Martha (Pixie)'s Posts

This is for anyone getting automatic updates. I am doing well. I saw my Anchorage cardiologist, Dr. Adam Mason, yesterday. He said that the echo cardiogram that I had a couple of weeks ago, showed that my new valve is operating perfectly. I'm feeling stronger, and more energetic, but have had a few days of being tired by evening. I think I feel so well, that I'm tempted to do more than I should. I started driving a couple of weeks ago, but am mostly doing short trips, and limiting the number. I've been walking 1/2 to1-1/4 hours a day, and this last weekend it was so nice in Anchorage that I went with Carl and the dogs up to Upper O'Malley and did some uphill. Dr. Mason said to do what I felt like, just listening to my body. He did give me a heart monitor to wear for 2-4 weeks which will track my heart. I think this might have been cover for him, but it is supportive to me as well. I did have a 3 hour A-fib episode last Tuesday. I went to the ER, but converted back to Sinus rhythm by myself. Apparently if it doesn't last more than 48 hours, it is not considered a big issue. I have been unable to get into a cardiac rehab program yet. We went in mid-February to Alaska Regional Hospital for evaluation. The nurse was totally unsupportive, and had no encouraging things to say. After thinking about that for a few days, I decided that I wasn't going to subject myself to her 3 times a week. She was so different from the staff at Virginia Mason who had been totally low key, but supportive and encouraging. So I have requested getting into the Alaska Cardiac Center at Providence, but they are backlogged until April 14. They did put me on a waiting list in case there is an earlier opening. However, I'm walking everyday, and would rather be outside than using indoor machines anyway. It is more the reassurance of the monitoring that I was hoping to benefit from. Thanks to everyone for your care and encouragement.

I am feeling that this is perfect timing. I feel strong, and don't wear out even after walking for an hour. I just come back, sit down, have water or juice and am ready to go again. No naps the last two days. I will continue posting about followup appointments and physical therapy, but they probably won't be as often. I just want to say how everything fell into place from the time I realized what was needed some time in November. From my finding Dr. Hill listed on this website, and then passing through Seattle so I could check out Virginia Mason. To our experience with Drs. Hill and Woo, their staffs, and all the nurses at VM. To say something of this magnitude could be a positive experience is quite remarkable. VM scheduled in a very relaxed fashion; i never felt rushed with any doctor or staff person, but never had to wait more than a few minutes either. Check in was handled quickly: I spent maybe 5 minutes before my first visit to Dr. Woo when I also met Dr. Hill; check in before the angiogram and beginning of hospitalization took about 30 seconds. Of course we haven't completed billing/insurance etc., but VM assured me that they would handle everything. I could order from the kitchen from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. off a reasonable menu. That doesn't mean that I wasn't glad to get home and fix whatever I wanted. I felt none of the big ego ("do it my way or die") that I had been warned about for cardiologists, especially the surgeons. I shouldn't end without thanking Dick and Karla Siebe for their hospitality and support for hosting me in Bellevue. I have felt so relaxed and able to do just what I felt like doing while here. Carl, Graham and Steven made a great support team. One of them was with me all the time, every day in the hospital; Carl spent the first 3 nights after surgery with me. Especially at first, I slept a lot, and whoever was there spent most of the time on their laptops. Just knowing someone was there was very comforting. During my time at Dick and Karla's, I have just been amazed at all your posts and words (and actions) of support. Thank you so much.

I see it is almost a week since I wrote. That is because there is not much exciting happening. I feel like each day I make a little progress and get stronger. I've been taking walks, either at parks or in a nearby neighborhood where I get dropped off for 1/2-1 hour. After the first 5 minutes in which I start off slower, I get up to a reasonable speed. I'm walking on flat, smooth surfaces. I am cautious about stumbling and falling down. Today, at the end of an hour, I could tell I was slowing down again. I usually take a nap in the afternoon. I've been out to several restaurant meals to visit with friends and family. On Monday night Carl, Dick and I went to Murphy's where Graham has his Irish music jam. Yesterday I went to lunch with a friend who used to live in Anchorage, then for a walk in a natural area. One thing I'm been meaning to pass on is the fact that my calcified aortic valve had only 2 flaps or leaves; three is normal. Having just 2 is not uncommon, but is more likely to lead to calcification. So this is definitely something I've had all my life. The other news is from the angiogram that I had the day before surgery. They put in a dye and check out the heart, arteries, etc so they don't have any surprises when they are in the middle of surgery. My arteries are in great shape.