Tom posted a note for Carolyn that says:
Carolyn,
Many thanks again to you and Our buddy Mary for pointing me to this journaling opportunity. It helped some before, but I think it has be a great tool to 'talk' with the outside world during recovery.
Have you by chance been following the journal of Rachel 'across the pond'. She has been thru so much. Vicki and I have another family friend here in Lees Summit that has been thru multiple heart surgeries since birth.
I started cardio rehab this past week. Slow and steady, steady and slow, but just getting out of the house is huge. I can't get into the surgeon until Jan 29, so I may not be driving until them. Although rehab is less than a mile from our house.
I'll keep you posted. Let the gang a work know I' m doing well.
See you sometime in Feb at the new building.
Tom
Tina Stone posted a note for Carolyn that says:
I am also thankful for the docs at KU, Carolyn , my daughter is doing great !!! God has blessed her and us. Love, mom
Hi Carolyn. It sounds like you are doing some good things to ward off the cardiac depression. Exercise. Sharing time with friends. Connecting with your mom. Those are good. Other things that may help. Take charge of aspects of your recovery. Figure out what beliefs you have that are making you depressed and challenge them. Give somebody else a hand. Ruminating not so good. Since you can only think of one thing at a time replace ruminations with celebrations. You've got a lot to celebrate. Take care -- DVB
I agree, cardiac rehab was wonderful. I truly was sad to see it end. It was so reassuring to be connected to the monitors and overseen by the medical staff. I think talking with others about what we have gone through is important. And I am proud to be able to say I have survived this monster surgery. I bought a T-shirt claiming "Mine Ticks" and I am a card carrying member of the Zipper Club! Embrace the moment!! And seriously, if you are unable to stay on top of this, please ask your doctor for help. It's great that you recognize a possible problem. I am not sure I would have been able to say the same. Keep us posted on your progress.
Debbie Argetsinger
Bicuspid AVR 4/2/12
Hi Carolyn, Have you been to cardio rehab yet? I think that helped me. Now that I am thru with it I am getting back down again. Just being around people and talking helps. Now I am going to start going to the YMCA hopfully and start back up. I do see you live in Kansas City. You are going thru a lot of bad weather there. If you could get away from that might help. If the roads are better now try and going to a mall and walking around. Just getting out helps. If it helps its cold here in SC also but the daffadols are blooming. If you can't get out try and watch some tv shows that are funny. A good laugh never hurt anyone. lol. Hope this helped.
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12
Hi Carolyn-
I'm just one week out from having my AVR surgery at St. Luke's in KCMO. I was reading your posts to catch up. I;m sorry that you're having some depression issues right now and I hope some others on here will have some good advice for you.
I noticed that you said you had "floaters" in your vision after the surgery and that you went to an eye doctor about them. I was wondering what you found out?
I have noticed my new little "friend", as I call it, floating in my vision field every once in a while. I just figure it must be some side effect of either anesthesia or pain meds that I've been on. I'm really not too concerned about it, but am interested in what the eye doctor told you. Hope your moods get lifted with the springtime. God bless you :)
Thank you, Jean Trausch (Kansan)
Carolyn Stone My eye doctor told me absolutely nothing. She said and I quote "They are normal floaters. No need to worry." The good news is they went away. I'm not seeing ... Read more
Carolyn Stone My eye doctor told me absolutely nothing. She said and I quote "They are normal floaters. No need to worry." The good news is they went away. I'm not seeing them anymore :D.
Interestingly I work with a Mechanical Engineer that used to work in the Biomedical Plastics industry. He was asked to design a filter for the bypass machine to prevent/or lessen such floaters. He said that the bypass machine has a stronger flow than your heart and can knock off plaque from the veins. He also said that he designed a low flow version of the bypass machine to also alleviate such issues. He said "Oh Carolyn have you ever looked up any of my patents on the subject" Which I hadn't then but have now. Here are his patents.
http://www.patentmaps.com/inventor/Christopher_M_Boykin_1.html
I'm guessing he was referring to #4 the low flow cannula? That's probably way more than you wanted to know. LOL,
Carolyn
On February 27, 2013...
Exercise is great for helping depression, indirectly raises your serotonin Journaling helps too, Talking helps too, I am here if you want to talk.
Carolyn Stone Thanks mom. I'm trying to talk to people when I find myself ruminating. Which unfortunately seems to have become a habit. I'm trying to keep a journal of when ... Read more
Carolyn Stone Thanks mom. I'm trying to talk to people when I find myself ruminating. Which unfortunately seems to have become a habit. I'm trying to keep a journal of when I ruminate so I can become more aware of it. Other then that I'm really terrible at keeping a journal. I'm not sure what to put it in.
Love,
Carolyn
-Carolyn
On October 17, 2012...
Your pretty cactus flower is blooming on your desk! :)
Carolyn Stone Aww how neat! Look forward to seeing it. I'm glad I get all this time to rest though before I do. I enjoyed a lit of healing and resting today. It was great.
-Carolyn
On October 16, 2012...
Hi Carolyn,
Right after my surgery I had times I was without my trusty pillow (my hospital didn't give me a heart-shaped pillow like others on this site - mine was a mini-pillow). When I felt a sneeze or cough coming on I would interlace my fingers together and press my hand to my upper chest. This helped ease the pain.
I'm glad you a recovering well. Hope you have better luck with a new eye doctor!!!
Hi Carolyn, Wow 2300 mi. I thought I was doing good at hitting 1500 with keeping the ball between the arrows. That is great. Getting out the first time is a little different isn't it. I'm doing pretty good getting out now but the first time was a littlehard. Well keep up the good work.
Mooing all over
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12
Glad everything is going so well. It looks like you are making a fast recovery. I only hope your rapid progress continues.
I'm only working two to three day a week now. I'm punished on Monday mornings after I return to work with all the e-mail for the days I have been gone. I hope to see you back before I retirer.
Carolyn Stone Thanks Lloyd. I hope I'll see u before u retire as well.
On October 6, 2012...
Was so much fun visiting you with everyone there! We'll have to do it again when i'm back in KS and watch more Doctor Who. Also, Unforked is amazing. :) Miss ya!
Carolyn Stone Sad to say that we can't watch Doctor Who until a new episode comes out in christmas. Maybe u could come over and work from Mom and Dads during the day and ... Read more
Carolyn Stone Sad to say that we can't watch Doctor Who until a new episode comes out in christmas. Maybe u could come over and work from Mom and Dads during the day and hang out with me next time u visit? Mom starting work again so it will be pretty boring with just me, Grandma, and the dogs.
On October 6, 2012...
Carolyn, I've just read your amazing story and journal. My 15 year old son, is scheduled for heart valve replacement in November. I pray that his recovery begins as smoothly as yours.
Well wishes for a speedy recovery.
Ryan Kukawski's Mom (Jen)
Carolyn Stone Hey Jen,
The waiting is definitely the worst part. Like they say on HVJ the waiting is like climbing a mountain but before you know it he'll be post op on the ... Read more
Carolyn Stone Hey Jen,
The waiting is definitely the worst part. Like they say on HVJ the waiting is like climbing a mountain but before you know it he'll be post op on the other side. Have u joined Heart Valve Journals yet? I couldn't find Ryan's journal. I also really recommend the book A Patients Guide to Heart Valve Surgery
On October 5, 2012...
Glad to hear things are going well. I thought we might be in cardiac rehab together but I can't start until six weeks post op which is the end of oct.
I was going to tell you that I was taking tramadol too and I started alternating that with advil and found out the advil works just as well but lasts longer.
Carolyn Stone Muehlebach. I just rated him in the surgeon directory on this website. Thanks for being there for me. I haven't felt the least bit sad thanks in large part to you :) love u.
On October 3, 2012...
Carolyn,
Glad to see you are doing okay, It gets better for sure. I Had my aortic valve replaced in may, I got a mechanical one. so I'm 5 months down the road, You will notice after the first month or so that things get a lot better. once your ribs start healing it will be good. I still have chest pain, part of the process I guess. I hope you have a speedy recovery. If you ever need someone to chat with feel free to find me on here or email me. jamesmarkrobertson@gmail.com
I was wondering how you were doing. So glad you are home. Would love to hear about your experience since I am exploring possibilities at KU Med myself.
Good job Carolyn! Keep walking and using that spirometer, it's very important, and before you know it, you'll be home taking walks around the house. Glad things went so well. Welcome to the other side of the mountain!!
Holly P
Glad to hear things are going so well...getting your chest tubes out this early is awesome...having those silly things caused me more pain than anything else.
Hi Carolyn and Jeff,
Wow !!!. Great job both of you !! We all breathed a big sigh of relief after Jeff's posting that you were out of surgery. Here's giving you a big hug :) Let me know when you are up for visitors.
Mary
Hi Carolyn and Jeff. Hang in there Jeff you have the hardest part is the waiting. Carolyn will will do fine. God is with her and you too. I just came home yesterday from the hospital so I know what it is like on both sides of the fence. She is on top of the mountain and when she wakes up she will be on the other side going down. And it is great. I'm finding lots of green pastures to graze on. Gods speed on her recovery. I'll keep you guys in my prayers.
Mooing all the way
Linda and Elsie AVR 9/19/12
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