Jeff's Posts

Hey everyone! Good morning!! Jeff, Version 2.0, is doing well. I feel better than I have in over perhaps -- the past 20+ years. Its' REALLY weird to know that my congenital aortic valve dis-function eventually manifested when I turned 65 - thank you Medicare. ;>) Anyway - as previously stated, going into all this, I was not aware of my condition, and had presented no outward symptoms. It was a casual listen of my heart by my PCP that started this whole adventure a year and a-half ago. I'm quite thankful for what did not happen! Here's something that might help somebody . . . While talking with my cardiac surgeon afterward, I asked if my condition could have been why I seemed unable to last through any endurance athletics in high school, college and beyond. While sprints and/or brief burst of effort were fine, anything extended resulted with me being, at times, severely out of breath. His response pretty-much affirmed my working theory. Tomorrow is my final M-W-F Cardiac Rehab session. I walk the neighborhood 3 miles on Tuesday & Thursdays. My cardiologist has cleared me to resume my push-ups, planks and lap swimming. I look forward to seeing how I feel after working back up to a good 200- then 400-yard swim. Kind regards to all. J.

Hello all. Now that I'm going into my 6th week post-op - an update. EVERY SINGLE DAY . . . following the operation was/is better than the day before. During the 3rd week, I felt I could do/resume pretty-much anything I did before surgery. HOWEVER that "foolish optimism" got shot down any/every time I had to cough or worse - sneeze unexpectedly. Additionally, while I was able to get up and enjoy each day (blissfully doing little more than You-Tubing), I had no energy reserves whatsoever. I was often drained well before the day's end. Big improvements during week #4 with energy reserves up enough to get me through the daylight hours, but not much more. Sleeping patterns have been erratic. Was expected. Still are - to some extent. Had my 1st night's complete sleep just a few days ago. (Not at all worried or concerned about this.) I'm a side-sleeper. That has added to my sleep challenges. Last week (week #5) was the first week I could lay on my side for more than 20 minutes. Getting a recliner/adjustable bed just before the procedure has helped a LOT. Coughing is now only a noticeable annoyance. The surprise sneeze however, still hurts and stops me in my tracks. This coming Friday, the 16th, will be the official end of 6 weeks post-op. I'm looking forward to cardio-rehab so I can work back up to resume weights, stretching and swimming after the 1st of the year. Today I returned to my desk & computer to catch up on banking. I'll dive back into eMail probably - Wednesday. Did I mention how WONDERFUL is has been to ignore (not even open) eMail since 09/01? Remember - your recovery is all about YOU! Enjoy, or at least embrace your recommended downtime! No need to let life's stresses back in prematurely. Resume whatever you want, only when you have the CONFIDENCE of knowing you have the energy to see it through. Internally, my blood pressure is running a bit high (150/100 @ 85bpm). The surgeon, cardiologist and I are working with aspirin, lisinopril and metoprolol to lower/slow these numbers so my heart, slightly enlarged, might remodel itself by not having to work as hard as it has for the past several years. My left leg, below the knee, where they harvested a vein for the bypassses, continues to be noticeably larger that the right leg - understandable as the left leg's circulatory return system has to grow/adjust/compensate for the major vein now gone. God's grace & blessings to each of you. Jeff.