My apologies for the lack of updates in my journal. My wife found it easier to provide updates to family and friends through text messages and I kept forgetting ...Read more
My apologies for the lack of updates in my journal. My wife found it easier to provide updates to family and friends through text messages and I kept forgetting to provide an update in between resting.
My thanks for all of your prayers and support. God's healing powers are truly amazing. The surgery for AVR was 100% successful and I am doing very well in my recovery. Here is a general recap of my journey.
The surgery on Friday Aug 26 lasted about 4 hours. In talking with surgeon afterwards he said "No offense but, you had one ugly valve", it was much more calcified than was thought earlier. The PA said "you had a young healthy heart with an old man's valve". The surgeon told me the calcium extended from the Aortic valve to the mitral valve. He was able to clean up what was needed and all is working very well now. No issues with the mitral valve. I ended up staying in ICU for 2 days due to low blood pressure which resolved itself and allowed me to be moved to a regular room on Sunday. Able to stand and move about the room on my own.
On Monday I had the wire leads to my heart and the surgical drains removed. I was also able to take my first walk in the hallway and had my first shower.
I started Coumadin on Monday night and on Tuesday my INR level had actually gone down. Had it been at a good level I would have most likely been released on Tuesday afternoon but was told that my INR would need to be at 2.0 or higher before I could be released and I was only 1.1 at the time.
Wednesday saw some improvement with my INR up to 1.5, but still not sufficient to be released. In the meantime I had to be on a Heparin IV until I was able to be released. I filled my time taking a couple of hallway walks and couple of visitors.
On Thursday the INR was finally up to 2.4. The Heparin IV was stopped by 8:00 and I was discharged by noon.
My experience at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital was wonderful. My surgeon and team was great to work with and did an awesome job. The nursing team responsible for my care were wonderful and caring. I have no complaints about any step of the process.
Again my sincere thanks to all of you for your prayers and support. I am convinced that the prayer support from literally hundreds of people have sped the healing process. I am humbled by the love and encouragement that I have received.
Juergen Li Paul - good to hear that your surgery was successful and you also,had a great experience at OHSU. I w ... Read more
Juergen Li Paul - good to hear that your surgery was successful and you also,had a great experience at OHSU. I wish you a speedy recovery - your young healthy heart will be key for this. I am now over 5 weeks post op and neither my surgeon or my cardiologist want to see me again - they consider me healed and I think you will be at the same stage very soon.
Catie B Awesome, Paul! It sounds like you have done very, very well! It must feel great to be home and on th ... Read more
Catie B Awesome, Paul! It sounds like you have done very, very well! It must feel great to be home and on the mend. :)
All is well, I had pre-op visit today and now ready to enjoy an eneving in Portland with my family. Checking in tomorrow morning at 5:30 AM at OHSU so we are ...Read more
All is well, I had pre-op visit today and now ready to enjoy an eneving in Portland with my family. Checking in tomorrow morning at 5:30 AM at OHSU so we are staying in downtown Portland for the night. I am looking forward to putting surgery behind me and beginning the recovery process. It has been a challenging few days at work wrapping up loose ends prior to my leave and the forced relaxation of recovery will be welcome. My thanks to all of you in this community for your support and prayers, it is greatly appreciated. Now it is off to dinner with my 3 boys and lovely wife for a nice evening of relaxation before surgery.
Ron Broadhead Best wishes Paul. You'll do fine. Great attitude!
Juergen Li Paul - I will be thinking about you tomorrow. Went through the same process just four weeks ago. Enjo ... Read more
Juergen Li Paul - I will be thinking about you tomorrow. Went through the same process just four weeks ago. Enjoy the great views from the ICU and the step down unit. The beautiful summer weather and the views gave me a lot of motivation to get moving and I hope it will do the same for you.
Paul Anderson Thanks Juergen, I appreciate the support. The views are great from OHSU and I'm sure that will help ... Read more
Paul Anderson Thanks Juergen, I appreciate the support. The views are great from OHSU and I'm sure that will help with the recovery.
Cathy Breschini Hope your surgery and recovery go extra smoothly, Paul. Best to you.
Two weeks until surgery. I've accepted that surgery is needed and looking forward to full recovery and improved quality of life including back to swimming, ...Read more
Two weeks until surgery. I've accepted that surgery is needed and looking forward to full recovery and improved quality of life including back to swimming, riding, running and golf. While I've had my emotional moments, overall I've remained positive and not spent much time worrying about outcome. Reading Adam's book was a significant help in understanding and taking away the anxiety of not knowing, but I owe the greatest relief to my faith in God and the promise of healing. While God's idea of healing may not align with my desired view of healing, it will still be healing and I am accepting of that. However, my faith allows me to fully believe that surgery will be successful and I will live a long and healthy life for many years to come. It is a wonderful feeling to know that the greatest physician to ever walk the earth (Jesus) will be with me and the medical team during surgery. There are always anxieties, concerns, and worries to deal with, but with God's help they are being controlled. My parents shared this prayer with me that I hope will help others through this challenging time:
Creator of all, You've given me my body, and You know every hair on my head. As I prepare for surgery, Heavenly Father, give me courage and peace. Guide the hand of those who work to heal me; give them skill as You use them to care for me. Remind me that I am always safe in Your arms. Let all go well, according to Your will, Lord, and bring me peacefully back to recovery. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Amen brother.
Barbara Adams Amen! You will experience His peace that passes all understanding! I'm 7 months post op and God has w ... Read more
Barbara Adams Amen! You will experience His peace that passes all understanding! I'm 7 months post op and God has walked every step with me. Praying for you.
Nap Garcia Amen. When nothing else can give you comfort, you put your fate in the good Lord's hands.
Janet Dunavin Amen! Those words are very comforting!
Priscila Marino Thank you!! I have the same belive, and it is wonderful to rely on that.... Knowing that our lives a ... Read more
Priscila Marino Thank you!! I have the same belive, and it is wonderful to rely on that.... Knowing that our lives are at the hands of the one that had the true control over everything!!!
Janette Rehua amen my surgery is 2nd sept I know how you feel but its all in Gods hands
Gerald Sushil Well said...thanks for sharing. You will do fine with your surgery. About a week prior to mine, I fou ... Read more
Gerald Sushil Well said...thanks for sharing. You will do fine with your surgery. About a week prior to mine, I found peace when I gave up control and surrendered to His Love.
Bridget Sawmiller I am 2 weeks post op and I can tell you, your positive attitude and faith in God will guide you. I ha ... Read more
Bridget Sawmiller I am 2 weeks post op and I can tell you, your positive attitude and faith in God will guide you. I had very little anxiety going into surgery the night before or the day of. Very happy to have it behind me, recovery is also challenging, but, I believe the hardest and most anxiety ridden part is the surgery. Prayers for you on a successful surgery and smooth recovery!
Tom Dadisman Best wishes Paul it sounds like you have the same diagnosis as me but maybe without the need to ... Read more
Tom Dadisman Best wishes Paul it sounds like you have the same diagnosis as me but maybe without the need to replace the aorta as well. In any case I will send you my best wishes for a positive outcome and will follow your progress closely. Seems like your surgeon is very capable and will do great things for you!
Tom Dadisman Best wishes Paul it sounds like you have the same diagnosis as me but maybe without the need to ... Read more
Tom Dadisman Best wishes Paul it sounds like you have the same diagnosis as me but maybe without the need to replace the aorta as well. In any case I will send you my best wishes for a positive outcome and will follow your progress closely. Seems like your surgeon is very capable and will do great things for you!
Corey Sines Paul, wishing you Peace as you prepare for surgery. Praying for you.