Debra's Journal

It has been 8 weeks since Rick's aortic valve replacement. He had a mini sternotomy. His resting heart rate was 99 - 104 BPM in hospital. It did not slow down when he returned home. Two weeks ago his resting heart rate was 119 BPM. I arranged a call with his surgeon and we were in agreement that his Metoprolol should be increased to to pre-op dosage. His new Cardioligist had reduced it in half. His heart rate really hasn't slowed down that much. It's still in the 90s. Has anyone else had this issue? Additionally, Rick doesn't feel like walking or doing anything. He is tired all of the time.

Rick is still experiencing an elevated heart rate. His resting heart rate has always been high but within normal limits. His heart rate has been between 99 and 104 BPM since his AVR. When he went on a short walk today it went up to 124 and he was very winded. They have slowly upped his beta blockers to slow his heart, but they are being very careful because his BP was low. They are also monitoring his glucose level. The cardiothoracic surgeon that was on call today said his heart sounded really good and the murmur was gone. He also removed the wires in his chest today. I sure hope they get his heart rate and blood pressure stabilized soon.

Rick was moved from the Coronary Care Unit to the Telemetry Unit. He had his catheter removed, his chest drain tube removed and his oxygen tubes. He sat up for breakfast and lunch. He even took a little walk today!

Rick has had a headache since he woke up from anesthesia yesterday. Percocet didn't help. The nurse gave him something else this afternoon so he slept a little. When he woke up he still had a headache. It's across his forehead. Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you.

Rick's surgery lasted about 3 1/2 hours. I saw him in the Coronary Care Unit last evening. He was awake but groggy. They took out his ventilator at 9:30 and sat him up. Today he looks really good! You wouldn't know he had major surgery less than 24 hours ago! Today his neck tubes come out and he starts on the spirometer.

The surgery went very well. I didn't get to see him in recovery but I saw him in the Coronary Care Unit. Wow it was unnerving to see him on a respirator and all those drainage tubes, along with all the monitors and IVs. He opened his eyes and slowly was awakening. He wanted me to go to the hotel and get some rest. And I wanted him to rest and sleep. I think they took out his breathing tube tonight. His color was good and he already had his sense of humor. I will see him tomorrow morning.

I finally received the pre-op info from kaiser on Monday. I called the kaiser neighbor islands travel desk and I cannot book our flight and hotel because the actual surgery is not posted yet. I was told if the surgery doesn't show up online by Thursday morning to call again. I will be calling again tomorrow morning. Rick's surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday.

i forgot to mention the good news. Rick has no major blockages and his heart is very strong and of normal size. He does not need a coronary bypass, only a valve replacement. This makes me feel so much better as he will not be on the heart lung machine for an extended period of time.

i woke up last night in a panic over my husband's pending aortic valve replacement. I calmed myself down and went back to sleep. I am really frustrated because we only know the date and the surgeon. I have no idea of the costs and we don't have our airline tickets yet. We fly in one day early for pre-op tests. The hotel is covered only one night. I had to find my own accommodations for the duration of Rick being in the hospital. Thank goodness for Marriott Reward points! We live on Kauai AKA the fly or die island. Surgery is on Oahu. I do not like being left in the dark. I will call the scheduling nurse again on Monday. Last Monday she had three patients ahead of my husband to do paperwork. She called last Wednesday and said his surgery had been moved up a day. I cannot believe this information has not been forthcoming. I will be as sweet as pie and on Monday and get the info I need. It's not like we're driving down the street to the hospital. I have to get a house sitter and make other arrangements. Grrrrrrrr!

The time has finally come. My husband went to see his cardiologist today and he is getting an aortic valve replacement early next year. I know this is a "routine" surgery but I am so nervous. I am so glad I can post here. I need to be strong for my husband.