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Dee's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Coronary Artery Disease

Member Since: July 5, 2017

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Dee Dowda posted an update

8 years ago (September 28, 2017)

After my last post, someone asked about pain. Well, it's relative. For me, I had minimal pain when I was on pain meds, muscle relaxers, and whatever else they were pumping into my IV - at least, as long as I was sitting or laying still. HOWEVER, movement was another... Read more.

Margot Swann

Sounds as though you went through a lot! Yikes! The pain frightens me. I am otherwise healthy so hoping I can tolerate what comes my way.

Leslie Bakos

I have a crooked spine hard for me to sleep on my back....when could you finally sleep on your side? Thanks for posting your pain experience...you are strong...I guess all the pain meds will also numb my hernia.....

Dee Dowda

I have just started sleeping on my side and it's not really that comfortable. I find that my body kept me in the most comfortable position. I am most comfortable sleeping with my head elevated my body encased in pillows. It all has to do with the healing of your... Read more.

Gerald Poulton

Hi Dee, you are so right that it is different for different patients and so much is dependant on your health and your physical ailments. . You obviously went through more than the average person and I certainly dont envy you. You are obviouly a fighter and I take my... Read more.

Barbara Wood

Dee, I'm so sorry that it has been a painful recovery for you. Everyone is different & every recovery is unique, we can't predict what lies ahead for us. Good vibes & prayers sent your way, hope you soon feel better:)

Jennifer McInerney

So sorry you recovery experience was so painful. I hope that your continued heart journey will be a better experience, I am praying for you.

Craig Wise

Hi Dee. I had tons of post AVR pain; despite being remarkably healthy and fit prior to surgery. Then, my sternum split apart at six weeks post-op. Had to be opened up again and have sternal plates screwed in. Yes, it's random. I really think most of us struggle in... Read more.

Dee Dowda

OMG, Craig, you had the biggie (in my book). To have your sternum split at that late date. Hope you are doing well now. Thanks to every one who posted. This site helps me in so many ways, even if I am just venting b/c I have no one else... Read more.

Dee Dowda posted an update

8 years ago (September 28, 2017)

I am beginning to think that I am not the patient to be posting here. Although I am two months post surgery, the roller coaster is still rolling. My current issue is bleeding from the incision where they harvested a vein to do my CABG. My cardiologist took me off... Read more.

Margot Swann

Dee, that sounds scary. You're still bleeding? Just said a prayer for you. Oh, and it's good to hear reality stories, so keep posting. I'm up on October 2.

Ellen Leng

Stay on the site! This place is for all, and not everyone has an easy time. Because of your low platelets, you will be at higher risk for bleeding as they help with clotting. Stopping the coumadin should help get the bleeding stopped, and if not, you should talk to... Read more.

Dee Dowda posted an update

8 years ago (September 18, 2017)

I was admitted to the hospital from the ER on July 31 (a Monday) with a diagnosis that my aortic valve dysfunction has passed from severe to critical. They ran all the necessary pre-op testing on Tuesday and I was off to surgery on Wednesday. I can say that didn't give me much to time to get anxious; in fact my family and I were playing SkipBo waiting for me to go to surgery. But my "'to do list'" and my hospital bag were in my apartment 20 miles away. So much for planning. Previous times that I have had general anesthesia, I was usually in the OR chatting before being put under. Not this time. It seems that they were pushing me toward the OR when all the lights went out and the next thing I knew, people were annoying me trying to interrupt my sleep. Evidently I was a bit combative coming out of anesthesia and I do remember the feel of the breathing tube in my throat. I kept trying to go back to sleep and they kept telling me to open my eyes. I had been in surgery for 7 hours. I have no clear memory of ICU. Within a few hours, I was out of the ICU, no breathing tube, and in my room in the step down unit. I was still hooked up to a few wires, IVs, and had a wireless heart monitor in my gown pocket. On Day 3, I developed AFib. One of the first things I had noticed was that my heartbeat was quiet but when I went into AFib, I could feel the difference and my breathing changed. The nurses would compare notes regarding my AFib b/c I could be in sinus rhythm for hours then 'flip' into AFib. I was put on amiodarone and coumadin. (Don't know exactly when or in what order.) Another thing that caused a lot of discussion was that I was perspiring like I had run a race. Water dripped from my hair, down my nose, off my chin, down my back... my bed had to be changed several times a shift and you could wring water out of the linens. As I became more aware of my surroundings, I heard people comment that my room was the coldest on the floor but I didn't notice it. I felt comfortable (when i was dry). I was also evidently on very good pain medication so my attitude to that was rather blase'.

👍 Barbara Wood reacted to this

Gerald Poulton

Hi Dee, I was there 6 weeks ago on Wednesday, soon you will be here and it will be a memory. I dropped into AFib on day 2 after a bout of throwing up from Duodenitis caused by the surgery but it only lasted one day. AFib is very common.... Read more.

Clayton Mcarthur

I second that ,that afib is taken seriously but won't slow down your recovery

Leslie Bakos

Hi Dee ...How was the pain. Detailed story. I hope your Afib got under control.

Rita Savelis

Body temperature changes are common as many things go temporarily out of whack in your body as it recovers from the trauma of OHS. Hope you are feeling a bit better today.

Bob Gillespie

Your post ICU experience sounds exactly like mine. I had them get me a fan. They kept checking the room temperature, LOL. I'm sitting there dripping with sweat, my wife wrapped up like Nanuck of the north and they call maintenance to check my thermostat.

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