Just giving everyone an update on my situation.I am in my 11th week since AVR surgery.I feel great physically.I've been walking everyday but having some pain ...Read more
Just giving everyone an update on my situation.I am in my 11th week since AVR surgery.I feel great physically.I've been walking everyday but having some pain on an old ankle injury.So I bought a bike that I've been riding everyday instead.Less pain in the ankle and better aerobic exercise for me personally.I asked for a release letter from my surgeon which was written out and mailed to me.He told me 10-12 weeks before I could return to work.I will return in my 12th week.I don't have any pain or soreness.Just a little stiff in the chest sometimes.I've been following all the doctors instructions.My garden looks great.I've washed and waxed all the vehicles and done some yard work while I've been home.Haven't really done much heavy lifting yet so I expect to be tired after my first week back at work..I've done some weightlifting at my home gym but I need to do more.I am going on vacation this saturday for 7 days and will return to work soon afterward.I was looking for a new job and was notified that they hired someone else instead.Not related to my being out recovering.
I will be using my gym membership when I get back to build up some lost muscle and endurance.I wish everyone the best with your upcoming surgeries and thank you all for your well wishes,I am very happy to have found this site.It has been very helpful to me..
It's been 7days AVR post-op and I got home yesterday at 12pm.I'm here clicking away.I feel much better than I thought at this point.I can equate that to being ...Read more
It's been 7days AVR post-op and I got home yesterday at 12pm.I'm here clicking away.I feel much better than I thought at this point.I can equate that to being in decent shape before surgery,uneventful hospital recovery,fast IMR response,and the many prayers I have received from everyone.I did almost 1mi of walking today..Lung capacity needs work but I guess that comes back in time.my IMR was 1.93 when I left the hospital today it was 2.2. I was told it needs to be between 2 and 3.i got the Sorin Valve made in Italy.Best to all headed to the OR,stay optimistic and do the work!
Well it's my 5th day in the hospital since my AVR and I feel better than I thought I would.My INR is still low so the Heparin drip is gonna stay in for now.I ...Read more
Well it's my 5th day in the hospital since my AVR and I feel better than I thought I would.My INR is still low so the Heparin drip is gonna stay in for now.I could use a poop..LOL..Had a good old timer nurse last nite and a good blood draw guy the past few days.Best to everyone!
So I'm sitting upright in a chair this morning feeling pretty good,and clicking away..Strange hearing the valve open and close.Breathing well,a few minor fevers ...Read more
So I'm sitting upright in a chair this morning feeling pretty good,and clicking away..Strange hearing the valve open and close.Breathing well,a few minor fevers the past few days.Eating and bathroom activities are fine.The catheter and chest tubes were removed Friday and surgery was Wednesday.I had the full sternotomy.Had some amazing nurses so far some not so good.Not sleeping much at all.Hoping to go home Monday after Coumadin levels are set.Right now I am on A Heparin Drip.Thanks for all the well wishes and positive thoughts from everyone here..More updates to come! St Vincent pray for us!
Rhonda Rawles Sounds like you are well on your way to going home to me, good for you!
kristin ott How did you come to the decision to use the mech valve? Im still going through info on both. good lu ... Read more
kristin ott How did you come to the decision to use the mech valve? Im still going through info on both. good luck to you in your recovery
Gerald Schaffer It sounds like things are going good. Hope you get home soon.
Terrie Syvertsen Scott-I like the question! I remember sitting up in a chair watching people go by the doorway and the ... Read more
Terrie Syvertsen Scott-I like the question! I remember sitting up in a chair watching people go by the doorway and the nurses sitting at the nurses station with Gary clutching all of my things, me clutching my heart pillow and waiting for the Hospital Doctor to run by for one last "chat" before I could go HOME! Has to be hard waiting since you seem so ready to go but you get to "dine" on
more hospital food, take a few more delightful walks of the hospital halls, and entertain the nurses you DO like(whom are going to be happy you get to leave for they have done their jobs and like a bird leaving a nest......time for you to FLY! Fly away home Heart Brother and take good care of yourself once there and hopefully it will be Monday like you want!
Scott Hess To Kristin..I think the valve choice is based on age.The animal valves do not last forever I heard ab ... Read more
Scott Hess To Kristin..I think the valve choice is based on age.The animal valves do not last forever I heard about 15 to 20 years,so that type is used on older patients..I asked my surgeon about mechanical valve longevity data,and he didn't have an answer for me,except to make a joke later on after my surgery for me to call him right away if the valve stops clicking...Ha Ha Ha...
So I went on a second interview for a promising new job today,the day before my AVR replacement..I met with the comptroller and COO in a neighboring town.The ...Read more
So I went on a second interview for a promising new job today,the day before my AVR replacement..I met with the comptroller and COO in a neighboring town.The interview went very well with lots of smiles and good vibes given and taken..At the end I asked about the hiring time.They asked if I was under contract and I told them that I would not be available until Sept,which is about 12 weeks per my surgeon.I do some physical labor and heavy lifting..
To my surprise they said that waiting is not a problem for the right person..I almost fell off the chair..Looking forward as I always do,I will have a nice new heart valve and a possible new job..
You just can't make this stuff up...Thanks be to God!
Meredith Bray YES! He must have good things in store for you!
Kelly Weisgarber Good luck tomorrow! We will be waiting for news when you're all done! Good luck with the job too :)
Bob M I pray that your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. Tomorrow will be a ne ... Read more
Bob M I pray that your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. Tomorrow will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!
Took off from work today to meet with my surgeon and complete the final pre-op blood tests.Surgeon didn't offer much. My AVR seems very routine.I have no other ...Read more
Took off from work today to meet with my surgeon and complete the final pre-op blood tests.Surgeon didn't offer much. My AVR seems very routine.I have no other medical issues that would interfere and I'm not on any medications.All my vitals are normal.Surgeon says that now is the right time for surgery.He is just very matter of
fact about the whole thing..He makes me feel comfortable but also seems to good to be true..I have my soap for the night before cleansing..They also gave me these wipes to use after my shower and the morning of without a shower..The wipes have the soap solution inbedded in them.Sort of like a steri-wipe for the whole body,from the neck down.
Bob M I pray your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. Wednesday will be a new da ... Read more
Bob M I pray your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. Wednesday will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!
Larry Fuller GO SCOTT!
matter of fact is good- that probably means no surprises.
being in good shape going in is ... Read more
Larry Fuller GO SCOTT!
matter of fact is good- that probably means no surprises.
being in good shape going in is a big plus-remember the personality of your surgeon is unimportant-the skill is!
yeah, routine surgery until You're the patient!
Larry
My AVT was 6/9 home 6/14 and feeling great since arriving home.
Order the soup instead of trying to eats something more deluxe that probably wont taste good.
All the best
Larry
Scott Hess Thanks for the well wishes Fellas!..I Hope to be updating from my hospital room not the morgue!
The pre op testing is complete.Had a cardiac X-ray,catscan,blood and urine tests.
This giving blood thing is for the birds.i always seem to have a problem.The ...Read more
The pre op testing is complete.Had a cardiac X-ray,catscan,blood and urine tests.
This giving blood thing is for the birds.i always seem to have a problem.The veins are hard to find in my arms and when they manage to find one they always seem to probe around with the needle..It just seems so prehistoric the way blood is taken..My next appointment is 6/22,two days before the surgery to me the surgeon for the pre op consult and last blood test.Thanks for the info on this site it's been helpful.
Mary K Hi Scott. I am waiting too. The surgeon is supposed to review my consultation and tests tomorrow. Th ... Read more
Mary K Hi Scott. I am waiting too. The surgeon is supposed to review my consultation and tests tomorrow. Then I will have a date.
I agree, the blood drawing is unpleasant. Did you know that there is actually a vein finder device? Hand held, looked like it was infra-red. They used it on me at the Cleveland Clinic.
I will be thinking about you and am sending prayer for the perfect outcome for your surgery.
Clare Auten Blood draws on me have always been difficult. I have finally found a girl at the warfarin clinic who ... Read more
Clare Auten Blood draws on me have always been difficult. I have finally found a girl at the warfarin clinic who can. Get it quickly and painlessly. I cringe if she has the day off when I go in.
Scott Hess Thanks Mary K..I thought that during my recovery I would invent a blood draw device..LoL...I'm not lo ... Read more
Scott Hess Thanks Mary K..I thought that during my recovery I would invent a blood draw device..LoL...I'm not looking forward to the many blood draws during post op.UGH!
With my AVR surgery date set for 6/24,my next tasks will be the pre-op visits on 6/9 and 6/16.
6/9 will be the catscan,cardiac X-ray and consult with the surgeon. ...Read more
With my AVR surgery date set for 6/24,my next tasks will be the pre-op visits on 6/9 and 6/16.
6/9 will be the catscan,cardiac X-ray and consult with the surgeon.
6/16 will be the pre op blood test.
6/24.....Surgery!