Jim's Posts

Saw my cardiologist last Wednesday...told him I felt great. He was really pleased with how things are going. He said that if my surgeon agreed, I could play golf with no restriction. The surgeon agreed after a call that day, and I played nine holes that same afternoon! And I have played several more times since then. Feels so good! But I won't play today, as the high temperature is expected to hit 106! Like my pest spray guy said..."If it were 85 degrees every day, you couldn't afford to live here." My cardiologist also took me off of amioderone (for prevention of atrial-fibrillation) and also took me off of coumadin...Wow. My surgeon said that 40% of heart valve surgery patients get atrial fibrillation, at least temporarily. My cardiologist says it is closer to 50%. He said it takes about 3-4 weeks for the amioderone go get out of my system, and that I will wear a holter for 24 hours after that to make sure there is no sign of a-fib. The cardiac rehab is going well after 12 sessions...they keep increasing the resistance and the duration of the exercises. The staff there is fantastic...friendly and helpful. I am so blessed to be having an easy recovery and feeling so well! Thanks to all my HVJ friends for sharing your hopes, fears and experiences...it has been a BIG help! I hope everyone has a truly successful surgery and recovery. Jim

Went to my first cardiac rehab session yesterday. Before going, they sent me 3 questionaires to fill out. One had questions about things like sadness, pessimism, guilty feelings, and seven more along those lines. The choices for "sadness" ranged from "I do not feel sad" to "I am so sad and unhappy that I can't stand it" Wow. The actual rehab session went very well, and I'm glad I signed up for it. They have a well equiped fitness center, and they hook you up to a portable EKG rig that sends info about your heart to a computer that they monitor while you exercise. They also check your blood pressure in the middle of each exercise that you do. I go three times a week and Medicare covers 35 visits. I am thinking that after 10 or 12 sessions, I may have enough info about what to do, that I can stop going and do the same exercises at the fitness center here in our retirement community. However, it is nice to have the supervision of experts. Still feeling wonderful and walking 4 miles per day now. My scar is fading more each day...can hardly see the upper portion!

Had my first post op visit with my surgeon today at 3 weeks and 6 days . He was very pleased with my progress. Said I was free to drive a car! (all the web sites I saw about recovery said you won't drive for 6 - 8 weeks!). Also cleared for light house work and vacuuming, (Marcia will be happy!) but no heavy weights yet. Said I can walk as much as I want, just be aware if I seem to be doing too much. So, after we left, we went to a movie, then I walked 2 miles...then when we got home, I went to the fitness center here and treadmilled another 1 & 1/2 Miles. Surgeon also said no problem with chipping and putting for golf preatice! Still feel just wonderful. Don't know why I have been so lucky to recover so quickly and not have any complications after leaving the hospital. I feel for those of us whose journals I read who have serious problems, and wish you all the very best. For those still waiting for your surgery, know that it can and will go well, and that you will feel SO much better when it is over. Don't see the surgeon again for 3 months, and don't see my cardiologist for a month, so won't post more unless something changes. Thanks to everyone for your messages of encouragement, and for your positive thoughts and prayers! They work! Jim