Mary Ann's Posts

Well, we have all our sons and nearly all their families with us to help us celebrate our 50th anniversary. It's wonderful and there's lots of laughter. They arn't letting Jim and I do anything. Everyone is enjoying the beach. I make at least one visit down as the trip back is a bit much and has to be paced. My feet and ankles have been swollen so I'm trying hard to forgo the sodium meals and eating salads. The kids are all great cooks as are their wives. Jim and I may cook on Thurs or Friday. Today my feet seem better. Think some of it was dependent edema from all the traveling to Rochester, etc. Tonight we'll take a family picture on the beach. The weather so far has been great. Have been working on the walking with some success! This is a great way to celebrate the good news from Mayo and our upcoming 50th!

Had pulmonary function tests yesterday morning and then saw Dr Sorajja: Results: 1) No surgery at this time as mitral regurg is only mod. 2) Mitral valve is repairable! Yea! YEA! 3) I'm deconditioned! (Out of Shape) SURPRISE! 4) I can start an exercise walking program gradually as my body allows eventually working up to 7 days a week and possibly 30 minutes a day. ( Which means I should lose weight and make my heart work less, get more endorphins (?) and feel much better) 5) Don't need to return for check up until 6 months to 1 year ( I assume based on how my symptoms are, what Dr Seitz feels and how I feel) 6) I have (? mild) interstitial lung disease and my cardiologist is not sure how that plays into my symptoms, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc. I can see a pulmonologist at Mayo but not until Aug 30 so may possibly see one here in Fremont that Joaniie recommended. Got to visit with a dear cousin and her two daughters before leaving Rochester. What a positive attitude. How wonderful to have such loving daughters to cook, clean and care for her and keep her laughing! Got a dear letter from a HS classmate with similar struggles who keeps up a great fight! Way to Go! I'll write soon. Meanwhile you are ALL in my thoughts, and prayer and sent love! Also spent wonderful time over the weekend with Jim's brothers and their wives and his niece from Montana. What a great visit! So lots of positive things happened! Thanks everybody for your support, love and prayers!!! Now must get ready to meet the kids at the beach and cclebrate 50 years of marriage! Has it really been that long? How lucky can I be? Have 2 days to turn this around... and am limited due to restrictions from the heart cath on Mon. More positive happy days ahead! Yea!

Had an 8:45 appointment today for a L heart cath which required several hours of IV hydration first. From my pre-op bed I could view the cross over St Mary's entrance. Got into the cath lab probably about 1:30 and the results once again were mod mitral regurgitation. After recovering, we met Dr Suri who was very nice. At the present time, he along with Dr Sorajja, the valve cardiologist, believe surgery is not necessary since the regurg is not severe! Great News! The downside is to explain my symptoms and extreme fatigue at times with shortness of breath that set in and increased since January...so tomorrow morning, about 8 we will go to the clinic and they will try to work me in for pulmonary function tests (originally scheduled for 2:30 PM)... and possibly another mtg with Dr Sorajja. I'm beginning to wonder if I've just gotten lazy. Will be anxious to rule out lung problems and then I probably will be working on an exercise and heart healthy program! Sounds good to me as I don't like living like this! Sure know I'm tired tonight. Am limited in activities for 3 days due to the cath. Poor Jim... he's such a sweetheart. With a lot of luck we'll head for home tomorrow night. The kids may get to the beach before we do... but we'll get there! Love to all and thanks for all your prayer and notes. They are working!