About Me (In My Own Words)
My husband has left bundle branch blockage. This was discovered when he was a bone marrow doner.
He was seeing his primary care for bi annual follow ups. A problem with aortic valve was found and also being followed. I thought I was aware of my husbands condition so I wasn't attending his doctor visits. My husband wasn't aware, didn't understand that the valve was different than original diagnosis. Fortunately his primary care left several msgs that alerted me to get involved!
April 13 2016 he had aortic valve replacement. Before that he had catheterization and to everyone's surprise no blockages!
We were given information on what to expect for valve replacement.
Nothing went as expected!
My husband had been failing for some time. He is a 68 yr old self employed house painter. He continued working up to days before surgery. He insisted that he was simply tired. My intuition told me different. Bless his primary care doctor for his persistence.
The surgery itself had some complications. I was told before they actually began his blood pressure dropped to low. They had to rectify to begin surgery.
After the surgery the doctor told us before closing and astute assistant suggested checking everything. They found the had punctured his ventricle. It was bleeding and required a stitch. Dr said had not seen this in 25 yrs. Anyone else experience this? Should we be concerned?
The breathing tube was supposed to be removed at 3:00pm.
His blood pressure was to low without support of medication. The breathing tube remained until 1:00 am.
The next day we discovered anesthesiology had broken my husbands front tooth.
All during the hospital stay the tooth issue was such a problem. It was painful to eat. Food was delivered he couldn't eat. I informed each nurse at every shift to no avail. Finally his children prepared food and brought to the hospital.
I could write a book on the hospital experience. How I needed to stay at a hotel minutes from hospital and take advantage of family and friends to care for my husband. He was in a hospital yet the nursing staff was an experience in itself to maneuver.
He had an issue with fluid that needed to be drained from his lungs.
Also issues keeping his blood pressure stable. Also had a lung infection.
My husband went from hospital to rehab facility back to hospital then back to rehab facility.
He came home with support of visiting nurses and physical therapy.
This week he'll begin cardiac rehab.
He is in so much pain. He continues coughing up stuff from his lungs. This is so painful it brings tears to his eyes. He's exhausted and sleeps often. He's also frustrated !
He saw the cardiologist last week. He heard fluid on his lung and sent him for xray. Haven't heard back yet.
Is this pain normal? Surgery April 13 today is June 5,2016.
I'm at a loss as how to help him.
Allow me to add that I have chronic migraines that puts me in bed, in dark room 3 to 5 days a week. I've lived this way since pre school. Yes, I've tried and continue trying cures!
I tell you this as my husband has taken care of me and everything from our children to making my life wonderful for 37 years. He's Never complained.
I am determined to care for him. As I said earlier he worked up to days before aortic replacement. The surgeon told us after seeing his heart he couldn't fathom how my husband could work. He was much sicker than he displayed. I could see it clearly.
My husband doesn't complain. If he's in pain I know it's far more painful then he's saying.
Is it normal?
How can I help him?
He's very frustrated. He wants and financially needs to return to work.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
yorkbeach
-
I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
-
My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
