Don's Journal

It's been july of 2016 since my surgery, a surgery I almost didn't survive because of the aneurysm problem during surgery. It seems like a long time since that surgery. I just had a checkup with the heart doctor at St. John's in Springfield Illinois and all is good and I don't have to go back until this time next year. I am going to get back to a exercise program in January, I have put in about 30 lbs since surgery and want to get back to my good weight. I have been walking about 4 miles daily until the cold weather hit and that shut me down. I also retired at 62 from a high stress job that I had done since 1972, life Is different now but in a good way. I still get a feeling I should be doing something.

It has been 4 weeks since my surgery.. My biggest concern to date is the pain in my hip, the numbness in my right leg from the knee down.. I have had an X-ray of my hip and found nothing. After what I had went thru in surgery I really have no issues with my valve or aneurism replacement, the incision doesn't hurt and is healing well. I was told that being placed on heart lung machine 3 times could have lead to some pain problems and it should go away, I wish it would sooner than later. I return to Springfield for a checkup on August 25 th and maybe get to drive and even ride the bike then.

It will be three weeks since my surgery. It seems that everyday is something new going on, meaning, I went from not being able to sleep or very little to now sleeping better. Before surgery my hip also hurt just a little, now it hurts bad and so do left hand, seems like those pains before surgery have been escalated. I had a doctors appointment on Friday and while there I was having an A fib attack, they placed me on blood thinners and I am much better now. This has really been a journey, I went into this open minded, in surgery I had unexpected problems and almost died. Now ech day is getting better and I am sleeping better and even in my own bed. I have never had any issues with my chest and it is healing nicely. I still have some numbness in my right lower leg and can only hope that goes away here in the next few days.

I am two days away from the two week anniversary of my surgery. Last night, finally, I slept in my own bed and I slept at least 8 hours, I feel great! I has very little pain, my chest is healing great, I still have some swelling and leg discomfort and my heals are also not as sore . My appetite is now better, I have lost 5 pounds in two weeks. Since the weather is so very hot I can't walk like I want to outside, storms went thru last night and today should be a good day to get out. I go back to Springfield on the 25 th of August for a checkup. I really think by that time I will be very close to 100%. Each day is better than the next. I am moving around but still get a little tired by noon. I am very lucky to be alive after this surgery and I am fortunate for all I have.

Got home today at about 4 pm. I am having issues with sleep, every night something new. My surgery took 12 hours, I had complications not seen by the surgery teams until they got in. Surgery was on weds and they closed me on Friday after leaving me in a paralyzed state for two days. The back of my heart was like butter is what I was told. The repaired aneurism was bleeding and they couldn't get it stopped. They brought in a 2nd team and they double up on getting the fix done. I can't seem to get the rest I need at night and now have a mygrian each night . The last night at hospital I did take a sleep aid but was really out of it afterwards. I have been up all night tonight and just tired. I know it is me just overthinking things and keeping me up.

Getting ready to leave for hospital. Because there is a lot of emergencies at St John's they have moved my surgery down 3 blocks to memorial, still with same surgeon.

I got my pre-op done today in Springfield . We are all set for surgery on Weds. the 13th. Going to get the bike cleaned up and ride to Nashville ind on Saturday. Going to get some miles in before surgery, won't be able to ride after the 13th for some time.

I go to St. John's on Thursday, tomorrow , for pre- op and meeting with surgeon. We are now camping until this Sunday and then back home to get ready for surgery. I am to the point where I just want this over so we can move on. I am now off work and before leaving I had a great time with employees giving me a send off with cake and get well messages.

21 days to surgery, wow, less than a month. I talked to a customer that had the same surgery I am having, his was in 2005. He really helped put me at ease. The plan is to work up to the 5th of July, then go camping until the 11th and then to surgery on the 13th. I am looking forward to getting the surgery done because now I am having some issues. I am riding my bike as much as I can.

I have three day weekend starting Friday. Wife and I riding to St. Louis for a cardinals game and spend the night. I love going to St. Louis and hanging out . Going to be nice to get away from work and the stress, I find it hard to concentrate at the store while I have surgery hanging over me. Getting on that bike makes me forget about all this stuff. 🏍😎

I have never had surgery and on Tuesday I had to visit the dentist so he could verify I had no hidden infection before surgery, all is good there. I have one more visit to my surgeon before surgery, blood test etc.... I wish is all behind me. This surgery consumes Every minute of the day, all I do is think about it.

My wife, brother and I met with the surgeon. He really put me at ease about the surgery. He is younger than I and took all the time with us that we needed to answer questions. We go to Springfield on July 12 and surgery is July 13th, I just want this behind me so I feel better. I am leaving work July 5 th for camping before surgery with the wife and our dogs. Hopefully we get some motorcycle riding in to.