Patrice's Posts

I felt the need to check in here on the website. There are so many having heart surgery. I'm going through a bit of depression it seems, so reading some of the messages seems to help. I have had alot of difficulty regulating my blood pressure and heart rate. I have always had arrythmia's and seems it is taking longer to get everything back into rythym (even if it is irregular). Some days I feel great, other days I'm very tired. I work full time and had my 60th birthday. I'm still amazed that I'm able to carry on a more normal routine and activity. My asthma and bronchitatis has acted up this past month and I've had alot of wheezing and lack of rest. Seems my energy level has decreased and my stamina is just not there. My exercise routine is nearly nil with my working and commute. I am busy on weekends, but feel there must be more I should be doing..so I go through the guilt of being 'mended' and not up to par on taking care of my self. Now since I've been down with the Asthma symtoms I'm out of breath and feel too tired to do anything exerting! I guess I need a pep talk to get me through my blues. Some days I'm ready to work another five years and the next I'm wanting to retire and not have to have a routine! I know there must be others that are struggling at times, so if you are, write me and let me know how you are coping and working through the down times.

Wow, my husband reminded me that I had surgery just four months ago...as I was out pulling weeds, building a greenhouse and also cleaning house inside, all day long and I was still ready to do more! I am in awe at times as I feel so good and am able to do more 'normal' activities after years of not being able to even do more than one thing in one day...such as if I vacumned the house, I'd probably be done with doing anything else that day! Sometimes I look in the mirror and the only reminder that I was laying for five hours on a surgery table with open heart surgery is my scar. I call it my 'reality'. It really does seem like a dream that a mere four months ago I was going through a life changing surgery. I'm very thankful for the technology we have that I am a result of that! With my mitral so bad, even worse than they could see, I probably wouldn't have been able to continue with a quality of life beyond 60! Now, I plan to have lots more days of being active and productive! For all of you who are just going through consultation and decisions on surgery, know that many of us have gone through the same thoughts and researching you are going through. We are all individuals and it is important that you take an active part in your planning and recovery. You will have good days and bad as you come through surgey and recovery. The time line was so on the mark with my recovery that I marveled at how our surgeons and cardiac care centers are so wise to the ways of our tickers! I'm doing great with my On-X mitral valve and doing well on coumadin! Life is good! My work and family keeps me going and less time to write here, but know how important it is for me to keep journaling! Til next time!

I've lapsed in my journal writing...going back to work has put a crimp in my 'retirement' days of napping, reading on my Kindle, napping, enjoying my time at home, and napping...have I said NAPPING alot!! I'm sure part of it is my age, but I sure do miss my afternoon naps! I know my body is still healing, I can 'feel it' as it changes. I have gone back to work full time, my eight weeks was on Valentine's Day! It feels good to be able to have a more normal activity level. I did have some discomfort sleeping the first few days after starting back to work, as I'd lay on my side it seemed my ribs hurt more. As I'd stated at the beginning of my journaling...wearing a bra was the learning curve for after surgery...I found that time seemed to help releive alot of the discomfort. I ended up wearing my older soft underwire bras during the day. I did put a strip of gauze down the center so the bottom of the bra would not rub my incision scar. I scar easily and seem to get irritation easier on scars, so for me this was a fix. I also kept neosporin on the incision, especially when I was at work. My incision still is a red thin line. It is healing, but I am a slow healer and tend to scar so I have began to use liquid Vitamin E at least once a day on the incision line. At night and weekends I wear sports bras, the night ones are all soft material and quite comfortable. I decided to try sleeping without the night time sports bra and I did okay, just was a bit tender when turning. I do think I'm on the mend! It seems like a dream that in December I was in the hospital for ten days...and the six weeks of rehab at home...how quickly time goes and we heal. I know alot of you are just now being diagnosed as needing surgery, or just about to go into surgery, or just going home. All those writing here give each of us a glimpse into the awesome ability of our modern medicine and skilled surgeons and their teams. I am so glad I was given a second chance with a mechanical valve! A valve for life! I'll check in now and then and give updates. I do have to work on more exercise. I now love to walk but time seems to get away from me and I don't get as much done as I should.