About Me (In My Own Words)
Getting Ready !
Feb 3, 2013
5 years ago, May 6th, 2008, I had quad bypass after a heart attack. I had an emergency stent and two weeks later I had bypass. There was no real damage to my heart and it has recovered completely.
About 3 months after surgery my new cardiologist w told me I had a bad valve that would require replacement in 5 to ten years. Here it is 5 years and I am getting ready for valve replacement in about two weeks, or less.
I had more tests Monday Jan 28, 2013 at Hillcrest Hospital Mayfield Hts Ohio. I was scheduled for a TEE (Transesophagal Echocardiography), a CT Scan and a Vascular Test.
I screwed things up because I had a cup of coffee about 6am. Who wouldn’t? Well, when I told them that they were not happy. If I aspirated during this test I could have gotten coffee in my lungs. Why is black coffee worse than water? Any way this was to be my first test and it then became my last test of the day.
So instead they sent me for my Vascular tests which I have had before , where they map your veins with ultrasound. Plus they did pressure checks of my arms, legs, hands, and feet. This pressure test was a new one on me.
Next was a CT scan with the die that makes you feel very warm for about a minute or so and then things go back to normal. Here I waited in the hallway for close to an hour until I was taken in for the test. The test was about 30 min. or so and back to the beginning for the TEE. Got back to diagnostic center at 1:30pm or so.
Laid around there ( on a bed) until 4:00pm when my doc and everybody showed up for the TEE. They numb your throat with a very think novacaine like liquid you gargle and swallow, to stop your gag reflex. Then they also sedate you to knock you out. Then they stick this tube down your throat, ( I gaged!) and then it was down and I was asleep. While asleep they shove this sensor down that works like an ultrasound. Next thing I know it is over and I am waking up quickly. They use this to check the valves and walls of the heart and several other things. It is not as bad as it sounds but I would not volunteer for one! Everything was good except my bad valve.
So I had not eaten since 11pm the night before ( except for a cup of coffee) and now we were leaving the hospital at 7pm. I have managed to add enough to my girth to survive long periods without food. However, I was very hungry so we got a pizza. I ate and fell asleep.
I was to meet with my surgeon on Thursday afternoon and get details of the surgery then. However, he had flown to California a week ago and came back with the flu! So my appointment was moved to next Tuesday Feb 2, 2013. My wife's birthday.So I will know more next week.
I do know that I will probably get a tissue (cow) valve. The mechanical valve will need a lifetime of Coumadin ( blood thinner-rat poison) to prevent clots from forming on the plastic, etc. My surgeon Dr. Santiscoy, indicated that when I saw him after my cardiac cath a week ago Monday.
I have heard that valve recovery is longer than bypass but I still hope for a short hospital stay and a quick recovery.
So that is where I am now. Still just waiting and keeping warm!So, I had Aortic Valve replacement on February 20th, 2013 at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights Ohio. This is a Cleveland Clinic hospital and the heart and vascular surgeons are of course Clinic Doctors - the best of the best!
Since I had previously had bypass surgery I had replacement heart arteries close to my chest. Additionall vascular surgery to my right shoulder and groin, was required to deflate my heart so they could cut my chest safely. They replaced the valve and it all worked , except I was on the table for 12 hours!
I woke up in ICU the next morning sometime with a feeding tube down my throat. They had to feed me as I had not had any food for well over 24 hrs.
Once the tube was out I was able to talk with difficulty. I was relatively comfortable, morphine is good stuff- in small doses!
I was able to get out of my bed and sat in my chair for several hours. The chair, I believe, gets you stronger than laying in bed.
The first person I saw was my nurse from my previous stay hear bypass in 2008. Nurse Practioner Nancy. She was now in charge of the Cardiac ICU at Hillcrest. I was thrilled to see her, although I was not very active. She had read my file but did not remember me. I told her I had told her about the Webber Grill in Chicago. At that time she had just returned from a convention there. Then she did remember me.
Then I saw my surgeons and my Cardiologist and a few others. My wife was there and I took short naps. The worst thing was that I had not eaten for over 30 hrs. The nurses called for food and of course they brought me clear soup, tea, juice, water etc. I ate and then slept.
I stayed in CICU for another nite. Every hour they checked my sugar and temp. I think blood pressure was automatic. No sleep that nite!
The next day the rehab lady showed up after breakfast and we went for a walk. When she said we could go back to bed I said no, lets keep going. I knew I had to walk to get stronger. I stayed in the chai until they came to take me to my room.
The rooms at Hillcrest are new and private. Nicer than some hotels I have been in! I went to bed, and stayed there for the nite.
The next day I had real food and ate as much as I could. They only tested me for diabetes every 4 hrs as well as temp. I ate well and got some rest. As soon as I could I got up and into the chair. I stayed there most of the day. I got into bed for each nite.
On Friday, I used a suppository to loosen things up and it did. It took about an hour. After that I decided to use the bathroom instead of the urine bottle. This gave me more exercise and I did not need to deal with the urine bottle, which I greatly dislike.
I did have some company on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Many friends and family. I walked around the floor with my son a few times. Long walks. I knew I needed the strength it brought to my system and lungs.
On Monday they told me I was going home. My doctors came and checked on me, the rehab lady came and gave me physical test, which this time included going up and down 5 steps. Later that day my wife came and I got out of there. 5 days! My recovery at home was normal with my wife for a week and a visiting nurse, then just by myself . Very relaxing, walking in the house, it was February! A couple of weeks later I was cleared by my surgeon and then my cardiologist.
As I writhe this entry, it is Feb 15th, 2014. Very close to a year since my valve surgery. I have no limitations. However, I am fat and lazy, but I am getting better at that too! I wish you all well!!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Garfield Hts., Ohio
