Jim's Journal

All is going well. Feeling almost normal, other than the big sore spot in the middle of my chest. Went to cardio training yesterday and felt really good, almost broke a sweat. All the monitors they hooked me up to made me feel confident in my recovery, and I'm working on becoming too over-confident....

Every day, a little better. Went to lunch with a friend. Puttered around house. Had to take a long nap in the afternoon, but I'm off the narcotics and just popping Tylenol, so that's good. Almost to the point where I'm getting bored!

So far, so pretty doggone good. Came home Saturday afternoon. Lovely wife set me up with recliner in the living room, I've been living pretty much there, getting up every once in a while and puttering around the house. After the first day, I think I figured out what everyone meant my 'taking it easy'. I was pretty active and by that evening and even the next morning was really really tired. I had to remind myself that in the hospital, any time I wanted to stand up or do anything, I'd have to ring for help (or set off these annoying alarms I never figured out how to bypass), so I can't expect to come home and all of a sudden think I'm 'almost better'. I keep reminding myself that I traded a couple extra days in the hospital for the ability to REST at home instead. So since then, it's been pretty mellow, but every day is a little better.

I've decided early mornings are the worst. Pain is up and it takes a while for the meds to catch up. But now it's 8 and I am sitting having a small breakfast. Bring on the day!

Had the echo, next day got THREE calls in quick succession saying "Get a appointment with cardiologist ASAP." Got one for about a little over a week later (Thursday May 4th), at which time was told it was time to get the valve replace. By Friday, I had blood tests and chest Xray and set up angiogram for 5/15, and even appointment with surgeon for 5/17. Wheee!