It has been a little over a year since I underwent my surgery and everything has worked out terrific. On the anniversary date of my surgery last month my wife ...Read more
It has been a little over a year since I underwent my surgery and everything has worked out terrific. On the anniversary date of my surgery last month my wife and I brought bagels and stuff to the icu nurses at KU med center, they were so grateful, I guess they don't always get to see their patients after they are released. My wife was giving big hugs to everyone on that floor!
Moving on, about a month after the surgery I started back at work, slowly, and then life took off again! Our son is now 10 and doing great in little league and the 4th grade, My wife finished her phd in audiology, and my small business has continued to grow leaps and bounds (now have 4 full time sales people).... Next check up in 30 days, feel great.
Rick
I will check in again, to all of you out there preparing for the big day please keep things p
Adam Pick Happy One Year Anniversary Rick! Thanks for the update!
Kimberly Nuttle Wonderful! I often think that it's important to just do the nice little things for people, to bright ... Read more
Kimberly Nuttle Wonderful! I often think that it's important to just do the nice little things for people, to brighten their day. We've been trying to think of something nice to do for the nurses in the ICU where Aidan had his surgery. Something that we can take when we go for his 3 month check-up which will be in Dec. I found some coffee called Java Medic, and they have funny names for the coffees that relate to hospital & medical. I also thought of little bags with hand lotions, or something fun like sparkly lip balms (here in MI we get cold winters and dry skin).
I am a little over three weeks post op and this morning is the first morning in a long time that I felt really rested. I must have slept really well last night. ...Read more
I am a little over three weeks post op and this morning is the first morning in a long time that I felt really rested. I must have slept really well last night.
Getting back to work last week was tough, still is, but it is a little easier every day. Still a stamina issue...
Well, I know this is a short post but I have to make some calls to customers....
R
I have been able to walk every day this week about 2.5-3.5 miles / day. Feels great to get out of the house and really move around. The 1 mile route I take ...Read more
I have been able to walk every day this week about 2.5-3.5 miles / day. Feels great to get out of the house and really move around. The 1 mile route I take through the neighborhood is fifty percent down hill and fifty percent up . At the beginning of the week I would have to stop and catch my breath a few times on the up hill portion. As of today, Friday, I can go the distance without stopping. This really makes me feel like I can transition back to work next week without being too fatigued. Also, I have been able to sleep during the night much better. Makes for a much more enjoyable day, much less fatigue!
A nice little by-product of this whole Heart Valve Surgery thing is that I've spent more quality time here at home with my Wife and Son in the last few weeks. We are eating our meals at the dinner table with no TV on, taking long walks together, playing board games after dinner (recently the game "Sorry") my 8-year old son's favorite.
I always think there is an up-side to every down-side life throws at you. I am seeing and experiencing many positives in my life from all this, as tough as it has been.
OK, till next time...
Thanks!
Rick
7/15/14
I have been home for just over a week now. Still feeling very weak, hard to walk more than a block without feeling "dog tired". Part of my overall ...Read more
7/15/14
I have been home for just over a week now. Still feeling very weak, hard to walk more than a block without feeling "dog tired". Part of my overall feeling of exhaustion is directly related to being anemic. I just found out yesterday that I need to start taking iron supplements to stem this issue (common after major surgery) Also, not sleeping well at all so this is playing a role in my daytime lack of stamina. On a good note, my pain levels are way,way down (just taking over the counter Advil).
My biggest concern is going back to work next Tuesday. Owning a small business I really do not have the luxury of taking more than a few weeks off to fully recover. I really want to get things turned around and not feel so darned fatigued during the day, this has not been easy, oh well, I should not be so worked up over this. My surgery went fine, I've got an amazing wife and son that have been extremely instrumental in taking care of me and giving me the love and support I really do need. Also, my family and friends have been great, many, many friends have brought over cooked meals over the last week so Joey would not have to cook. They have been Delicious!
OK, this should be enough for my first entry, I will try to write back in a few days....
Rick