Kent,
Thanks for sharing and I'm so glad to hear your are your new valve and pacer are humming along and especially that Terri is in full remission and on her way to cured! Happy new year!
Don
Kent,
It is great to hear the positive news and words of encouragement from a heart valver who has passed the one year mile marker. My thoughts and prayers will be with your wife and you as you face this challenge.
- Jim Smith (valve repair 3-13-2012)
I've been in touch with several of our HVJ friends about getting together during the summer for a celebration of last summer's surgery. You mentioned you were interested also. Right now, I'm trying to narrow a date and place. So far, it seems late July and August are the popular dates. What is best for you? Are you open to a place in middle to southern California? How about in Georgia (Christy's state).
May I have your email address so that I can include you in the emails I send to others HVJ friends? Thanks.
Hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like you're doing well! I have been horrible about writing on HVJ! :( Furthermore, I need to exercise!!!!!! I need you all on my case about it!!!!!!!!!!!
AND, we all HAVE to get together next summer, for a Celebration of the Heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Kent, this is Sara Sayle. I'm glad to hear you're doing so much at 10 weeks!!! Do you have any pictures of your scar now that you're at the 10 week point? I can't even see Barbara Walter scar!! I don't think mine will look like hers haha.
Hopefully you're getting a restful day in Salem. It's raining like crazy over in Vancouver area so no lawn mowing on this end! :-D
Thanks for writing. Yes the valve decision was something I struggled with. I don't really like either of the options, mechanical or tissue. Not really a third to consider though. My surgeon, Dr Edward Woods at Geisinger Hospital in Danville, PA, thought that considering my career as a land surveyor who spends long days hiking in remote areas with no one else around, there was a significant risk being on Coumadin. That was the argument that won the day. Only time wil tell.
Take care of yourself and I will post updates in my journal as I go along.
Dear Kent:
Thanks for posting to me. I'm still trying to learn how to work this blog. But not nearly as intimidating as this heart valve adventure.
Al Kildow
Here is my email address to contact me directly in regards to the one year celebrate of our heart valve surgery. I've received a lot of interest from other HVJ folks.
Sheilagarrison10@yahoo.com
I like your work out plan. I am now up to running 2 miles straight. I will be adding on to this a little at a time with the goal of running for an hour, or a little over five miles. I would like to start participating in 5K runs this fall.
As for work, I am an IT consultant and travel the world for my clients. So far this year I've been to Paris, Granada (Spain) and a few cities in the US. Going to China in November. Feel free to contact me directly at david.fanson@gmail.com.
Hi Kent, the answer is no, not yet. I just discovered this blog yesterday, but I'm so happy and relief that it exist. If I start my journal, I will let you know, I'm not there yet... In the meantime Iwill continue to read your's, thanks!
Kent, Since I am taking Beta Blockers I was told my heart rate was being governed and that monitoring it doesn't tell me much. I am working our too and check my heart rate from time to time and notice that it is in the 120's too. I feel good and I think that is the best gauge. Not much help, I know, but thought I would chime in.
I was taken off the beta-blockers shortly after surgery because my blood pressure was way too low. I just got back CEO the gym and did almost 2.5 miles at about 3.8 mph and stayed between 125-130 range. I'm just gonna' keep up the same routine forma a while and see what happens.
I always wanted to ask-- what do you do for a living? It looks like you travel to some interesting places.
Peace brother,
Kent
On August 22, 2011...
Dear Kent,
I just red with pleasure most of your journal and I'm happy that everything went well (and fast too). I especially enjoy your sense of humor and observation, more particularly at your June 23 and July 6 entries. The part about your brother Kevin moved me a lot.
Your journal gives me hope about what is still ahead of me (finding a surgeon for a mitral repair). I hope that I will go through as you did.
Thanks, Christine
Kent Kersey Hi Christine.
I'm glad you found this site. It's been a huge benefit for me and my wife. Have you started a journal yet? I'd love to follow your progress.
Blessings,Kent.
On August 18, 2011...
Hi Kent,
Wanted to let you know that the mystery DVB wrote in my guestbook about who he is.
I hope you are enjoying the last part of the summer. Christy & I want to put it out there about having next summer a gathering of those of us that had the heart surgery this summer. What do you think?
Yeah, I saw DVB's response. Still a bit cryptic . . .
Things are going well. I've been to the gym twice now. My heart rate is still a bit too high at times, so I'm not pushing it too hard yet.
I'm back at work. I'm a university prof, so just a lot of meetings and class prep now; classes start Aug 31, so I have a bit of time yet.
It would be great to have a class reunion for the cardo class of Summer '11. Maybe we could find a 5K or half-marathon to run together! You're in California, right? Terri and I make it down that way every once in a while. We have family in Bay/Sacramento area that we could visit while we're down there. That could be a long way for Christy.
Anyway, it's a great idea!
Keep up the good progress,
Kent
On August 12, 2011...
I'm so in love with this site, because I get to see people with great success stories! I'm so happy that you're doing well! You're looking great on the photos! Do keep it up! All the best and here's to a speedy recovery! Rachel xx
Yep mine has those days. I notice when I'm dehydrated or my INR is low or bp is high. You will get to the point soon where others will hear it and you won't. That is always fun in an elevator or a meeting
Jerry H
Louisville
After four months my valve is much quiter, and I have gotten used to it too. But sometimes it does get loud. I occaisionally ask what that incessent ticking is, and then I realize it's just me.
I can always hear mine in the potty. I notice they are louder when my INR is within the target range. I invited my relatives to go into the potty with me to listen!!! Ha!!!
Hey, I'm sort of bummed that I can't hear my mechanical valve (Carbomedic). Made me wonder if they really put one in. But, I asked to listen to it with the nurse's stethoscope and the swushing sound was gone, so I must have gotten one.
Kent,
I have noticed days when it seems to be louder. It is always easier to hear in a quiet room. most of the time there is too much background noise. I really notice mine clicking away at night when everything is quiet.
The St. Judes valve, it takes a licking and keeps on clicking!
Don
YOur recovery sounds like mine, Baby steps is what my friends tell me, I was always on the go and doing yard work now I rely on others to do that for me. This week was my first week doing the physcial rehab twice a week and walking on my tread mill 30 minutes the other 3 days. Yesterday I felt like an elephant sat on me all day did not have the energy to move from the recliner all day. My pain is in the my left shoulder area were they took the vein for the bypass. I found out that I have been using a Vtiamin E skin cream on the scar on my chest it helps with the scar stretching of the scar.
Kent Kersey I think the pain was just nerve endings finding their place in the world. It's definitely improved. Terri (wife) and Scamp (dog) took me on a good long walk today--it felt great.
On July 29, 2011...
Great pictures Kent! And, yes baby steps at first. I am four months post op TODAY. I think I'll go for a jog - its a beautiful day.
Kent -
So glad to hear you are getting better each day. I know what you mean about the stabbing pain. I'm going through that now as well. It's so annoying and I don't want to take any more pain pills. So I'm just trying to ignore it and using the heating pad, etc. Looks like I'll be going back to work soon as well. I've really enjoyed reading your posts and I'm so glad everyone is doing well.
Kent Kersey Hey Tammy. Very true about trying to ignore pain. It's so true that this recovery takes a ton of patience.
So will work be a good experience for you?
On July 28, 2011...
Oops.... I did forget to tell you my name!! It's Sunny. I'm a 72 year old gramma. Going to start my journal process tonight. Thanx for quick response!!Sunny
KENT.... I just found this web site & your story... glad you are doing so well (except for past few days). i live in Salem & learned I will need a MV repair & possibly a Maze procedure for y A-fib & am waiting for a referral to a surgeon so I was very interested in your journal. & have been researching cardiac surgeons in our area all day. Thanks for all your writing & telling as it is/was!! I am thinking about starting a journal too....
Kent Kersey Hi! I went with Dr. Winkler here in Salem. From all our research we found that he is the best in town. He's been doing cardio surgery for over 30 years and ... Read more
Kent Kersey Hi! I went with Dr. Winkler here in Salem. From all our research we found that he is the best in town. He's been doing cardio surgery for over 30 years and has a great success rate. I was very happy with him. Let me know if you have any questions. You should definitely start a journal.
Let me know your name and I'll look you up.
On July 26, 2011...
Dear Kent,
I totally get why you took a chance on more activity for your weekend. It has been 18 days since my mitral valve repair, and I'm feeling a lot better, and my old self wants to do the old activities. But my new self is afraid of doing too much, and getting sore.
I got a great massage yesterday. It unlocked some back muscles, but made some incision pain a little more sore (my friend/therapist said he will have to gently work some of the adhesions and stressed pectoral muscles...ouch.)
So, I wish you well on figuring out how to advance your activity level. It is so hard to go slow. I hope your pain abates soon.
I spoke with Teri yesterday at church and she told me about the price you were paying for doing so much over the weekend! Praying that today, monday, is bringing you back to the place where you feel good. I am glad to hear you are listening to your body, and taking it easy again. Don't worry brother, you will heal, just give it time, remembering all along what a miracle heart surgery is!
Lord please give Kent complete healing during this time following his surgery. When he rests, make it that comforting, healing rest. When he moves about give him day by day strengthening as only You can give. Bless he and Teri this day! In Jesus Name Amen!
I love you brother/friend-in-law! Cathy
Not to worry. You likely just overdid it. This is easy to do when you start feeling better. Just remember to follow the instructions and restrictions.
I had a lot of pain in my back and shoulders following the surgery. And I tried lifting some weights (very small ones) and I regretted it the week after with pain between my ribs.
Hang in there - you are healing and sometimes it hurts. But overall it sounds like you are right on schedule for a speedy recovery.
Today is a bit better so far. The pain feels more like a pin prick than a steak knife stab.
I guess the body needs a certain percentage of energy to heal and if you don't give it that energy it will take it with force.
Talk to you soon!
Kent
On July 24, 2011...
Sorry to hear about your pain. I will keep praying that your pain is a natural part of the healing process. Are you allowed to drink coffee while you're recovering?
Uploading your photo!
Thanks for sharing and I'm so glad to hear your are your new valve and pacer are humming along and especially that Terri is in full remission and on her way to cured! Happy new year!
Don