Perry's Posts

Hello again everyone! I am now 9+ weeks out from my surgery. I've seen both my cardiologist and cardiac surgeon over the past few weeks. A new baseline echocardiogram was performed and the new valves are functioning well. I'm told that my heart now sounds like a "normal heart" — first time in my life. The Echo did find some fluid buildup around my right lung. It was confirmed on X-ray. That explains my continued difficulty breathing on mild exertion. This condition is thought to be an autoimmune reaction that occurs about 5% of the time. My options were to let the fluid reabsorb over time; maybe 2 months. Or I could have a catheter inserted between 2 ribs and drain it. The recommendation I chose was to drain it. I had that procedure performed this morning and "donated" 1.2 liters of fluid. Now that's a quick way to lose a few pounds! I'm breathing better already and expect to continue improving. This will likely be my last posting, as I hope to have nothing new to report from here forward. If there is something significant, I will be sure to let you know. My deep thanks to you for your continued interest and all of your kind words and deeds. My Very Best to You, Perry

Hello Everyone! Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I have been remiss in updating you — didn't want to bug you over the Holidays. I am 6 weeks post surgery today! In the 2 weeks since my last posting: - I traveled to my home town of Merrillville on the 23rd for the annual family reunion. Naps while travelling both ways. Great to see family. Had my first (and only) cocktail at the party! - Am now off of most medications and their unwanted side effects. - Was cleared to drive last week and have done so almost daily. Freedom! - Was cleared TODAY to begin cardiac rehab. Will start that tomorrow. I'm sure the exercise will help my stamina and mood. It will also be nice to learn what I can and cannot do at this point, while connected to the monitors. That will help guide my self-directed exercise in the near future. Coming up soon: - I have a new baseline echocardiogram on Monday to peek inside and see how the new plumbing is looking and functioning. - Will see my cardiologist the following week and cardiac surgeon at the end of the month (Those darn doctors- they're hard to schedule sometimes!). - Am traveling to Chicago for a business meeting next Wednesday; the first true "work day". I was warned by many of you to not expect too much too quickly. How true! It's the toughest part. Thanks to those of you who have been through something similar for the advice. It has helped tremendously. Hope to see you in person soon. Will know more once I see my doctors. Will keep you posted. Perry

Hard to believe that I'm approaching 4 weeks since my surgery! After a week of alternating a good day followed by a bad day, I'm happy to report that I have had 3 good days in a row. Still a little weak and slow. Still taking some extra naps. But all-in-all, definitely heading in a positive direction. Still taking BP meds to get my numbers in an artificially low range (around 105/70 or lower). This is a temporary measure to get my moved-over pulmonary valve weaned into a higher pressure environment. It will get stronger over time. My best to you and your family in the coming week! Perry