Lucy's Heart Valve Journal

well it has been a busy 1 1/2 months! i started cardiac rehab and have been doing well. i go w/a group of men all about 20 years or older than me! they are lots of fun at 6am! i have been feeling stronger and trying to get back to work.
i had my resting echo last week and that was a tad hurtful as part of it they have to put a device directly on your scar to look at heart-ouch! my apptment w/cardiologist was monday and he says i am doing great! the valve looks perfect! he has released me to go to gym and back to rehab and do more! but to make sure i don't overdo it all at once! he is also weaning me off all meds! says i don't need them all my numbers are great! but i need to be weaned off meds and if i feel strange to just take meds again (strange advice i think?)
i returned to cardiac rehab this am at 6am(god awful hour) and i didn't have to wear my heart monitor! and i was able to do a bit more! it feels great. i can't wait to see what i can do on friday. I keep trying to go harder and faster on machine to see my limits, it is very strange. you have to realize i had been going to the gym before surgery but could not do much (apparently) my speed on treadmill would average a 3.3 or 3.4 with a 1.0 incline, now i'm at 3.4 with a 3.0 incline and i am not huffing andpuffing like i was before it truly is amazinG!
i need to see cardiologist again in 4 months, if all is clear again (which i really hope it is) then i think i go on yearly visits! yippee!

It's 7 weeks tmw! i am feeling better, still incision tenderness/soreness. kids go back to school tmw and i am waiting for cardiac rehab. hopefully they'll call on tuesday. i am going to try maderma on the scar to see if it will reduce the look of it. i am feeling healthier and can't wait to get going on some kind of cardio regime so i can get back into life and the gym-very slowly, i know.
i am more energetic but still the sleep is elusive for me. 4 hours and then i awaken. last night i was very sore at night, maybe i did too much during the day, i'll have to wait and see!

wow, 5 weeks already! i visited the surgeon and now i am allowed to drive! i still can't go far. he said i shouldn't have to ever see him, he predicts, unless i choose to socially :) i am feeling much better, of course not 100 percent but much better than 5 weeks ago, every week is better i notice. i still am limited to no lifting over 5 pounds for 3 more weeks and then he said i can go back to work slowly. i am supposed to start cardiac rehab after xmas, i'm not sure how many visits yet. but i am now allowed to walk as much as i want.
i am still not sleeping through the night but it is better! i am sure in 3 weeks i may be able to sleep on my side, as now i can now move to my side but i get pains in my neck. the muscles are still very tender.
but i am looking forward to a low key xmas and new year! i can't wait to start the year!

good nights, bad nights. i am getting used to them, not a good thing. i had slept through the night night before last it felt so good, then last night i slept but woke up a little achey, i'm thinking I must have moved around a little too much during my sleep. My incision looks very good and I feel I am getting stronger day by day. I can now dry my hair and dress myself almost normally, which is great! I can now open a cabinet but still can't reach many things. A little at a time I say. Its hard to just stay seated and do nothing. I have a apptment on dec 18th with my surgeon and then i'll see if i get the okay to drive. and then i go to rehab right after xmas-my cardiologist doesn't feel i really need it with my age but i told him i prefer being told i what I can do and cannot do in a safe environment.
I'm also told I will start feeling better around xmas so I am focussing on the dates!