Jan Persico - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

March 19, 2017

Started cardiac rehab on Friday......St. Paddys Day. It felt so good to move and be active all under the watchful eye of the staff and of course the heart monitor. I was worried I would send my heart back into AFib, that is an irrational fear! But all was fine. Felt tired afterwards, but oh, what a good tired. I feel like I'm really on recovery road! Yippppeeee!

Like | Kathy Blank, Matthew Russo, Vanessa Corwin and 3 others like this

Kathy Blank Great news Jan! I started my rehab on exact same day. Reassuring to have heart vitals monitored during the session!

Judy Midas Good for you!!! Keep up the good work! My husband starts rehab on Wednesday. He's eager to start.

Tracy Simmons Great progress. When I went through cardio rehab I felt the very same way - a great, safe place to start exercising again with your vitals being monitored.

Update posted on...

March 14, 2017

So, it's been a month since my minimally invasive AVR. Had an episode of AFib a week and a half ago, spent 3 days in the hospital. Felt like I was doing pretty good with recovery until the afib episode. Doubled my beta blockers, all other meds the same.
I feel exhausted ALL the time. And it feels like my heart is bruised. When I cough it hurts, take a deep breath it hurts. And it feels like it's beating so hard. Wanted to be feeling great by now. Hope to start rehab on Friday. Any thought or insights would be so appreciated.

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Rita Savelis Hello Jan. You describe it the way I felt it. A month seems like a long time and yet it's a short time too.
I was exhausted for many months.
Your body is ... Read more

Rita Savelis Hello Jan. You describe it the way I felt it. A month seems like a long time and yet it's a short time too.
I was exhausted for many months.
Your body is still slowly recovering.... and increasing beta blockers can add to tiredness.
Go easy on yourself. Recovery isn't a race.
Take care.

Jan Persico Thanks Rita. I do know it's a marathon and not a sprint! But I feel a bit impatient with the whole healing process. Since I had a mini thoracotomy, I thought ... Read more

Jan Persico Thanks Rita. I do know it's a marathon and not a sprint! But I feel a bit impatient with the whole healing process. Since I had a mini thoracotomy, I thought I would be further along. A rib did have to be broken and that is still a bit ouchie ( it was screwed back in with a metal plate). I really appreciate the support and the reminders! ❤️

Rita Savelis Those "mini" procedures can be tough. A broken rib is more painful than a cut sternum. No question. And screwed back in with a metal plate? Ouch...
I hear ... Read more

Rita Savelis Those "mini" procedures can be tough. A broken rib is more painful than a cut sternum. No question. And screwed back in with a metal plate? Ouch...
I hear your impatience. When can we feel "normal" again?!?
So now I wish you a speedy recovery!

Pre-op done

Journal posted on February 9, 2017

Good morning. We have been in Cleveland since Saturday. Spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Clinic for pre-op testing. All testing is now complete. Which means all systems are a go for Monday's surgery. Just waiting to hear what time I have to be at the hospital. Met with Dr. Johnston, he's great. We decided on a tissue valve. I guess the processing of it all starts now. Hadn't quite seemed real up to this point, but I guess my chest is really going to be opened and my valve replaced. Yikes! Any thoughts/ideas of things I might want/need in the hospital would be very much appreciated.

Like | Cathleen DeWitt, Barbara Wood, Shannon Gray and 1 other likes this

Cathleen DeWitt Hi Jan ❤️
My hospital checklist as a patient: eye mask and earplugs (if you want to sleep at all lol), travel pillow (like you use on an airplane---works ... Read more

Cathleen DeWitt Hi Jan ❤️
My hospital checklist as a patient: eye mask and earplugs (if you want to sleep at all lol), travel pillow (like you use on an airplane---works better than the hospital pillows when you're propped up --- make sure it has a clean cover on it), pajamas for when you are moved to your own room (needs to unbutton in front and with short sleeves so they can access all your lines), Icy Hot for sore muscles (will keep your neck and back from tightening up), Listerine (because anesthesia and all the meds leave a metallic taste and hospital mouthwash is useless), and antibacterial hand wipes (for face and arms etc -- makes you feel so much cleaner), a smile, and a sense of humor (very important) 💛, and your stamina because you'll need to get up and walk, walk, walk as soon as possible -- walk A LOT in the hospital, it will spare you from many heart related complications that are caused by being immobile ❤️. Everything else they provide is fine and you'll be too tired to care 😊
Best wishes!
xo Cathleen

Kathy Blank Jan- stay positive and focus on the fact that you have done everything g in your power to be prepared for successful surgery! I just had my robotic mitral valve ... Read more

Kathy Blank Jan- stay positive and focus on the fact that you have done everything g in your power to be prepared for successful surgery! I just had my robotic mitral valve repair yesterday and was so happy to have my eye mask! Keep us posted!

Catie B I adored the Cleveland Clinic nurses in the ICU. Can't have your phone in there, but once you step down, you'll want your phone charger. :) Asking for anti-nausea ... Read more

Catie B I adored the Cleveland Clinic nurses in the ICU. Can't have your phone in there, but once you step down, you'll want your phone charger. :) Asking for anti-nausea meds helped me much. The food will be heart-diet, a little bleak. I had to ask for a heart pillow--it will help when you need to cough or sneeze. I told myself many times, "This is not their first rodeo" and they indeed seemed to be prepared for all contingencies. Best to you!

Phyllis Petersen Yes, ask for anything you need. They really were great at CC. I had to ask for my heart pillow too (ask housekeeping; they know where they are), but Catie is ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen Yes, ask for anything you need. They really were great at CC. I had to ask for my heart pillow too (ask housekeeping; they know where they are), but Catie is absolutely right: it really helps when you cough. I also needed a surgical bra and heat for my achy back, plus pudding in the middle of the night to take oral pain meds, all of which they were happy to give me. They really do try to make you as comfortable as possible. They even "brushed" my teeth in ICU with this rough sponge thing and paste that could be swallowed. Don't tell anyone, but I had my sister smuggle in some salt from the cafeteria, which made the food much more palatable, just don't overdo it. You need to get rid of the excess water from surgery. Tell your family that the omelet station in the caf is awesome and reasonably priced. Also, there is coffee and tea in a small kitchen on the stepdown unit. Plus a refrigerator for patient/guest use (you need to put patient name and date on items or they will get thrown out). The hospital has body wipes for cleaning until you can use the shower.