Mark's Posts

Nine weeks after full blown open heart surgery and I finally feel almost normal again. The only downside is that work is crazy and I find it harder and harder to keep up the exercise routine with everything else going on. Got to keep on track!!!!! The last few weeks have brought some minor pitfalls, but nothing I couldn't handle. The pain in the left side of my chest that went up into my shoulder was diagnosed as pericarditis, which I was told will most likely go away on its own. The only other significant issue has been the incision. My surgeon did not do the full monty with the incision and did a procedure to make it very small. Unfortunately, it is taking longer to heal and I have been on antibiotics for three weeks. Annoying but no big deal. The annoying thing is that I have developed insomnia. Oh well. All those annoyances were overshadowed by the echo I had done yesterday. The technician said the reimplanted valve is working great and everything looks great. Hallelujah!!!!!! That makes everything ok to me. I was so happy to give that news to my wife. She has been my rock. I don't know what I would do without her. I continue to read everyone's journals and I feel for all those with upcoming procedures since for me the waiting and agonizing over the surgery was far worse than the recovery from a mental perspective. I wish I could give some advice that would help to ease stresses. Just have faith and focus on the positive. I will continue to keep all in my prayers.

Things have been going so great, I have been so thankful for everything. I have been back to work, back to coaching my sixth grade football team and everything. I saw the surgeon on wed and he gave me the full release. I must say he has been fantastic. Wednesday night the setbacks started. At Football practice the temp dropped about 15-20 degrees, it got really cold. When I got home I could not stop shaking. After I got warmed up and got to bed the night sweating started again worse than it has ever been. It wasn't even that bad the week after surgery. I also had some significant pain in the left side of my chest. I went ahead to work the next day and had to go home due to hot and cold flashes. Had another long night last night. Went to the doctor today....ct scan, blood tests, etc. No problems with the aorta repair, possibly infection and my internal thermometer is off due to the surgery and the large temperature drop got me jacked up. I hope to be back on track in a few days. I feel bad for my poor wife, she has been amazing and I think this setback was much harder on her than she wanted me to know. I am curious, has anyone else had this much trouble with temperature changes? (Shivering like crazy and then breaking into night sweats) Good luck and prayers to all.