Janet's Guestbook

Nancy D  welcome home!! Good idea to keep the dogs boarded a bit longer...now is the time to take care of you first! Rest, adjust to being home, and take good care!

Elaine Foster  So glad for you. The worst is over, take it a day at a time and before you know it you will be good as new.

Joan Napier  That is wonderful news Janet! Keep us posted on your progress. Positive thoughts and prayers for you for a very smooth recovery! Joan

Eleanor R  This is really good news, janet. I am so glad the surgery went well for you and that you are home. I know the pups will do a happy dance, too. Now the active part of healing begins, but I am confident you will also do great in that. You will quickly see what you can and can't do. Use the dreaded spirometer, and do small walks, whatever the home visitors advise, and I hope you can take cardiac rehab a bit later on. I'm in the midst of it and it really helps to get back in shape, in a safe and monitored environment. I'm doing great, and celebrate that you are too! Eleanor

Janet Underwood  I'm feeling great, Linda. Ready to go and put this behind me. It turns out that my friend who will be taking care of my classes while I'm in the hospital had this surgery two years ago. His was for a leaky aortic valve, but same dif in the surgery. I'm feeling very positive and very supported by my friends and medical team. Everything has come together perfectly.

Janet Underwood  Good idea, Eleanor! I'll be sure to ask. There doesn't appear to be a Mended Hearts chapter here in KC, though. Oh well....The nurse told me the harness supposedly works better than the pillow, but she also said that if it doesn't help me, I can just take it off, so as I read your post, I was thinking that it probably would be a good idea to take a small pillow with me "just in case." Thank you so much for thinking of me! I hope you're doing well!

Janet

Eleanor R  Who used the harness is Terrie, I recall from her journal, and I actually thought of buying one before surgery, but then I was told I would have the mini sternotomy and I thought I wouldn't need it. Well, the incision is smaller, but the muscles and nerves get moved around anyway and something was needed, especially with sneezes and coughing. I don't know if you have a dry cough or not, I didn't until right before surgery, as a symptom. Shortly after surgery it continued, and the ICU nurses wanted me to cough, to avoid pneumonia, and anything to brace your sternum is great. You should do well, I will be thinking of you. I am now 3 months after surgery, driving, back to volunteering at the local first grade, walking my 9lb. dog (in the photo) and driving, which I really missed. I hope you have a steady recovery, sounds like you're on top of things. Eleanor

Janet Underwood  I do have a dry cough and have had it for a few weeks, but like everything else associated with this, I attributed it to anything but my heart (I thought it was allergies). The nurses have already told me about the coughing. I had to do that when I broke a rib and know it can be painful, but it's a lot better than getting pneumonia. Thanks for your well wishes!
Janet

Janet Underwood  You're so sweet, Linda. Yes, surgery is still on for the 23rd and frankly, I don't think it's a minute too soon. SOB is getting much worse and even doing simple things around the house wears me out and I break into a sweat like I was doing hard labor. I went in yesterday for pre-op tests and stuff so that when I get there on Thursday morning, they can just prep me for the surgery and the surgeon won't have to wait for any test results. I'm a bit disappointed, though. I was looking forward to getting a cute heart pillow. Instead, St. Luke's puts a harness with handles on heart patients and when you cough, you pull the handles together. Definitely not a fashion statement. LOL! Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts. Take care.

Eleanor R  Hi, Janet, I am thinking about you and counting the days along with you until your surgery. Like you, the last couple of weeks were hard on me. I was bending over a lot in the garden, weeding and picking up twigs and stuff, and just that little exercise would make me out of breath, to say nothing of climbing the stairs to bed each night. There were a couple of nights when I wondered if I would make it to the surgery, as I was getting very short of breath, and scared. I made it just fine, and you will too. I wish you the smoothest of surgeries and recoveries, and that you are soon at home taking care of your little brood of pups. Best wishes, Eleanor

Janet Underwood  Are you reading my mind again, Eleanor? (smile) As I was talking to my friend Dana this evening, she asked me if Dr. Borkon told me how bad my heart really was when he said I had the worst of the day. I told her no and furthermore, I didn't ask. I plan to ask after the surgery, but not before because I know I'd just worry. It's almost here and this cloud over my head will soon be gone! Oh -- I got my hair cut short today. I like it lots and know it will be ever so much easier to take care of while I'm recovering. Take care.

Janet

Janet Underwood  Thank you, Linda! I was getting a bit overwhelmed by things so I decided to step back and simply focus on what my doctors were telling me. I met with my surgeon last Monday. Really nice guy. Turns out that my condition is critical and so my surgery has been scheduled for Oct. 23. Lots to get done before then. One of the nicest things ever is that my VET has offered to drive me to the hospital. I was going to drive and leave my car in the parking lot, then my friend Dana was going to bring someone with her when I was released from the hospital to drive it home. Since the hospital where my surgery is to be done is quite a distance from my home, that means my vet has to pick me up at around 5:15 a.m. to get me there by 6, and then drive back to his clinic to do his work. Totally unexpected and deeply appreciated because I may be a bundle of nerves that morning. Meanwhile, I'm amazed at how many people in my "world" think that open-heart surgery is out-patient surgery and I will only be out of commission for a day. LOL!

Janet Underwood  What a sweet note, Bob! Thank you! I truly appreciate your support. Sorry I've been away for a few days. I was getting overwhelmed and decided that I needed to step back and focus solely upon what my doctors were telling me. When I met with my surgeon (finally!) last Monday, I was the last patient of the day. He's a really nice, calming type of person and I like him lots. Good thing because he told me that he had seen lots of people with stenotic aortic valves that day, and mine was by far the worst. My "prize" was that I was put at the top of the list for surgery. Mine is scheduled for October 23. I go back this Friday for pre-op lab work. I'll sure be glad to get rid of this cloud over my head! Take care.

Janet Underwood  Thanks, Linda. I'm really enjoying being lazy today. I have to catch up with my classes, but I'm answering a couple of posts, then taking a nap, answering a couple more, than take another nap. LOL!

Adam Pick  Linda, Awesome suggestions for Janet (and everybody else reading this)!!! I had never heard of "Dial-A-Ride" before. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and your love!

Eleanor R  Linda, you are so right about Mended Hearts. I would google them and the American Heart Association for branch offices near you Janet. And, check with the social work office at the hospital for further ideas, for you cannot be the first patient this has happened to.

Janet Underwood  You guys all are so awesome! The problem has been resolved, though. A social worker at the hospital suggested a transportation service called OATS (Older Adults Transportation Service) that we have here in Missouri, but warned me that they are pretty much only catering to Medicaid patients these days. She also suggested calling a taxi service called Ten-Ten, but hesitated when I asked if the hospital would let me go home in a taxi. A few phone calls later, I discovered that the answer was, as I suspected, NO. They don't care how I get there, but they will only release me to someone who has an affiliation with me who will be able to listen to the instructions and remind me of what I'm to do and not to do if I'm still a bit out of it. As I was going through all of the options, Dana called. She appreciated that I've made arrangements to get to the hospital in the morning but said that she's cleared her calendar so she will be available to pick me up when they say I can go home -- even if it's in the evening. Crisis averted! But I'm going to look into Mended Hearts and see if they have a chapter around here. Thank you so much everyone!

Eleanor R  I am glad you got it arranged Janet, and I hope your friend realizes you cannot keep postponing this test. It is good to have options, and contacts now with taxi and transportation services. Maybe Dana can take someone with her to drive either her car or your van home, when she picks you up. Hope it works out well for you, I know how annoying it is to have to rely on someone else, when you sound much like me, a very independent woman. Best wishes. Eleanor

Janet Underwood  Thanks, guys, I'll be taking the taxi to the hospital and then Dana will pick me up and bring me home, so I don't have to worry about getting my car home from the hospital. I'm thinking of this as a kind of a practice for the surgery, which will be at the downtown KC hospital.

Janet Underwood  Thanks, Adam. I really enjoyed talking to you too. You're doing a wonderful thing here and I know it's a really big job. I really meant it when I said to feel free to enlist me to help you. I would be honored.

Janet Underwood  Thanks! I didn't know the photos would show up in the news feed, but I'm glad you enjoyed their pics!

Janet Underwood  Sometimes, I get a good reminder that my pups are much more resilient than I give them credit for being. When my husband was admitted to the hospital after the cancer spread quickly, he was in there for more than a week and he wanted me with him 24-hours a day. I worked in some time in the mornings to go turn out my dogs and feed them, but taking care of them in the evening was tougher because my husband needed me to help him eat. A woman from his office volunteered to go turn them out and feed them in the evenings, and then around 10, I would run home to turn them out for the last time before they went to sleep. Every time I went home to turn them out for the last time of the day, they were happy to see me, of course, they also acted like "we've got a secret." You see, the woman brought her two kids with her to take care of them and I guess everyone had a big play time in the backyard.

Then more recently -- like this week -- one of them developed a cyst between his pads. The one that it happened to is a really big baby who gets frightened when "weird things" happen. When the bandage came off his foot three times in one day (Sunday, which meant I had to take him to the ER to have it rewrapped), the vet put an e-collar on him. I figured that would really freak him out. Instead, he came out all happy and proud of his new collar. He was doing so well with it, I decided to take it off for a little while the next morning. Big mistake. I tried to get it back on him for over an hour before I gave up and took my him, the collar, and my bloody hand (he bit me) to the vet to see if they could get it back on. It wasn't any problem for them, so I decided that was it -- it's staying on until the foot is healed enough to take it off (next Monday). I decided to harden my heart and not feel sorry for him. Well, he's done great! He has a very short nose because he's a Shih Tzu, but he's learned how to navigate the stairs, drink from his water bottle, and even get himself untangled when the collar gets caught on something.

All in all, I feel pretty confident that they will do everything they can to charm the people who take care of them while I'm incapacitated, and probably will have a great time!

I understand what you're saying about the depression and loneliness. I'm not sure how I'm going to care for myself when I get home either, but we'll work it out, Karen. I don't know if you're a religious person, but I've found that when the going gets really tough, God always sends someone or something into my life to help me get through it. Take care and do something ridiculously nice for yourself every now and then. (My ridiculously nice thing is buying Evian water when it's on sale at CVS so I'll have it to drink while recuperating.) Take care and feel free to reach out to me if you wish!

Janet Underwood  My family say they want to help, but their idea of "help" is to pray for others. They're not much into actual hands-on stuff. LOL!

I'm planning to see if I can stay in a rehab hospital for a week and also will be looking into having some home health care. Plus I have the name of a pet sitter that I hope will come by and walk my dogs. (They're staying at the vets while I'm in the hospital and if I get to stay in a rehab hospital for the second week after the surgery, they'll continue to stay at the vet's. I feel guilty about that, but at least I'll know they're getting good care.) Then I'm sure I can count on my friend who will be taking me to the hospital and picking me up to drop by. I've known her for more than 20 years and we were neighbors for many years before my husband lost his business and we had to move out of state. After he died and I moved back to Kansas City, I moved into a duplex that Dana owns, so now she's my landlord too! She's really a neat person and my duplex is just across the street from her office, so I'm sure she'll be keeping an eye on me. It's all going to be good.

Janet Underwood  Hi, Linda! Your husband sounds like mine was! He meant well, but didn't have a clue about caregiving. Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer and had to start chemo, I broke a tiny bone in my foot. When the doctor put a cast on my leg from my knee down, I told him that had better be a walking cast because in addition to my husband who wasn't feeling well, I had five puppies that had just been weaned to take care of. It wasn't a walking cast, but I made it one. LOL! We always seem to make it through, don't we? Sending you lots of happy thoughts too. Take care.

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Janet! Terrie here. I totally agree with Ms. Snowflake(one of my favorite people!). She gave you great advice and the most important being you are not alone. I'll be visiting your guestbook today! Terrie

Janet Underwood  Thanks for welcoming me and your wise words, Gigi. I like the cardiologist I'm seeing now. He didn't act rushed in my appointment and took time to give me the whole picture and explain what was and wasn't likely for me. Re: the doctor who referred me to the first cardiologist and then wouldn't give me another referral and actually scolded me for going elsewhere because the first cardiologist is (his words) a "nice lady," I've known him for 20 years. I lived in another state for a few years and when I came back, I went to him again. I noticed straight off that he had changed. He didn't seem as interested in taking care of people and had the attention span of a gnat. I thought he was very much out of line for scolding me for seeing another cardiologist and I'm planning on changing primary doctors as soon as the dust settles a bit on my current medical issues.
I so appreciate the kindness that people are showing everyone here. Bless you and everyone else here.

Jant

Janet Underwood  Thanks for welcoming me and your wise words, Gigi. I like the cardiologist I'm seeing now. He didn't act rushed in my appointment and took time to give me the whole picture and explain what was and wasn't likely for me. Re: the doctor who referred me to the first cardiologist and then wouldn't give me another referral and actually scolded me for going elsewhere because the first cardiologist is (his words) a "nice lady," I've known him for 20 years. I lived in another state for a few years and when I came back, I went to him again. I noticed straight off that he had changed. He didn't seem as interested in taking care of people and had the attention span of a gnat. I thought he was very much out of line for scolding me for seeing another cardiologist and I'm planning on changing primary doctors as soon as the dust settles a bit on my current medical issues.
I so appreciate the kindness that people are showing everyone here. Bless you and everyone else here.

Jant

Janet Underwood  Thanks, Marci! I have to admit that KU Med was my first choice because my husband had to go there for several things. Unfortunately, it's not in my insurance plan's network, so I have to go to St. Luke's instead. That's okay, though. I'm feeling good about my cardiologist and everyone else I've dealt with there. Plus they have valet parking! (Ah, the little "perks" in life!)

One of the things I liked about this cardiologist was that he said the same as you -- that a subtle sign that I hadn't thought much about (at that time, I could only think of one) could have been due to my being out of condition, walking fast up a hill, etc., or it could have been due to the AVS. You're right -- it's been taking a while to wrap my head around all of this. I've always known there was the possibility of having a heart problem since I had rheumatic fever as a kid, and both of my parents died from heart failure at relatively young ages. I don't know what I imagined it would feel like, but it's totally taken me by surprise. Then again, as a good friend of mine said, it could be that the symptoms have crept up on me and I really don't even know right now how much better I'll feel after the surgery.

Now to quiet my imagination and get some sleep...

Hugs,
Janet

Janet Underwood  Good to hear from you, Rosemary! My surgery isn't scheduled yet. I'm anticipating that will be one of the subjects for discussion this coming Friday. How are you getting on?

Janet Underwood  That's good advice, Terrie. There is a little more to the story, though, and perhaps this is why I'm so reluctant to push for help with my relatives. It's difficult to explain, but what happened was that upon my husband's death, I learned in a pretty rough fashion that my brother had told the family a bunch of lies about me and my husband to get sympathy from them, and that furthermore, there had been a great deal of gossip about my husband and me for about 20 years. My husband had sensed that something was not right in our relationship with them, but I had such faith in their goodness and kindness, I defended them and told my husband that in a family as large as mine, there was always some misunderstanding going on and that I was sure what he was feeling had nothing to do with us. When I learned what was going on, it was at a time when I really needed family the most. Plus, once it was out in the open, the perpetrators of the gossip (but not my brother) were embarrassed and started avoiding me. I was dropped from the family letter and no one contacted me when there were family reunions. It was only a couple of years ago that the cousin I talked with reached out to me to tell me my brother had died and from there, started trying to mend the rift. I really don't know where any of the rest of them stand in regard to me.

I did receive a good piece of information this morning, however. I went to the dentist and once there, started feeling very anxious and overwhelmed. We decided to postpone my dental work until I get the results back from the latest echo since I'm too worked up over it right now. In the course of our conversation, I told her that one of the things I needed to sort out was taking care of my dogs if I have the surgery and how you had mentioned getting a dog sitter. She immediately said the one of her patients was a dog sitter with more than 20 years of experience and gave me her number. Thanks so much for mentioning that, Terrie!

Terrie Syvertsen  Janet. That is good news about potential sitter! In regards to your family you and I have the same kind of problem but I have been thru the surgery and I know I don't know you but your health, safety and peace of mind are important to get you through this new adventure. I encourage you to follow your gut with your family but also feel you might just be surprised given your situation of who might just step up an be counted on. Up to you and if not there something will come up when you need it so that this goes smoothly. I have a feeling you have been through some pretty tough times(especially with your husband) and know I have met people on this site who have weathered similar circumstances and had the strength and support to make it through! You will too and we will be here to help find ways for it to work out OK?
Your heart Sister, Terrie.

Janet Underwood  You are so sweet, Terrie. Thank you for your wise words and encouragement. You've helped me think in new directions...like getting a pet sitter, and then last night, I realized that one of my neighbors probably would be happy to help. The gentleman is a big old teddy bear whom I first met while sitting on my deck. He and his wife, who is in the military, had just moved in. As I was sitting there, having a cup of coffee and enjoying the morning, he came out on his deck with a bowl of bread crumbs and a dish of water for a little bird he'd seen raising a brood in my fireplace vent. He's a perfect example of how you never should judge people by their "covers" because if you met him on the street, he might scare you because he's so big and tough-looking. To see how gentle he was and how he kept putting out food for that bird a couple of times a day -- even after she told all of her friends about the free lunch -- was heartwarming. He and his wife are really nice people and he loves the homemade salsa I give them every now and then.

So I figure that once I find out something definite, if needed, I'll ask them to maybe keep an eye on me. I'm starting to feel that I'm not so alone as I thought. LOL!

And you're probably right about the relatives. There are a couple that I think might be willing to help if asked. Now, if the dang doctor would only call and let me know what the latest echo told him. On the other hand, that's better than him calling and saying, "get to the hospital right now."

Terrie Syvertsen  Sounds good! Now just get to the tests you need to find out what is going on so you can make plans, yes!? You take care! I'll be watching to read your posts! Terrie

Janet Underwood  Hi, Terrie! I have been on pins and needles waiting for the doctor to call, so finally, I just called him myself. One of his nurses called me right back. She said that the echo showed that my heart function is normal (yea!) but that the aortic valve stenosis is "critical" (her words) and the cardiologist will talk to me about options when I have my appointment next Friday. Makes me feel better.

By the way, I read your post about your day. You have such a wonderful way with words. Are you a writer? Take care, and many hugs...Janet

Terrie Syvertsen  Janet. Good work! Calling gave you an answer and now the journey should begin so that you aren't left out in a place of uncertainty. I also had Aortic Stenosis and many of us have been right where you are so now we will all help be supportive of you and the new findings and in what comes next. The waiting is the hardest and you are on your way!
No, I am not a writer but I love to write so I guess the truth is I am finding out we are all writers on this site as we are here with a purpose. To communicate with each other in ways that touch and reach all the ailing hearts out here until we are all getting help, fixed/mended and stronger! Thank you for the compliments. Many hugs back at you Janet. Sleep well, you are not alone. Love, Terrie

Janet Underwood  Thanks for your kind welcome and good ideas, Terrie! I hadn't thought of contacting pet sitters. That's a great idea! The biggest problems I foresee with my little guys is 1) I generally put them in the car and take them to the park for their walks (all have to be lifted into the car), and 2) one of them (the heaviest one) has to be helped up the stairs and onto the bed at night (and if I try to leave him on the floor, where he does have a nice bed, he starts barking and won't stop until I put him up on the bed. And yes, they're all spoiled!) I'll have to board them while I'm in the hospital and am considering boarding them for a few day to a week after I come home. When my husband was so ill with cancer, we lived in Sioux Falls, SD and I have to say that people there are exceptionally giving and sensitive to people with needs. I didn't even have to ask. Several people that I didn't even know all that well volunteered to help. When Jim was in the hospital, one young woman came to the house every evening and fed my dogs and let them out in the yard. She brought her kids with her and everybody had a great time. Even after he died, people continued to keep an eye out for me. It was very cold that winter and all of my outside light bulbs stopped working. Then one day, while I was working downstairs, I heard something at the front of the house. I thought it was the landlord. That night, I saw that all of my outside light bulbs had been changed. I never knew who did that. Also, several people made sure my driveway and sidewalk was always free of snow and ice. It's not the same here in Kansas City. Everybody's very busy with their own lives. Same with my cousins. I contacted one of them when I first learned of this and he immediately said that he wanted me to let him know if he could help me. So I wrote back and thanked him, then told him that if it did turn out that I needed surgery, I would appreciate it if he and his wife could come stay with me for a couple of weeks. They're retired and wealthy so I knew it would be possible. He wrote back and said for me to let him know if that would be needed and he would contact some of the other cousins to see if they could come help. So I'm not counting on much there. I'm sure I'll work it out, though. I have to admit I'm a bit terrified about all of this, but you do what you have to do and make it through, right? Thanks again for your kind message.

Janet Underwood  Hi, Clare! It sounds like you have a good support system. I would imagine that taking care of a 4-year-old while you were trying to recuperate was a bit challenging! Regarding the doctors, my husband had a lot of health issues and so, over the years, I've lost all reservations about making sure I feel comfortable with them and their diagnoses. The first cardiologist was clearly more interested in seeing how many procedures she could book than in taking care of me. I was surprised when my primary care doctor not only was unhelpful in finding another cardiologist, but when I went in there for something else, he started lecturing me about what a "nice lady" the first cardiologist was. (They had never met before to the best of my knowledge, but evidently made quite an impression on each other during their telephone conversation about my tests as the cardiologist went on and on about what a great guy she thought my physician was in our appointment.) At any rate, I kept telling my doctor that she might have seemed nice to him, but she wasn't nice to me. Finally, he asked me what she did that wasn't nice and I told him about her bullying me to try to get me to "admit" to having the symptoms she wanted to put in my record. (I do not have angina, don't have fainting spells, and it's unsure whether my shortness of breath when exercising is due to this condition or being out of condition.) My doctor just said, "well, there you have it. She had to get rough with you to get you to admit you're having problems." Crazy. After 20 years, he should know me better than that. But people change. I'm looking for a new primary care doctor too, but probably will wait until after all of this is settled.

Eleanor R  Hi, Janet. I am sorry you are having trouble with the cardiologist your GP referred to you. Exactly the same thing happened to me. In my case, the two guys do know each other, as their offices are in the same medical complex, and the cardi. is the go-to for the GP. I thought I was only going for an echocardiogram anyway, so no need to worry about who I was seeing. I saw Cardiologist No. 1 for a total of 4 times over 3 weeks for different tests. The tests were done properly, the problem was the cardiologist is over stretched, running between 4 branch offices throughout the northern Virginia suburbs, and has to relay on the computer then since he doesn't have patient files. And he sucks at the computer, can't type, is slow and keeps his eye on the monitor rather than on the patient. He kept writing I was having repair rather than replacement. I wish, but not do able for my aortic stenosis (duh, right!). When he asked me twice in 10 mins. how old I am, I had to tell him that "I told you we are the same age, remember?!". I thought this is a stressed out man, or someone who's not really paying attention for some reason. I found another cardiologist right before the surgery, have seen him now before and after, and am well satisfied with him. Like you, I am also going to look for a new GP as he did not hear my heart murmur, ever. I told him 20 years ago that an allergist had told me to tell him I had a heart murmur. He listened and said nothing. Stupid me, I should have said "so what do you find?" He just kind of shook his head so I assumed it was fine. No, he just didn't hear anything! I know that now, for even last Dec. his PA heard the murmur, asked me about it, and I told her the story, and that she should tell the doctor about the murmur. It must have been serious enough that she went right then to find him, had him listen (he had to ask which quadrant she heard it in), then said "well, let's get an echo to check it out". The GP is not old, and of course was much younger 20 years ago when he first did not hear it. Like your guy, he had the nerve to say "since you've had the murmur for a while....." Really? Since he only works now 2 full days a week, I can find someone else now that I feel better.

On the shortness of breath - it might be because you are out of shape. That is what I attributed mine to as well. Nope. Turns out it was severe aortic stenosis not being out of shape. I hope you have found a good cardiologist, with good tests which can properly diagnose what's going on, and refer you to a great surgeon. Before that happens, I would suggest you research the most experienced heart surgeon in your area, don't just wait for a referral which is often just based on location or friendship. Ask to be referred to the surgeon you find.

On the dogs, I have a 9 lb. Havanese, two years old and very much a people person. She (Lucy) terrorizes the 13 lb. cat, who is 6 and not accustomed to being chased. I am lucky to have an adult nephew who came to live with me, and he helps with the animals, the garden, housework, etc. and my adult daughter came back home to live for two months, even though her apt. is only 15 mins. away, she wanted to me with me at night. My brother and sister came up for FL, mainly to be with my daughter during the surgery, as she was very scared and had never been in a hospital before. I was grateful for the company and the help, but it really was not that necessary. The first week home is rough, and you will be tired and just want to sit, and forget to drink and eat and walk and use the spirometer. I would check to see if your insurance will cover a week in a rehab center, since you live alone. Make sure the hospital or health system has a visiting nurse program as well. I have Medicare so that covered all that, but you look younger than Medicare age so check what your insurance provides. A week would really help you. After week 1, or 2 at the most, you will feel that you can manage most things on your own (stairs, bathing, even beginning to cook, or at least to warm things up). I cooked several things before and froze them, then easy to have healthy meals pre-prepared. Any frozen entrée would work as well, since you may not have much appetite but will need to eat. Good suggestion by Terrie to see what is available in your area by volunteers.

My dog always wants to jump up on my shoulder, that can not happen, the last thing you need is movement and paws on your chest. Plus, I could not stoop down to her level, nor lift her up, so she had to make do without that type of interaction for a while. The pet sitter/walker is a good idea for the first few weeks you are home, for you won't be able to drive, or lift the dogs, or walk them by yourself.

You will be able to do all of this again, but not the first couple of weeks after surgery. It is good you are thinking ahead. Feel free to ask me anything, and best wishes to you. Eleanor

Janet Underwood  Thanks for the words of encouragement and understanding, Eleanor! Re: doctors...I try to remind myself to remember that at least half of the doctors out there graduated in the lower half of their classes. (LOL!) Seriously, I think my primary care physician is ready to retire, even though he's only in his 50s. I noticed when I moved back to this area and went to see him that he didn't really seem all that interested any more. I'm really not sure what this thing is all about between him and the first cardiologist. I'm just glad that I really like the second cardiologist and feel that he has my best interests at heart.

In regard to Medicare, actually, that's my insurance. This was discovered during my "wellness" exam. I had read that it covered some home nursing, which I am imagining will be a visit by a nurse once a day (?), but didn't know about the week in a rehab center. I'm definitely going to check that out. I just went for the basic covered (Plans A and B) then signed up for a United Healthcare plan that also covers prescriptions. So I'm worried about how much I'll have to spend out of pocket and whether I should get Medigap insurance instead.

I had a bit of a meltdown today. Since May 1, there has been something go wrong medically (for my dogs at first and now me) or mechanically every week. I had started a contract job that week and had hoped to be able to pay off some bills, but no such luck. I ended up spending almost all that I made on vet bills and taking care of problems around the house and my car--things that are a normal part of life, but all at once.

The latest medical problem is that I have a couple of teeth that need to be worked on. At the dentist today, I realized that I was foolish to schedule this appointment for the day after the second echocardiogram (then remembered I hadn't done that purposely--the dental appointment was made a few weeks ago and the hospital just called me a few days ago and scheduled the echo.) At any rate, I started feeling completely overwhelmed and as though I was being caught up all of this medical-go-round and had lost all control over my life. Luckily, the dentist was very understanding about my anxiety and suggested that we schedule my appointment for another time after I find out the results of the echo.

One really good thing that came out of that appointment was she gave me the name of a dog sitter who is a patient there. So that made me feel much better.

Thanks again for your kind words, Eleanor. I'm feeling that I'm being pretty selfish right now, but I have so many questions -- many of them I don't even know how to ask. Take care.

Janet Underwood  Oh, and in regard to a surgeon...St. Luke's, where the cardiologist I'm now seeing practices, has more than 50 cardiologists on staff and about a dozen surgeons--two of whom are mentioned in the Surgeon Finder here with good comments.

Eleanor R  I am glad you have found a good hospital center, with good surgeons and cardiologists, you deserve the best. Good Terrie mentioned dog sitter, and you are onto that, as well. Terrie can also advise you about getting dental work done before the surgery - the hospital will probably require a statement or clearance from the dentist, my did. But, step by step. I understand completely the disengaged attitude, that is exactly what is wrong with my PCP. He is too young to retire, but is only working Fridays, and two afternoons from 2 to 6. Must not need the money, or has another office or gig somewhere. At any rate, now that I am healing, I will look for a recommendation of a good general practionier. I prefer to go with a young female, my daughter wants me to look for someone with more experience (and gray hair!). I'll find one, not so urgent right now. Several people on this site have gone through surgery and recovery on their own, they can advise you. I wrote a lot in my journal early on about preparing the house, and yourself, before surgery. Once you have a firm diagnosis and see the way forward, you can read my journal, you are welcome. Not that I have all the answers, but I am a great planner, and knew that even though I had people staying with me, after week 1 my daughter would go back to work part time, and my nephew full time, and I would need to fend for myself, and if not care for, at least stay out of the way of the dog and the cat. No sleeping with me or even sitting on me at that time! Best wishes, Eleanor

Janet Underwood  Thanks for your kind words, Eleanor. I'm big into planning too so I'd love to read your journal! I've been making some plans...things that needed to be done anyway, and checking out some resources for things I might need. (Like a freezer...found a nice one that's just the right size for me at Best Buy when I was there picking out a new washing machine the other day.)

I think something I really need to do is to remember to take some time to do something nice for myself every now and then. After my meltdown at the dentist's office yesterday, I had a good cry in my car and realized that I was just tired of having to deal with "bad" stuff all of the time. So I did what any sensible person would do in those circumstances -- I went shopping. The weatherman said it was going to be chilly today and I knew I needed some sweaters and a new pair of jeans, so that's what I got, along with a couple of pairs of earrings that took my eye. Then afterwards, I realized that I hadn't eaten anything yet and decided to stop by the local Bob Evans and have an omelet. A young man who had waited on me two weeks ago seated me and asked me, "How were those apple blossoms?" He was referring to when he waited on me two weeks ago. I'd stopped in for a glass of iced tea and decided on a lark to get some apple blossoms for my landlord (who is also my friend), the onsite manager, and the maintenance guy. I've only been in that restaurant those two times and so I was really touched that he remembered me. Before I left, I told him that he had really made my day by remembering me. Sometimes, it's the littlest things that give us the most "warm fuzzies!"

In regard to the doctor situation, my primary care doctor doesn't work very many hours per week either. He only takes appointments from Monday afternoon through Wednesday mornings. It must be a trend as I've noticed a lot of vets around here don't start scheduling appointments until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Guess we didn't make the right career choices! (smile!)

Janet