Thomas's Heart Valve Journal

My new valve is registered!

July 26, 2012

I received a letter from my heart surgeon explaining that my new St. Jude Medical Trifecta Pericardial Bovine Heart Valve bioprosthesis #25 (whew) is a registered prosthetic device and is considered an “implanted device”.

The valve is assigned a model number and serial number imprinted on a Patient Identification Card that I am advised to keep in my wallet at all times. Safety Information on the back of the card indicates that my valve, which has a structure made of titanium, is “MR Conditional”. Specs are listed that should be followed if I ever get an MRI (I’m guessing here) in the heart area. I’ll have to check this out further.

Fun With ReHab

July 16, 2012

Kinda fun I guess. Today was my second visit to rehab at Fairview Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic system hospital. The routine is 20 minutes on the most boring exercise machine in the world - the treadmill, then 20 minutes on the really most boring exercise machine in world history - the stationary bicycle and finally 5 minutes using both arms yanking on wall pulleys. I guess I'm forever spoiled from hiking up Colorado mountains and bicycling up to all the highest mountain peaks east of the Mississippi...sigh.

To counter the boredom I kicked it up a notch by walking faster on the treadmill, and using a higher resistance on the stationary bike. I actually sweated....for the first time since pre-surgery and I was within the limits the therapists set for my workout. These little things mean a lot when you're bored out of your skull during recovery!

Enough about me, howz everyone doing?

Tom

4 Week Maintenance Check

July 6, 2012

Cardiologist says I’m doing ok; my new heart valve is working perfectly but I’m still in the seriously healing stage with a high heart rate and low blood pressure. Doctor says to stay on my current dose of beta-blocker which helps lower the heart rate. My heart muscle is still screaming in protest from being violated during surgery….this is normal. Climbing simple stairs finally isn’t causing me to double over from breathlessness. And my chest bone (sternum) is healing nicely so the Doctor declared it stabilized and gave me permission to drive (Donna is so happy, happy); who wants to drive around a crotchety old guy!

Finally, I was given a prescription to take Cardiac Therapy so I’m scheduled for orientation at Fairview Hospital next week….walking is so boring and a very low key exercise so I’m anxious to ramp it up a notch or two or three.

See you soon,

Tom

2-Week Post Op Check-Up

June 21, 2012

Visited the Cleveland Clinic yesterday for a post valve-job inspection. Had some blood-letting, still-hairless chest X-Ray, an EKG and an up close and personal meeting with a Nurse Practitioner (CNP & MSN & MPH). The results of all the tests were immediately available to the CNP, the Cleveland Clinic is very efficient. This level of nurse substitutes for my heart surgeon and is able to interpret and diagnose all of the tests and can write prescriptions. She reported that I’m doing very well considering and my healing is progressing as expected. She also had every one of my whining irritations covered with an immediate explanation and mitigation recommendation; I couldn’t stump her so I gave up trying.

She explained that my lack of appetite and problems tasting some foods was due to the lingering effects of the powerful anesthesia used for surgery; the effects can last for weeks and is normal. I have to wait for written approval from my Cardiologist before I can begin cardiac therapy (exercise) to help strengthen my cardio-vascular system. I see the Cardio guy in early July, until then I can only walk every day and blow into a hand-held, plastic Incentive Spirometer device regularly to keep the lungs clear. Pneumonia is the biggest post-op risk.

My chest X-Rays showing the permanent stainless steel wires holding my sternum together are normal and the surface scar is healing nicely. And still no lifting anything over 10 lbs and no driving until the 6-week post-op date (an air-bag event could be very harmful to my still healing chest).

Oh well enough about me!

And a Happy Birthday for our cherished Aunt June, 86 years young! See you on the 4th!

Tom