angela's Journal

Wow, did does go fast... My surgery on the 7th went as smooth as possible, less than 4 hours. My surgeon keeps us asleep until next morning. So until I was awaken by less meds I know nothing. Haveing the tube out was a bit much for me. I was soooo hot, and I did finally get through to take my socks of and uncover me, then I was ok until it was out. Family was there early to say hi before work. I would be in and out all day. My neice and husband did stay with me all day. I got permission for neice to spend the night. I did not want to be alone at night. In ICU its one nurse to paitient, UNTIL the tube is out, so I got an override. Only in ICU till next day, then went across the hall. The staff here at Banner Heart in Mesa, AZ is top notch. I might as well have been a 5 star hotel. They were incredible and all the divisions of medical staff that have their own parts to do. I needed very little pain meds. I spent Sat., Sun and Mon. at 9am they got ready to discharge me. A LONG WEEK END HMMMMMM. I could breathe well, and walk well on my own. I did have tough nights with cold chills and some pain. Thanks to everyone who sent me messsages. It really helps to have a support system. will write more soon. I am exhausted after every little effort of energy is use.

I went in for my pre-op tests this morning. I got a couple of surprises that made me cry. 1st. My surgeon keeps his patients sedated and on the breathing machine over night. Every blog or even in the Heart Book, it seemed that everyone was breathing on their own after a few hours in ICU. Did anyone else have the tube in all night ? Just curious. 2nd I wanted my daughter to spend the night in ICU. I have a one on one nurse so she cant. She can be in waiting room. Adam talked about his angel giving him ice chips. Well so be it. I have confidence in this staff, hosptial and surgeon. Best Wishes to all that are having surgery this week and recouping. I will write in a few days. thank you for all the support and well wishes. Angela

I am as prepared as I can be. I feel confident in the hospital and the surgeons team. Eveyone one has been wonderful. I go in tomorrow morning for pre-op tests. Then lunch with girlfriends and family dinner. No turning back now. I expect all to go well. Like a few others have said, lets get it done and start the recovery process. I have a hard time imaging how it will be not being able just to move around and not use my arms. I am sure the pain will remind me. I will write a few days after surgery. So appreciative of all the comments and support. Bless everyone in their recovery. We did go to Seaworld and had a wonderful time. I find it very peaceful there.

Everynight I find myself reading everyones updates. I have a hard time sleeping even though I am very tired all of the time. This shortness of breath gets the best of me. We are going to Seaworld on Friday, my husband has never met Shamu and for his 80th birthday I figured it was time. It will be relaxing there as one of my favorite places to go and then to the Beach for a day. I will need to pay the big bucks and rent a scooter, no way I could walk around all day. Darn, we get to go to the head of the line on the rides !!! I want good memories to dream about when I am waiting and then when I am drugged up. There are times that I cant actually believe I am going to have this surgery. I have had 3 different bouts with cancers each one different. I know what it is like to be in the recovery stage, not yourself, tired and all that kind of stuff. Thats what I dont look forward too. I love reading how it does END and you finally get back to living and enjoying life again. That gives me courage to keep going. Will post a few days before my Heart Healthy Day.

I have two young Doxies. They love stuffed animals. I bought a small pillow pet today to practice getting up without using my arms. The pups went crazy about it and would not leave it alone. Then I remembered they do NOT like the smell of Lavender Oil, so I sprayed the pillow with it and they sniffed and sniffed and walked away......Ahhhh. It was fun to watch. I am learning from my mindfulness class to enjoy the moments at present time. This was one. Healthy Heart Healing. Angela

I read something interesting today from my insurance company which is a Humana Plan. They will send me 10 frozen meals after I arrive home from the hospital. Cool Hope there yummy. I sure enjoy reading everyones blog. I bring my HVS book with me to all my appointments and encourage the staff to read it. So they can let other patients know how great it is. I have encourage my cartiologist and Weston the Heart Surgery Corrodinator to buy them and share about it. The office really ought to make them available or hand them out. Thats what I think anyway.

Hi ALL , I have several tools that I am excited about that are not in the book. 1. There is a CD called SUCCESSFUL SURGERY , it is a mind journey by Belleruth Naparstek. www. healthjourneys.com . She has several other CDs that are compatible with it. Ease Pain and General Wellness. Please check out her website. I have had it for 2 weeks and listen to it everyday. 2. One of my fears is being inabated with the vent tube and being aware of it when I am in recovery and staying calm about it. I shared this with my cardiologist and this he what he shared with me. It is alot like snorkeling, breathing in that tube can create panic, so you just have to remember to breathe through it. Since I live in Arizona and have a pool I bought an inexpensive snorkeling kit and I have practiced quite often. Just getting use to it and visualizing that I am coming to and just to relax and breathe and go back to sleep...

I have debated back and forth to blog or not. I like to read alot of the blogs and find great insight in them. I know it is best NOT to compare experiences and recovery to what my own may be. It does though help to be prepared. I have read OUR BIBLE several times, the Heart Valve Surgery is what I am referring too. LOL I just recieved the incision sheild in the mail, it was lots bigger than I thought it would be. I am glad to know about it.