Tammy's Heart Valve Journal

8 weeks today!!

August 24, 2011

Today is a good day (even if it's still 104 today). I can't believe it's been eight weeks since my surgery.

I've been back at work since the 15th and just taking it easy. My right side is still pretty sore and it really got angry with me for a few days. I still can't lift my right arm up over my shoulder. So I'm just making sure I take breaks and get up and stretch and walk around. And Anna gave me a really good short haircut Monday that I don't have to spend all morning with the blow dryer!!!

Got a thumbs up on my latest blood test and looks like everything is normal aside from being a little anemic from the surgery.

Other than that, still having some trouble sleeping at night but it's getting better (the tylenol pm made me feel too weird), and my heart rate is coming down so it's not racing as much as it was earlier. The beta blockers seem to be doing their job. The incisions are also getting better and less sore. Some progress there! And on the migraine front, I have had a couple lately but they've been really short lived and not too bad. Hope those will continue to taper off.

I will be pretty busy here at work this fall, so I will just say thank you for everything, especially the support from the other patients on this site and Adam. His book was a great help to me when I first found out I would need surgery over a year ago. I've read it and re-read it a million times and for me it was a great comfort to know what to expect.

So if I don't journal for a while - it's because I'm working hard but still doing GREAT! Keep on tickin' everyone. Much love from Dallas, TX.

surgeon visit... a ok

August 1, 2011

The visit today went well. Apparently my dissolving stitches decided to...well...dissolve a little early. They said it was ok and looked great to them. So I got further instructions on bandaging and such. I will have a stranger looking scar when it all heals but that will be ok. As for the pain - the nurse said that is what the pain pills are for...guess I should take one every once and a while. Got lots of exercise today & I am feeling good. Hope you all have a good night.

ouch...

July 31, 2011

Had to call Dr. Ryan over the weekend. My side incision is not looking too fantastic in my opinion. I'm supposed to go see him today. It hurts a little less tonight than it was earlier, but it still looks a little off to me. I think I might have irritated it by taking too long of a shower. Just want him to look at it just in case - I don't want it to go off course on me.

Also still having trouble sleeping most nights. Got some tylenol pm today so I will give that a try. I'm pretty tired!

Other than that everything else is progressing. Just have random aches and pains but that seems to be getting better. I'll let everyone know what the doc says.

Hope everyone is doing well.

30 days out

July 28, 2011

Can't believe it's been 30 days since the surgery already! I am feeling better and just praying for patience. I still have very sore ribs on the right side where they went in and I really wish these incisions would heal already! My back still hurts a little bit but it's slowly getting better.

I had my follow up with my cardiologist on Wednesday and he said most everything looks good. My pulse is still high at rest so he wanted to adjust my beta blocker to see if we can't get that down to normal. He also said that I had a small hole that they repaired while they were in there. Didn't know about that before. So hopefully now that all of that is fixed (fingers crossed here) my migraines will get much better!

So things look great so far, and I'm thanking God for that each day when I pray for patience. Life is good.

Back to some serious tv watching. Take care everyone!!