OMG. Just looked up you and Michael and found your journal. Glad you're OK and recovering from your heart surgery. Please say "hello" to Michael. My wife will ...Read more
OMG. Just looked up you and Michael and found your journal. Glad you're OK and recovering from your heart surgery. Please say "hello" to Michael. My wife will be 2 years breast cancer free with a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
Stay well.
Hi Susan,
I see that you had a consult with Dr Girardi….did he perform the surgery for you? I am in the process of scheduling a consult with him within the ...Read more
Hi Susan,
I see that you had a consult with Dr Girardi….did he perform the surgery for you? I am in the process of scheduling a consult with him within the next couple of weeks. I was wondering how your experience was with Dr Girardi and NY Presb Hospital. Hope you are doing well.
Thanks,
David Tatelbaum
Greetings Susan,
Congrats on the your 5 month milestone and your progress in rehab. I just graduated from 3 months in rehab...I really enjoyed it and made ...Read more
Greetings Susan,
Congrats on the your 5 month milestone and your progress in rehab. I just graduated from 3 months in rehab...I really enjoyed it and made some great new friends! Hope it works the same for you.
I have been using the scar treatments also. My wife tells me that my battle scar is something that I should be proud of and not to worry about it. I guess you have to experience it to know why we want to minimize the way these \"wounds\" look.
Until next time...take care!
Dennis in OK
Hi Susan,
Good to see your latest post. Sorry to hear you got sick. I also got sick recently with an upper respiratory infection...my first issue since surgery. ...Read more
Hi Susan,
Good to see your latest post. Sorry to hear you got sick. I also got sick recently with an upper respiratory infection...my first issue since surgery. I went to my Dr and got on antibiotics which cured my problems immediately. My advice...take care of yourself!.
I hope you enjoy rehab. I got in late also, but it has been my \"calming\" place and I really enjoy it. I hope it will be the same for you.
Stay well...
Dennis in OK
Susan,
Hope your recovery is still on track. I just wanted to say a quick hello.
Take care,
Theresa C.
SUSAN KLAPKIN Hi Theresa,
sorry it took me so long to answer- I am coming along- starting rehab next month- better ... Read more
SUSAN KLAPKIN Hi Theresa,
sorry it took me so long to answer- I am coming along- starting rehab next month- better late than never!
Hope you are well too
Coffee?
Susan,
Thanks for your post in my journal this morning. I read your journal to find out about your story. Medically, you have been through a lot, but still ...Read more
Susan,
Thanks for your post in my journal this morning. I read your journal to find out about your story. Medically, you have been through a lot, but still have a great attitude about life. You are an inspiration! Concerning our heart issues, I am amazed by the similarities in our cardio problems and treatments and then finally that our cath procedures and surgeries were actually on the same days! I am glad to hear your recovery is going well and you seem to moving along very quickly (probably faster than I am). It will be fun to compare notes over time.
Stay in touch!
Dennis in OK
Susan:
What great news and how great it is that you are learning so much about the healing process. Remember, as you probably know from your previous surgeries, ...Read more
Susan:
What great news and how great it is that you are learning so much about the healing process. Remember, as you probably know from your previous surgeries, you feel terrific at 3 months until you get ot 6 months and you suddenly realized now you feel terrific--you only THOUGHT you did at 3 months, and then that whole realization is repeated at a year when you start to forget that you had surgery completely.
Wonderful news from you. Keep on healing.
Terry C.
Susan,
That\'s great you are doing so well! I just passed my six-week mark and am feeling pretty good. Like you, still some slight discomfort behind the sternum ...Read more
Susan,
That\'s great you are doing so well! I just passed my six-week mark and am feeling pretty good. Like you, still some slight discomfort behind the sternum (I also had a sternotomy). I am pleased to hear it is all going well for you.
Jim Anker
Hi Susan,
My surgery was January 13th. My incision was pretty much healed at 2 weeks. Now it is slightly pink with a small bump at the top. One nurse told ...Read more
Hi Susan,
My surgery was January 13th. My incision was pretty much healed at 2 weeks. Now it is slightly pink with a small bump at the top. One nurse told me to massage it at the top. Does any one know of a cream to use on the scar to help \"lighten\" it?? My drain tube holes are still healing. As for the one on the neck, I an guessing time will take care of it. Kind of like a club we are in, huh?
Lori Wakat
Hi Susan!
I only had a 3-inch scar and the scab was gone in about a month. I don\'t remember how long it was that I could see where they put the neck IV in, ...Read more
Hi Susan!
I only had a 3-inch scar and the scab was gone in about a month. I don\'t remember how long it was that I could see where they put the neck IV in, but it\'s long gone. (My surgery was 9 months ago today!)
Glad to hear you\'re doing well.
Ricki Shine
Susan,
I had a mitral valve repair with a median sternotomy on Jan 18. The scabbing is gone from the incision, which looks pretty good, and it looks like the ...Read more
Susan,
I had a mitral valve repair with a median sternotomy on Jan 18. The scabbing is gone from the incision, which looks pretty good, and it looks like the scar won\'t be too bad. I assume the ones on my chest (from the tubes) and neck will remain there, though maybe not so noticeable. Everyone is different and heals differently. Sounds like you are doing well. Good for you!
Jim Anker
SUSAN KLAPKIN Thanks Jim,
Since our surgeries were close, I guess I just need a bit more time.
sounds like you are ... Read more
SUSAN KLAPKIN Thanks Jim,
Since our surgeries were close, I guess I just need a bit more time.
sounds like you are doing well
Live, Laugh, Love
susan
Susan,
I check the journals to see how you are doing. Glad to hear you are feeling good and making progress. The Mall is great for getting a walk in, and a ...Read more
Susan,
I check the journals to see how you are doing. Glad to hear you are feeling good and making progress. The Mall is great for getting a walk in, and a little shopping does not hurt either. Also, there is no snow in the forecast for NJ in the near future, and it will hit the high forties in a few days.....Yeah!
Be well,
Theresa C.
Hi Susan,
Congratulations on your recovery so far!
The post op exam with Dr. Girardi was no big deal. Laura, the nurse, came in and took a listen, checked ...Read more
Hi Susan,
Congratulations on your recovery so far!
The post op exam with Dr. Girardi was no big deal. Laura, the nurse, came in and took a listen, checked my pulse, asked me some questions about how I was feeling and removed my steri strips, all were still attacehd at that point. She said they usually stay on for like 4 weeks; I thought I was odd still having them on after the things I had read and was told. Dr. Girardi just came in after and took a look at the incision and asked how I was feeling and that was it.
Please tell him I said Hi! and Laura too if she\'s there.
Be well and continued progress on your recovery.
Nancy H.
Susan,
Good for you. When I got home I walked around the house each day and up and down the stairs. It really did build my strength, and eventually I started ...Read more
Susan,
Good for you. When I got home I walked around the house each day and up and down the stairs. It really did build my strength, and eventually I started on the treadmill. Do not get discouraged...it really takes time and some days are better than others.
Keep moving!
Theresa C.
Susan,
It is so good to hear from you. I have been thinking about you and am glad to hear you are doing so well. I agree with others posting.....Tylenol works ...Read more
Susan,
It is so good to hear from you. I have been thinking about you and am glad to hear you are doing so well. I agree with others posting.....Tylenol works well, but if you need a pain killer to sleep or to manage substantial pain, do not hesitate to take it. Do not forget to pace yourself...do too much and you will pay for it. Pamper yourself, you deserve it. Keep us posted.
Theresa C.
Susan:
Don\'t overdo at the mall. It\'s early days for you. Make sure you have a place to sit if you feel faint, and don\'t think there\'s something wrong ...Read more
Susan:
Don\'t overdo at the mall. It\'s early days for you. Make sure you have a place to sit if you feel faint, and don\'t think there\'s something wrong with you if you do. Tylenol works very well unless you get a killer pain.
Take it easy and heal.
Terry C.
SUSAN KLAPKIN Thanks for the warning Terry- I did feel a bit dizzy, so sat down
Susan
Susan
Great to hear you are doing so well!
Trust your body regarding pain. I had to cut back on the Percocet in the second week because it was causing halucinations ...Read more
Susan
Great to hear you are doing so well!
Trust your body regarding pain. I had to cut back on the Percocet in the second week because it was causing halucinations at night! I took the Percocet during the day and Tylenol at night. I was able to take just Tylenol after a few days.
Wishing you peaceful rest and good walks.
Amy Sz.
Hi Susan,
Congratulations on the good report! I told you; it\'s not so bad. I had to take some percoset once in a while after I got home probably into the ...Read more
Hi Susan,
Congratulations on the good report! I told you; it\'s not so bad. I had to take some percoset once in a while after I got home probably into the second week, but mostly to sleep at night. I found I could get away with a 1/2 pill just to take the edge off. Maybe that will work for you. But I did find the days I did too much, I hurt more esp. when I got into bed at night. I also got away with Tylenol; it helped a lot and I was able to stop the Percoset. But everyone is different.
Continued good health and progress with the healing.......eat well and get plenty of rest!
Nancy H.
Susan:
Don\'t compare yourself to others in the use of painkillers. A lot of people don\'t admit how long they have to use them. Do what is best for you. ...Read more
Susan:
Don\'t compare yourself to others in the use of painkillers. A lot of people don\'t admit how long they have to use them. Do what is best for you. If you haven\'t had the killer backache yet, you\'ll find that if it does come, those painkillers work great.
There are milder painkillers as well, and after a month or so you might step down to one of them.
Best of luck.
Terry C.
Congratulations Susan!
Sounds like you are doing excellent. It\'s all uphill from now!I was amazed how quickly my recovery has been. Just take your time and ...Read more
Congratulations Susan!
Sounds like you are doing excellent. It\'s all uphill from now!I was amazed how quickly my recovery has been. Just take your time and enjoy having others help you with what you cannot do! Keep up with the spirometer and daily walks. It really helps
Best
Chris K
Hi Susan,
Today is my 3rd day out of the hospital. I had the mini Mitral Valve repair and full MAZE. My incusion feels good,little pain except after sleeping ...Read more
Hi Susan,
Today is my 3rd day out of the hospital. I had the mini Mitral Valve repair and full MAZE. My incusion feels good,little pain except after sleeping on it all night. All bandages are off. My heart rate has been high, 115 Monday and Tuesday and down to around 106 today. Has your\'s been high. They said it happens not to worry. Not too much appetite, just feel kind of \"blah\". I did run a fever first day or two but normal now Gene wxeye@metrocast.net
SUSAN KLAPKIN Hi Gene,
My heart rate has been fine. It did speed up when i came off the ventilator, but they fixed ... Read more
SUSAN KLAPKIN Hi Gene,
My heart rate has been fine. It did speed up when i came off the ventilator, but they fixed it with the external pacemaker and I have been fine since
Take care
susan
I am from: Manalapan, New Jersey
