Nancy's Journal

Wow, where does the time go? It has already been one year since my aortic heart valve surgery. What a year I have had – Blessed beyond comprehension!! If I would have known I was going to feel this good, I would have begged for the surgery many, many years ago. Just glad it is behind me and happy to know I won’t have to repeat it because we chose the St. Jude’s valve which they say lasts forever. Wonder how long that is!! Phil has had a great year making fun of me and cheering me on. He now calls me his “Good Hearted Woman”. A big “THANK YOU” to all of you!! I have been reading all of the journal entries from last year – wish I would have felt better at the time to respond to each and every one. They are amazing and I appreciate you all so much! I guess my first big surprise was when I started riding horseback again. Milne, Tegan, Kailee, Kara, Marina and Dima and I had a four hour ride gathering cattle from the Hunt Place. I was by myself with my two dogs going down a draw with cattle in front of me and became panicked when I realized there was something terribly wrong with me, but I couldn’t figure it out. Finally after I decided I had better relax a little, it came to me. NO CHEST PAIN!! I have always had chest pain especially riding horseback – I was so excited I could hardly wait to catch up with the girls and let them know. Funny how the little things in life bring you such joy and blessings. Having chest pain my entire life, I just thought it was normal and everyone had it – I guess that is not the case. Due to being on Coumadin for the rest of my life, I have to wear a helmet when I am riding, working cattle, etc. A real pain, but I bought a really nice leather covered one. If I have to wear it, I decided I would have an awesome one!! The last time I saw my cardiologist was in October. I was very disturbed because he didn’t do an echocardiogram or an esophageal cardiogram. For many years I have had at least two per year and sometimes more often. He started laughing and reminded me that I have a perfect heart now and I don’t need to worry about all my old problems – they replaced them. After all these years that is kind of hard to get around. So I won’t see Dr. Young again until October 2012. Cardio-Rehab in Bend was a wonderful experience – not only for the folks I met but it is a “must” after heart surgery. Lots of encouragement and hard work. My second session I met two friends of my Dad and Mom’s, what a wonderful surprise! I also met George – he and his wife came and stayed with us at the B&B last fall. We had such a great time with them. Her family came to this area in 1848 (which we didn’t know about until they arrived). We own the land where they lived. Kara, Marina and I had quite a tour with them up through the hills so they could see the property. The best thing about Cardio-Rehab was that I got to stay the night with Milne and her family once a week for months! We had a great time!! Lots of cuddles with our little girls!! Kara’s family watched over me like a hawk. They spent overtime helping out on the ranch and at the Bed & Breakfast. Lots of laughter and great memories! I feel better than I have for years. I am surprising Phil today – I ordered myself flowers and balloons to be delivered for my First Birthday! Thank you and love to you all!! Nancy

Wow, I can hardly believe it has been eight weeks today since my surgery. I am feeling amazing – better than I have for years and years. I can hardly wait to see what the next eight weeks will bring. Last Saturday we branded calves again and I put the LE iron on another 123. I am so proud of myself and no pain while branding. May have just been because I was so excited to be a part of the ranch and actually working!! Phil is keeping with the “no horse” policy though. He seems to think I won’t be riding until June 1st. Ol’ Sparky and I just might surprise him one of these days though. Monday I drove to Culver – my first big drive since the surgery. My chest was hurting by the time I arrived. It took me an hour and a half to drive it. Driving seems to bring on a little pain now and then. I had my dog “Hazel” pet pal over my chest with the seat belt over it just in case I had to slam on my brakes. I didn’t want that seatbelt to nail me. I drove home this afternoon. After I arrived in Culver, Milne and Kailee took me to Redmond for my blood test – still messed up but we are gaining! Then on to Bend for an echocardiogram. It was amazing – I could see my new shiny aortic valve and hear that awesome heart beat rhythm!! It was pretty exciting – especially remembering what the old one looked and sounded like. I am just so thankful for all that has happened to me and for all the love and support I have received. It is so hard to put into words……………. Then next on the list was cardio rehab with the awesome friends that I had met on April 1st. We had a few new folks so I was in the middle of the pack this time instead of at the bottom!! I will do my work outs in Fossil this week and then go back to Bend on Monday for another blood test and rehab. I am off morphine!!!!!!! No more pain meds and I can’t take Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, etc. Thank you for all your love and support!! Lots of Love, Nancy

Friday, April 1st, Milne took me to Bend and I went to cardio rehab at 12:30. I was the only one under 90 at the class. All of them had been going to rehab for several months so they were way ahead of me. It was quite an adventure and two of the men knew of my parents. A day I will never forget – a wonderful experience! I will be going to Bend once a week for several months for rehab. At 3:00 pm we went to see my cardiologist, Dr. Young. After what I learned there about my “old” aortic heart valve and my “new” mechanical St. Jude’s valve, I am so thankful the Lord has been in charge of my program and the way He lined everyone up to be in my path at the perfect time for my life changing experience on February 16th (I think this gives me the right to celebrate another birthday each year on that date). His timing is always perfect! Thank you so much for all your prayers – they have been and are being answered daily. I have a new lease on life and I am so thankful for each one of those “tick, tick, ticks” no matter how loud they are. Tegan was lying on my chest Thursday evening and she said, “Nana can they turn that down so your heart doesn’t beat so loud?” When I told her the alternative, she decided it was okay and it could be as loud as it needed to be. Out of the mouths of babes! I go back to Bend on April 11th for an echocardiogram and then a full blood screen in a month. In the meantime they are just trying to adjust the Coumadin twice a week. One of these days we’ll get it right. I am so excited to have my own little machine in May so I can check it myself. Saturday and Sunday was the first Spring branding at the Wilson’s. I was lying in my chair at 10:30 am on Saturday sharing with Kara my disappointment of not being able to help. Of course you all know Kara, she thought being depressed was probably not a good alternative. Marina and Dima loaded lunch and all the fixins’ in the Avalanche for me. Then I headed down the road a mile to the corral. David, Joseph and John Greiner were roping calves and Phil had just branded the first calf. (It has always been my job to do the branding.) I knew Phil needed to help with the roping so I went in the corral and ask him if I could try it if it didn’t hurt me. So he stood back and watched me brand one calf. It didn’t hurt – I was so shocked and so was he! So I took a chair (not my recliner just a lawn chair) inside the corral and set it by the branding iron bucket (electric iron). Sure enough it worked – I branded 128 calves on Saturday and 72 on Sunday. Believe me the chair was used between each calf!! What a miracle - only six and a half weeks after surgery. Phil and everyone else in the corral kept checking to make sure I was okay and sure enough I was as shocked as they were. It didn’t put any pressure on my chest at all – driving hurts worse. They all took good care of me and made sure I didn’t get run over by a horse or calf. I sure slept amazingly well last night! Interesting information: One year ago at all of our brandings I was out of breath, major chest pains, stumbling with my legs feeling like they had heavy chains on them, and it took all I had to put that branding iron on each calf. When I was branding, Brian must have caught me as I was falling over a hundred times last year. This year as he stood with his foot on each calf’s neck, he had both hands out ready to catch me for each calf I branded – I surprised us both! He only had to grab me ONCE and it was just a stupid mistake on my part. I can’t even begin to tell you what it is like to have oxygen in my blood and not gasping for breath all the time. My legs aren’t dragging and there is no constant chest pain. It is so awesome to be surprised continually at the difference in my body. I wasn’t even all that tired when we finished Saturday and Sunday. (And NO Ismike I promise I didn’t hurt myself. I will take lots of naps to catch up though!) Thank you all!! Love, Nancy

It is so hard to believe that it has already been six weeks since my surgery. It looks like it is almost midnight so I decided to add the “one day” to my title. I stopped the morning pain pill this morning but I am still on the night one. I am going to start taking only a half pill on Monday night and then in one week be free and clear. I am sure everyone around me will be happy – maybe my thought processes will be a little clearer and I won’t be talking funny anymore. Or maybe that is just me!! Phil is taking me back to Central Oregon tomorrow and dropping me off. Then on Friday Milne will take me to rehab and to see my cardiologist in Bend. Then she will bring me home that evening. It has been wonderful to be home, but I am having a really hard time figuring out how to put my feet up and get enough rest. I hope to start cooking breakfast again at the Bed & Breakfast on Monday. If it doesn’t work out, Karen said she would continue to help me. She has been cooking almost steady for a month and a half. Thank goodness Brian and Kara were able to spare her a few days. I am so thankful to my family and friends for helping Phil and I. We are Blessed!! And now I am spoiled!! I drove to Asher Clinic on Monday and again today for my Protime. They still don’t have it figured out yet how much Coumadin for me to take. Lots of trials and errors. I can’t wait to get my own little machine in May. It is amazing how much motion it takes to steer an automobile, maybe I should have just ridden a horse! Hopefully in another week or two it won’t hurt quite as bad. Probably shouldn’t be driving taking pain pills anyway. I strap my teddy bear, Stanley, to my chest under the seat belt. I’m sure if I ever got stopped by a cop he would wonder which institution they let me out of. Thank you for all your love and support. I will post again next Wednesday. Have a great week!! Lots of Love, Nancy

This has been a busy week and I have had a real rough time trying to figure out when and how much I need to rest. I’ve had a hard time resting during the day – I need to figure it out though. My blood has not been stable yet – still working on it. One day at a time. Kara, Marina, and Dima were with Milne, Tegan, Kailee and I for awhile this morning. So good to all be together. Wish we had a whole day to spend together! Phil was planning on branding calves today, but we ended up with about a half inch of moisture – rain, hail, and snow. He felt bad he couldn’t brand but he never complains about moisture. Looks like a wonderful grass year for the cows. Monte and Sue came to help brand – we had a great visit even though they didn’t get to brand. Roger and Larry were also here all this week fishing with Steve – lots of laughter. I received some beautiful flowers today. They are amazing! Thank you all for thinking of me and supporting me. I love you all! Nancy

My first day at home was awesome, but of course I kind of overdid it. I made the first mistake by trying to sleep in my bed – didn’t work out too well so I have had lots of incision pain today. I went on my first big walk, it was a beautiful sunshiny day. Tegan, Kailee, Duke and Pard went with me. The girls and dogs did lots of running and laughing. I walked slow and did lots of laughing. Then I decided I needed to see the kids ride horseback and see all the baby calves. So I drove the car to the B&B – not supposed to drive for another eight days. I put a teddy bear on my chest and seat belted myself in. I certainly enjoyed myself but I’m not any more intelligent for my mistakes. Tomorrow I will pay a little bit closer attention to what I’m doing. The new chair will once again be my bed for the night. Another lesson learned! Love you all!! Nancy

Phil came to Culver today to pick me up. He brought Tegan, Kailee, and I home and Milne brought our Avalanche. We arrived late this afternoon. It is so good to be home! We had to stop by the Clinic on the way home for another blood test. It was finally right! I go back on Thursday, hopefully it will stay the same. I am really tired tonight. I am having a little pain but I think that is understandable considering my big day. I will sleep good tonight and probably most of the day tomorrow. Pard met me when I opened the car door – he was so happy to see me. What a smile he has!! We have never had a dog like him! Phil, Milne, and Brian rearranged our living room to get my recliner chair to fit – it worked. I think this was one of the best things I ever bought for myself. So comfy! Phil went to bed shortly after we arrived home. It is about time for him to wake up to take care of his heifers tonight. Hopefully they will all be calved out by the end of the week. Thanks to each of you for your support and encouragement. I’m not sure where I would be if not for your love and help during my recovery!!! Love you all, Nancy

Well we had another birthday party today for Milne! What fun – I had such a good time helping the girls make it special for their Mommy. We also had a “Tea Party” with Nana Sharon, Milne, Tegan with her American Girl Felicity, Kailee with her American Girl Elizabeth and myself. Tegan was dressed as Sleeping Beauty and Kailee Snow White. We had Disney Autograph books at the table and served very petite banana splits and Chamomile Tea so we could all stay calm and hopefully have a good night’s rest. Milne and Mike are going out for dinner so I may even give the girls some extra “Calm Tea” after they leave. I am feeling good – just a little slow. I keep thinking about two months from now knowing that I will have so much energy and be my old self again. Thanks so much for all the posts and words of encouragement. Love you all!! Nancy

Today I started rehab at St. Charles. My next appointment with them is going to be April 1st and then after that I will go once a week and they will instruct me what to do for each week. I learned so much and I am so excited to learn where I am going to be in a couple of months. Just one problem, I really over did it yesterday so I paid heavily today – ended up sleeping for five hours when we arrived home from Bend. So I guess I am kind of a slow learner. I will start pacing myself daily so I can go two steps forward each day and forget about one step backwards. Love you all!! Nancy

FOUR WEEKS TODAY WITH A NEW AORTIC VALVE AND HAPPY LOUD HEART BEATS!! Wow!! I can’t believe it has already been four weeks. A lot has happened in those four weeks and I am feeling better every day – I am so excited for the “new me”!! Hope Phil is as excited as I am! The appointment with the retinal specialist went well. I don’t have to have another appointment for six months!! She checked both eyes and it seems the left eye (the one I had the stroke in) has a little more sight than it did three months ago. Great news!! I will definitely not stop taking the stem cell enhance. Phil may eventually have to stop staying “Keep an eye out for me!” It would be so amazing if I received even more vision in that eye – I’m ready!! Milne took me back for another blood test today – still too thick! Upped my Coumadin again. So I go for another blood test in “Fossil” on Monday. That sounds awesome – means I will be home soon!! Milne and I went to Costco to stock up for Hazel’s retirement party on March 27th. I finally ran out of air and had to sit down, but it felt so good to actually get out and walk with Milne doing all the work and me just being the boss! Thank goodness for lots of laughter! I had a wonderful “short” visit with Kara, Marina, and Dima this evening when they stopped by on their way home from ballet and fencing. They brought all the mail and my tennis shoes for rehab tomorrow. I sure miss them – but soon I will get to see them almost every day! Kara has been doing all the booking for the B&B – she is probably ready for a little bit of a break. I am glad I will be able to relieve her a little bit. Thank goodness for all her strength and knowledge. We are so thankful for our girls – each one giving way more than 110%. When I get back on my feet, hopefully I will be able to pay it forward!! All seven of the Leprechaun traps have been set by Tegan and Kailee and there is a trail of gold from each door in the house to all the traps. It will be interesting what they catch in the morning. The girls started constructing the traps when I was in the hospital. Wish we could all have such great enthusiasm! Thanks you for all your love and prayers!! I appreciate you all so much and I hope you don’t get tired of me saying so!! Lots of Love, Nancy

Milne couldn’t believe it when she saw me yesterday morning. I had actually put on makeup and looked a little more presentable. But she didn’t get it two days in a row – today I went right back to sleep after breakfast and slept until noon. I think I will try to surprise her at least every other day. I tried to get off the pain meds a little early and it didn’t work out too well. So this morning I was back on meds, but I just took a half dose to see if I could tough it out. Made out okay so I think I will stick with that program for a few days. I still take a full dose in the evenings. Praise the Lord for all the little God Winks happening in Japan. The rescues are amazing, just wish there were thousands more. My Red Ball Jets are all ready for me on Thursday when I go to Rehab! I am excited to get on a program and then I will go back to Bend once a week. Thanks for all the information – I promise I will take care of myself and rest every day or maybe multiple times a day when I get home because I want to have lots of energy when you arrive to harass me, Ismike. Tomorrow Milne takes me to Redmond for my last follow-up appointment with the retinal specialist from when I had surgery on my eye in December. I am excited for that to be behind me even though she is an awesome doctor and Phil doesn’t mind looking at her at all!! Too bad he’s going to miss this appointment!! I will definitely give him a rough time over it. After that appointment I go back to the Redmond Clinic for another blood test. Hopefully this will be the last one until I get to Fossil on Monday. Love to you all!!! Nancy

Every night the girls lay on my lap in my chair after they get ready for bed. We get to cuddle and then they are off to bed. Last night it was really quiet and Kailee said “Mommy what is that noise?” It was so awesome because she had her head on my chest and my heart beats are pretty loud because of the mechanical valve. Then we were talking about whether I could get in the hot tub or not and she said, “Nana, you need to listen to your heart. It will tell you.” My heart beats are loud! After listening to an abnormal heartbeat for 61 years, it is really strange to hear a normal heart beat. About my recliner chair – Mike put an extension handle on it and that is what I can now use to help myself. It is less than five pounds of pressure. It is so nice to be independent. Jacquie, I loved your Mom. What a special lady she was. Every day is hard but it seems like birthdays are especially rough. Milne was telling me about staying with you when I was gone with Kara so much. She loved playing pinochle with your Mom who was such a character. Milne has such fond memories of being with your family. Hope everyone had a great weekend! I get to talk to Phil 3 or 4 times a day – he keeps me updated on all the goings on. I miss him!! Love you all, Nancy

Yesterday was Viola’s (Phil’s Mom) 97th birthday! We didn’t get to attend her party, but we did get to visit on the phone with her. Phil was able to go to Condon on Thursday evening and spend time with his folks. Morris will be 98 in May. We are so thankful for all the wisdom and love they share with all of us. We are blessed!! We have made it through our first Saturday without going to Bend!!! We are happy!!! I have had a good day – Milne finally had the girls wake me up at 3:30 – I had been asleep for five hours. The girls were rather anxious for me to wake up because we had a birthday party for my stuffed animal pillow pet named Hazel. All of their stuffed animals and dolls (26) are lined up on the couch so we all had a birthday party together. We even had presents, candles, cake and cookies. Both girls dressed up and combed their own hair – it was so fun! It was one of those amazing experiences in life that only a Nana can appreciate! Last night we had a birthday party for Stanley the Bear! I am getting stronger every day. I am down to only one pain pill each evening. I quit the morning one today – I am anxious to be free and clear of those pills. My pain level is so low. I can’t believe what actually happened to me and I am already healing up so fast. I am allergic to Tylenol and can’t take Advil because of the Coumadin so it narrows the field of pain meds. I am able to do so many things – I can even put my recliner chair up and down by myself as of last night. Milne is so worried that I am going to over-do, but I am being really careful because I don’t want to take any more steps backwards! I am being really careful about that five pound lift limit. Finally being able to actually open the refrigerator door and get my own food out is pretty exciting. It is so amazing all the things we take for granted. We have a big week ahead of us with Doctor appointments and I am starting rehab on Thursday. It looks like I am going home on March 21st. I am so excited! Just in time for branding, but Phil says I am going to be a spectator for at least the first round. Don’t know if that is possible. Thank you for everything!! Love you all, Nancy

Howdy All!! We went back to the clinic today and my blood is getting thick again – sure wish we could get it figured out. I go back again on Monday. But I feel great and actually fixed all my own food today – Milne is feeling left out. Karen Thomas surprised me today with a lap quilt she made with hearts and roses – it is beautiful! Just fits me perfect in my “little chair”! I already had one she made me for Christmas, but she said I needed to put it away and use the new one. It is so soft and nice! She brought me up on all the news of Fossil and the B&B. Stan and Karen have been cooking there most of the time. I am sure the guests are well taken care of!! Then I spent the rest of the afternoon with Tegan and Kailee while Milne was at the greenhouse. I was entertained with a dance recital and style show. They used Karen’s new quilt as the curtain for the stage. Never a dull moment! Mike thinks we need to skip Saturday and stay home instead of going back to St. Charles. I am in complete agreement with him. Sounds like Phil is going to stay home this weekend and take care of his heifers - I will miss him! Thank you all for all your love, prayers and comments!! I appreciate them so much. Lots of Love, Nancy

We went to see Dr. Vlessis, the surgeon, today. Good news and lots of information for us to absorb. We learned lots about the heart rhythm and how to head off another trip to the emergency room. Exciting!! After most of the day in Bend, the little girls and I went for a walk this afternoon at Milne and Mike’s. Yes, I took my cell phone just in case they decided to run off and leave me!! I am feeling so much better this evening so I am planning for tomorrow to be even better! Love you all!! Nancy

Today was awesome. Went back to the clinic in Redmond and my blood was almost perfect – first time! So my plan is to keep this “ticker” running right and stay away from St. Charles. Nice folks, but I would just as soon not visit quite so often. I came home and had a longgggggg nap and was well enough to go to Tegan’s ballet dance observation. It is so wonderful to hear all my friends’ good news!! Miracles are right around the corner for all of us. Thank you all for sharing with me. There are many long hours in each day and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be so thankful for what is happening in your lives. Thank you for sharing!!! Love you all, Nancy

Well St. Charles Medical Center missed me so much they had me come back and visit them again on Saturday. I think Phil and Milne were missed as much as me!! With my messed up heart beats and the Coumadin levels way too low, they decided to give me a little “jolt” and get everything running right again. After arriving home last night a little after midnight, hopefully I am on the mend again. One good way to get to see Phil a little early – just let him know I’m on my way to the hospital and he arrives shortly behind me! Phil and I had a great relaxing day today. Phil took me on my first big walk around Milne and Mike’s driveway – we actually made two trips. I wanted three, but Phil shot me down. It was a beautiful sunny day. Phil left about 5:00 pm to go take care of his little heifers! Now I’m ready to start another week, gain strength, keep the “beats” perfect, and get the Coumadin straightened out. How are my Florida cousins?? Hope all is well!! Lots of Love, Nancy

Today Milne and I went to Redmond again for the blood test and a doctor’s appointment. The doctor’s visit went well but my blood is still too thick. I wish they would get it figured out. I am going back on Monday. We had a long morning in Redmond and didn’t get home until just before 2:00 pm. I fell asleep with ear plugs in and Milne finally woke me up at 6:00 pm. I think she was worried if my heart was still beating – surprise!! We saw Mt. Jefferson today for the first time in days. What a way to wake up in the morning. My chair is facing the mountain – it is beautiful! Phil is coming to see me tomorrow night. I am so excited! It would be nice if he would bring Pard and Duke (my dogs) and Sparky my horse, but I don’t think I’ll push my luck. I am pretty blessed I am going to get to see him!!! Milne and Mike and the girls are taking a break from good ol’ Mom. My biggest joy of today was holding Kailee on my lap while she went to sleep this evening. It felt so good! Precious baby. You all have a great weekend!! Lots of Love, Nancy

Thank you ISMIKE for letting me know the truth about my daughter! I will never go anywhere without a cell phone again especially in Central Oregon! Kara, Marina and Dima spent the day with me today while Milne went on a field trip with Kailee and ran errands. We sure had a great day but the time went by much too fast. Kara and I even accomplished some WRR business. I’m so thankful for all of Kara’s hard work keeping the B&B running with Karen and Karlie. Also, thank goodness she is reading the calendar of events and keeping the guys informed. Kara brought her new puppy “Dixie” (six weeks old) to see us – what a delight a puppy can be. Thanks for all your posts!!! I love hearing from everyone and what’s going on in all over the U.S. Lots of Love, Nancy

Today was a great day! I am a little tired from yesterday. Milne and I went back to Redmond and Bend today for more appointments. My blood is a little like my head “thick”! So another try at upping the meds. I could have told them right off what I needed, but I am sure they wouldn’t have listened. Milne dropped me off at Whole Foods this afternoon so I could go get a cup of soup, and it was like she was taking Kailee to her first day of school. She had a real rough time on the rest of her errands which actually only took twenty minutes and good ol’ Mom did just fine. Glad I surprised her! You would have thought I had been alone for hours… Kara, Marina and Dima will arrive late this evening and stay until tomorrow afternoon. I am so excited to see them! Love you all, Nancy