Thanks to all for your support! I ended up back in the hospital with Dressler's Syndrome, an auto-immune inflammatory reaction to the surgery. Suddenly the ...Read more
Thanks to all for your support! I ended up back in the hospital with Dressler's Syndrome, an auto-immune inflammatory reaction to the surgery. Suddenly the new valve (which is very good, thank you!) was the least of my problems! But I am happy to be home again and feeling better. The NSAID they gave me for DS is doing a number on my stomach so today we are trying 2 instead of 3 doses. Hope the fevers don't return! Also had lowish blood pressure 2 days in a row so am cutting the metoprolol down today too. Experiments with my cardiologist!! A lovely day to watch tree leaves bowing in the breezes! Up to 2 ten minute brisk walks!
Rounds today- they want to keep me another day. Still waiting for results of some testing on white cells. Hardly any sleep last night so I can understand why ...Read more
Rounds today- they want to keep me another day. Still waiting for results of some testing on white cells. Hardly any sleep last night so I can understand why this made me tearful this morning.
Thanks to all who have written encouraging messages- sure helps! I felt fantastic this morning but flagging a little tonight with my white cell count up a ...Read more
Thanks to all who have written encouraging messages- sure helps! I felt fantastic this morning but flagging a little tonight with my white cell count up a little. So I'm staying another night and using my spirometer for all it's worth! Will try to go to bed early and hope to go home tomorrow. The whole experience was better than I had imagined in my fear and the staff has been great! Off to breathe... I get why it's so important!
Almost there. Surgery scheduled for this coming Thursday. Still have many last minute arrangements to make but I believe all will be well. The disability & ...Read more
Almost there. Surgery scheduled for this coming Thursday. Still have many last minute arrangements to make but I believe all will be well. The disability & FMLA papers have been frustrating- submitting 4th copies and not even in OR yet. But friends & family are so supportive. I'm very blessed!
Felt pretty ready this time! Then I got a whopping big cold & cough over last weekend and am now on antibiotics. Wrapping my head around another delay, this ...Read more
Felt pretty ready this time! Then I got a whopping big cold & cough over last weekend and am now on antibiotics. Wrapping my head around another delay, this time to 6/5. But it all works for good. No use having a good operation if I'm a germy mess just waiting for infections and complications afterwards! Had my pre op work up and post op care class. Have started eating changes ( low sodium/low everything). And it's not so very terrible after all. Here's to Life!
I guess I got so much time to worry that now I'm getting more eager to just get this show on the road! 5/19 date confirmed, but waiting on the details like ...Read more
I guess I got so much time to worry that now I'm getting more eager to just get this show on the road! 5/19 date confirmed, but waiting on the details like disability papers, ins preauth, care class. Forward!
Had my electrophysiology study and was happy to learn I don't have WPW after all. So it is a go ahead for valve surgery in about 3-4 weeks when these entry ...Read more
Had my electrophysiology study and was happy to learn I don't have WPW after all. So it is a go ahead for valve surgery in about 3-4 weeks when these entry wounds have healed. I do have some conductivity problem- sure I'll hear about that later, but apparently no surgery planned for that. I had a long period getting over the narcotics for just this one day's dose, will use them again for the 'big show' but hopefully not too long. So much support from family and friends - so kind and helpful! So grateful. It will be good to get this over with. I think the first procedure helped some with my fears/confidence. Kind of a test run!
Making peace with changes in plan. Waiting can get hard, especially taming negative and worried thoughts. But perhaps that's all part if my journey too. I will ...Read more
Making peace with changes in plan. Waiting can get hard, especially taming negative and worried thoughts. But perhaps that's all part if my journey too. I will now have an ablation for Wolff Parkinson White syndrome this coming Thursday, to safeguard me from danger associated with WPW & potential post surgical A-fib. Well, those Dr.s seem to have my best interest at heart after all! And really, who wants to put in 8-10 hours surgery to risk losing a patient to something else?! All in all I have confidence this is the right course I action, now. So that helps. Hey! What choice do I have?!!!
This will postpone my valve surgery and I do notice symptoms more now. Breathlessness with exertion, achey at times. Fatigue. I'm looking forward to getting it all done and I take courage & comfort from others' posts which talk about feeling much better...much later!
Only 11 days left. Hospital calling for pre registration, letter regarding my wishes (in case!) notarized, stocking the freezer. It's getting real! I feel ...Read more
Only 11 days left. Hospital calling for pre registration, letter regarding my wishes (in case!) notarized, stocking the freezer. It's getting real! I feel like I was coping better a few weeks ago after my initial fear passed and I was educating myself. Yesterday & today I find myself close to tears at times. Then upset with myself. Have to accept both my reality and my emotions. Also need a good cry and a good night's sleep! Half of this may be fatigue.
It's amazing what information does to help control anxiety. Sorta sad I'm done! Reality sets in: 14 days to my new valve. Researching local cardiac rehabs- ...Read more
It's amazing what information does to help control anxiety. Sorta sad I'm done! Reality sets in: 14 days to my new valve. Researching local cardiac rehabs- more than I expected! My sister, a cancer survivor, says the post-op fatigue feels like it's on a cellular level. Well, I'm ready for a lot of sleep! Punctuated by grueling 300 foot walks, of course! Good night!
After waiting a week and a half to learn, thankfully, that I will have minimally invasive surgery after all, I have to go see the electrical cardiologist again. ...Read more
After waiting a week and a half to learn, thankfully, that I will have minimally invasive surgery after all, I have to go see the electrical cardiologist again. Saw him 8 months ago when I thought I had years in which to pay off my original hosp bill before getting a new one and an ablation for WPW. My surgeon is concerned WPW may result in greater risk for post surgical AFib...me too! Frustrating as first available appt is 1week before surgery. Wish the doctors would talk more to each other! Still glad to have them all, though.