Lindsey's Journal

Ok so if you read my journal, I am a now 27 year old female with a nice scar down her chest (no complaint). I am healthy and getting off of some medicines with the help of cardiac rehab and my heart getting stronger. I also had a custom made ID bracelet made and because I am still hoping to get of the blood thinner she made a special tag that I can take off. http://www.etsy.com/shop/GratifyDesign/about?ref=l2-more-about I hope that works ... If not etsy.com search Leather Medical ID Bracelet ... and her company is GratifyDesign. As far as the scar ... at first I was not wanting people to see it and I wanted to protect it from the sun... so I found Modesty4Me.com which make high neck camisoles to go under the shirts I already owned. She is a very awesome person and helped me when I ordered the wrong size. Any who I am almost 9 months out and am starting to feel like a 27 year old again. Good Luck to you all.

Seven weeks out and I\'ve returned to work. Can\'t say if I should\'ve waited or not because I\'m am incredibly soar but I\'m sure that if I stayed home any longer I would\'ve gone crazy. My employers are very understanding and willing to work with me for the increasing recovery time. Other than that I believe I\'m healing ok. I dont feel a whole lot different but I can see little changes which I guess is a start. My incision site hurts but I\'m not sure if I can do anything about that? I\'m a little woman that has been \"blessed\" and I am wearing a sports bra to bed but they still pull at it. Any suggestions. Hope everyone is having a great year so far :)

I know it\'s a dirty word. But how about stir crazy or bored out of my mind. I am use to working and being busy for long hours. Any advise or ways I can learn to heal faster. :) Thanks again

Hey Everyone, How do you know when your scar is healed enough for different things. I know they give you time limits on some stuff ... but as of right now I just want to take a bath??? It has been four weeks today since I had my surgery. My incision looks good from what I can tell but it still hurts to do some things. Also who released you and what did you have to do to go back to work? I am getting very blah with having to stay home and I am pretty sure it is because of me feeling better. :) Thanks for any and all advise.

After a stroke that they are relating to my surgery I was released Christmas Eve and then Christmas was back because of some numbness and dizziness. Was released again yesterday and so far so good. I really need to be home. I was getting very depressed in the hospital and that is never good. Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers through this entire ordeal.

Please pray for me and my family. Thursday night I had a series of mini strokes related to the surgery. None to serious but I\'m still in for observation and they are changing all of my meds around. Thanks everyone

Came home monday :) kinda over did it yesterday. Opps ;) taking it easy today! Kinda dizzy and trying to figure out all the new in and outs of everything! Hehe oh well with time I guess!

I guess I am now part pig and part of the zipper club. I did great as far as anyone will tell me. I had to stay a extra day in icu though but am in my own room tonight. I feel pretty good and have had one heck of an experience. :) I guess I will write more later as I have had a pretty full day. Oh and I am kinda up and walking. Thanks everyone for all your help to get me through this.

I feel so much more prepared with all the great advise. I am sorry to say that this site is still surprising me with how kind and helpful everyone is. Thank you so much. My husband and I growing through this experience and he is appreciative of this site for everything as well. We will be traveling tomorrow and meeting with my family for a little bite to eat. Then the Texans vs Patriots game to take my mind of everything :) Go Texans! Tuesday is the big day! We will be getting there at 530am and the surgery is scheduled for 730am. They say I will be in it for 6 hours so hopeful I will be awake that night. I will try to give y\'all an update as soon as I can. I believe my God will protect me and has giving me a great surgeon. Good Luck with everyone else.

What should I bring to the hospital? This is kinda the list I got going right now... Blanket (for my comfort) Pj pants Over size t shirt Bathroom stuff Slippers Anything I should add? What was helpful for you?

Pre op was interesting... My husband went with me and I don\'t think the nurses knew what to do with us. Everything turned out ok. So everything is a go for the 11th.

I am actually kinda surprised and thrilled by the responses I have been getting since I signed up yesterday. To tell a little bit more... I am having Open Heart Mitral Valve Repair with the chance of a replacement on Dec. 11th. I am at peace that my Lord will protect me in this process but my human nerves still get in the way sometimes. I will be going into the Medical Center in Houston for everything. My consultation is the 4th and I think I have plenty of questions for him but more could not hurt ;) I am the type of person who does not sit and wait to be told but rather research and learn so I have some clue going in. Also for the women out there... the Lord has blessed me in a certain area. And I am worried about the incision being pulled on and what type of bra would be best... Any Ideas?

So I just found this site and I am under the 2 week count down to my very first open heart surgery. Kinda nervous, won\'t lie... kinda looking for people with any advise or just words of encouragement. So Hi to the community and Good Luck on all your endeavors.