Fernando's Journal

Thank you all for your messages of support. Two weeks ago, I started feeling unwell, feeling like I had a cold, body aches, and was extremely tired. I had to go back to the doctor and undergo some tests to rule out any heart-related infection or inflammation. As a precaution, I was prescribed antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-inflammatories. Thankfully, I responded well and my symptoms improved. The stabbing pain I felt in my chest when breathing deeply disappeared, and I started physical therapy with breathing exercises for my lungs. I'm 50 days post-surgery, and I feel much better. I really want to work on my garden and fix some things, but as a precaution, I'll wait a little longer to avoid injury or worse, because lifting weights causes me chest pain from the incision. But time is passing, and I'm much better and recovering well.

I underwent open heart surgery on July 3rd, with aortic valve replacement. While recovering, I showed signs of forgetfulness, mental confusion, and syncope, and was hospitalized again. A cardiac arrhythmia was diagnosed, resulting in an ischemic stroke in the cerebellum. I started taking anticoagulants and anti-arrhythmia medication, and I'm recovering. I've been experiencing uncomfortable flare-ups of pain in my left chest, shoulders, and back, and there's likely inflammation of the intercostal nerve. It's not easy, but it requires patience.