catheter. And the artery catheter were also taken out at some Point,
I was on oxygen and then I was told I was in A Fib do igot and still take those meds. The pain was unendurable finally a pain dr met with me and made a plan.
I came off the O2 on Sunday but not for long. I\'m on it now bc the levels are too low with the Polsox. My blood sugar was / is at a low level so they giver insulin for now,
I ran low grade fevers since Sunday night!? My X-rays look good though. My vitals are checked at least ever four hours. All of my wound/incision dressings and tubes & wires are off of me. Only thing I have is a small O2 tube under my nose tucked behind my ears oh and leads attached to a wireless EKG unit.
Im about 10 mins away from the hospital. In an hour and a half they\'ll be accessing my heart. I want to take the time to say I love my children more than words ...Read more
Im about 10 mins away from the hospital. In an hour and a half they\'ll be accessing my heart. I want to take the time to say I love my children more than words can express. I love Jason and thank God there is a strong good man in my kids lives. I love each of my brothers and sisters cousins aunts uncles Jenn all of my friends and my coworkers. I love my kitties and puppies. I love my life. Of course to all those I\'ve lost I love you always but I\'m not ready to be with you yet. Dear Lord I pray. .. Hail Mary Full of Grace & Our Father who art in Heaven.
Ekg blood tests urinalysis chest X-rays all done. Met with the anesthesiologist and cried. The pulmonary catheter explanation brought on the water works. Ps ...Read more
Ekg blood tests urinalysis chest X-rays all done. Met with the anesthesiologist and cried. The pulmonary catheter explanation brought on the water works. Ps the artery blood draw on my wrist freakin hurt and still hurts.
I need to go eat buy some stuff at Target and then spend the rest of the day and night with my kids. Have to be at the hospital at 5am for my 630am surgery.
Please Pray
So the first thing I did to prepare for the hospital was to chop off half of my hair. I am a little sad about it but I know it will grow back.
I am at the ...Read more
So the first thing I did to prepare for the hospital was to chop off half of my hair. I am a little sad about it but I know it will grow back.
I am at the point where I have to put things in a bag that I may want or need after I am cut open. Undergarments and socks are a no brainer and I guess a robe and slippers. Good thing I held onto those items. Next - well I suppose I will be in a hospital gown but I guess I will bring a pair of my own pajamas!? Lastly an outfit to wear home. To try to lift my spirits I bought a very colorful bag to pack all of that in.
So what else - I will be in a room mostly by myself for days what will I need? Basic personal care items, some entertainment, communication and paperwork I will need about my medical procedure(s).
My guess is wine is frowned upon in that establishment. LOL
So I will bring a power strip to be able to charge my cellphone, my Nook and perhaps my laptop. (not sure on the lap top). I have some books and my purse.
As long as I wake up with a beating heart, breathing lungs and a functioning brain and body well than that is all I really need.
I have an overcrowded house and the only place I can find refuge and relax is here in my bed
I need comfort patience consideration empathy help but I do not ...Read more
I have an overcrowded house and the only place I can find refuge and relax is here in my bed
I need comfort patience consideration empathy help but I do not need negativity cruelty hostility bickering.
Well I keep reading about this calm that comes days before the surgery. I think that is code for depression. I am so depressed today I can\'t even cry. Yes ...Read more
Well I keep reading about this calm that comes days before the surgery. I think that is code for depression. I am so depressed today I can\'t even cry. Yes I know I have people and things to be very grateful for and I am but I am still depressed. Tonight I will try to lift my spirits by getting pedicures with my daughter. Alas, I will hope for a good day despite my emotions.
This is my last week of work. Next week is jam packed with things to do. Friday I have to return my rental car and pick up my mini van. Its been at a shop for ...Read more
This is my last week of work. Next week is jam packed with things to do. Friday I have to return my rental car and pick up my mini van. Its been at a shop for repair after my 4/21 car accident. I\'m still dealing with whiplash btw. That same day my youngest has a mid day award assembly. My inlaws will arrive this Saturday.
I have to try to reschedule my follow up appt with Dr. Landvater at Rex Hospital because of conflicts. My older son has his awards at 9am ( same time as my appt) and my oldest, my daughter has awards at 1030 and then her 8th grade graduation at 1130. Tuesday the older two have field trips. One is going 2 1/2 hours away to the beach on a charter bus which makes me very nervous. She has to meet the bus at 6am! My older son has his 5th grade trip and one of us has to drive and chaperone. That day from 11-12 my youngest has a classroom party and the Kindergarten graduation is at 6pm.
Wednesday I have to pack and prep for the hospital. Thursday I have preop most of the day beginning at 8am. Friday June 8th I have to be at the hospital by 530 am for my surgery. :/