Bob Bemben - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Bob Bembenposted a journal

3626 days ago

AVR on 28 April at Virginia Hospital Center. In CCU for about 8 hours and discharged on May 1st. Lots (and lots) of walking afterwards but a little concerned ...Read more

AVR on 28 April at Virginia Hospital Center. In CCU for about 8 hours and discharged on May 1st. Lots (and lots) of walking afterwards but a little concerned about chest muscles. So, on advice of cardiologist, enrolled in rehab. 14 sessions at cardiac rehab -- really helped, more psychologically than physically. After a month, was basically told I really didn't need any more "rehab." Had my annual physical exam today and was given another one year warranty. Feeling pretty much back to normal. Am very grateful to surgeon, doctors, and most especially cardiac care nurses at Virginia Hospital Center for phenomenal care I received while there. And kudos to Cardio Pulmonary Rehab staff at VHC as well. A truly world class medical center!

Eddie Patton I found that the biggest hurdles were mental not physical. Was afraid to try stuff even when release ... Read more

Eddie Patton I found that the biggest hurdles were mental not physical. Was afraid to try stuff even when released by my surgeon. Once I took the initial leap to start doing things even though tentative I was surprised how much I could do. Hard to make those initial steps to being physical again. Just ease into it.

Steven A Husted glad you are doing well but cardio rehab is not so bad and it will keep your heart in good shape i am ... Read more

Steven A Husted glad you are doing well but cardio rehab is not so bad and it will keep your heart in good shape i am in phase 3 of cardio rehab and one guy in rehab with me has been in rehab for 22 years maybe you have some other way to keep your heart in shape just thought i would mention it steve (popeye)

Tammy Pilcher Great news, Bob! Prayers for continued recovery. God bless!

Bob Bembenposted a journal

3751 days ago

2 people reacted to this

Recovery is progressing well. I am out walking every day. Luckily, we are having some incredibly nice weather here in No Virginia. My wound seems to be healing ...Read more

Recovery is progressing well. I am out walking every day. Luckily, we are having some incredibly nice weather here in No Virginia. My wound seems to be healing up nicely and vital signs are good. The only challenge has been sleeping -- I am grabbing 2 or 3 hours at a time but chest seems to stiffen up at night. But still getting 7 or 8 hours total and the chest seems to loosen up quickly after getting out of bed. And all of a sudden, I developed a bit of an ache in my left shoulder for which I am taking Tylenol. But otherwise, definitely on the mend!

Kenneth Cole Glad to hear your progress. God bless.

Duane Beeman I only get about 3 or 4 hours of sleep at a time and I haven't even had surgery yet ! !

Elaine Foster You are doing great Bob. I had my surgery in Dec., so getting outside was not possible- enjoy the l ... Read more

Elaine Foster You are doing great Bob. I had my surgery in Dec., so getting outside was not possible- enjoy the lovely weather. Do you sleep on a flat bed? I used a wedge pillow with my regular pillow and that helped alot. I could not lie flat for a couple of weeks. Each day will get better. Best wishes for continued good recovery. God Bless you

Barry Van Gemert That first sentence says it all. That mule that kicked you is out to pasture.

Bob Bembenposted a journal

3755 days ago

Nancy D and 1 other reacted to this

Almost forgot--for those about to undergo surgery, don't watch anything too funny afterwards! I forget exactly what I was watching on TV but I can tell you ...Read more

Almost forgot--for those about to undergo surgery, don't watch anything too funny afterwards! I forget exactly what I was watching on TV but I can tell you that heavy duty laughter hurts!

That is a good reminder,for sure!

Nancy D Laughing is good medicine, except immediately post op most procedures!! LOL, Hiccups and sneezes are ... Read more

Nancy D Laughing is good medicine, except immediately post op most procedures!! LOL, Hiccups and sneezes are worse- keep a pillow handy to brace your chest!

Bob Bembenposted a journal

3755 days ago

Nancy D and 2 others reacted to this

So far, so good. Little pain (except when I cough). No pain meds of any kind for the past 3 days. Wound stiffens up at night and is slightly uncomfortable ...Read more

So far, so good. Little pain (except when I cough). No pain meds of any kind for the past 3 days. Wound stiffens up at night and is slightly uncomfortable when I wake up but that quickly clears after getting up. Walked outside yesterday and today--just under a half mile. Appetite is fine. Still using the spirometer every 4 hours or so but lungs are clear, I think. Vital signs are all normal and I have no edema at all. So it looks like I've been pretty fortunate so far. Have my fingers crossed recovery continues as well as it's gone so far!

Nancy D Fabulous forward progress!! So glad you are taking the spirometer serious, it does help prevent post ... Read more

Nancy D Fabulous forward progress!! So glad you are taking the spirometer serious, it does help prevent post op pneumonia! Remember to rest when your body needs to that is also therapeutic and necessary to heal. Hope your nice weather continues that sure makes for nice strolls around the outside!

Bob Bembenposted a journal

3759 days ago

Ericka Carlson, Steve Ellis, Kathy Letsos and 5 others reacted to this

Bob Bemben -- Surgery yesterday morning for AVR with bio-prosthetic valve. They used a mini-sternotomy so this morning I feel like I was kicked by a small mule! ...Read more

Bob Bemben -- Surgery yesterday morning for AVR with bio-prosthetic valve. They used a mini-sternotomy so this morning I feel like I was kicked by a small mule! Am sitting up, waiting for breakfast. So far, so good. Thanks to everyone for all the good wishes!

Sounds like you are doing very well so far! Praise the Lord! Praying for your continued healing.

Tammy Pilcher Great news! Praise the Lord!

Ericka Carlson Woo hoo! Great news, glad you are doing well!

Barry Van Gemert Beats the hell out of a large mule! Glad your recovery is off to a good start.

Alfonso Vasquez Great!! keep going strong Bob =)

Duane Beeman "sitting up waiting for breakfast".........THAT"S a winner in my book !!!

Gerald Schaffer Congrats on what sounds like a good outcome.

Tim Goff great to hear all went well and i wish you continued progress

Cheryl Batzing so glad to hear you are doing well!

Bob Bembenposted an update

3780 days ago

Jennifer Anderson, Ericka Carlson, Peter Tess and 2 others reacted to this

Cardiac cath yesterday, excellent results. Coronary arteries clean. Looking good for a mini sternotomy!

Kenneth Cole Good morning Bob, mine too. What are you having? Me, mitral valve.

Dan D. That's good news, Bob. Both my angiogram and MRI showed nothing requiring repairs except for the aort ... Read more

Dan D. That's good news, Bob. Both my angiogram and MRI showed nothing requiring repairs except for the aortic valve. I'm still anxious but glad that the surgery is limited to the one problem.

Tammy Pilcher Great news!

Elaine Foster I had BAVR with a mini-sternotomy on Dec. 10th 2014. I was blessed with no complications, and the pa ... Read more

Elaine Foster I had BAVR with a mini-sternotomy on Dec. 10th 2014. I was blessed with no complications, and the pain really wasn't that bad. Yes, you have to take it easy, and follow the lifting restrictions, that heart pillow is your best friend for a few weeks, but it is amazing how quickly things get back to normal, so be encouraged, you can do this!

Tim Goff That is a great start Bob. my sternotomy isn't as bad as I thought it would be, 3 weeks out this thur ... Read more

Tim Goff That is a great start Bob. my sternotomy isn't as bad as I thought it would be, 3 weeks out this thursday and virtually pain free depending on activity level. Best of luck with your procedure

Bob Bemben Ken, I'm having an AVR. Good luck!

Kenneth Cole God bless you and your doctors.

Kenneth Cole Bob, let's stay in touch being that we are having surgery on the same day. I'm following you so when ... Read more

Kenneth Cole Bob, let's stay in touch being that we are having surgery on the same day. I'm following you so when I get home we can compare progress.

Terry Shermeister Hi Bob: Just following you and want to wish you the best. I have my cardiac cath on April 27th. It ... Read more

Terry Shermeister Hi Bob: Just following you and want to wish you the best. I have my cardiac cath on April 27th. It's an anxious time but be strong and my thoughts and prayers. Great to see all the support of our community.