Linda's Heart Valve Journal

On The Road Again!!!

April 20, 2012

Yes!!! Look out everyone, I'm driving again! No longer housebound! Didn't waste any time either, just got back from grocery store, drug store and my most favorite drive-thru...Sonic! Love their ice! I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he says everything sounds great. I will begin cardiac rehab May 8th. He cut my beta-blocker in half, thank goodness. My blood pressure has always been a little on the low side and with the Toprol even lower, so maybe now I will feel a little more energetic. He thinks we will stop it completely when I see him again in 3 months. I'm still having shoulder discomfort, it's better, but not completely gone. My sternum is still a little tender if I move in a certain way and the scar is also tender. It looks great, just the "pins and needles" feeling of healing. I bought some Mederma today, some say that helps, some say aloe is good. Any suggestions from you guys who have already walked this path??? All of these things are just "piddly" issues, I don't think I could be doing any better. I believe I may have well had symptoms prior to surgery, just didn't realize it. I believe I have a lot more "breath" now even though I didn't think I was short of breath before. I am supposed to go to Washington May 1st with my grandaughter's class, it will be a lot of walking, hope I will be ready. I am 63 years old and have never been to Washington, I'm really looking forward to it.
Oh yes, by the way...my new computer arrived, not set up yet...and guess what??? The old, worn out, slower than anything one??? It's really fast now!! Go figure...just like when you take your car to the mechanic and it doesn't make the sound for him!! Oh well...that's life...and what a great life it is! Thank you CCF, thank you Dr. Gillinov and most of all thank you Jesus for your blessings!
Hope all you guys are hanging in, climbing your mountain and enjoying life after surgery.
Think I'll go for another ride, LOL!!

Linda THE Tiger

4 WEEKS!

April 10, 2012

Hi guys, sorry I've not been "around", but I am still waiting on my computer. At the moment I am using a 10 year old laptop, almost as "moody" as I am, lol and definitely slower than I am and that is saying a lot, lol! It's hard to believe that I was in the OR or recovery this time 4 weeks ago! I don't really know how long I was in the OR, but my daughter says "not long"! I am so blessed...I am doing very well...counting down the days until I am allowed to drive again. I think that will be when I turn that final corner. My shoulder and neck discomfort has pretty much subsided, although I'm sure a visit to the chiropractor will make it all better! Can't wait for that! I hope you are all doing well, those recovering and those waiting. I am amazed how many "newbies" there are almost every day. Again, I will just say to those waiting on surgery...you are doing the hardest part now...waiting. Seriously, it's true. I didn't believe it either. Just be informed and prepared and you will be surprised how much energy you wasted in worrying. Oh...by the way, when I left for Cleveland on March 8th, everything here was brown...trees, grass, etc. When I came home on March 18th...everything was yellow (pollen)! So....I experienced the first post-op sneeze on day 6! Wow!!!!
Even that was not as bad as I thought it would be...like I said..I have been blessed!

Thanks to those who have posted in my guestbook... I have not forgotten you...hope to "talk" to each of you soon.
Love and hugs to all of my HVJ family!

Linda THE Tiger!

Hi Guys!

March 31, 2012

Hi there guys, sorry I've not posted much, especially to the "newbies", but my computer died and I am reduced to borrowing until I can get a new one.

I will just say to those of you I haven't "met" before, that this site is great!!! It will empower you beyond belief!. I will be 3 weeks out on Tuesday and I couldn't be any more blessed! I never completely believed our fellow "valvers" (sorry guys) when they said that the waiting was the hardest part....but it was absolutely true!

The minor shoulder, neck, back discomfort is improving every day. I am only waking 1 or 2 times during the night and the sweats have finally gone! I did sleep in the bed a couple of nights, but went back to the recliner when the shoulder pain seemed to intensify a little.

My stamina is improving every day, I'm sleeping less during the day, although when my body says "time to doze off for a little while" I do not argue with it, lol.

Unfortunately walking has been and will be an issue until I am able to drive. I live in a semi-rural area, plenty of houses, but no sidewalks. I have been forbidden to walk on the "roads", too unlevel, stray dogs, etc. Between that and the foot fracture (much better now) I have no idea how far I walk each day in my yard and around the house. I did get on the treadmill this week ( I know, I'm not supposed to) and seemed to do fine. Hopefully next week I can "catch a ride" to the gym where there is an indoor track to walk. I really want to be able to go with my grandaughter's class to Washington in May and there will be lots of walking!

Hope everyone is still doing well and I hope to "catch up" with everyone soon.

Linda Dixon

1 WEEK OUT!

March 24, 2012

Hi Guys, well, it's been one week since discharge from hospital and all is still good. Well...mostly good. Of course, I have the back, shoulder, neck aches which everyone says is from the way we are positioned on the table. My PCP actually told me he knew of one gentleman whose rotator cuff was torn during OHS. Yikes! I can almost believe it.

I really have no issues other than lack of continuous sleep at night. I have moved back into the bed, that has helped some, but I still continue to wake up every couple of hours. I would also like to "return to sender" the hot flashes and sweats.

I have always had somewhat low blood pressure and the beta blocker makes it even lower, so we decreased the dosage to see if that will kick it up a little.

My incision is practically healed, the chest tube site is a bigger problem, located just below my incision, in the middle right where bra band goes, so I'm still not wearing one, lol.

I am a little tired, probably from the low BP, but all in all, I am great. I have no complaints. I have really been blessed.

Hope you all are doing well, sorry I haven't posted much, am having "old computer" problems along with "not much patience" problems...and the two don't go together really well, lol.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!