Carlos,
How are you doing? Are taking it slow? Your body took some major trauma. You may feel good, but you need to let it heal.
Hope you're doing well.
There's no race! Take it easy you bastard! 45 minutes at 3.0 and gradient 3.0 isn't too bad, IF YOU WERE 6 WEEKS POST OP!! Take it easy until you talk to ...Read more
There's no race! Take it easy you bastard! 45 minutes at 3.0 and gradient 3.0 isn't too bad, IF YOU WERE 6 WEEKS POST OP!! Take it easy until you talk to your Doctor. Lose the 3.0 gradient.
Don't make me come over there!!
Carlos Lueck Erica got on me too, Ernie. I will take it slower until I talk to my doc. This whole process is defin ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Erica got on me too, Ernie. I will take it slower until I talk to my doc. This whole process is definitely teaching an impatient person patience!
Hi Carlos, remember to take it easy and heal. Cool scar if I couldn't have had my really neat scar down the center of my chest I would have gone for your's. ...Read more
Hi Carlos, remember to take it easy and heal. Cool scar if I couldn't have had my really neat scar down the center of my chest I would have gone for your's. Hope you're doing well.
Carlos Lueck Thanks Jeff. Taking it slow is harder than it seems. I'm a hard headed one!
Carlos
Great report. I am delighted that you are healing so well. Yes, it is frustrating to hold back but you are right. This is just a drop in the bucket. ...Read more
Carlos
Great report. I am delighted that you are healing so well. Yes, it is frustrating to hold back but you are right. This is just a drop in the bucket. I have also been frustrated. But, we need to let our hearts and bodies heal. You have great days ahead, Carlos. Keep it up!
Carlos Lueck Thanks Jim. Hope you're feeling great. Your reports are great and informative for everyone on this si ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Thanks Jim. Hope you're feeling great. Your reports are great and informative for everyone on this site. Heal well, talk to you soon.
sounds like you are doing great but take it from me, dont push the exercise and the "doing things" you need to listen to your body and take this time to relax ...Read more
sounds like you are doing great but take it from me, dont push the exercise and the "doing things" you need to listen to your body and take this time to relax a bit. you do deserve that after this! at least you have nice weather out there to recover in, Im in Pennsylvana where its cold and wet.
anyway glad you are feeling good...
Carlos Lueck Thanks Sandy. Trying my best. Weather was good, but it did snow out here in the desert last night! No ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Thanks Sandy. Trying my best. Weather was good, but it did snow out here in the desert last night! Not quite as cold as Pennsylvania but chilly. Thank you for the post, I appreciate it.
Damn. That IS a sexy scar. You got it going horizontal and off to one side and not too long. Just the right size and place where you can make up stories like ...Read more
Damn. That IS a sexy scar. You got it going horizontal and off to one side and not too long. Just the right size and place where you can make up stories like how you got stabbed in the chest while stopping a guy from mugging an old lady. Or maybe you were impaled in the chest while saving a child from a burning building that was collapsing around you. Or stabbed while using your martial arts fighting a group of Ninjas. My scar is big and runs vertical down my chest, so it pretty much just looks like I had open heart surgery.
Heal well, and happy Thanksgiving.
Carlos Lueck Lmao!!! You're too funny Ernie, but right. Way more possible cool stories than yours. Happy thanksgiv ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Lmao!!! You're too funny Ernie, but right. Way more possible cool stories than yours. Happy thanksgiving to you to! Hope you have a good holiday season. Take care.
Carlos,
Glad to hear your surgery went well after your surgery was delayed. You are on your way to recovery! I had surgery Oct. 8 and am feeling great!
Carlos Lueck Thanks Carol! Feeling better everyday! Glad to hear your doing great as well!
Let's see a picture of that sexy chest scar.
I had a full sternotomy, so I got the big scar, which is fine with me.
Have a good Thanksgiving and heal well. ...Read more
Let's see a picture of that sexy chest scar.
I had a full sternotomy, so I got the big scar, which is fine with me.
Have a good Thanksgiving and heal well.
Carlos Lueck Got those Pics up for you Ernie! Scar looks Great. What a great Surgeon I had. Very happy with the ou ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Got those Pics up for you Ernie! Scar looks Great. What a great Surgeon I had. Very happy with the outcome. And a happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Hi Carlos,
I was able to go home on day 3 too...not many do! Like you, 90% of my pain was from those horrible chest tubes...felt almost immediate relief when ...Read more
Hi Carlos,
I was able to go home on day 3 too...not many do! Like you, 90% of my pain was from those horrible chest tubes...felt almost immediate relief when they came out! Keep doing what you're doing and you'll be back on your feet in no time!
Carlos Lueck Thanks Mary. I consider myself very fortunate. And dang those chest tubes! Thanks again.
Glad to hear you are out of the hospital and on the recovery train. Recovery from valve surgery is not a linear progression. You'll have good days and bad, ...Read more
Glad to hear you are out of the hospital and on the recovery train. Recovery from valve surgery is not a linear progression. You'll have good days and bad, so be patient and take it slow.
Erica
I am using MedCoach on my iPad for the medicine. I may have paid .99 which will be the cheapest part of the surgery. I have found it invaluable. there ...Read more
Erica
I am using MedCoach on my iPad for the medicine. I may have paid .99 which will be the cheapest part of the surgery. I have found it invaluable. there are just way too many pills and times to keep track of to do it easily any other way other than an app. My best to Carlos and you.
Erica thanks for the update and great to hear Carlos is doing well. Keep him moving, slowly at first, walking after heart surgery helps you feel good emotionally ...Read more
Erica thanks for the update and great to hear Carlos is doing well. Keep him moving, slowly at first, walking after heart surgery helps you feel good emotionally and physically. Do encourage Carlos to eat and drink all that good stuff to help keep him "regular". Walking (some) resting and healing are the short term goals. Staying on top of pain meds and on schedule with them is also a big help in recovery. And take care of yourself too Erica.
Carlos Lueck That is more good and welcomed advice. We are hearing of great apps out there that will keep track a ... Read more
Carlos Lueck That is more good and welcomed advice. We are hearing of great apps out there that will keep track and remind you of when to take your meds. He has discovered how important that is because he has felt some of the pain from going too long between meds. Our 2 kids will definitely enjoy our walks, albeit short ones, that we'll have to take each day with him.
Thanks too for the reminder to take care of me too. Its easy to forget about yourself with everything going on and having to make sure everyone's needs are met. I will remind myself to take some down time for myself.
Thanks for the update Erica. You make that bastard take it SLOW! He's going to have to be real patient and take it slow and easy. Since he's young and active, ...Read more
Thanks for the update Erica. You make that bastard take it SLOW! He's going to have to be real patient and take it slow and easy. Since he's young and active, he's probably going to want to do too much too soon. He's got to take it slow to heal quickly. Take the pain meds on a regular schedule. Get good protein and calcium for healing. Use the hell out of the spirometer. Prune juice, Dulcolax and plenty of fiber to keep things moving.
Looked at the photos. Good looking dude. He can be the centerfold when we do the calendar for "The Men of Heart-Valve-Surgery.com". I've got to drop 20 pounds and do a few sit ups and push ups to get to be Mr. September. (and dye the grey out of my beard).
Good luck and good healing.
Carlos Lueck Thanks for all of that great advice. I'll make sure that Carlos follows it and that we have enough o ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Thanks for all of that great advice. I'll make sure that Carlos follows it and that we have enough of the good stuff to keep things moving.
I'm sure you'll be amazing as Mr. September. That's awesome that you have a calendar!! ;) But I do agree with him being a great looking guy and in great shape. All the more reason why its important for him to take it slow and be patient with his progress. Even though he thinks he can do something, doesn't mean he should. He needs to know and respect his limits.
Read my post after I sumitted it and No I am not sprinting down the hall and neither should Carlos. Ooops!
Carlos Lueck I'm glad you made a mistake....it made me laugh and I needed that. After your recovery, a nice slow ... Read more
Carlos Lueck I'm glad you made a mistake....it made me laugh and I needed that. After your recovery, a nice slow shuffle down the hallway may feel as victorious as a sprint.....so "sprint" away :)
Susan Smith, pre-op and waiting posted a note for Carlos that says:
Erica so very happy to hear that Carlos is on the recovery side of surgery. Don't let me do sprint down the hall, not yet. Do continue to keep us posted.
sorry about your delay but everything happens for a reason... I am 12 weeks after my second valve replacement and doing well. You will too.... i had a bicusp ...Read more
sorry about your delay but everything happens for a reason... I am 12 weeks after my second valve replacement and doing well. You will too.... i had a bicusp AV as well with severe stenosis. the waiting is the hardest part but be a peace knowing this surgery though certainly serious, has a low rate of complication.. keep writing and best to you!!!!
Carlos,
Your story sounds so similar to mine (diag 7/22, surg 10/3). I imagine the toughest part of this surgery for you will be not being able to lift anything ...Read more
Carlos,
Your story sounds so similar to mine (diag 7/22, surg 10/3). I imagine the toughest part of this surgery for you will be not being able to lift anything over 10 lbs for 12 weeks. Don't freak out when the afib comes, it is normal reaction and I think more pronounced for us Bicuspid guys. Deep breathing through your stomach (per renowned authority at Duke).
You got this brother.
Carlos Lueck You're so right Sidney! I have nightmares about being idol for so long. As well as taking pain Meds, ... Read more
Carlos Lueck You're so right Sidney! I have nightmares about being idol for so long. As well as taking pain Meds, I'm so against that. I'm not really worried about the surgery but what comes after. Thanks for the advice, I'll do my best to lay low!
Hi Carlos,
Honestly! What?! Sorry for the delay- very unsporting of your surgeon. Don't go away too far- you will be back in the batters box soon. All the best, ...Read more
Hi Carlos,
Honestly! What?! Sorry for the delay- very unsporting of your surgeon. Don't go away too far- you will be back in the batters box soon. All the best,
Carlos Lueck Thanks Lynn. Hopefully it's sooner than later!
Carlos! I am so sorry to hear this. As they say, you just can't make this up. In all our minds, the date is the date! I know you can recalibrate and get ready ...Read more
Carlos! I am so sorry to hear this. As they say, you just can't make this up. In all our minds, the date is the date! I know you can recalibrate and get ready for your next date. Please let us know when it is set. I am sure in your active life you will find a lot to do to use the time well. All the best, Carlos.
Carlos Lueck Thanks Jim! Keep us in the loop with you as we'll. let's us know how it goes on the 5th
Hi Carlos,
You will be in my prayers. I am currently playing the waiting game. BAV with mod/severe stenosis. I feel very fortunate to have found this site. ...Read more
Hi Carlos,
You will be in my prayers. I am currently playing the waiting game. BAV with mod/severe stenosis. I feel very fortunate to have found this site. It is very comforting to communicate with others who are in the same boat. Good luck on Friday and I look forward to reading about you recovery.
Carlos Lueck Thanks leticia. Keep us updated on your progress!
Hey Carlos
Welcome. You are right, this site is wonderful. We are all here for the same reason. Everyone has been incredibly helpful to me. My date is 11/05. ...Read more
Hey Carlos
Welcome. You are right, this site is wonderful. We are all here for the same reason. Everyone has been incredibly helpful to me. My date is 11/05. Please keep posting your progress. Wishing you the very best outcome, Carlos. You have many more competitions to win!
Carlos Lueck Thanks Jim. I think we are all here for the same reason too. Good luck, I'll be looking for your prog ... Read more
Carlos Lueck Thanks Jim. I think we are all here for the same reason too. Good luck, I'll be looking for your progress as well! Thank you for your support.
Hi Carlos,
I will put you on my list to follow through surgery and beyond. I had surgery on Oct. 8 (I've been the featured patient for awhile on this site) ...Read more
Hi Carlos,
I will put you on my list to follow through surgery and beyond. I had surgery on Oct. 8 (I've been the featured patient for awhile on this site) and I am doing great. It's wonderful to be on the other side of surgery after 5 years of monitoring. Good luck to you on Friday.
I am from: Las Vegas, Nevada
