Hi Renee, just wondering how you made out in May with your ablation? I hope all is well! Love your pics, you look great!
Renee Radocaj Hi Carol!! Sorry for my delayed response. Work has been super busy!! :) So - funny story. After my he ... Read more
Renee Radocaj Hi Carol!! Sorry for my delayed response. Work has been super busy!! :) So - funny story. After my heart valve surgery, I don't seem to have any symptoms of WPW. My heart rhythm is basically normal. :) :) I used to get severe palpitations every few weeks or so. I would also get the PVC’s quite frequently. Before my ER visit and subsequent surgery, my Family Practice Dr. thought I had anxiety and panic attacks and put me on Xanax and anti-depressants. Maybe that contributed? I’m not sure but all I know is I am no longer on meds and my heart feels fantastic. I don’t feel my heart beating at all (something MOST people take for granted!!). My electro physiologist thinks the surgery may have jiggled the circuits just enough to correct it. I will still see him annually and definitely if my symptoms return. I hope you are doing well and the meds are working. I know it stinks to HAVE to take them but better than your heart beating out of your chest. Can you believe how far we have come from a year ago?!?! Life is great! Thanks for checking in and take good care of yourself!!
Carol Foster That's fantastic! Yep I'm feeling great, so I'll keep on the meds. One thing I have noticed is that I ... Read more
Carol Foster That's fantastic! Yep I'm feeling great, so I'll keep on the meds. One thing I have noticed is that I don't seem to get the muscle cramps (charlie horses) like I used to. I would almost get them nightly and would keep me up half the night especially the ones I would get in my feet..ugh they were just excruciating! My Raynaud's seems better too so perhaps these are "good" side effects of the verapamil? I'm not sure about that lol but I'll take it! Nice to hear from you! Take care!
Hi Renee, so good to read how you are doing and to gain comfort from your posts, I am 15 days post op and at times I drive myself insane with how I feel, the ...Read more
Hi Renee, so good to read how you are doing and to gain comfort from your posts, I am 15 days post op and at times I drive myself insane with how I feel, the weird side effects send me running to Google which always gives me severe anxiety at what I am reading.
Thank you for your journal and good luck in your future xxx
Renee:
I am so pleased you are doing so well and have made so much progress. You sure are getting fit! Great photo.
Keep up the fine recovery and enjoy your ...Read more
Renee:
I am so pleased you are doing so well and have made so much progress. You sure are getting fit! Great photo.
Keep up the fine recovery and enjoy your continued progress.
All the best!
Wohoo!!! Great hearing from you and hearing how well you are doing. Muy awesome news. I'm so happy and proud of you. Keep smiling and getting better. Good health! ...Read more
Wohoo!!! Great hearing from you and hearing how well you are doing. Muy awesome news. I'm so happy and proud of you. Keep smiling and getting better. Good health!
Hi Renee I understand your dilemma about work. That\'s been the hardest decision for me when to go back. I have been doing work for my project but I am in ...Read more
Hi Renee I understand your dilemma about work. That\'s been the hardest decision for me when to go back. I have been doing work for my project but I am in charge of my case load and its just an hour here and there. I nearly passed out a couple of times though so if I could have waited longer I would. I am nearly at week 11 now and going back to my other job on Wednesday and am worried about it especially the driving as it involves a lot of that . Week six is quite early and I would leave it a bit longer if you can. Re sternum healing.... I started driving at week six and it did hurt a bit but not too bad. I still get a bit of pain but I don\'t limit myself any more re lifting etc although the nurse told me I shouldn\'t be doing some of the things I am. I get the feeling the pain is in the tissue and not bones but could be wrong about that. I guess everyone\'s different and heals at different rates.
Dear Renee,
I am 2 months post op and thought I would reply to your post. I don\'t have a journal so you will not find me. I am a 73 year old Chinese woman. ...Read more
Dear Renee,
I am 2 months post op and thought I would reply to your post. I don\'t have a journal so you will not find me. I am a 73 year old Chinese woman. My sternum doesn\'t really hurt, but the incision is often sensitive and itchy and at times I have twinges depending on how I move. At times in the afternoon I can get a headache and I think it\'s just accumulation of the sensitivity thoughout the day. I didn\'t do well on pain killers, tried all kinds but most made me nauseated and dizzy so ended up taking ibupropen from about the second week.
My doctor (at Stanford) told me he didn\'t think rehab was that important as long as I walked a lot and did the normal activities. There is no facility close to me so I am not contemplating rehab. I am feeling OK, walking about 30-45 minutes a day about 5 days a week at the mall while my husband goes to the gym. I don\'t really feel like going to the gym at this point and will just continue listening to my own mind and body. I am hoping to start a low impact aerobic gym class in Nov. I was wondering what levels cardiac rehab wants an individual to reach??? If you go, let me know so I can compare where I am in the scheme of things.
Hey Renee
It was good to read your post. Glad to see you are making progress. How are the shingles? No pain there?
Good luck on your rehab decision. I have ...Read more
Hey Renee
It was good to read your post. Glad to see you are making progress. How are the shingles? No pain there?
Good luck on your rehab decision. I have to check out our rehab center in October before I go in for MVR. Let us know what you decide. BTW, I guess the bypass machine makes quite a mix of our hormones. That is one more thing I have to put on my watch list! Hope you have a good week of healing! Best
Renee Radocaj Hey Jim!! Shingles are good/gone!! The new antiviral meds are awesome. I still have aches and pains b ... Read more
Renee Radocaj Hey Jim!! Shingles are good/gone!! The new antiviral meds are awesome. I still have aches and pains but very bearable. Today I went for another hour walk with my chocolate lab and tackled some pretty good size hills. I then did some weightlifting aka vacuuming the stairs (and the entire house as well). From what I am reading this is just about time to begin rehab. Adam began his training at 10 weeks and so did a few others. That’s good news that I am not late. Although Rockstar Rebecca S. has already begun at 3.3 wks!!
Your surgery is in November correct? Ahhhh a whole month to think about it. Try not to. I’ll keep up with your posts. Feel free to reach out for anything. You will do great! Ttys.
Renee!!!!!!!
Tough day yesterday for me. Recovery is a bit of a roller coaster. Not linear at all.
Glad you posted again.
Mend like wind!
Renee Radocaj Hi Ernie. So sorry about your bad day yesterday. They will come and go for sure. I read you have been ... Read more
Renee Radocaj Hi Ernie. So sorry about your bad day yesterday. They will come and go for sure. I read you have been emotional too. That was the worst part. My poor children have taken the brunt of my mood swings. Then I spend hours and hours feeling bad about it. Anyhow - enough about me. YOU - take care and rest and don't get down on yourself. You are doing fabulous. I am amazed at your recovery, especially in the hospital. You had me beat by a long shot. I could barely walk by the 3rd day. Take care and ttys!!!!!!!