Melissa's Heart Valve Journal

Well, I can't believe time has flown by so fast. Once I returned to work, full speed ahead. So, I thought I would share a little of how the last few months have been. I did return to work on April 12, 7 weeks post op. The hardest part back then was opening doors, I didn't have the strength back then. I was told that I would be 100% recovered by the 3 month mark, which was the end of May. And my girls held me to it. And I really was, climbing jungle gyms with my girls. When I first started walking again more, my legs couldn't keep up with my heart. It was a great feeling to know that I could wear out my legs before I was out of breath.

The summer flew by fast, both girls birthdays and our anniversary. We had lots to celebrate. I started back working out at the gym again. Slowly using resistance machines and working up my cardio. I now can use an eliptical machine for 1/2 that I couldn't do before surgery. I used to get out of breath before I would even start to sweat. Now I can actually enjoy extercising. Although, I don't run, never liked that anyway. I do feel younger and full of energy.

I am going back to my caridologist in LA this week. I was suppose to go in August and was rescheduled. I am looking forward to my first echo and will report back when I can.

Since, I am doing so well, I thought I would "give back" to the community that has helped me so much. My husband and I and a few co-workers are walking in a 5k for the American Heart Association on Oct 2. I thought, what a great way to devote some time & money.

If you like to donate in my name, please copy and paste the link below:

http://sanluisobispoheartwalk.kintera.org/

Once again, thank you to my family, friends, Adam Pick and the people I have met through this journel. You guys have all made a difference in my recovery.

If you would like to reach me, you can find me on Facebook.

Melissa Boardman

My recovery is moving along smoothly, some days slower than I would like. I don't really see a change day by day but can look back a week and see huge improvements. Like other patients I get impatient and frustrated that I can't do what I normally do.

Jason and I went back to LA on Thursday to see Dr. Burnstein. He was really excited about the surgery and how well I was doing. He stated that my surgeon, Dr. Yokoyama did what only 2 to 3 surgeons in all of LA could do. That explains why a lot of patients on this site have had to travel quite a bit to get their surgery. He said that my heart sounded great. He removed the remaining stitches from where my chest tubes were that didn't just fall off on their own. Just in the last couple days they are looking better and feeling better. The only medication I am taking is 1 baby aspirin a day and Ibruprofrin for the continued aching/chest discomfort. Also, I don't have to limit my liquid intake anymore. Yay! He wants me to walk more (of course) and not be afraid to push myself. No lifting weights or anything heavy for another 4 weeks. I will start driving soon and return to work on April 12. He set me up to get some lab work done to make sure my liver and kidneys are working properly. Dr. Burnstein wants to see me again in August with a new Echo to check out how well my heart is doing.

My incision was covered with thick yellow glue that looked bad with dried blood in it. Yeah, I know you didn’t want to imagine that. I finally got all of it off last week and now I have a nice thin pink scar all over again. The new incision was right on top of the first scar I had from my first open heart surgery over 30 years ago. It’s thinner than the last one since the original scar grew as I grew. Now I’m putting vitamin E on it everyday. It looks good as Kayleigh wants to check it out almost daily. Sierra says her chest looks better than mine, no kidding. My pale skin is still showing bruising around the scar, and aching/pain is manageable.

I still haven’t gotten used to being warm all the time. Before surgery I would go to the gym and workout, sweat a little and by the time I got to the car I would be completely cooled down, even cold again. Now I go for a walk and it talks quite awhile to cool down. Now, I’m the first one to turn the air conditioner on in the car.

I’m sure there is more I want to tell you guys about, but my girls are driving me crazy. They are wound up ready to go on an Easter egg hunt. Hope you all have a happy Easter. Thanks for all the well wishes, prayers and FOOD (my co-workers are awesome, see you guys on the 12th). Lucky for me, my mom is still coming over each weekday to take the kids to school and keeps me company. Melissa

I feel very fortunate to say that my recovery has been uneventful and by the book. I am feeling better everyday and achieving small milestones that don't sound like much but are huge to me.

It's been more than 3 weeks since I've been shopping. So my mom and I headed to Kohl's yesterday and got the girls some Easter dresses and a few other things. I think we are ready for the Easter bunny too. I was pretty tired by the time we got home, but it felt good to shop.

My pain has decreased quite a bit as I'm only taking 1 prescription strength Ibuprofen every 6 hours or so. Good news from the lab, I didn't have an infection on my incision so I can stop taking the antibiotics. I'm not taking naps during the day anymore. I have been out walking this week, each day a little more than the day before. The weather has been warm and beautiful so who couldn't resist walking near the beach?

My arm that had the IV has finally healed and the bruising is gone. The brusing on my chest and neck continues to fade and my skin is peeling like crazy.

My girls are doing well and understand that I still can't do much. In fact Kayleigh told me last week that I was like a platypus because I don't do anything. Leave it to a 6 year old to inspire me to get better quickly. Sierra likes to bring me her stuffed animals and blankets and is now used to sitting next to me instead of on me.

I couldn't ask for a better support group. My parents have been great. My mom comes over every morning and gets the girls ready for school and then spends the day helping me. At times I get frustrated that I can't be the mom I want to be right now, but my husband goes above and beyond to take care of all of us.

Once again, thank you to my family, friends, co-workers and the heart valve journal community for your support. You guys rock! Melissa

Jason and I went back to LA yesterday for my first post op appointment. My sternum and incision are healing normally. The doctor is happy with my progress. I did show him that I had some leaking fluid at the top and bottom of my incision last week. So he took a sample to send to the lab and put me on antibiotics to make sure it wasn't an infection. LA and back in 1 day was exhausting. Especially for jason who had to drive the whole time since I can't drive.
My swelling has gone down quite a bit. The brusing is fading, but with my fair skin I'm still a little yellow/green on my chest and neck. I'm still limited to less than a litter of fluids a day as too much fluid can cause congestive heart failure. But, I still take a lot of medication so I'm always thirsty. As for pain management I'm down to taking 2 prescription strength Ibprofen every 6 hours. Stopped taking Vicoden last Sunday.
I am going up and down the stairs at home with ease now. I still get out of breath, but I can go up more quickly and more often than last week. I need to get out and walk more, but it has been really cold and windy this week, so I haven't been out much. Thanks to all who have sent care packages, food & flowers. You guys are awesome! Melissa