Dawna's Heart Valve Journal

just over 5 weeks

November 2, 2010

Hi

I start rehab on Friday Nov.5... i should just rephrase something i wrote.. I too will always be on warafrin but. my dr. here, told me that in about2 years. there will be some drugs that are coming out.. in Canada anyway, that will do the same as warafrin dose, but i will not have to have frequent blood work done , or not have to watch what you eat and drink as much... since . i too have a St. Judes valve, blood thinners will always be a part of my life.. i could seriously forgo the ticking...lol.lol. it is really annoying... take care and thank you J. for the note in my journal.

Adios
Dawna

in to week 5

October 25, 2010

Hello

Well, i feel good. started a heart matters course on Friday. 1 or 8... i am a little tired.. mostly board. but good... i realize once you get going aon something. you notice just how tired you hare... yes i am still having a little bit of pain.. don't want to call it that... but can't think of any other word.. i see my cardiologist now on the 12 of Nov... just got changed today. just a few days from my original date... not much else new to report.. i feel good.. and the incision and bone are healing very nicely.. with the feeling in my chest back. i feel every little movement that i am not suppose to do, so that is good for me.. not taking any pain killers at all... no need.. Warfarin levels are still up and down... but hopefully in about two years. i am told, that there will be other meds to take instead of it and that means no more blood work and can kinda go back to old habits.. i was a good eater before all of this... anyway that is about it.. i hope to drive in about 2 weeks.. relive my father inlaw of his duties... and yes i still hope to be going to Mexico... have a great week everyone

Dawna

three weeks today

October 15, 2010

Morning,

It is hard to believe that three weeks today i was in surgery... i feel good.. tired but good. no pain except when i sneeze or cough. so i am taking only tylenol twice a day... my warfrin levels are working there selves out,, today how ever was the first time that i didn't stop bleeding right away from the blood being drawn, i go three times a week right now, so the girl at the lab said i must be running thin today.. i will be interested in knowing what my levels are ... have been sitting at 2.5 as of Wednesday but have been taking 5mg or warfrin for 7 days now..but i feel great.. walking 20 min at a time twice a day. scare is 98% healed up, coughing is down to a min.bored already... which is not good, cuz i am probably doing stuff i am not suppose to...lol... but if it hurts or lets me know that i should not do that... i stop.. simple,but it is the long term i might be concerned about.. even though i feel good, will, me doing some things that i should not be doing, hurt me later... i guess we will see.. i am just excited about our trip to Mexico in Dec. and me not having to be back to work till January... Oh i also started rehab. but they do not want to see me back there till Nov. 5... and i start another heart program next Friday.. so i am on my way.. i do have a little angina once in a while, and the other night my tic keep me awake. but last night i never heard it.. some nights good. some bad.Well that's about it.. i really hope everyone recovery is going good and that everyone is well,
Adios
Dawna

Day 6th

October 5, 2010

Hi everyone. i am on day six at home and feeling great,,, i know this is going to sound weird but, i wish i was in a little pain, cuz i am probably not doing what i am suppose to do,,, my scar is healing nicely i think because of the MEDIHONEY that i am using on it,, it is a product made with honey from Austraiia... my only problem with it is,,, i hate honey and i hate the smell of honey...anyway it is working... i am feeling really really good,, not coughing as much and i start rehab on Friday... so things are looking up,,, i do, how ever click... i was hoping that i would be one of the lucky ones and not because i really didn't hear it,, but,,, not so much now... anyway i will get used to it. warfrin , so far has not been a problem. my memory how ever is. can not remember anything i did 10 min ago.Going to the lab 3 days a week is a drag,, well mostly for my great father in law... he is my driver... at this rate. Mexico. here i come Dec. 11th... we love it there.... i have only two things to really say about the surgery that came up that i did not except... one.. Ladies no matter how small u are in the chest area,.. wear something to hold the girls together... i was shocked when i came home and saw how they looked and how much they where pulling the skin down... i am not blessed there, so i thought i did not need anything... WRONG.. first night home was very uncomfortable... could just be me... and number 2... do anything you can not to sneeze.... that was the most pain i had ever had.... coughing is nothing compared to that. that is about all for now... take care everyone

Adios
Dawna

i am home

September 30, 2010

Hi Everyone

I am home, i have not had a chance to read everyone's great messenger to me, but i will. I am going to update later. all i can say. is what a ride... Glad to be home and yes i click...lol.lol.
adios
Dawna

It works

September 23, 2010

Hi everyone

Just seeing if i can write in
My journal though my iPod. I can. Going today for tests about four hours.then surgery tomorrow.Crazy our dog still asleep. She sure is comfy here at our friends place.will try and send something this weekend. Can't takethe iPod with me. My husband will bring it when I am transferred to the ward.

Adios
Dawna

Last day

September 22, 2010

Morning,
Today will probably be the last day i post till after my surgery, I want to thank everyone for there comment and support in the last few weeks. We are heading to Victoria today, i have tests all afternoon tomorrow and surgery on Friday morning. have to be at the hospital at 5:30am.. good thing i am a early riser...lol I think i am at the point where i don't know what to say anymore. this thing is happening , like it or not. and lets get it done and over with. I am not as worried about the surgery and much as i am about recovery, i am not very good at letting people help me.. i can do it myself attitude..lol.lol.
I read, someone saying that the day of there surgery was like a new beginning and like a birthday. So my new birthday is Friday( Like Don"S) and it is my dad's 80th birthday as well, two things to celebrate ... well i am babbling so i will leave for now, have a great first day of fall. and good luck to everyone out there who is having this done while i will be away my self..
Adios : )

Hi Susan

September 21, 2010

I just read you "My Story" U have had your share of heart issues... This is my second surgery. First one when i was 8, in Montreal Canada.. I had what is call a coartaion of the aorta and i was born with a bicuspid aortic valve,, so 40 years in between surgery's... not bad . i have lived with no problem and my only really big complaint is i am very very tired... but i always put it down to me being lazy..lol.. which i am....i learned more about my condition from Adams book then i knew,, and that i am sick,,, which is a bit of a relieve... now i know it isn't in my head.. in in my heart....Tomorrow we drive to Victoria, and hopefully i will be back home by the following weekend,,, but i am going to miss season premier of Dexter....my surgery was suppose to be on Sept. 13th so i would have been home to watch it... oh well what are pvr's for.

Unemployment

September 21, 2010

Hi,,,

Here in Canada if the company you work for does not have short term medical benefits, they then lay u off on what is called a Medical leave, And u have to apply for employments benefits. and i did that last thursday,, but my work has not sent in the record of employment yet, so my claim can not be processed till they get the paper work,, which should have been there.... so there i nothing i can do till that happens,,, Great way to treat a 20 year employee...

3more days

September 21, 2010

Hi everyone,
Not much more i can do but hurry up and wait...gain.. thank you to everyone for all there support. i appreciate all the re ponces i get. Just found out that i have been excepted to a heart program that actually cost $359.00 and hole lot of other stuff( that was mentioned , but can't seem to remember what she said).. so that was good news. then found out unemployment was not going as smoothly as i would have liked. so .. how is everyone else day going.... it will all work out in the end.

Information overload

September 20, 2010

Hi Don,

Yes i will be thinking about u as well on Friday. I am looking and reading and re reading info, and finding that it is all becoming redundant... so i should stop reading for a while. We leave for Victoria on Wednesday night. Our best friends live there so my husband and dog have a place to stay while i am in the hospital. surgery is scheduled for 7:50am Friday. but have to be at the hospital all afternoon on Thursday Sept. 23rd.. test, and info. ect. ect.

Count down

September 20, 2010

Morning,
the count down is on.. i have come to terms with my decision and it is fine. sticking with mechanical. but i am starting to get information overload on the blood thinner aspect..lol.. but that's okay. the more i know, the better it is. i have read allot about in home testing kits, but remembered about a statement my surgeon made, saying that ,soon , these kits will be available and i will not have to go to the lab, but i found a company that does have them here in canada. so, i am just going to find out more. My husband and i and our best friends travel to Mexico twice a year so i was wanting to have the kit so i can monitor my blood while i am away. i saw on Ebay.ca that these kits can cost $2100.00 .. ouch.. got ta love that canadian dollar...hoping i can get one and it is covered. I want to manage my blood thinner, not , my blood thinner manage me. hope i can find a machine here.

Still conflicted

September 17, 2010

Morning folks,
I am still conflicted on what valve to get. Time is running out.thanks again for all the answers i am getting. but i am confused on one level. can you or can you not resume a active lifestyle with a mechanical valve? i do not run marathons but i do like doing active things. i am a very calm person by nature,Well i think so, not sure my husband does..lol.lol. this is so weighing on my mind. no i do not want to go though this again, but should that be the reason i chose the replacement i did?, i am very healthy besides a broken heart.. ( my husband) He wanted me to but that on one of the forms i was filling out. Question--- What is wrong with your heart----anyway have a wonderful day, nice here o the island. sunny now will probably rain in an hour.. Vancouver Island weather... Adios

This is weird

September 16, 2010

Morning. I entered in a new entry yesterday and it was a long one.. maybe that is why it isn't here.. so i will try and make this short. first thank you for all the help. i really appreciate it. and second. my surgery is Sept.24, in Victoria B.C.. Canada, Royal Jubilee Hospital .. for those of us who knows the island.This is the leading heart hospital. not sure if it is just here in B.C or Canada.. I no the one in Ontario is number one... but not to sure.... off work . at home now doing at home stuff and unemployment stuff.

valves,, pros and cons

September 14, 2010

Good morning, i thought i did send in a entry,, oh well,, my last day of work is Wednesday of this week,, my surgery is Sept. 24. as long as it doesn't get postponed again.. i was wondering the pros and con of a tissue valve and a mechanical valve,, i have opt for the mechanical, but may be second guessing my choice. i am 48 years young...