Gail's Journal

It's a little hard to believe 4 weeks ago today I was in the operating room having surgery! It's been a journey and the road to healing still continues. I would say the first couple of weeks at home were pretty rough. The last two have been easier and I'm getting stronger and stronger every day. I start cardiac rehab this week and I'm looking forward to that...I need to move more! This website has been a g-d send for me...wow...thanks to everyone that's been a part of it. It's been therapeutic both helping people not quite in the same place as me as well as folks that are further along than me. I also want to thank my neighbors, family and friends for all of the support. It has meant the world to Dan, my Mom, Ben, Sarah and me. I had a CBC last week and although my "number" are still low...I'm getting better and moving in the right direction. I hope I continue on this positive path. I have my first Echo in about a month and I know that will tell a lot. XOXO

It's been 15 days post op and I had my first two sneezes in a row! Luckily I had a pillow to hug and it wasn't too bad. It didn't tickle, but I survived. Fellow Zipper Club Members can appreciate this milestone! Other than that, not much else to report. I was out for several hours this afternoon, walked around a lot and now I'm resting.

It's hard to believe 2 weeks ago today was my OHS! I seem to be getting a bit stronger day by day. I'm able to get in and out of bed by myself (without using my arms) and I showered standing up today with no help! I've gone out of the house today and yesterday for about an hour and I survived. Today is the first day I woke up around 8 AM, showered and dressed and didn't go back to my bed until now (10:30 PM). I'm weaning off of the pain medicine, but still taking it daily...it works very well! I'm cautiously optimistic I will continue on this path. Thanks again for everybody's support, it means the world to me.

If any ladies that have recently had surgery want to lose a few pounds...shave your arm pits and legs for the first time post op...wow! I'm joking about the weight loss, but it sure made me feel more back to human. I also was able to drop the wedge pillow during the middle of the night and sleep on my side (kinda sorta) for the first time! It's the little things post op. :-) I seem to be getting an itty bitty bit stronger everyday, yet still hit a wall in the late afternoon. My hematocrit is low so that makes me feel like crap, too. I'll be happy when it's back to "normal". Thanks for everybody's continued love and support...it means the world.

I was scheduled to see my cardiologist today, but sent an email last night to him. I asked since my surgery got delayed is it too soon to be seen? His nurse got back to me this am and said it makes sense to cancel and call to make an appointment for a little further out. I haven't seen my Cardiologist since before surgery as he's at a different hospital (Swedish). My surgeon (@ UW) did call my card after surgery was over to give him an update. I'm kinda relieved to not have to go downtown today. Yet was also looking forward to seeing Dr. Demopolous and getting some reassurance I'm doing OK! I see Dr. Verrier (my surgeon) a week from today.

It's a nice day here in Seattle. I made it to the mailbox and back. Woohoo!!! The fresh air was great. Other than that...I have no desire to leave the house yet. I have an appointment w/my Cardiologist Thursday at noon. I don't qualify for Home Health, I'm told. Too healthy and would need to pay out of pocket if I want the service. I do qualify for Cardiac Rehab 6 weeks post op.

I came home Saturday, got home at 4 PM. The journey to recovery is definitely a journey. Thanks for all the support and love from everybody. I just wanted to send a quick note since I hadn't in a few days. Dan, my Mom, my sister, my kid's, my neighbors, my extended family, my friend's have been amazing. I'm very greatful...please keep the positive / healing energy coming...I need it.

This is Dan posting the update this time. What started off as a decent day turned sour pretty quick. Everything is still progressing fine and she's slated to go home tomorrow...but she fell off "the grid" in the afternoon due to lots of pain, brought on most likely by doing way too much activity (PT, including walking a flight of stairs, OT, chest tubes removed, trip to X-Ray, visiting family, etc). She wanted to give an update but wasn't up for typing it herself. Hopefully our next update will be that we're home.

Finally a room became available on the Cardiac Step Down Floor...yay I'm out of ICU. My pain is under control and I'm making progress. I'm told my chest tubes should be pulled tomorrow and I should go home this weekend. Disappointed about the chest tubes being in still, but oh well. Thank you to everyone for your love, support and prayers. I feel extremely blessed for everybody's concern. It has made me strong so big big thank you. Whoever is reading this post...you may be able to smell me...no shower until 24-48 hours after chest tubes are pulled. Plug your noses!!!

Gail finally got some sleep last night. We found a pain management regimen that seems to work for her. This is excellent, as Gail was very uncomfortable yesterday: pain all over, intense itchy sensations, sore throat, etc... We're still in ICU because there is not a bed available in the step-down area. Gail has been up several times for short walks up and down the hall. She's been sitting up periodically, and has eaten small amounts at each meal time. The doctors say she is looking great. Chest tubes are still in, but the lines in both sides of her neck have been removed. She still has an IV in each arm. In addition to her short walks and sitting, she's been doing her breathing exercises and ankle pumps. She is in a better state of mind and mood...noticeable by those who have been taking care of her...including me. She's spoken to her children (Ben and Sarah) and they have been cute, offering their "get well soon"s and "I love you"s. We are planning on having them come to visit tomorrow (Thurs).

We are now removing the EJ and the Cordis from her neck! This should provide some more comfort for Gail, as she'll be able to move her head around with less pain and tubes getting in the way. We're also trying a new pain regimen and will see soon if this will help Gail's comfort. Hopefully she'll feel comfortable enough to take a nap and get some rest/relief. Gail appreciates all the well-wishes and positive thoughts, but is not up for any visitors. If that changes we'll let you know. She did manage to eat some eggs and yogurt, so that's a step in the right direction. We're getting there, little steps at a time. I anticipate that we'll be moving out of the ICU before the end of the evening, as her recovery is progressing and they are expecting to need the room for incoming patients.

We are now removing the EJ and the Cordis from her neck! This should provide some more comfort for Gail, as she'll be able to move her head around with less pain and tubes getting in the way. We're also trying a new pain regimen and will see soon if this will help Gail's comfort. Hopefully she'll feel comfortable enough to take a nap and get some rest/relief. Gail appreciates all the well-wishes and positive thoughts, but is not up for any visitors. If that changes we'll let you know. She did manage to eat some eggs and yogurt, so that's a step in the right direction. We're getting there, little steps at a time. I anticipate that we'll be moving out of the ICU before the end of the evening, as her recovery is progressing and they are expecting to need the room for incoming patients.

Gail didn't sleep at all last night. She was in too much discomfort and had consistent pain. I, on the other hand, slept like a baby (Gail told me to mention that). Gail has been sitting up for almost 2 hours and just ate a popsicle. The nurse(s) and doctors still trying to figure out how to manage her pain. We're trying dilaudid now...the pain meds seem to work, but only for a limited time, then back to pain. Unfortunately we can't keep them coming as often as we'd like. We're about ready to get her back bed, with the plan to get her up a couple more times today. We're not sure at this time if she'll be moved to "the floor" (out of ICU) today or tomorrow; we'll have to wait and see how the day goes. They removed a few of the lines going into her body, but there's still a few in there. Dr. Verrier stopped in to say hi and reassure her all went well with the surgery. That was nice..I know Gail appreciated the visit. We are expecting a couple more visitors today, including Gail's mom, Carol, and cousin Jane. We spoke to our daughter, Sarah, this morning and she is anxious to see Mom - probably in a day or two. Ben is eager to see Mom, too.

Gail is doing well. She has the breathing tube out, and is sucking on ice chips and taking sips of water. She is in a lot of pain, and they're trying to balance pain meds with blood pressure. (Her blood pressure bottomed out when they gave her 1mg of morphine...they gave her another 1mg and blood pressure is now holding steady...we're now waiting on IV tylenol). She got extubated around 6:45pm, after being brought up to the ICU at around 3:30pm. I'll be staying with Gail throughout the night. She says she's happy to be alive (aren't we all?!) and on "the other side" of it.

Just got the 2nd update...they're basically done. All looks good!! She is off the heart & lung machine and they're "finishing up"...it should be about another hour (~3pm) and she'll be in the ICU. I'm so relieved that it's gone this well. I just hope she's not in too much pain when she wakes up...and that her in-hospital recovery goes better than it did 16 years ago! Will keep everyone posted.

It's been 2.5 hours since they began and we just got an update...the doctor is sewing in a tissue value. We did not know before the surgery which valve was the best choice, and after consulting with Dr. Verrier we decided to let him decide once he got "in there" and saw what was going on. Gail ultimately would have been okay with either tissue or mechanical, but the preferred option was tissue, as Gail knows how much of a pain it can be to be on lifelong coumadin. Anyway, now that the valve is going in, it's time to tackle the aortic aneurysm...

This is Dan, Gail's husband. I'll be updating Gail's status throughout today, and perhaps for the week or so to come. Gail was just wheeled back into the OR. We spent an uneventful couple of hours in the pre-op area. If Gail was overly anxious she really didn't show it...though I know she was not her normal self, as she was unusually quiet. I'm glad that my step-mom Jan was there with us. Her medical background allowed us to listen to all the medical jargon with confidence so that we understood all that was going on...also, her sense of humor helped to lighten the mood. We're glad that Dr. Varrier (the surgeon) was able to stop by and talk...it's definitely nice when the doctor takes the time to say a few words and make us feel a little more comfortable. We're not exactly sure how long the surgery may last, though we think it's a minimum of 4-5 hours. I'll update more as I get information.

I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow. I'm assuming I have to give my surgeon a valve choice then? I'm still leaning towards metal, but tempted to get tissue. UGH!!! I just want to decide.

I had the Ross Procedure Nov. 1, 1999 in St. Louis. It's now time for a second surgery. I need my aortic valve replaced and my ascending aortic aneurysm repaired. I now live in Seattle, WA. I have two appointments coming up with Dr. Barnhart at Swedish Hospital and Dr. Verrier at UofW. I'm looking for input on both surgeons and hospitals? My timeframe for surgery is mid-December / January. I also need to decide which type of valve...metal or tissue.