Jeffrey's Heart Valve Journal

Follow Up With Surgeon 7/20/11

July 21, 2011

Well, I followed up with my surgeon just 20 days out of AVR surgery. He has given me clearence to drive, lift 20 lbs, do light cardio at my gym, ride my bike (when the weather is cooler) and possibly start lightly into work.

My PT/INR has been steady and today should be the last visit from the home nurse.

I feel great and have been sleeping in my bed instead of the recliner. I will see my cardiologist in about 2 weeks. He will decide if I need cardiac rehab. I wouldn't complain if he told me to go, but I am already walking 45 mins at a time, and today plan on using the stationary bike at my gym.

All in all, I am amazed at the present state of technology available to heart patients. For all of my new friends here at the Heart Valve Journal (Especially Jon, Jim, Bill, Kent, Matt, Sheila, William and Barry) Please keep me posted. You are all wonderful people and we share a bond that only we heart valve patients understand. I thank you for your support from the bottom of my (healthy) heart :)

To all of my friends and family whom have supported me through thick and thin, I love you all very much. Slowly but surely... I am back!

I would like to thank my mother-in-law Donna for everything she has done. We could not have possibly done this without her! She stayed with me and cared for me during my early stages of recovery, so that Laura could work and also rest. Love you mom!

I also wanted to thank my lovely wife Laura. I promised you sweetie that I wasn't going anywhere. Now we have more precious time together :) Same team as always my love!

Keep On Ticking,
Jeff R

Feeling Great

July 12, 2011

It has been 13 days since my surgery, and I feel wonderful! I am walking alot, and have been reducing the pain meds. My INR (blood thinner level) is at a good level so far. It is amazing to me how fast time has flown by.

I truelly wish to thank everyone again for all of your kind prayers, thoughts and support.

Keep On Tickin,
Jeff R

Home at Last

July 6, 2011

This is Laura writing again. We waited all day yesterday for test results with no news and no idea what was going on. It is a very tense feeling wondering if there is an infection brewing in a new heart valve. Finally at 4 PM the surgeon arrived to check on Jeff. He asked why is Jeff still here? I told him that we had been told they were waiting for the pathology report. He checked Jeff out, and was furious to learn that the orders he had given to the hospital staff to have the cardio wires removed and to discharge Jeff from the hospital had not been followed. In case you are wondering what these wires are, they are basically wires that the surgeon puts in place that are in direct contact with the heart and fed through the skin. It looks a little bit like a set of tiny jumper cables laying on the skin.

Back to the story now...I really like our surgeon, this man can get stuff done fast. He removed the wires himself, chewed out some nursing staff, and got the ball rolling with pathology.

Jeff escaped to the outside world late last night. First order of business was to get home to the new recliner we bought for his recovery. Once he was comfortable, I ran out to the pharmacy to get his medicine, and several unanticipated supplies to take care of his incisions. My mom was here to help out and watch over Jeff while I went to the store. Thanks mom for all you have done. Thanks to all of the support from friends both old and new. We could not have done this without you.

We are both exhausted, but we are home and comfy.

Laura & Jeff

Two steps forward and one step back

July 4, 2011

This is Laura writing again. If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that recovery does not happen on a schedule. At one moment things seem great, then a setback or two to overcome before moving forward again. Jeff's recovery has been moving along nicely, but we got some news back from pathology that there may be an infection either in his heart or blood stream. As a result, they are keeping him for more tests and antibiotics. I am glad they are so thorough here at the hospital and check for everything that could go wrong and head it off at the pass.