What a difference a year makes, it's been a tough road for you and Lydia, but look how well you are doing now. So much for both to look forward to, a son getting married and another son and his wife are going to make you a gd-father, and your 31 anniversary coming up, life couldn't be better. Just wish Paul could be here to share this with us.
Eric, Our last 2 Springs have been horrendous to say the least. April 2010 - your heart attack and May 2011 - your open heart surgery. I was dreading what this April/May would bring but we were happily surprised at what was to come. We are going to be Grandparents in December. Our son Josh and daughter in law Amber will be blessing us with our first grandchild and I am thrilled that you will be here to enjoy this new time in our lives. I am also looking forward to celebrating our 31st Anniversary. I love you, you still take my breathe away. xo :)
Hey Eric....way to go!! I'm heading into month eleven and am living as if everything is normal. Heavy labour, long days, catching up on everything that didn't get done whicle waiting for surg. After 3 days of full bore I take a day off to catch my breath and off I go again. Had a -10 yr
angiogram pre op so am taking advantage of my biologically young heart post op.
All the very best to you and your family with His richest blessings.
Eric Brenie Hi Darlene, thanks for stopping by. Hope Jeff's recovery is progressing well and you both benefit from the stories and experiences of others with similar heart ... Read more
Eric Brenie Hi Darlene, thanks for stopping by. Hope Jeff's recovery is progressing well and you both benefit from the stories and experiences of others with similar heart issues on this website. I am eleven months post OHS but all just seems like last week. If you or Jeff ever have any questions or just want some reassurance that all is "normal", just ask.... Eric
On November 29, 2011...
Eric...curious as to how you are doing now. Hope you are still kicking tail in rehab. Take care my friend.
Eric Brenie Hi JH, appreciate your concern. Yes, I am still plugging away at cardiac rehab but just can't manage to shed a pound. My CHIP personal trainers keep telling ... Read more
Eric Brenie Hi JH, appreciate your concern. Yes, I am still plugging away at cardiac rehab but just can't manage to shed a pound. My CHIP personal trainers keep telling me muscle is denser than fat so we'll just go with that. I went to get the Holter monitor put on at the hospital yesterday and have to go back today for removal. They said results to follow in a couple of weeks. My cardiac rehab trainers and doctors detected severe bradycardia as my heart rate drops into the mid-30's so the monitoring is to check bradycardia vs PVC's (premature ventricular contractions). Maybe they think I'm pregnant. Other than that I am having a real tough time dealing with the stresses at work. I'll email you the gory details. ... Take care for now.... Eric
On November 14, 2011...
It's been slow, but it's only been 6 months, and you have come a long way. Not losing weight could be the meds you are on or you have been eating to much smoked meat, etc., and not being as sharp as you were before surgery could be due to the anesthetic, that does take up to 6 or 9 months or so, to get out of your system. And those passewords will come back in time, don't forget you haven't been using your brain much (lol) until you got back to work.
Hey Eric...sorry to read about some of the issues, but I am certain you will get it corrected and be back to your best in no time. I know what you mean about all the passwords...if I did not write them down, there is no way I can remember them all.
Thanks for the update. Good luck on the 15th, I'm sure the numbers you want will be there, so keep up what you have been doing. Who knows, maybe soon you will be cooking dinner for Lydia with the fish you caught in the lake, so that's the next goal you have to meet, "fishing". And I want to see a picture of that catch. Good luck.
Way to go Eric! Good job and keep up the good work! Your walking distance certainly has improved, that's great. I'm very confident on August 15th you will get the numbers you want.
I agree..... never let a NO recevied from a medical insurance company stand in your way! :)
Hugs,
Cathy
Happy to hear you got your medical clearance to drive, so I guess your eye sight is better, but how is the speech going? So the the doctor didn't hear a murmur, that is wonderful. It won't be long and you won't need two tylenol at bedtime. Can't believe you have to go all the way into Mtl, on Atwater St to do your rehab.
Take care, and as the saying goes,
"Just take one day at a time:.
How's it going. Is your eyesight and speech getting better? Hope the pain has gotten a little less. So you're taken two 20 min walks every day, that's good, it won't be long and you will be doing two 1 hr walks every day.
Has my daughter let you back in the bed yet, or are you still sleeping on the recliner, lol.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Eric Brenie Actually, I haven't have a speech incident in over a week, although my eyesight is still a little wonky. I am supposed to keep my walks down to 20 mins until ... Read more
Eric Brenie Actually, I haven't have a speech incident in over a week, although my eyesight is still a little wonky. I am supposed to keep my walks down to 20 mins until I see my cardio next week and get his all clear to progress incrementally. Sleep is still an issue. The recliner is still my best bet but use the hospital bed once or twice a week. Lydia is never too far away. Thanks...
On June 1, 2011...
Hi Eric,
Thank you for reaching out to me and sharing your story. All of the info really helps put me at ease.
I wish you a continued successful and speedy recovery.
Eric Brenie Hi Matt, been reading your journal entries and expect you are probably going into surgery shortly. Good to see you are controlling your anxiety and glad if ... Read more
Eric Brenie Hi Matt, been reading your journal entries and expect you are probably going into surgery shortly. Good to see you are controlling your anxiety and glad if my words of encouragement have put you at ease. Looking forward to your updates. Good luck with your surgery today.
On June 1, 2011...
Hi Eric:
It was good to hear from you!!! Some words of comfort, "The pain passes but the beauty remains" --Pierre August Renoir
Hoping that your convalescence continues apace.
Peter W.
Eric Brenie Thanks Tia. It's so "textbook", it's scary. I find I am almost waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Seeing many steps foward and in anticipation of ... Read more
Eric Brenie Thanks Tia. It's so "textbook", it's scary. I find I am almost waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. Seeing many steps foward and in anticipation of a few back. Maybe it's just doing thorough research and knowing what's around the next corner or what potentially could be. Not to sound too philosophical. Glad to see you too are doing well. Once I am allowed to drive, I will be going into a cardiac rehab program in the Montreal area. Keep doing well and keeping me posted on your progress. Later .... Eric
On May 18, 2011...
As the day goes on, I hope that you feel better. You know what that saying is "Take one day at a time" and don't over do it.
Eric Brenie Thank you, Bernice. I am taking it easy and one day at a time. I am afraid to make any sudden movements so I feel as though I very carefully plan out every move/action.
On May 18, 2011...
Happy Birthday and many many more. The initial weeks proceeding surgery go so slow and we tend to measure everything in menial baby steps that inch us forward in progress however; this is the road to recovery and before you know it you will be fully restored and revitalized.
Eric Brenie Yes, Terry. You are absolutely right. I realize how important those baby steps are in a successful and speedy recovery so I am taking every precaution not to ... Read more
Eric Brenie Yes, Terry. You are absolutely right. I realize how important those baby steps are in a successful and speedy recovery so I am taking every precaution not to trip. But if I do, I will just hope it doesn't hurt too much, get up and move on to the next step. Thanks for the words of support and encouragement.
On May 17, 2011...
Hi Bernie,
Hapy Birthday! I hope you already got your treat. The best treat is that you are going home. Home, home? or will you stay at a hotel nearby for a few days?
Maria
Thank you to everyone for writing in Eric's guestbook. Nice to see you here Jim and Merilyn. Eric won't be home today but hopefully tomorrow. Jim, I will keep the steak to the size of his palm. Thank goodness he doesn't have big hands. Mom, I will have to look at the pictures and see the bottles and I cleaned the poop before we left so I hope there isn't to much more. Again thank you to EVERYONE for visiting and I am sure Eric will keep posting and checking up on all his new Heart Journal friends. Take care all of you.
Lydia
Now, you do have a wonderful site, only my computer ignorance did not allow me to finish my previous note.
And I do want to wish you good steps forward each day.
Look forward to having you back in this corner.
Merilyn
Eric Brenie Thanks Merylin. We should be up there later on this afternoon. RJ will cut your grass this weekend.
On May 16, 2011...
Going home right on schedule, well done. Enjoy the birthday party, but remember according to my dietician keep the steak to no larger than the palm of your hand.
Welcome to the zipper club. My bypass surgery Mar.10 exactly 2 months lead on yourself. We'll enjoy the summer at Beaven's Lake and compare scars
Jim Ross
Eric Brenie Thanks Jim. It was an excellent birthday supper. Now there are three of us in the Swail's Corner Zipper Club. Getting my staples out at the Vaudreuil CLSC at ... Read more
Eric Brenie Thanks Jim. It was an excellent birthday supper. Now there are three of us in the Swail's Corner Zipper Club. Getting my staples out at the Vaudreuil CLSC at 13:00 today, then on our way up north for Lydia's birthday weekend. RJ is driving and I can disable the passenger air bag along with my red heart pillow between the belt and my sternum. See you up there..
On May 15, 2011...
Your're back, is right, guess that happened when you saw the squatters at your home in
Arundel, they have dogs, so that means a lot of poop, and they also have beer, bottles all over the ground. That sure would get me up & out of bed real quick, lol.
I see your have your humor back, that a good sign, each day will be better, so just take one day at a time, and you will get there.
Great pictures of your big giant zipper, I guess this summer you will be going around with no top on, to show it, be careful you might get a bad sunburn on it.
So you like the food at the hospital, it's the best, it's good healthy food, coffee is great, now that might be good, what is the saying, it's so weak, it might put hairs on your chest, well, that would be good, it will hide the zipper.You just have to get someone to bring in a nice big smokemeat and fries, so sorry you can't have that, well Lydia can, you can watch her eat it, and tell her it's no good for her.
Well you take care, and it's like I said, just take one day at a time and you will see you will be doing more each day.
Hugs & kisses to you both, Bernice. xoxoxo
Way to go Eric, you've got the jam to do what it takes. Vintage ride in a couple of weeks? LOL
I think I mentioned the co-ordinators at St B Hosp are going to let me make the call for my op window. Too much going on with my Dad right now. Pretty neat, I call them, they say C'mon Down!
I so pleased that it's mostly "over" for you. They gave you a mechanical I bet. That's my
prosthetic as well. Hope they get the warfarin straigtened out quick. The best to you Eric. You're in my prayers.
Good morning Eric. Glad to hear you are doing well! The pictures weren't gross but they did give me a little image of what I will look like. It's good to see you have a sense of humor about the whole experience. Stay strong and God bless. Jon Farmer
I am so glad to hear you are doing better. Slow progress in the right direction is great. You will get there. I think that poor appetite is not uncommon after this surgery. Mine was not great after my surgery. Also, foods do not taste right for quite awhile. You were such a great support to me as I went through my surgery. Thank you. I am glad your surgery is behind you and you are now on the road to recovery. My prayers are with you and your family, Eric.
Tia Phillips
Eric, hold on to His hand, He'll never let you down. My turn is coming, likely sometime around the middle of or late July. Everything is going to me OK and you're going to be all right. You're in our prayers. CUDO's to your courage and the stedfastness of your wife and family.
Hi Eric and Linda, Keep your good sense of humor up. It will help you to go through. You are #1 in the Hit Parade! My prayers go out there for you. Maria
Hi Eric and Lydia,
Thank you for letting all us know everything went well in the OR.
I wish you the best and I can't wait to hear more. Hopefully the tube is out now and you are recovering nicely.
I'll keep you in my prayers.
Maria
Hi Tia.
Its great news that all is well,nothing can be rushed. Time is a good healer,so listen to what the doc's and nurses say .Will keep watching for your update.
God bless.
Alan.
Eric and Lydia,
I am so glad to hear that surgery went well, but not about the shocking part. It is good to know that won't cause any problems. It will get better once the breathing tube is removed. I wish you all the best and will keep you in my prayers.
Tia Phillips
So happy that it is finally over with and that the surgery went well. You and Lyd have been under so much stress. Now for a speedy recovery and get on with your life.
I know the next few days you will feel like crap, but it won't be long and you will be up and giving the nurses & Lyd a hard time. I was glad the two boys were with Lyd as it's hard just waiting for news on the outcome of the surgery.
Hugs & kisses from Calif., take care, Bernice.
Today was a long day. Eric arrived at the hospital around 12:30 where he was then told that they had ordered a lunch for him so he told them that he wanted his steak medium rare. The nurses and residents all know Eric and seem to like his sense of humor. Eric is in good spirits but was tired by the end of the day. He was ready for bed when we left him around 9. We will be there bright and early tomorrow morning as he is the first one on "the hit parade" as he calls it. I will keep you all posted as best I can. Eric and I really appreciate all your prayers and well wishes and we are thinking of all of you also.
Nice to hear you are scheduled for surgery in early May. I think one of the worse things is the unknown date, when will it happen, am I going to get sick before surgery is scheduled. We know we have a cardiac malformation that it is not going to get better so, let;s do it and get over with our lives.
I wonder if you develop any sx since the stenosis reached a severe grade. Can I ask you how many months have elapsed since it became severe and tiem for surgery.
I wish you the best and I'll have you in my prayers and thoughts.
Eric Brenie "Hi Maria, thanks for dropping by. Yes, you are right; the worst part is the waiting. In June 2009 my aortic valve area was at 1.6 cm2 (mild). A year later ... Read more
Eric Brenie "Hi Maria, thanks for dropping by. Yes, you are right; the worst part is the waiting. In June 2009 my aortic valve area was at 1.6 cm2 (mild). A year later in July 2010 it was at 1.1 cm2 (moderate)and on January 17th of this year it was estimated at 0.77 cm2 (severe) via angiogram. So the rate of closure in my particular case was about 0.5 cm2 per year. My major symptoms were/are shortness of breath and constant fatique. Some chest pain but not severe and only within the past couple of months. Last fall probably when it was just under 1.0 cm2 or severe, I really didn't think I would make it to my next echocardiogram which was scheduled for Dec.08th so I got an appt with a surgeon through a friend of a friend in the medical profession. But it was like finally getting to see the dentist and the toothache all of a sudden doesn't feel so bad. Anyways I got over that but must admit some days are worse than others. Other symptoms are acid reflux and I just can't stop gaining weight (I think that is fluid retention) probably caused by medications (plavix and beta blockers). I had a heart attack on April 27th of 2010 where my right coronary was blocked at 90%. They stented that and have no blockages as of my last angiogram (Jan.17). Thanks for the kind words of support. Ask any questions that come to mind to help guide you along... Best regards... Eric"
On April 9, 2011...
Eric,
It sounds like you have a very wise surgeon. My surgeon also said, when we were talking about the possibility of replacement with a tissue valve, that by the time this would need replaced, they would have perfected the procedure where they go into an arter with a catheter and replace the valve that way. I know they are doing that experimentally now. He said my repair could last a very long time. I wish you all the best, and will read about your progress often.
Tia
Eric,
I am glad to hear your date of surgery will be soon. I am also glad to you selected a tissue valve. If I had needed a replacement instead of the repair, I would have gone with a tissue valve, which is what my surgeon recommended. He said this is what he would choose if he had to have one and that there are dangers to the blood thinners you must take with the mechanical valves. I pray that your surgery date will be soon and that all goes well. I am sure it will. Take care and God bless you!
Tia Phillips
Eric Brenie Thanks Tia. I feel the same way; just want to get this over with and start recovery. I was flip-flopping between tiissue and mechanical daily and went in there ... Read more
Eric Brenie Thanks Tia. I feel the same way; just want to get this over with and start recovery. I was flip-flopping between tiissue and mechanical daily and went in there thinking mechanical On-X but saw my surgeon prefers the ATS 3f and he explained the risks of going off the coumadin every time I may need surgery which you have to seriously consider at this age. He says the horse tissue valve could give me 20 years and he's pretty sure by then they will have much less invasive valve replacements being the norm. I see you're in cardiac rehab; I think I will want to do that too. Even if just to make sure I'm not over or under doing it.Talk to you soon.... Eric
On April 7, 2011...
Hey Eric, may the peace of God keep you in the count down to ift off! I'll be praying for you that your surgery and post op recovery will be uneventful, that the Doctors and support staff will have Divine wisdom throughout.
Eric Brenie Thanks Paul. Hopefully lift-off will be within a couple of weeks. They still have to give me a week to go off my blood thinners before surgery.
On April 5, 2011...
Hi Eric,
You will be having your surgery soon. That will be good. You are in my thoughts and prayers. My recovery is going well. Take care.
Tia Phillips
Hey Eric...so my day is structured in the AM and then I start fretting if I have hang time in the PM....that;s when I start to fret and by 6 PM I am exhausted so lay down and crash, awaken refreshed....have supper,,,etc
tonight I found my alltime comfort music that kept me alive when my wife went to Minneapolis for 2 years to finish her master's...
it's the Pslams set to music....I listened to that for a little over an hour tinight...practised my breathing.....feel like a dish rag now....and am ready to go to bed....
....tomorrow will be another challenge but each day I'm getting stronger at being "weaker"....for me that means there must be a God...bless ya and I'm praying for you
Hi Eric,
I hope you are doing well as you eagerly await your surgery. You will feel so much better afterward. Take good care, and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tia Phillips
Eric,
That is fantastic news. I did great with my bicuspid aortic valve report and replacement of an aneurysm in the aortic root with a daicron graft. Best of luck to you! It is finally almost here! You and your family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.!!
Hi Eric, thnak you very much for your email. My aortic valve is 0.7 cm2 but I don't have any sx yet. My EF is normal as well as all the other cardiac functions and not LVH. I'm scheduled for an MRA at the end of March to accurately measure the size of my ascending aorta. I'm in a tough situation beacuse I don't want to have surgery yet but eventually I'll need it. I recently started contacting the nurses at the Cleveland Clinic to be ready for surgery if tehy saud that I need it now. At the same time sis hard to make a decision when I don't have symptoms yet.
I'm very happy I found this site and found all of you like me with same dilemmas, fears and hope. I really appreciate all your advice. Keep me posted about your surgery. You will be in my prayers.
Things happen for a reason. We had two cancellations and then we got to do your pre-op stuff all on the same day. If your other two appointments weren't cancelled we would have had to go back again and do the pre-op stuff. So it turned out to be a good thing that your two other appointments were cancelled. See, things happen for a reason. :)
Great news that things are moving foward again. I will assume that your Surgeon feels comfortable with early to mid April dates as a priority case. Is it possible you will be called earlier than that? Keep us posted when you get scheduled. xoxo
Hi Eric,
I think waiting and postponements are part of cardiac surgery. There are always emergencies, and these people cannot wait. I am disappointed that you and I both must wait, but I am glad that we are not in emergency situations right now and pray for those who are. God is in control, and everything happens for a reason. I wish you the best when you do get to your consultation appointment. Do ask any and all questions. There are no unimportant questions. If you are wondering about something, you should ask about it. My pre-op appointment went well but was longer than the three hours they said it would be. We were there nearly six hours, mostly to wait to be able to talk to the surgeon and anesthesiologist in person, which I wanted to do. I was able to get more of my questions asked. The more I learn and the more time I have to think, the more questions I come up with. The list of questions you shared with me was very helpful and much appreciated. Hang in there. I, too, am dealing with lack of energy, which for me has been present and getting worse for nearly 15 years, and I have only recently experienced the shortness of breath. The heart pounding is no fun, either. I know how frustrating it is to not be able to do the things you want to do. It is difficult to wait. I pray that you have had your last postponement and that you will have your next appointment as scheduled and then will be another step forward on the road leading to full recovery. Thank you so very much for your support and encouraging posts. I will continue to keep in touch. God bless you and your family!
Tia
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