Bob's Journal

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
I AM THANKFUL TO BE HOME 4 DAYS AFTER SURGERY! I returned home yesterday which was four days after my AVR Surgery, last Thursday the 27th. I am still amazed at the fast transition from date of surgery to date of leaving the hospital! I am Thankful that it was a smooth transition and that I didn’t have any glitches other than pain, which was under good control in a short time with proper meds.
I Thank God for being with me throughout this journey. Knowing he was with me, gave me his PEACE. Your Prayers, Encouragement and Words of Wisdom have been and are appreciated! I Thank You All and Wish You the very best during 2019!
Now that I’m on the road to recovery, I will move forward day by day, continue my walking routine & starting cardiac rehab (after week 4) with the hope of regaining my strength and stamina, then eventually attaining my “New Norm”.

First night at home & Thankful!

Day 2. The incision into the sternum was not as long as I had expected.

Hello everyone! I had a successful surgery on Thursday the 27th at Florida Hospital, with Dr. Kevin Accola as my surgeon, in Orlando Florida. I want to THANK EVERYONE for their PRAYERS and ENCOURAGEMENT!
The surgery went very smoothly & I Thank God for that! I was so surprised when I woke up & the nurse said the surgery was over. It was surreal! I was taken to ICU for one day & by the end of the day following my surgery I was released from the ICU Unit and taken to my room. After I settled into my room I actually walked 2 times around the hospital floor and up and down a flight of stairs. Hard to imagine so soon after surgery, but that’s part of the Hospital’s protocol. It’s Saturday and have been walking and doing physical therapy. My biggest challenge has been pain management of my sternum. The pain has been intense at times. I think we now have the pain under control by adjusting medications. Looks like I won’t be here in the hospital much longer. Will keep you posted. Bob

Hi, checked into Florida Hospital Orlando today and had a heart catherization and it went well. My coronary arteries are ok so I won't need a bypass. Thankful for that! Just need my aortic valve replaced. Surgery should be first thing in the morning. They will be prepping me 4:15 AM & having surgery between 7-8 AM. Will go from surgery directly to ICU for one or two days depending on how I well I do. I want to Thank everyone for their prayers and encouragement. I have God’s Peace as I know he is in control & that he is with me as I go through this process.

Hello All, after tracking the progression of my Aortic Stenosis for more than three years, I think the reality of me checking into the Florida Hospital on 12/26 for a heart catherization & having my Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery one week from today (12/27) is finally hitting hard emotionally. As of yesterday, I tend to tear up and cry for no apparent reason. I've read that a wide range of emotions may exist during pre-op and during recovery and guess I should prepare myself for this. I would like to remain strong and balanced emotionally and hope and pray this is temporary.