Atom & Janet
Know I\'\'m being a pest, because I\'ve written a few times and haven\'t had an answer, but think of you two frequently and hope you\'re well. ...Read more
Atom & Janet
Know I\'\'m being a pest, because I\'ve written a few times and haven\'t had an answer, but think of you two frequently and hope you\'re well. Sure would appreciate even one line????
Fran z
Hi Atom & Janet
It\'s been almost a month since your last post, hopefully no news is good news and Atom is doing well? Bring us up to date, if you can and let ...Read more
Hi Atom & Janet
It\'s been almost a month since your last post, hopefully no news is good news and Atom is doing well? Bring us up to date, if you can and let us know how you are doing also. Think of you both.
Fran Z
Good Morning Janet
Thank you so much for your encouraging notes to me with my lung setbacks. Hopefully it\'s all behind me and I can progress with more walking ...Read more
Good Morning Janet
Thank you so much for your encouraging notes to me with my lung setbacks. Hopefully it\'s all behind me and I can progress with more walking and building my stamina. Cheryl had some great ideas for motivating Atom to get moving. Have you been able to try any of them? Is Atom overweight? Know that makes it more difficult, but hopefully each day is better than the previous one. Please take care of yourself, you are one very special mother!!!
Fran Z
Hi Atom,
I like your Mom\'s recovery forward sign off on the last message.
Sounds like things are getting better, day by day...it will take some time but ...Read more
Hi Atom,
I like your Mom\'s recovery forward sign off on the last message.
Sounds like things are getting better, day by day...it will take some time but the worst is behind you.
WALK, WALK, WALK..Try your best to push yourself with the walking it will help you get back to the normal, enjoyable things of life...
Best wishes,
JIM
Hi Janet
Sounds as if things are progressing, even if slowly. What does Atom normally do for fun other than video games and TV? You have a situation where ...Read more
Hi Janet
Sounds as if things are progressing, even if slowly. What does Atom normally do for fun other than video games and TV? You have a situation where Atom is relying on the walker to help him walk so obviously he isn\'t ready to get out to do a whole lot of walking on his own. If he is into video games, what about an outting to some video games at an arcade or getting out to a movie where he has to walk a ways to get to something fun.
If you have to walk too far with him and that is beyond his ability just yet, will your doctor let you apply for a handicap sign so you can park a little closer? It means you have to put more of your time into getting him on his feet but in the end, if you do have the time, it will be worth it. Is there anyone close by that you can trust him with to help getting him out of the house and moving? I\'m at least glad you aren\'t reporting set-backs. Keep strong.
Cheryl, Ontario
Good Morning Janet & Atom
Is Atom sleeping so well without sleep or pain pills? Wish I could do better. Sleep about 2 hours at a time, awaken for who knows ...Read more
Good Morning Janet & Atom
Is Atom sleeping so well without sleep or pain pills? Wish I could do better. Sleep about 2 hours at a time, awaken for who knows how long and then repeat the pattern. To get back to the cats, take it the poor female is not spayed? Seems like you\'re playing russian roulette, if not. What are your temps right now and when does the heat arrive? Yesterday was very humid and then rainy here. Did manage 2 fifteen minute walks in my home. Have an open floor plan so can kind of walk in a large oval and down the bedroom hall, and do it all over again. It works, but the scenery doesn\'t change.Hoping each day gets better.
Fran Z
Hi Janet
You are sounding so tired - you\'ve just got the weight of the world on your shoulders. Fran had some really good advice about resting when Atom ...Read more
Hi Janet
You are sounding so tired - you\'ve just got the weight of the world on your shoulders. Fran had some really good advice about resting when Atom rests if that is at all possible. Are there any alternatives to getting someone in now and then to give you a hand? You have to be able to care for yourself as well and stay as healthy as possible.
How is Atom\'s progress? Is he doing his breathing exercises and getting those walks in? I hope so. Perhaps the doctor\'s office knows of some home medical care that might take some of the load off. You could use a break.
Praying for you.
Cheryl, Ontario
Hi Janet
Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. Am sorry it didn\'t work out well with Atom\'s sister. Not knowing, I had hoped you would get ...Read more
Hi Janet
Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me. Am sorry it didn\'t work out well with Atom\'s sister. Not knowing, I had hoped you would get a well deserved break. With copd and all that entails I can see how you would fatigue easily. When Atom rests, seems that\'s when you should also rest. Just like when we had our babies, that was the only time to rest during the day. Of course, I had my third child before my oldest turned 3. But, being younger then, we could do anything. Even though Atom has some not so good days, overall do you feel he is making progress? I was told each day would not necessarily be better than the one before but overall there would be an improvement and there is. One thing I have really learned is how different everyone\'s recovery is. Did you ever get Adam\'s book on heart valve surgery? I just re-read the chapters on recovery and it made me feel better. i pray for you and Atom.
Fran Z
It\'s the old one day at a time routine...some days must be harder than others. The best thing is you are on the mend! Each day you are getting stronger and ...Read more
It\'s the old one day at a time routine...some days must be harder than others. The best thing is you are on the mend! Each day you are getting stronger and putting the healing hand of time behind you. Next thing you know we will be at a concert at the Hard rock!!!
Take care ,
JIM
Hello Atom and Janet
Wouldn\'t it be great if every day of our recovery would just get a little better than the day before, but just doesn\'t work that way. ...Read more
Hello Atom and Janet
Wouldn\'t it be great if every day of our recovery would just get a little better than the day before, but just doesn\'t work that way. So on the good days, he needs to do as much as he can and then rest up for the nest good day. Little by little, his good days will be more frequent. Hope the PC will give you some well needed answers. I am having some fluid drained off my lungs tomorrow morning as the cardiologist feels that\'s what\'s a big part of my breathlessness. So, am looking forward to a better night\'s sleep tomorrow. Maybe once they do a chest xray, they can make a good treatment plan. You are supposed to be resting more now that your daughter is visiting, right? Take care of yourself.
Fran Z
Hi Janet
Wish I could say something definite to help you figure out how Atom should feel but you probably will just have to wait to see the doctor and hopefully ...Read more
Hi Janet
Wish I could say something definite to help you figure out how Atom should feel but you probably will just have to wait to see the doctor and hopefully he can clear your mind a little. You are hoping the doctor has something scientific to confirm how Atom\'s body is handling things after the surgery.
So many of us couldn\'t say we felt \"all better\" this close after surgery because our bodies still felt so banged up and because many of us had lived with our sympoms for so long, we weren\'t sure how we were supposed to feel afterwards (what does all better feell like). I think many of us thought we\'d be running the mile in no time but instead found we were lucky to walk a mile. He needs lots of rest mixed with lots of walking - as much as you can get him doing and I can see motivating him without coming across as nagging may be where you are having a problem. As the caregiver you know he\'s got to move. Perhaps you can encourage a few of his friends to walk with him or something. You may have to get creative here. At two weeks home I wasn\'t walking all that far so just don\'t expect too much. The doctor should be able to give you some sort of walking expectation which might help. Good luck and stay in touch.
Cheryl, Ontario
I had fried chicken livers yesterday and man oh man am I paying the price today, the bad news is that I have left overs in the fridge.....I only sleep a few ...Read more
I had fried chicken livers yesterday and man oh man am I paying the price today, the bad news is that I have left overs in the fridge.....I only sleep a few hours at a time, just go with it, not much on tv at 3 am. I have purchased every item on the info commericals. My iron pill is the size of of a golf cart, so I dont like it either...Speaking of golf carts, What about Tiger?? I think his mind is not on the game maybe he is thinking about some other hole in one. One small step at time gets you closer to running!
happy boating
captain Bill
So glad reinforcements have arrived so you can rest and please do so!!! Blotting the fat away from the chicken is just the thing to do. Don\'t be too hard on ...Read more
So glad reinforcements have arrived so you can rest and please do so!!! Blotting the fat away from the chicken is just the thing to do. Don\'t be too hard on yourself. I\'ve lost ground myself, that\'s par for the course. There have been some that have had uneventful post op recoveries, but most of us have had something not go perfectly. Having been on coumadin for a LONG time, it is crucial it be taken every day. How often does he get tested? We will compare notes a few weeks from now and see how many baby steps we have taken to make progress. Hope you feel the long distance hug. Just got one a few minutes from my husband because I was feeling a little too sorry for myself (and that\'s not like me).
Fran Z
Hi Atom\'s Mom
You really must give us your name. I\'ve got to be much older than you and I\'m calling you Mom! Don\'t for a moment think Atom\'s just being ...Read more
Hi Atom\'s Mom
You really must give us your name. I\'ve got to be much older than you and I\'m calling you Mom! Don\'t for a moment think Atom\'s just being a baby about this surgery as the effects are bigger than all of us. You have only to read our journals to see what\'s been happening to us or the pain we\'ve been going through. Just this morning Capt\'n Bill posted his follow-up journal and even though Bill has a wicked sense of humor, you can easily read the healing process sucks big time. Read it - it will enlighten you plus give you a chuckle (William Thune).
I would watch the pain in the sides thing making sure that pain isn\'t anywhere near the lung area. Fran can probably say more about that. Most of us have had fluid in the lungs and Fran recently described it as trying to breath through a straw but often there can be pain associated with it so do keep a check on that. Other than that - Atom is going to complain about pain everywhere and it will change day to day. I swear they do everything but turn us inside out. The pains will come and go and show up elsewhere later.
I\'m glad your daughter is visiting and you\'ll have a little support for a bit. You need a diversion as well as you\'ve certainly had your hands full. Good luck.
Cheryl, Ontario
Hi Atom
So very good to get a posting letting us know you are out of the hospital and working on your recovery. Give yourself another week and you\'ll start ...Read more
Hi Atom
So very good to get a posting letting us know you are out of the hospital and working on your recovery. Give yourself another week and you\'ll start to see great differences in how you feel and how much you can do. Push yourself to a safe limit and don\'t stop your deep breathing exercises. They are going to help you the most. So many of our HVJ friends have had their surgeries right around you and they are all in different phases of recovery right along with you.
The worst is over and now you will battle for your future. It will look brighter as time goes by.
You are in my prayers.
Hi Mom
Wow - you must be exhausted from worry, stress and lack of sleep. Hopefully soon Atom will begin to sleep through the nights and bit by bit you\'ll see enough improvement where you can finally let your guard down and begin to relax yourself. You have been a pillar of strength for your son and I sincerely hope there is someone there to give you a big hug and lots of support as well. A mother\'s work is never done and you are doing a fantastic job.
Cheryl, Ontario
Hi Atom,
Spounds like you are right on track. I\'m March 17, (day behind Fran) and pretty much the same as she is doing. A year from now we will all look back ...Read more
Hi Atom,
Spounds like you are right on track. I\'m March 17, (day behind Fran) and pretty much the same as she is doing. A year from now we will all look back at this like it was a dream....I can\'t wait until I can get a full nights sleep....until then I count sheep
happy boating
captain Bill
Hi Mom & Atom
My surgery was March 18th and I am still dealing with breathing problems, guess we have to accept this healing process is longer than we expected. ...Read more
Hi Mom & Atom
My surgery was March 18th and I am still dealing with breathing problems, guess we have to accept this healing process is longer than we expected. Atom, know it\'s a drag, but am still doing my breathing exercise at least a couple of times a day and know it must be helping. Did they give you a little piece of equipment (spirometer) that you have to exhale into and raise that bar to a certain level? Last night I slept the best so far, considering I had been averaging 4 hours. So am hopeful you and I will both do better in the days ahead. I continue to pray for you, Atom. Use that walker and move around the house. Do you go outdoors at all?
Fran Z
Hi Atom
Hoping you are making great progress in your recovery and look forward to a posting soon letting us know you are okay. You are in my prayers.
Cheryl, ...Read more
Hi Atom
Hoping you are making great progress in your recovery and look forward to a posting soon letting us know you are okay. You are in my prayers.
Cheryl, Ontario
Hi Atom and Mom
Hope every day is better than the previous one. Know he\'s not up to running the halls, but, one step at a time.Praying and thinking of you ...Read more
Hi Atom and Mom
Hope every day is better than the previous one. Know he\'s not up to running the halls, but, one step at a time.Praying and thinking of you as we both go through our recoveries.
Fran Z
Hi Atom and family
Just dropping by to wish you all a very happy Easter. You have been in my thoughts and prayers Atom and I just want to say again to keep ...Read more
Hi Atom and family
Just dropping by to wish you all a very happy Easter. You have been in my thoughts and prayers Atom and I just want to say again to keep plugging ahead, stay strong and think positive thoughts as much as possible. I do hope this finds you much improved.
Cheryl, Ontario
Hello Atom & mom! Glad to hear you are pushing onwards in your recovery Atom! Keep up the good work and keep pushing - it WILL get better! Yes, it\'s very ...Read more
Hello Atom & mom! Glad to hear you are pushing onwards in your recovery Atom! Keep up the good work and keep pushing - it WILL get better! Yes, it\'s very painful but I promise it does get better!
To Atom\'s mom - Atom is so blessed to have you there for him! Just you being there to squeeze his hand, wipe his tears, and cheer him on will do wonders for his recovery. Hang in there! Am still praying for you guys!
God bless you both!
Kathy Jamison-Patnode
Atom all the best to you as you get stronger and stronger. In just 13 days I will be in the same situation and even though your are not perky and cheerful you ...Read more
Atom all the best to you as you get stronger and stronger. In just 13 days I will be in the same situation and even though your are not perky and cheerful you and I will know that the people who love us will understand. Keep the faith.
Sandy Gilbert
Hi Atom and Mom,
I am glad we heard an update from you, as I was frantically checking the site to make sure you were ok. As a mother of a child who had open ...Read more
Hi Atom and Mom,
I am glad we heard an update from you, as I was frantically checking the site to make sure you were ok. As a mother of a child who had open heart surgery, and now I also had open heart surgery, I can understand your feelings. We as mothers have a a natural instinct to protect our children, and when we watch them suffer it breaks us in two. Remember there are a lot of prayers being said for Atom\'s recovery.....you are not alone. Please keep us updated.
Theresa Callanan
Go Atom.. Everyday you will do better and feel even better than the last. Lots of small steps make one big step!!!! In a few months this will a dream...
Rock ...Read more
Go Atom.. Everyday you will do better and feel even better than the last. Lots of small steps make one big step!!!! In a few months this will a dream...
Rock on and Happy Boating
Captain Bill
I am from: henderson, Nevada
