Hi Karen, I was glad to see your update, although I\'m a little late. I just don\'t get on as much as I used to, and I really need to update my journal too. ...Read more
Hi Karen, I was glad to see your update, although I\'m a little late. I just don\'t get on as much as I used to, and I really need to update my journal too. maybe soon. It\'s great to be feeling so well and to hardly think about it anymore. How was your lab work?
Keep posting once in a while, it\'s great to hear from you!
Holly P
Hi Karen,
I am glad to hear all is going well with you. I too would love to continue with the cardiac rehab - phase IV, but it would be tough to work around ...Read more
Hi Karen,
I am glad to hear all is going well with you. I too would love to continue with the cardiac rehab - phase IV, but it would be tough to work around my work schedule, plus we cannont afford the added expense at this time. I have exchanged phone numbers with a couple of the women who have been in my class and we hope to keep in touch. The hospital is only a few minutes from my work so I told the nurses I may pop in from time to time to say hello.
I am sure your lab work will come out just fine since you are not symptomatic.
Take care and keep in touch! Denise K
Hi Karen,
Glad to hear your feeling good and life is back to normal.
You can\'t shovel snow?? really? Or are you just using that as a convenient excuse? :) ...Read more
Hi Karen,
Glad to hear your feeling good and life is back to normal.
You can\'t shovel snow?? really? Or are you just using that as a convenient excuse? :)
Maybe we\'ll luck out and have nothing to shovel this year...we can always hope!
Take care,
Nancy B
Hi Karen,
Glad you are well and back to work. That\'s great! I can\'t imagine that right now; I\'ve had a rough few weeks. I don\'t know if it\'s a change ...Read more
Hi Karen,
Glad you are well and back to work. That\'s great! I can\'t imagine that right now; I\'ve had a rough few weeks. I don\'t know if it\'s a change in meds, the heat, the humidity, or an increase in activity, but my pulse has been high again (like post up high) and my blood pressure has been irregular.. normal to very low... most importantly, I feel awful, esp. in the a.m. Seems I was doing well and improving .. mid July started to have increased symptoms. Getting a bit frustrated and depressed, I must admit. My husband is back to work (meaning he\'s gone 5 days/week - travels) and so I am running the household.. just wish I felt better. Thanks for checking up on me; I should update my blog.. but I hate to be the bearer of bad news..
I am so glad you are well - that is just great. Are you on your feet all day? Is it hard to get up and out the door for 7:30 am? Best wishes for the rest of the summer - ejoy those beautiful kids!
Kind Regards, Kate ps - can you send e-mail address? krcott@mindspring.com
Hi Karen, I was glad to read your update and know that you\'re doing well. Good for you being back to work and taking it slow...I enjoyed cardiac rehab too, ...Read more
Hi Karen, I was glad to read your update and know that you\'re doing well. Good for you being back to work and taking it slow...I enjoyed cardiac rehab too, and wish I was still going! It was great exercise and I enjoyed getting to know the others in the class. Keep on healing! It gets better each day!
Holly P
Karen
It is wonderful to hear about your progress , both spiritually and physically !
My one year anniversary of my mechanical valve is on August 9 th. The ...Read more
Karen
It is wonderful to hear about your progress , both spiritually and physically !
My one year anniversary of my mechanical valve is on August 9 th. The time just flies by!!
Just this week I have started volunteering in church to assist in their gift shop.
After the surgery and recovery we have been through I just feel so humbled and thankful to God that I survived. Because there are many people that dont make it.
We are blessed. I will look for you on Facebook
God Bless
John Madonna
Las Vegas NV
Good Morning Karen,
You may remember me, I wrote to you and connected to you because your surgery was May 25th the day after my Mom JoAnn on May 24th. I regret ...Read more
Good Morning Karen,
You may remember me, I wrote to you and connected to you because your surgery was May 25th the day after my Mom JoAnn on May 24th. I regret to tell you and it is with a broken heart that I share that my beautiful Mom did not make it. She passed away while in recovery on Memorial day the 28th of May at 8:06 pm.
She had been doing well and walking etc. I talked to her twice that day and Dad talked to her at 4:00. We thought we\'d be seeing her at home in a couple days but the Lord had different plans for Mom and she is truly home now. No one understands or has any idea what went wrong, probably a blood clot. She got up to go to the bathroom, made it to the bathroom and dropped to the floor, gone before she hit. (do NOT lock your bathroom door, for those having surgery yet.) Why the hell would they have locks on bathrooms in the heart floor? They were in there in less than a minute though thankfully. I should probably connect with the guy who started this wonderful site for some encouragement ....Mom was 77. Married to Dad 59 years on July 17th coming up.....he\'s pretty lost......
I like the way you look in your photos and feel like we know each other. I have been following your updates with a sad heart but praying for you the entire time. Please be thankful for each minute of each day because you made it! :-) ♥♥ My Mom had an antique shop in Ely MN for 41 years and I have moved to Ely to live with Dad and run Mom\'s wonderful shop until September! I love each day and her spirit is all around me ♥ How would you like to answer the phone and someone says is JoAnn there? yep it happened a couple times....ugh......maybe you and I will always stay connected becuase of my Mom. Please email me when you can Karen. glendajo72@gmail.com I\'m from the Milwaukee WI area. Grew up in the beautiful North woods of Minnesota (Ely) Very happy to be here~ With love and prayers to you and your family and friends.
glenda
Karen Campo Hi Glenda-
I tried to respond to you via e-mail. Is there a typo in the above address as I tried it ... Read more
Karen Campo Hi Glenda-
I tried to respond to you via e-mail. Is there a typo in the above address as I tried it twice...?
Karen
Karen Campo Ha--think I got it. I picked up the karen. from the previous sentence and was using that as karen.gl ... Read more
Karen Campo Ha--think I got it. I picked up the karen. from the previous sentence and was using that as karen.glendajo72. It is glendajo72 :) I responded thru Yahoo
Karen
Hi Karen
I have been reading your journals and learning so much from you along the way. I am so glad you have been doing so well!
For myself, the tears these ...Read more
Hi Karen
I have been reading your journals and learning so much from you along the way. I am so glad you have been doing so well!
For myself, the tears these days, seem to come out of nowhere. (I am scheduled for July 17th)...so it sounds like I have awhile to go before I can expect them to pass......but never the less, you have been one of my heros here at HVJ and I will continue to cheer you on....during your personal journey!
Thinking of you..
Connie T
Karen Campo Hi Connie-
Glad to hear your surgery is booked. I will watch for your updates and keep you in my pray ... Read more
Karen Campo Hi Connie-
Glad to hear your surgery is booked. I will watch for your updates and keep you in my prayers.
Thank you for today\'s post. I am 2 1/2 weeks out of my pulmonary valve surgery. The scar is itchy and the muscles ache, but each day is better. I will have ...Read more
Thank you for today\'s post. I am 2 1/2 weeks out of my pulmonary valve surgery. The scar is itchy and the muscles ache, but each day is better. I will have family with me until 3 weeks out then I will expect the tears to come. We will continue to be here for each other.
Hi Karen,
Glad that you are feeling better. I was reading Tiny\'s guestbook an I read where you explained to tiny that before surgery you had pain in the ...Read more
Hi Karen,
Glad that you are feeling better. I was reading Tiny\'s guestbook an I read where you explained to tiny that before surgery you had pain in the back of your leg and knees. Did you ever find out if this was related to your CHF at the Time and did it improve after the surgery?
Stephanie Dennard
Karen Campo Hi Steph-
Yes, the pain was due to CHF. I also had a lot of swelling in my upper abdomen just under ... Read more
Karen Campo Hi Steph-
Yes, the pain was due to CHF. I also had a lot of swelling in my upper abdomen just under my breasts. This was all the fluid backing up from the leak in my heart. After surgery I did have a lot of fluid so my legs were very tight and uncomfortable walking after surgery, but now I am good in that respect. Karen
Hi Karen! I know what you mean about the tears. They seem so close to the surface right now. Like you said, it\'s not because of depression or anything like ...Read more
Hi Karen! I know what you mean about the tears. They seem so close to the surface right now. Like you said, it\'s not because of depression or anything like that, but sometimes I want to shake people and say \"DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH?\" Of course they don\'t, it is our journey, and only ours. How we handle it says more about our character than anything else. but sometimes, I get so frustrated. especially with my incision situation, still working on getting it healed. One of my doctors said \"remind me not to do surgery on you\"! that made me feel really good (not), he said it because of my reaction to the sutures. I can handle it, just pray that I don\'t get endocarditis from it! Glad rehab is going well, it really motivated me to get going with an exercise program! Thinking of you!
Holly P
Karen - So good to talk with you after your MD appt. and so glad you are getting stronger each day. A few tears now and then is to be expected. There is ...Read more
Karen - So good to talk with you after your MD appt. and so glad you are getting stronger each day. A few tears now and then is to be expected. There is a very close connection between tears and laughter. As the days go bye may you have more days of laughter, happiness and a healthier YOU. We miss you here at JVS. Hope you got to talk with Michelina as she was so pleased to hear you wanted to speak with her. You know she was the person who got the ball rolling to do something nice for you. She is such a caring co-worker. We\'ll talk again soon. Elissa
Hey Karen. Glad to hear you are doing well. Like I like to say. Relax, take it easy. Baby steps and keep an eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
I have ...Read more
Hey Karen. Glad to hear you are doing well. Like I like to say. Relax, take it easy. Baby steps and keep an eye on your blood pressure and heart rate.
I have to tell you however that I just looked at your photos and the last one with Matt smiling while you are all unconscious with the tubes hanging out, just plain made me laugh. Sorry, but I laughed pretty hard at that photo. Just being honest. Any way. Just be careful, good luck with the rehab and get healthy again. It\'s a new life, a second chance, to enjoy it all. It\'s a precious gift we all got back to use for a better good.
God Bless..
Paul G.
Karen Campo Hi Paul- Im wondering if that smile was his nervous reaction? Matt is preaching to everyone we know ... Read more
Karen Campo Hi Paul- Im wondering if that smile was his nervous reaction? Matt is preaching to everyone we know and he meets that he was the least nervous of our family members. I like the cardiac rehab as they do monitor my vitals. Yesterday my bottom number BP was very low ?42? when I arrived. During treadmill exercise my hrate was all over, but by end of workout vitals were all good. Yes, I agree with the baby steps. Today it looks beautiful so I am going to dead head some of my perennial beds, no heavy weeding just some light tasks. Hope you are doing well and thanks for checking in. I want to post a pic of my sternotomy scar also so watch for that to come. Karen
Hi Karen, glad to hear things are going well for you. I think you will enjoy cardiac rehab, I did, and it helped prepare me for going back to work! It sounds ...Read more
Hi Karen, glad to hear things are going well for you. I think you will enjoy cardiac rehab, I did, and it helped prepare me for going back to work! It sounds like you are on the right track! Enjoy your time at home, it will go by fast!
Holly P
Karen Campo Thanks Holly-
I think it will be the jump start I need. Right now I can only do warm-up/cool down, t ... Read more
Karen Campo Thanks Holly-
I think it will be the jump start I need. Right now I can only do warm-up/cool down, treadmill and recumbent bike, all supervised, no arms/weights until 6 wks post-op and I am still only 4. Yes, I am sure these next 3 wks will go by fast. Karen
Hey Karen, glad to hear you are doing well. I am doing great (considering) and plan on heading back to work tomorrow which is just over 4 weeks post-op. Going ...Read more
Hey Karen, glad to hear you are doing well. I am doing great (considering) and plan on heading back to work tomorrow which is just over 4 weeks post-op. Going to ease my way back into it but I am feeling good enough to get back to work.
- Steven D
Karen Campo Glad to hear that Steven. Unfortunately having been down with the pneumonia and then congestive hear ... Read more
Karen Campo Glad to hear that Steven. Unfortunately having been down with the pneumonia and then congestive heart failure prior to surgery I have to regain my strength. I am very confident that the cardiac rehab will have a positive effect in this. Keep up the good healing and let us know how it goes back to work. Karen
Hi Karen...if u dont mind me asking can u tell me what symptoms u were having when u were diagnosed with mitral regurg? thanks,,and great to hear your doing ...Read more
Hi Karen...if u dont mind me asking can u tell me what symptoms u were having when u were diagnosed with mitral regurg? thanks,,and great to hear your doing well....
Karen Campo Hi there-
I was having shortness of breath upon pretty much any exertion. I recall on 4/2 getting ou ... Read more
Karen Campo Hi there-
I was having shortness of breath upon pretty much any exertion. I recall on 4/2 getting out of my car in the work parking lot and being exhausted making it to my desk in the plant. Similar situation at work all day, stairs. When I arrived home I sat in a living room chair and waited for a family member to go upstairs and retrieve my shoes to change into for dinner. I also had a dry cough, worse at night. I was unable to keep up with coworkers in walking thru our plant and/or upstairs for meetings. At some points feeling as if I was not getting enough air. Hope this helps. -Karen
Hi Karen.
I hope you\'re doing well! I am scheduled for surgery on Monday the 18th at Mt Sinai. Do you mind my asking which incision you had? I have to decide ...Read more
Hi Karen.
I hope you\'re doing well! I am scheduled for surgery on Monday the 18th at Mt Sinai. Do you mind my asking which incision you had? I have to decide between mini lower sternotomy and mini thoracotomy. I still haven\'t decided!
Wishing all the best to you!
Gina H
Karen Campo Hi Gina- I had the std sternotomy, maybe 5-6" scar. Looks as if healing well on the outside, but sti ... Read more
Karen Campo Hi Gina- I had the std sternotomy, maybe 5-6" scar. Looks as if healing well on the outside, but still lots of internal healing that needs to take place. I think it is the most direct approach, performed for many years and least amt of time on heart and lung machine. Good luck
Hi Karen. Glad to read that things are progressing well for you. Keep up the healing and stay well. Praying for everyone here is a full time job...LOL!
Paul ...Read more
Hi Karen. Glad to read that things are progressing well for you. Keep up the healing and stay well. Praying for everyone here is a full time job...LOL!
Paul G.
Hi Karen, thanks for the update on Nancy. Glad to hear you are doing well and up to walking, I look forward to my walks now, and hope to ramp it up next week! ...Read more
Hi Karen, thanks for the update on Nancy. Glad to hear you are doing well and up to walking, I look forward to my walks now, and hope to ramp it up next week! Enjoy the food that people bring in, it is so nice to not have to cook. Keep using the spirometer too!
Holly P
Hi Karen,
So happy to read each and every update. I go for my surgery on Friday so I am right behind you!
As a nurse I want to reinforce take your pain meds! ...Read more
Hi Karen,
So happy to read each and every update. I go for my surgery on Friday so I am right behind you!
As a nurse I want to reinforce take your pain meds! You will rest better. You will move better, You will heal faster because of those two things.
Take care.
Joanie Dorsey
Hi Karen,
Thanks for leaving a comment in my journal. To answer your questions, I do still work half time, although I am 73; I just like what I do a lot. ...Read more
Hi Karen,
Thanks for leaving a comment in my journal. To answer your questions, I do still work half time, although I am 73; I just like what I do a lot. I\'m a psychology professor, so I have some flexibility, but I plan to start working three months after my aortic valve replacement. Fortunately, I will have a research leave next year, so most of my work will involve writing. I may just retire in a year, although I\'m leaving my options open for as long as possible.
My neighbor, who is in his fifties, had mitral valve repair last October and stayed off work for three months and that worked out OK for him.
Hope this helps,
David M