Guestbook of Mary Inghram

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Mary Inghram got a new guestbook post

2493 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Mary that says:

Hi Mary, first off, check for excessive bleeding from cuts or wounds, broken blood vessels under the skin, and blood in your urine and stools. May I suggest ...Read more

Hi Mary, first off, check for excessive bleeding from cuts or wounds, broken blood vessels under the skin, and blood in your urine and stools. May I suggest that you make a list with the day and time for your Coumadin dose and check it off each time after you take your medicine. Place the paper next to the bottle of Coumadin. This way, you will know whether or not you took your medicine . Also, speak to your doctor first chance you get. And, just a little humor, don't pick up any knives to slice anything for a while :) I wish you all good things. It's wonderful to be on the other side.

Mary Inghram Thank you Fay. Luckily I am fine and did not double dose. I had a friend say the same thing about cut ... Read more

Mary Inghram Thank you Fay. Luckily I am fine and did not double dose. I had a friend say the same thing about cutting anything. LOL I’ve reached out because I was scared and sometimes I feel like I need someone who knows all about this. My Mom has been gone 25 years and my sister almost 2 and my Dad & Brorhee are great but it’s not the same and your Mom & Sister. Thanks again! Have a great day!

Mary Inghram got a new guestbook post

2557 days ago

Meredith Bray posted a note for Mary that says:

Hi Mary! We have about the same story - went with it for 10 years, then surgery, and a mechanical valve. I hope you're feeling well and have defined your "new ...Read more

Hi Mary! We have about the same story - went with it for 10 years, then surgery, and a mechanical valve. I hope you're feeling well and have defined your "new normal!" I've had mine for 4 1/2 years, and still feel a slight twinge if I pick up something heavy and hold it away from my body, but it's nothing to even mention to someone who hasn't had the surgery. Meredith Holiday, FL

Mary Inghram Hi Meredith! So good to hear from you. I’ve been curious how long it takes to get your stamina and ... Read more

Mary Inghram Hi Meredith! So good to hear from you. I’ve been curious how long it takes to get your stamina and energy back. Yes I feel so much better but I still have trouble at times walking or standing for long periods. I hope that it gets better and back to somewhat normal. I still have some pain in the lower part of my sternum. I’m glad to hear you are doing well. 😊

Meredith Bray Pro-tip: check your posture! Take a few minutes and really concentrate on how you hold yourself while ... Read more

Meredith Bray Pro-tip: check your posture! Take a few minutes and really concentrate on how you hold yourself while standing. Is your chin up? Shoulders back? Confident stance? I found that I really tried to protect my chest area which resulted in being round-shouldered. Once my PT pointed that out and i stood up nice and straight, a lot of the pain went away almost immediately.
-M

Mary Inghram Thank you. I have always made sure to use good posture and have done that all of life. I’ve been ex ... Read more

Mary Inghram Thank you. I have always made sure to use good posture and have done that all of life. I’ve been extra aware of it since the surgery. My sister died 2 years ago from complications of COPD (she was a smoker) and she had broken her back 2 years prior to that and had really bad osteoporosis. So although I’ve always practiced good posture but it’s become more prevalent these past few years prior to my AVR. It’s not the pain it’s my stamina or energy. I still get tired easily. I feel it getting better but it’s been a slow process. I was fairly active before my surgery but I didn’t exercise regularly and I put weight on before because of lack of blood flow and a little shortness of breath and I’ve put some on again because I have low energy. I sometimes wonder if it’s the medicines I take. I’m on Coumadin, Losartan, 81mg aspirin and Buspar for anxiety that I needed when I found out I needed this surgery. I only take the buspar once a day now. I know some of the reasons I don’t have energy is from where they did the sternotomy, a lot is because of my weight but I was heavy before surgery and was daily active before my stenosis got worse. I just want to get back to that stage so I can start walking more. I did cardiac rehab but that’s been over a while now. Sorry for going on and on. Just glad I found this site to see similar stories and maybe get some advice from others who’ve been through this. I appreciate you reaching out to me Meredith. Thank you!

Meredith Bray This is a nice place to just talk about yourself, isn't it? I know I always felt better mentally/emot ... Read more

Meredith Bray This is a nice place to just talk about yourself, isn't it? I know I always felt better mentally/emotionally after spending some time on this site, knowing there's others out there who get it.

Mary Inghram Yes it is. I have no one else that I can really talk to that’s experienced what I have. Thank you M ... Read more

Mary Inghram Yes it is. I have no one else that I can really talk to that’s experienced what I have. Thank you Meredith for chatting with me and allowing me to share my story.