Daneen's Guestbook

Daneen Douglas  Hi Lori! Thanks for the message!

I was going to be discharged after 5 days but that turned into 10 days due to developing afib and a pleural effusion as a result of the afib.  So, I would say 5-8 days is the average stay.  

The things I found helpful were a journal to record thoughts and symptoms and progress, podcasts and/or calming music with earphones, a thin robe, chapstick, moisturizer, hard candies or mints, and adult body wipes.  

Praying all goes well and your surgery is successful.  Please reach out  whenever and as often as you need to.  I found this group super helpful to me on my journey too!

Take care!
Daneen

Daneen Douglas  Thank you Sue!  I definitely will send you a message.  Mine is daneen3@hotmail.com.  It’s all I can do to work and sleep, lol!   

10 weeks!  That’s awesome! I’m just at 4 mos.  I remember 10 weeks.  I really just started feeling like I had energy at 3 months.  

Hang in there heart sis and make sure you are getting lots of rest to recharge!

Daneen Douglas  Sue, I haven't been on here much either but will try to be at least weekly. Thanks for checking up on me!

Wednesday afternoon I was rushing to rehab after working in my class all day. As I jumped out of the car I was hit with a severe case of vertigo. I grabbed the railing and just closed my eyes and rode out the ride. I was glad there was something to hold onto close by. Needless to say…. No rehab that day. I started school the next morning. In the heat and increased quick activity I am learning to slow things down and that is helping so far. Deep breathing, closing my eyes, and stopping for 5-10 seconds every once in a while has been helpful. I'm staying hydrated too. Hubby bought me an ice machine! We have a 5 gallon cooled water machine in our work area too!

I Just finished my 2nd full day with kiddos. I have a great class so far. Fingers crossed! Last year I had the worst class. Even with the kids being pretty easy at this point, I have been going to sleep early. Last night I slept 10 1/2 hours and could have slept longer. I think I will sleep as long as I can tonight! Going in to work now to work on things for the week to come!

How is your healing coming along? I've been thinking about you as well! Hope you are getting stronger each day!

Suelynn Hanegraaf  Welcome back to school, Daneen! Have they ruled out BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)/ear crystals that get dislodged and end up in a wrong ear canal?

Daneen Douglas  Suelynn, My neurologist said it was not inner ear but brain related, as in an anomaly with how my brain is sending signals because of blood vessel dilation and constriction to my vestibular system.  He is convinced it is vestibular migraines.   I have a follow up in a couple months and will see how I do in the meantime, document and see! 

Suelynn Hanegraaf  Hope things improve with the vertigo, Daneen.  I had heard about vestibular migraines being a cause. Praying that you get resolution. 💕

Daneen Douglas  Thank you Suelynn!  Looks like something I’m going to have to deal with.  The vitamin supplements and diet seem to be the only things to control the frequency.  I’m hoping as time passes and my body gets used to life after surgery, the frequency will continue to decrease.  

Suelynn Hanegraaf  Don't know if this is helpful, Daneen, but my ENT has made a connection - for some of his vertigo patients (including me) - to sugar/yeast overgrowth and dehydration. He has prescribed Diflucan or Nystatin and personally, a round of it typically improves my vertigo. Keeping hydrated, too. Continued prayers for you - vertigo is no fun.

Daneen Douglas  Yes!  Richard, I know.  I think so too.  Too much of a coincidence not to be related.  Every system is disrupted so the anomaly is probably open heart surgery!🤨🧐

I feel better at least, after getting every test known to man, in order to rule out any other cause lol! 

Daneen Douglas  Interesting Joyce! I hope you are doing well.

Suzette,   I find out tomorrow when I see the numerologist.  I had to wait a few weeks for the appointment after the test.  I will definitely keep you posted.  

I’m taking things day by day and doing things at home when possible.  I’ve had great help so that has been very welcomed. I’m resting today after rehab!  Movie and scrabble day with my folks!

Back to the grind tomorrow!

Suzette Schear  Hope all is going well I thought of you.  I read my results of mra n mri.  Tomorrow going in for blood work.  Did you say you had white spots on the mri? I forgot?

Daneen Douglas  What did your tests show?

Yes, my MRI did show white matter. He said it was consistent with small vessel disease. He says that it's normal as you age. Also, they will monitor the brain aneurysm yearly with MRA's. I will discuss the details with my cardiologist in August.

The vestibular migraines are not due to inner ear or any blockages, disease or stroke. So, he says it's an anomaly and something in my vestibular area that causes the vertigo. I still think something was disturbed or triggered with the surgery, but who knows for sure.

Thanks for checking on me!

Daneen Douglas  Thank you, Sue  for checking in!  Yes, life suddenly got real lately!  I see the neurologist on the 25th so I will keep you updated with the results.  I went into school today and with my husband’s help got all the heavy stuff done! 🥰

Daneen Douglas  Too funny Richard!  You need to stop using your phone after eating big juicy steaks 🥩.  Hope he’s ok.  Luckily dogs can eat a lot of unusual things and still be fine.  As long as he’s going #2 he should be great.  Hopefully he chewed throughly before swallowing!😳📱

Richard Munson  Hopefully so. I just had watermelon for lunch and offered him a piece. Turned his nose up. Maybe i should have put a verizon sticker on it. 

Richard Munson  We had ac in our schools back in the “day”. It was called open the windows with fans. Look how smart i turned out. Lol. Can’t ever remember missing a day or seeing anyone pass out.  Yes a little sweat is a good thing. I know i sound old. I also recall shooting baskets at the playground in july. Playground? Whats that.

Sue Maize  Haha Richard—I know, when we were kids we just lay in a pool of sweat at night and it was normal. I think there might be a slight difference, though, between Arizona July and Massachusetts or Ontario July! 🥵 Nice breeze here today but mercury will be rising again over the next few days. No complaints though, beats shovelling snow! 

Richard Munson  Sue you are correct. The only shoveling i want to do is the stuff i spread around with my bad jokes. 

Daneen Douglas  Definitely AC!!!😂😂☀️👍🏽

it’s been 10 weeks yesterday!  It will be exactly 3 months when I return to prep my class on the 22nd of July. 

Thank you, Sue!  I am feeling so much better.  Even though I don’t have my stamina built up yet, I have more energy than I did before surgery, I don’t huff and puff when doing activities, and I cool down super quick after any activity.  My heart rate does not spike and returns to the 70’s after exercise and 60’s at rest.  

How is your recovery going?  It’s been a few weeks now 3? Thinking about you daily, my heart sister! 💕

Sue Maize  Wow, the time really flies doesn’t it—can’t believe it’s been almost 3 months for you! I’m looking forward to greater stamina too—I get short of breath but I try to pace myself on my walks (translation: 🐢), and I use a walker for longer distances just so I can sit down and rest as needed. You reminded me Daneen that I do have more energy—I almost forget what life was like 3+ weeks ago when I had to nap or just not do very much because I felt so tired all…the…time.  I’m still a bit fatigued but as I sleep better at night, that gets better too!
 I’m so happy for both of us—we get this new chance to live fully and with health and vitality! Praise God! Please keep me posted on your next appt—I want to know what he suggests for this vertigo. Praying it gets taken care of sooner rather than later. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻
are you looking forward to school? I used to say July was like  Saturday and August was Sunday, because that’s when all the headspace was taken up with planning for the Sept start! 😄🍎

Daneen Douglas  Sue, I will definitely keep you posted. I am looking forward to school and getting back to normal and feeling better than before. But I'm expecting the feeling better than before will take some time as it's hot as &$#% outside and there is so much required leading up to and during the beginning weeks of school.

I can't believe you are almost 4 weeks! Each week will be so much better! I went from walking 2 houses to 6, to 12, to around the block in no time! I walked so many laps around my kitchen and dining as well. Now I'm walking 16 min on the treadmill at 1% incline and lots of other exercises for 30 min at a time at cardiac rehab. I am riding the stationary bike in 30 min increments at home too. Just look back at where you were the week before and you will see progress.

Thinking of you Sue, and cheering you on! Keep updating us and I will continue as well! Enjoy the here and now and take time to rest in that healing spirit.

Daneen Douglas  Interesting!  No I haven’t heart of that.  I met with the neurologist on the 27th.  Getting an MRA of the head and neck and bloodwork to rule out vasculitis, aneurysm, blockages, etc..  I haven’t had vertigo for over 2 weeks and am taking supplements.  Maybe my body has healed?  I will look pots. Thanks for the info!

Daneen Douglas  Just looked into it and I don’t think the symptoms fit because changing positions from lying to sitting or sitting to standing doesn’t affect anything and my heart rate and BP does not change.  I don’t feel lightheaded but I feel off balance and get random short lived bouts of vertigo (spinning only).  I think vestibular therapy is helping.  My neurologist pretty much thinks the bouts are a part of vestibular migraines since I get auras and occasional migraine headaches as well. Thanks for thinking about me.  How is your health, Suzette?  Are you feeling better or have you figured the cause of your dizziness?

Suzette Schear  Hi Daneen, I haven’t figured it out yet.  My cardiologist made an appointment for neurologists to get me in sooner.  My appt is tomorrow.  My cardiologist indicated he heard of pump head but really doesn’t know much about it, because he works with my heart which is fine except slight regurgitation where the repair was done. He told me that would be my neurologist  area. I asked about low blood pressure and was told it’s the amount of blood and how it flows slower and that wouldn’t cause these symptoms.  Been doing research on computer and came across pots which is part of  post trauma heart surgery. It sometimes happens two or three months after surgery so I’ll start reading up on that.  Also going to start looking at Mayo Clinic research/ findings .   I haven’t passed out which I’m grateful ,  some of the other stuff I still experience the shades of the silver auras are beautiful at least, just doing my best to cope .  I’m glad you found something that works or starting to work. 

Daneen Douglas  How did the neurologist appt. go Suzette? Been thinking of you. My appointment to review my MRA and bloodwork results is the 25th.  

Suzette Schear  Hi Daneen hopefully you get more concrete answers. How are you feeling with those migraines?  My neurologist and cardiologist don’t agree.  She thinks it my heart misfiring electrically but is going through her neurological tests.  I have a brain mri and mra scheduled for 7/23.  What do they do for mra? I don’t think I ever had one.   I’m struggling to find my grace, I laugh when I lose my balance or when episodes happen but inside I’m having a hard time adjusting 

Daneen Douglas  Hi Suzette! We seem to be somewhat similar for sure. The MRA is exactly like an MRI but shorter. Sunday I had my first major vertigo since I was at my dad's house more than a month ago. I think I was dehydrated after doing housework and bending up and down and sweating all day. I meet again with my neurologist on 7/25. They think vestibular migraine. He will go over my MRA and bloodwork he ordered. I did look at my tests. The bloodwork shows inflammation and the MRA seemed normal except there was a small aneurysm.🤪🤨. I'm getting way less auras too. I seem to be doing better overall with my vestibular rehab. They are really working on my core and balance. I notice a difference for sure.

that's interesting about your doctors not agreeing! That would be frustrating. I feel the same….doing well, then an episode brings
me back and takes away from all the progress. Please keep me posted with the results and I will do the same!

Suzette Schear  Hi Daneen I’m happy things are starting to get under control for you especially the auras migraines and balance.  Glad they found what was wrong and the it was a brain aneurysm  so they can monitor that.  Don’t let the setbacks set you back, you seem to becoming a long way from where you were.   I am so aware of every movement but still slip when I went to get a chair to pull up to my co worker.  I giggled but this is crazy Had a real emotional set back my landlords son had pneumonia & they found heart problems had ohs last week went home and didn’t make it.  Just found out yesterday.  So I comfort her as best as I can.  Called insurance and mri scheduling and they don’t have approval yet from insurance.  Been really on top of things.  Had a review at work and got an excellent one and they are grooming me for senior leadership position but  I have so many health issues I’m working hard not to show them.  Heart surgery was to fix things and my life got harder.  That why I don’t go on website so much I don’t want to cause negativity because my journey is a bit rough 

Richard Munson  Well, to all those smarty pants doctors that say its blood pressure dropping when standing up and in some cases it might be, but my vertigo the first time a week after surgery was lying down in bed watching tv. My second was on the treadmill after 1/2 hour. The 911 responders who arrived very soon after my first bout said my bp was great. 

Richard Munson  I think it is inner ear but what causes it may have different theories. Obvious not ohs in your sons case. My vision flipped after cataract surgery and they gave me about 5 potential causes but one of them was “ we have no idea”. They called that one post cataract surgery surprise. 

Suzette Schear  Thanks Richard I kind of agree with you .  It’s easy to label things.  The most expensive hospital stay to get new socks and find I don’t know how to stand up properly .  Kidding aside I was able to eliminate things but low pressure might be a contributing factor. 

Daneen Douglas  Suzette, Yes my bp was always great and only have had vertigo episodes while standing and sitting.  I haven’t found out my mri results yet but physical therapist did an evaluation today and determined it’s most likely vestibular migraines.  

since you are not spinning with your episodes it does sound blood pressure related for sure.  Have they discussed any treatments or medications with you?

Suzette Schear  No not yet.  But I’m going to research vestibular migraines.  I’m trying the slow moving positions. 

Daneen Douglas  They said it was most likely vestibular migraines due to seeing auras and being sensitive to light and sound in addition to the spinning and dizziness. Hopefully moving slowly is helpful for you!

Suzette Schear  I have always been extremely sensitive to light having green eyes.  Some of what your stating I’m experiencing although I only once had spinning.

Suzette Schear  Third rarest eye color but sensitive light has always been a problem.   Hey maybe the cardiologist can say it’s the green eye monster messing us up. 

Daneen Douglas  I'm doing very well except for the vertigo/auras I'm experiencing. Thanks so much for asking. I felt really great at 6 weeks. My stamina has really improved over the last 2 weeks. Now, my chest gets sore at the end of the day when I do a lot but my heart feels strong. I sleep well too after a busy day and wake up with no fatigue. After I get over the vertigo all will be wonderful. My breathing and edema is MUCH better than before surgery.

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt  That’s wonderful to hear that your heart feels strong and you wake up with no fatigue. Sorry to hear about the vertigo, that must be very challenging to deal with. I wonder how many patients are affected by that after OHS. 

Daneen Douglas  Too funny! Your roomie drowned out all the noise.   I didn’t have a roomie, but the constant beeping was insane.  

Daneen Douglas  You are a true blessing as well, Sue.  

Barbara, you are in AZ too!  I’m in Mesa. Where are you getting your surgery?

Daneen Douglas  Barbara, That’s great!  I’m 6 weeks post surgery tomorrow.  Doing well.  I had afib and a pleural effusion while in the hospital which were treated.  I’m walking about 6-7,000 steps per day- approx 3 miles or so.  I’m driving and going for doctor’s appts and short shopping trips, and out to eat occasionally.  I was at Banner Heart Hospital in Mesa.  I have some weird vertigo and ocular migraines but the medicine I’m on keeps it bearable.  Other than that I’m doing very well. 

Daneen Douglas  All the best to you Barbara. I look forward to reading updates during your recovery. I will be thinking about you and sending prayers and positive thoughts to both of you!

Daneen Douglas  That’s good to know.  Did you have vertigo?  That’s the symptom that is really difficult to manage.  Going to my post op check ups today and will be asking my cardiologist and surgeon about this.

My Coughing is nearly gone and the meds are continuing to manage my afib. 

I read your story and journal and hoping you are feeling better now.  I’m sorry your recovery was not as expected.  

Thank you for your encouraging words!

Richard Munson  I thank god that i have not had a vertigo attack since the 2 shortly after my surgery, 3 years ago. Its very scary. Once you have it, you wonder if its a ticking time bomb waiting to reoccur at a time and place least expected. Hopefully not driving. I was a little dizzy standing up last week and i said to myself, please god, not again. I don’t know how folks that routinely get vertigo function from day to day. 

Daneen Douglas  Wow!  I can’t imagine having an episode where I fall down.  Luckily I’ve been sitting when each of mine have happened.  I try to focus on something in front of me, I feel a wave of heat, sweat, spinning, then just before it rotates further it stabilizes but I have to sit and breathe for about 10-15 min until the heat, sweat, and dizziness dissipates. Then, I’m nauseas after that.  I’ve had very mild episodes the past few days, where just as it starts I can focus and breathe it away.  But, still makes me dizzy and nauseas. 

Rose Madura  Vertigo was one of the most debilitating things I ever went through. I stopped driving for fear I'd kill someone if I had a spell while driving . Once I had a really bad one as I was walking down the stairs. I had the where withal to grab the banister and sit down. It was horrible. That's when I got the referral to an ENT who really helped me. I'm like Richard, I sometimes worry it will come back.  

Daneen Douglas  Ugh!  No fun for sure! You went through that after your surgery too,Rose? Or something separate?  I think OHS throws all of your systems out of whack for awhile.

Rose Madura  Daneen, it was about three years after my surgery so I'm not sure it was related to that. I've been told it's one of those "as you get older" things. 🤔🥺😡

Daneen Douglas  Rose, Yes it kinda is. About a year ago  I had a couple bouts that lasted a few days.  These are different and short lasting, which is definitely preferable, lol!

Daneen Douglas  Yes!  This is a memorable one for sure.  It was definitely comfortable and uneventful, lol! Thank you, Sue!

Daneen Douglas  Meg, Thank you for the birthday wishes. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, and sending lots of prayers to your medical team, your family, and to you, Meg! Just think you will be able to look back at the time in the hospital as a memory!

My 10 day hospital stay was much longer than average but my afib and lung issue was able to be addressed while I was still in the hospital. I'm a little behind others, recovery wise but I can say, "Wow! My surgery was 2 weeks ago." It's a strange feeling.

You will be where I am in no time!

Daneen Douglas  Thank you Ruth!  I am feeling very warm almost always and feel best when it’s slightly chilly.   I’ll try that tonight and maybe try a nap that way.  I’ve only taken one nap after the surgery and it was fantastic!   Really don’t want to sleep during the day so I can try to keep the sleeping on a schedule.  I’m glad others feel similarly.  

Daneen Douglas  Ruth, sleeping in bed propped up with a fan and light sheets has been awesome.  It takes a long time to fall asleep at night but it’s getting easier.

Daneen Douglas  Thank you! I can't really sleep in the recliner well because it gets too hot. I was having trouble regulating my body temp. It's great during the day and if I want to take a nap. I was having a lot of anxiety but that's improving a lot.

I'm finding sleeping propped up on a pillow wedge with pillows on top is working well. The fan is helpful, and light sheets provide coolness. If I get chilled I have a soft throw blanket handy.

Trying to stay on a routine, waking up at 6- 6:30, walking ( very short distance) to the corner outside, meds by 7, breakfast by 8, breathing treatment and exercises by 9, rest, walk, breathing, etc.. then lunch, you get the idea. It seems to make everything purposeful.

Hope you are feeling a little better than you were. I know you were concerned. Did you talk to your doctor?

Anyway, that is the latest with me!

Sue Maize  I can see how important routine would be in recovery—lots of things to remember and prioritize. I bet we’ll appreciate every day when it starts to feel a little easier and we can do a little bit more. 
I have  a feeling my experience with the recliner will be similar to yours—I get hot easily and welcome the feeling of a cool mattress—maybe I’ll keep a bottom sheet in the fridge for a while before bed each night. 😅
Do you find you need help getting going with your walking, as in how is your fatigue? I’m a bit concerned about that because it’s been so bad pre-surgery. Are you managing okay with day to day things and do you have lots of help? 
You might find not eating refined sugar (or very little) and no caffeine may help with body temp too. 
I’m meeting with my gp on Tuesday—I’ll see what she says. Takes so long to hear from my cardiologist. Still super tired and am very aware of my heart, hard to describe, but it feels like my skin is very thin and it’s just under the surface thumping away. Please take good care of yourself and 
keep in touch Daneen. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

Daneen Douglas  The fridge idea is awesome!  I actually am doing 5 figure 8 laps around our kitchen, dining table and island each hour. Trying to get 3,000 steps each day.  Yesterday I barely made it with my walking plan, lol! 

 Yes, my stamina is very low but my vitals are awesome!  My heart rate does not go up high and comes down quickly after the walking, even though I feel out of breath after for a bit. All I wanted to do was sleep before my surgery and still did not feel rested. Now, it’s easier to get out of bed in the morning and I don’t seem to need as much sleep. I also feel rested when I wake up.  

I can make my own food, take care of my own personal needs, and slowly wash dishes and pick up around the house.  Still not doing laundry, cleaning, trash, or preparing dinner. My idea of light housework right now is folding two throw blankets, sitting down, hanging 4 shirts, sitting down, washing 3 dishes, sitting down., etc…not overly productive but ya gotta start somewhere

 Most of the food was bought and prepped by my husband so when he goes to work I can make my own food.  Dinners are mostly frozen, premade dinners by myself and friends.  They are heavy and require a crock pot or heavy pot so he’s doing that right now. 

All I’ve  been craving is fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, veggies, hummus, etc..since the surgery. I haven’t had any chocolate or caffeine yet and keeping things low sodium. I don’t have a huge appetite.  The only thing bad I’ve begun to crave is ice cream.  It’s my birthday today so ice cream is on the menu.  

Still losing close to a pound a day!  2 lbs under my pre surgery weight now. Did you know it takes your body 6,000 calories per day to heal from heart surgery? Crazy!

A lot of the thumping could be anxiety too.  I was very aware of my heart pre surgery as well.

I think it’s super important to get help with prepping food into manageable containers, and maybe getting a cleaning service or friends/family to come in and do dishes, laundry, and basic upkeep for the first 2-3 weeks after surgery.   During that time it is important to have some help.  I know you live alone so I’m hoping you have some friends and/or family close by.  

Thinking of you Sue! ❤️

Sue Maize  You’re the best Daneen—I always learn something from you! 🥰 It sounds to me like you’re making really good progress, it just takes time to get back to a normal rhythm (which eventually is going to feel great because our old “normal”  was heart disease symptoms!) 
I did not know that about 6000 calories a day to heal—now I wish I hadn’t! 😂😂😂….maybe I’ll just drag out the healing a bit so I can lose this spare tire! Lol
Thanks for the great suggestions, confirms some other things I wondered about—I’ve heard protein shakes with whey are good and wasn’t sure how much to prep and freeze so this is helpful. My friends are helping me with cleaning and laundry and scooping cat litter, etc. as long as I need it—hoping to go into a 10 day rehab program  after I get discharged when I’ll need the most help. 
I think your school year ends earlier than ours (end of June) so I hope you don’t plan to go back until next year. 
Thinking of you too Daneen and praying all continues to go well—I’m looking forward to hearing about that first post-op Zumba class down the road! 😁💃💕