Brent's Journal

My goodness, it has been a roller coaster the last 3 months. See below post for the first part of how things went. Having started cardiac rehab and feeling like things were going good. I started to notice I felt more tired, was putting on some weight and my resting pulse rate was going up. To make a long story short I collapsed last Tuesday evening while walking up the stairs at home. Was taken by ambulance to the emergency department, where they did a CT scan hoping to rule out a pulmonary embolism. What they did find was Pericardial Effusion. So, I was transferred to the main hospital where I had my surgery performed earlier this year. There , I was admitted and had an echo(ultrasound) done and it showed a lot of fluid around my heart and heart sack. So much so, that I was told it was cardiac tamponade and they needed to drain the fluid right away. So, to the O.R. and they initially drained a liter of fluid off. Put in a vacuum type drain that would help pull more fluid off. Over the course of the next 3 days, another liter of fluid drained and I was finally able to come home this past Sunday. I guess I am feeling okay, but the mental aspect of this all gives me pause. I feel like right now, its is all I can think about. I want to be able to not have this be the first thing in my mind all the time. So, keep an eye on yourself. Watch for any early symptoms and get to the doctor quickly if you notice anything. Take care, Brent

Hope everyone is doing well. 5 1/2 weeks post op AVR. I am feeling better and stronger. Had a bit of a rough start as after I was home for a week. I had to go back in the hospital and have a couple of bleeding ulcers repaired. I was losing a lot of blood and hemoglobin was really low, so I was weak, dizzy and foggy headed. Seem to be much better now and I start cardiac rehab next week. I am looking forward to that.

Came through good on the surgery. They kept commenting that I was " remarkable". Minimal pain , have been up sitting in chair, made 2 laps around the floor, had temp Pace maker wires removed, and drainage tubes taken out. Was told that I will probably be moving out of ICU this afternoon, after only 1 night. All in all I feel pretty good. Oh and my chicken broth, jello, decaf coffee, popsicle breakfast was delicious! Hope everyone is well.

Surgery is on Monday the 17th. The anxiety is really kicking in now. I feel nervous, even shaky and weak feeling at times. I guess this is normal for someone who has suffered with Anxiety and Panic for a long time, but wow!, this wait has been difficult. I try to stay distracted, I even have some med to take when it gets bad and that helps some, but my mind starts wandering off again. Any additional tips from anyone on how to attempt to stay calm. I keep worrying something is going to go wrong before I even get to the surgery from so much anxiety, or that I will catch a cold and get delayed. So many around me are sick with colds and/or allergy related issues right now. Just had to get that off my chest. Thanks,