Debbie's Journal

Hey Heart Warriors! Question for ya: I just received a Jury Summons for jury duty on April 15. Need your opinions! A couple of things are worrying me. First the distance to the Courthouse in Downtown Houston is about 45 minutes. Parking in a parking garage and walking a few city blocks. Can I really do it? I am still struggling with some brain fog. Could I make the best decision for someone on trial? Any other concerns I should have?? Should I do this? Am I just being wimpy about not having enough confidence? I am almost four months post OHS - aortic valve replacement, maze procedure, clip put on aortic appendage. I’m open for any and all suggestions!!

Hello fellow Heart Warriors! For anyone who is inclined.... I got a notice from my heart surgeon that Friday, February 1 is Healthy Heart Awareness Day!! I had no idea!! So, wear red on Friday in honor of our day!! I even ordered a T-shirt that actually says, “Keep On Ticking”! (And there are many other cute t-shirts on Amazon!!) The whole month of February has been designated Healthy Heart Awareness month! Let’s spread the word about the importance of a healthy heart!! ❤️

Hello to all my fellow heart warriors! I seriously can’t believe my OHS was 6 weeks ago!! I have made it to 6 weeks!!! And I am so excited!! Many of the things I fretted about weren’t even an issue! The breathing tube, the chest tubes coming out, or even the catheter! What WAS super important was my surgical team!!! Choose wisely folks!!! These are the people who carried me through!! I took the fall and they caught me!! This amazing team put my needs at the top of their list and did amazing things to take care of my needs and bumps in the road!! Yes, I had a few set backs, and you might too. Most people do. But just know that you team is planning and making the best decisions!! I had a wonderful support team consisting of my family (each of my four daughters and my sister took turns spending the night at the hospital every night despite my protests), my church friends, fellow teachers, and especially all of you!! Trust God, you said. Relax, you said. Put your best foot forward, you said, and face this head on!! I took all of this to heart (pun intended) and took your great advice!! And here I am, 6 weeks post surgery!! I know I am a couple of weeks behind most of you in my recovery (no, I’m not even driving yet). But at my follow up appointment with my surgeon yesterday, he said this: “I know this has been tougher on you than most patients, but you came to us very, very sick.” Ahhhh, now it makes sense to me. My aortic stenosis had moved from severe to critical. The valve had disentegrated. I think their description was, “it was trash!” 😂 I also have a much better understanding of what a huge operation this is!! And healing comes from the inside out, and all of it takes time...sometimes lots of time!! I thought I’d be back to my normal activities by 3 weeks. Now I am just grateful for moving forward every day! Those of you who have your big day coming up, my advice is this: plan all you can ahead of time and be ready, rest up before your surgery - your body is going to need your full cooperation to heal. Limit visitors if they tire you out or bring germs! Focus on you! Focus on healing! You will do great and you will recover from your surgery. Know that you faith in God, the Great Physician, will carry you through. And your support system is important!! I’ll check back in as I hit more milestones!! Thank you thank you for helping me through!!

For any of you heart warriors who might have had a bypass... what is the recovery like. I know it requires ohs but that’s about all. My friend from church just found out he needs 4 by passes. Within the next two weeks!!! He and his wife are scrambling for information. I am 5 weeks and 3 days past my own surgery (aortic stenosis and maze procedure - ohs). They have been with me along the way and are wondering if his recovery will be similar? Anybody have info you could share in bypass surgery??? Thanks!!

Hello Heart Warriors. Readmitted to hospital on Saturday pm via ambulance. Sepsis. They are searching for where but all antibiotics given have covered it. Had a right Thoracentesis today to drain fluid. Now they are culturing that. But I can already breathe better. Praise Jesus! Grateful to have moved from infectious disease floor back up to heartfloor. I know all the nurses from the last stay. So two steps forward and a couple back. Keep fighting!!! I know I’m gonna!

I’m so sad that my surgery was postponed!! Such a letdown after being so ready!! Debbie Kelly was right all along!! They wouldn’t do my surgery without the heart cath!! But when we called my doctor’s office from Pre Op they had said one wasn’t requested! So people are scrambling here!! Got in for heart cath and heart surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow!! Gonna need your help heart warriors to get psyched up for surgery in the morning!!! Anything you can think of to help me pick up my spirits would be so appreciated!!! 🙏🏼😊 Debbie

My mantra for the day: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4 To all of you heart warriors who have paved the way - Thank you Thank for all your guidance and encouragement! Thank you for sharing your stories and giving advice so We that follow might also be prepared. Thank you for taking the time to care and pay it forward! I think I am ready! I have done all I can to prepare and now I hope for a couple of hours of sleep!! It still seems surreal that I am having open heart surgery today!! To all of you who are waiting on your surgery date or even pondering the possibility of heart surgery, hang tough and follow this path of great heart warriors! Learn all you can - knowledge is power!!! Ask lots of questions and prepare!! And thank you also for your encouragement and prayers!! My surgery is scheduled for 7:15 a.m. I think I will be first!! Which is excellent as it goes right along with my competitive nature!!! 💪🏼 🏆 ☝🏼 To my fellow surgery patients for this day, November 26, 2018, Brian Havlin and Paul Howarth, LET’S ROLL! Wishing you both successful surgeries and swift recoveries!! My best to all of you in “heartland”, Debbie ❤️

It’s tomorrow!!! I know very little about Pre op but I know I will have blood work. Should I fast before the blood draw? They did not tell me to but maybe they assume I would know? Also, what is the blood work for? I mean what are they checking for exactly? Anyone know?

Just wondering...when did any of you hear from Pre Op at your hospital? I am having my surgery on November 26 and haven’t gotten a call from them. And there are a lot of things I’d like to know for surgery. Should I put in a call to my surgeon’s office to find out? Am I being overly anxious about hospital preparations? Just curious what the time frame was for everyone else?