Doug's Journal

I celebrated my 3rd week post surgery by walking 3 miles this morning, up from my previous longest of 2.4 miles. No problem with breathing or heart rate, my only problem is numbness in my toes on one foot which has been daily since the surgery. Anyone else experience these symptoms? They are holding me back from rehab for another 3 weeks, yet I feel I could have started earlier this week. Just anixious to keep moving forward. Again thanks from all the HVS support and prayers.

Thanks to you all of the HVS family over the past 3 months. Returned yesterday from my 1/16/15 mitral repair. Good news was that it was both a repair and done with a thorocotomy. Dr. Ailawadi was great, evening stopping by my room on day 3 sharing with me five, short 15 second videos of my heart pre, during and post surgery. Describing the recovery I would say the second morning was the toughest from both pain and headaches. The third day I went into A-fib, but came out of it on my own before any measures were needed. The fourth day I had 3 visitors at the same time, all cracking jokes which lead to laughter, leading to a significant increase in pain, followed by immediate EKG and x-rays. By by day 5 everything continued to improve on a daily basis. I would say the only negative about my surgery is the fact that I develpoed Pericarditis which will require 3 months of additional medication. Upon arriving home I immediately crashed for several hours and then spent an entire restful night in bed, not being awoken for a needle poke. Everything looks very good for a long term prognosis and I look forward towards working to cross off several of my "Do it List" bucket goals I wrote the month before surgery. Thanks again for your support. 2Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment.

Spent the morning going through a 4 hour pre-op exam with no problems. Finishing up loose ends tonight, reading Adam's book and checking off my check- list what to bring. My surgery is at 7:00 am tomorrow, so check in time is 5:30 am. So far not feeling nervous, but I'm sure the butterflies will be in full formation at 4:00 am as I head out the door. Good luck to Linda who shares the same surgical day. Thank you all for your prayers and suggestions. Looking forward to giving you a positive update in a few days! No White Flags!

My surgery date has been changed three times in the past 2 weeks. New date is now 1/16/15 at the University of Virginia. Praying Mitral valve can be repaired and not replaced. Having final meeting with the surgeonthe day before surgey on 1/15/15. Planning on working right up to the Big day.