Daneen's Guestbook

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.

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! 😁💃💕

Daneen Douglas  Sue, thank you for your heartfelt message and encouragement.  Getting ready to hop in the shower in about an hour and start preparing for bed.  7:30 our time right now.  🩷🙏🏼🥰🥱😴

Daneen Douglas  Thank you, Pam! Prayers for your husband on Tuesday!  Look forward to your updates as well!.  🥰🙏🏽