Joel's Heart Valve Journal

Several people have asked how I was doing since returning to work, so I thought I'd write a report. I returned to work full time on February first. The first week was fairly slow, with sales considerably below normal. Even so, I found myself getting really tired by the end of each day. The second week, sales were much stronger, (apparently my selling skills haven't suffered from surgery) and consequently I found it much more difficult to get all the physical work done. I've always been one to keep myself positive, but honestly it was a struggle just to keep going. I guess after being off work for four months, I've gotten pretty soft! I can see in my head what I want to accomplish, but my body can't quite deliver. I guess I shouldn't be discouraged by this, since Dr. Hockmuth warned me that it could take a full year to recover all my strength. Anyway, I'll keep plugging away, and I'm sure that in time, I'll be back 100%.

Thanks to all who have asked,

Joel

Well, that went well! I was pleasantly surprised at how well I felt today as I got back in the swing at work. I didn't have any major difficulties, although I was getting pretty tired by noon, and feeling ready to hang it up by 4:30!

But I didn't hit any roadblocks with lifting or moving pallets. Pat (who has worked my territory while I was away) worked with me today, and we were able to call on 8 stores. That's a pretty good days work even if Pat did a little more than his fair share. :-)

If I'm not too sore to get out of bed in the morning, I think I'll do it again tomorrow.

Thanks to all for your thoughtful comments,

Joel

I feel like tonight is a time for reflection. Tomorrow morning, I will return to work - the first full day since my heart surgery.

I just went back and reread all my journal entries since the beginning... In a way, it seems like a long time ago that I learned I would need surgery. In another way, it seems like just yesterday.

I originally thought I could be back to work by the first of January, but scheduling open heart surgery and going through all the pre-op testing took much longer than I anticipated. There were so many options to be considered - so many pros and cons. By the time it was all done, my surgery was a month later than I had originally expected.

I also underestimated the time it would take for my sternum to heal. Even now, I have some residual soreness in my chest, but I'm hoping increased exercise will help rather than hinder my progress. I'm not sure if I'm really ready for the stress and the manual labor of my job, but it's time to find out. I'll know by this time tomorrow! :-)

I want to thank everyone again for all the support and encouraging words during my recovery. Until you've been in this situation, you can't imagine how much that's worth. I hope I'll be able to pass that encouragement on to other people who have similar experiences in the future.

To all my new friends here at Heart Valve Journals - I have read every word of every journal posted here -- including the guest book entries from your friends who I don't know at all. I feel a strong connection to each of you, and I will continue to remember you in my prayers. Wherever you are in the process, there is light at the end of the tunnel so stay positive.

All the best to all,

Joel

Well, I haven't posted for a while so I thought I should catch everyone up on what's been happening with my recovery.

I finished my cardiac rehabilitation classes and received a nice certificate saying I've learned all I need to know to stay healthy now. I posted a picture of it to prove to you all how "worthy" I am of graduating from such a prestigious class. :-) I continue to walk on my treadmill at home every day.

On a more serious note, I saw my cardiologist, Dr. Christenson last week. I was concerned because the nurse at my cardiac rehab class had heard a murmur - exactly what my surgery was intended to fix! Dr. Christenson ordered an echo and a bubble test. The echo was to get clear pictures of my heart valves and to measure their function. The bubble test was to determine whether there was any leakage between the chambers of my heart. In both cases,my heart was working perfectly! The murmur that the nurse heard was a result of having my aortic valve tightened by the surgical repair. There is no regurgitation, and the repaired hole between chambers has healed completely. My heart was functioning at about 40% before surgery, it's now at 55% and improving.

My sternum continues to mend and my lifting limit has been increased. I'm now allowed to lift up to 50 pounds, provided that I do so "carefully". I've been working on some upper body strengthening exercises.

I've been released to return to work with full activity beginning on February 1, 2010. I guess by the end of that first day of work I'll know if I'm really recovered! It's hard to believe that it has been 4 months sine my life was "normal." I'm looking forward to getting back to it!

Until next time,

Joel

PS.

Ok, I guess you can't read the picture so here's the translation:

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

As a matter of record, this document attests to the undersigned's diligence in pursuing a standard of excellence and the fulfillment of all exercise sessions and education classes associated with the completion of

PHASE II CARDIAC REHABILITATION

This individual, by undergoing intensive exercise training and education classes, has indisputably proven to be worthy of all rights and privileges in correlation with the conclusion of the aforementioned course.