1 year ago I joined the heart zipper club.....I had many bumps along the way and in June this year I hit hit a road block....A long story made short...I have ...Read more
1 year ago I joined the heart zipper club.....I had many bumps along the way and in June this year I hit hit a road block....A long story made short...I have now been diagnosed with severe pulmonary hypertension and stage 3 congestive cardiac failure......my world has been turned upside down and I am having to find a new normal in my life...all the symptoms had been there for a while but I never mentioned them as I thought they were related to me being out of shape and overweight....my legs,feet and abdomen are permanently swollen now and my legs leave an indentation in the area that you have pushed on...I am on the maximum dose of Lasix.beta blockers and still things continue to deteriorate...I spent some time in the coronary ICU to try and help me to get rid of some of the fluid..then they discovered my kidneys had gone into failure....what a mess I had become...living in a country far from home with my children far away in South Africa and Pennsylvania and my husband and I in the Middle East.life really is not looking rosey. I could go on and on writing all the things that have happened this past year but tried to keep the story as brief as possible for a number of reasons. In spite of all this I am trying to stay positive and keep focusing on the things that make me happy...Christmas season is defintely one of them and I cant wait for my home to be transformed into a christmas fairy land with twinkling lights and candles and the warm familiar smells associated with cookies.........until my next posting may you all be filled with the love.peace and blessings you so deserve. Take care. xxx
Here I am back with pneumonia in both lungs,on high doses of cortisone...still have consolidated lower lobe of the left lung with a bronchiectasis and trying ...Read more
Here I am back with pneumonia in both lungs,on high doses of cortisone...still have consolidated lower lobe of the left lung with a bronchiectasis and trying to stay out of the hospital....I find that I dont rest there and also my greatest fear is when they need to look for veins for the iv therapy.... dont have any veins...I have until this Wednesday to show some improvement otherwise I will have to book in at the hospital. When will this all end...my mended heart is still ticking albeit it being in afib and trying to cope with the poor state of the lungs. Hey,at least I am alive and the sun still shines every day (even though we do live in the desert and it never rains...only about 5 days a year if we are lucky),I have a saint of a husband and 2 great kids.... and I am always trying to look on the positive side of life which helps. Take care one and all and may you all have a great day. Sharlene
Well I am almost 16 weeks post surgery and boy oh boy what obstacles my family and I have faced.Pneumonia,atrial fib,collapsed left lung.... Saw the cardio ...Read more
Well I am almost 16 weeks post surgery and boy oh boy what obstacles my family and I have faced.Pneumonia,atrial fib,collapsed left lung.... Saw the cardio again today and the lung still doesnt have good air entry,my blood pressure is markedly raised so have to take it daily and record it for the dr.my INR was 4.8 so the Warfarin dose has been decreased from 6mg to 5mg and still have the a-fib. I try to see the silver lining of the dark clouds every day and know I have many blessings...my husband is a saint and needs a huge medal for all the anxious moments I have given him. Fortunately or unfortunately not sure which one but our children dont have the full impact of this on their lives as our daughter lives in South Africa and our son is studying at uni in Pennsylvania.I will continue to soldier onwards and upwards and thank each of you for sharing your journal. Have a happy day.
As most of you know I am 14 weeks post surgery and would like some advice. I still have a tenderness around the top part of my scar and a pulling feeling in ...Read more
As most of you know I am 14 weeks post surgery and would like some advice. I still have a tenderness around the top part of my scar and a pulling feeling in the same area when I move in a certain way or turn over in bed at night....does anyone have any advice or suggestion? This has been like this since day 1 and there was some redness around the area but that has gone. Are any of you using any vitamin E oil or anything else to rub on the scar? I am on the mend again from my lung/heart failure setback. Will be seeing the dr again tomorrow....yes it is Sunday and as we live in a strict Muslim country we have weekend on Friday and Saturday....does take a little getting used to. Thank you to all for the lovely emails and words of encouragement and support....keep them coming as they are very much needed and appreaciated. Have a good day all. xxx
Hi all
Thanks so much for all the postings....my favourite thing in the morning is to make a cup of tea and to come and sit in front of the computer and go ...Read more
Hi all
Thanks so much for all the postings....my favourite thing in the morning is to make a cup of tea and to come and sit in front of the computer and go through all the postings....they are all so encouraging and some people have such a beautiful way of writing...that it makes me feel like I have know you for ever and that your right by my side encouraging me every step of the way. We are about 8hours ahead of the USA so usually when I am reading you guys are sleeping or getting ready for dreamland.
My wish is for all to have a great day full of love,peace and blessings no matter where you are in your recovery or in the waiting stage.
Sharlene
Saw the pulmonologist and cardio today....nothing new....still have pneumonia and collapsed lung...this will take time to heal and I am so used to it as it ...Read more
Saw the pulmonologist and cardio today....nothing new....still have pneumonia and collapsed lung...this will take time to heal and I am so used to it as it is the story of my life....my family and I try very hard to be as normal as possible as we find this way easier to deal with the bumps in the road.Rest is the order of the day and not to come into contact with people who are sick....a little difficult when you have spent 5 hours in waiting areas in the hospital and live in a country where people spit anywhere and anytime....all part of lifes lessons I guess....
Off to the see the Wizards of Oz today....the cardiologist and pulmonoligist...hoping things have improved with my lungs and heart. I think that i am progressing ...Read more
Off to the see the Wizards of Oz today....the cardiologist and pulmonoligist...hoping things have improved with my lungs and heart. I think that i am progressing although have a feeling of been \"hit by a bus\".
I am progressing really well since my lung collapsed.pneumonia and heart failure.Everyday is better although yesterday felt I had been hit by a bus....guess ...Read more
I am progressing really well since my lung collapsed.pneumonia and heart failure.Everyday is better although yesterday felt I had been hit by a bus....guess it is all the coughing and the muscles around the incision really hurt.It is such a great feeling to open the window in the morning and to greet the day albeit each day is blue skies and sunny....dont get many days of rain here in the desert. To all who are beginning the surgery and healing process....good luck,take care and know we are thinking and praying for you all. xx
Finally home sweet home.I am fever free although a repeat chest.xray showed the pneumonia and collapse of the lung and my main concern is that there is still ...Read more
Finally home sweet home.I am fever free although a repeat chest.xray showed the pneumonia and collapse of the lung and my main concern is that there is still some heart failure. Rest....not a good word for me....is the order of the day along with no visits from people with any cold.infection etc.
Take care all...keep smiling and progressing.
Sharlene
Been out of circulation for a few days as I am back in the hospital since Wednesday....very high temps for 3 days non stop..medication to break the fever was ...Read more
Been out of circulation for a few days as I am back in the hospital since Wednesday....very high temps for 3 days non stop..medication to break the fever was posing a difficulty because of the blood thinners ...diagnosed with pneumonia and the beginning of heart failure...my repaired heart is working very hard. My husband has aged and his hair has a grey patch just because of me. I am still in the hospital,and am so thankful to be fever free,although tired and chest tender especially the top part on the incision due to the coughing.
Today I celebrate my 12 weeks post surgery-so much has happened...continue to progress although have a very bad chest infection and hacking cough at the moment...still ...Read more
Today I celebrate my 12 weeks post surgery-so much has happened...continue to progress although have a very bad chest infection and hacking cough at the moment...still a little tender across my chest from the coughing. Found this incredible site and enjoy reading all the journals.Saw the cardio on Sunday-our weekend is Friday and Saturday so Sunday is a normal working day here in the Middle East. Unfortunately I am in atrial fib and there is still some leaking from the repaired valve...a little disappointing...but am still trying to remain positive.
I am so happy that I have made contact with Penny who has lived in SA - now living in Scotland and who will be having heart valve surgery in the near future. ...Read more
I am so happy that I have made contact with Penny who has lived in SA - now living in Scotland and who will be having heart valve surgery in the near future.
Thank you for this wonderful site that has helped me so much eventhough I only found it and the book when I was well on my way to recovery........it is such a comfort to know that we have each other and to share each others heart surgery experiences.What a blessing.