joni's Heart Valve Journal

Tim Goff  Great progress Joni. The low sodium diet is a challenge at first, but I was able to work at it to keep under the 1500/day limit. No doubt you can do it too. ... Read more

Tim Goff  Great progress Joni. The low sodium diet is a challenge at first, but I was able to work at it to keep under the 1500/day limit. No doubt you can do it too. Cutting out most of the normal snack food, deli meats, and take out (fried) food was the first step.

Meredith Bray  Yeah for the lump reduction! I was worried mine would be there forever. You don't have to give up vitamin k and wine, you just have to be consistent. The ... Read more

Meredith Bray  Yeah for the lump reduction! I was worried mine would be there forever. You don't have to give up vitamin k and wine, you just have to be consistent. The coumidin nurse should dose to your diet, not restrict your diet. I try to eat more natural foods and less processed foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

Bill Hendrickson  Glad to know about the lump decrease,mine is just starting to go away. The salt reduction is a real challenge. I found salt free catsup which is a big help ... Read more

Bill Hendrickson  Glad to know about the lump decrease,mine is just starting to go away. The salt reduction is a real challenge. I found salt free catsup which is a big help with burgers,meatloaf etc. My selection of foods that taste good is extremely limited hence I am about 10 lbs under weight. Glad to know about your recovery.

Pat Bluemel  Great to know you are doing rehab I was worried I was starting too early, but the docs are like "go for it". Also wine is not gone forever (we have to have ... Read more

Pat Bluemel  Great to know you are doing rehab I was worried I was starting too early, but the docs are like "go for it". Also wine is not gone forever (we have to have some little pleasures) I have a lot of friends on coumadin and that drink, just have your clinic factor it in. I cannot wait for my first sip! Keep up the great recovery. Also, jealous of the snow day. We've had none in Seattle this year:(

Jim Kelly-Evans  Meredith wrote: "You don't have to give up vitamin k and wine, you just have to be consistent. The coumidin nurse should dose to your diet, not restrict your ... Read more

Jim Kelly-Evans  Meredith wrote: "You don't have to give up vitamin k and wine, you just have to be consistent. The coumidin nurse should dose to your diet, not restrict your diet.": Meredith you are so absolutely correct in this. Bravo! Well said!

Tim Goff  Joni, I was a bit of a potato chip junkie, but those had to go after my AFIB etc. My wife found these great tortilla chips at the store that have the lowest ... Read more

Tim Goff  Joni, I was a bit of a potato chip junkie, but those had to go after my AFIB etc. My wife found these great tortilla chips at the store that have the lowest sodium of any others by far. They also taste great and are GMO free. The name is RW Garcia Mixtbag Yellow & Blue Tortilla chips and come in a bag with maroon and blue vertical stripes at the top. Those with salsa are both healthy and cure the snacking crave. Hope that helps

Terrie Syvertsen  Joni- You sound in wonderful spirits, happy and it is good to hear about your "outing" especially the hot chocolate! In early recovery, each day filled with ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen  Joni- You sound in wonderful spirits, happy and it is good to hear about your "outing" especially the hot chocolate! In early recovery, each day filled with even what might be considered little accomplishments is known by us to be GIGANTIC! Love your attitude and I hope each new day finds you healing more and more!

Ed Smith  Joni, thanks for such positive news and for sharing your terrific attitude. Terrie said it so well above, that small steps to the rest of the world mean so ... Read more

Ed Smith  Joni, thanks for such positive news and for sharing your terrific attitude. Terrie said it so well above, that small steps to the rest of the world mean so much to us (particularly in the early recovery stages).

Pat Bluemel  Thanks for typing this, I've learned hard lessons like this too. Just silly little things open up nagging pain. I took yesterday 'off' as well. Just sat ... Read more

Pat Bluemel  Thanks for typing this, I've learned hard lessons like this too. Just silly little things open up nagging pain. I took yesterday 'off' as well. Just sat in the recliner and accepted the day as it was. Hope your minor changes help!

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Joni- I did the same thing on my 5th. night home as I thought it would be nice to try the bed only to get swallowed up In the process. Needed Gary to ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Joni- I did the same thing on my 5th. night home as I thought it would be nice to try the bed only to get swallowed up In the process. Needed Gary to ease the shoulders as I did a lean to the left, foot over the side and roll to stand up routine and was not seen near the bedroom for the next two weeks! Very glad you escaped without home and that you are home. Smart move with the power lift chair as it makes things so much more possible to get much needed "doses" of sleep. Continued success with your healing process-take it easy!

Terrie Syvertsen  Joni-sorry for the error in my earlier post. I've been up since 2:00 a.m. carving and I meant to say that I am glad you escaped the "pillows without injury". ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen  Joni-sorry for the error in my earlier post. I've been up since 2:00 a.m. carving and I meant to say that I am glad you escaped the "pillows without injury". The first week home seems to me the hardest. Glad you are doing so well. Terrie

Patrick Schweitzer  Joni-yesterday was day 6 for me. My sister came down and visited on Sunday and it was probably a little much. The next day I felt like I was getting over the ... Read more

Patrick Schweitzer  Joni-yesterday was day 6 for me. My sister came down and visited on Sunday and it was probably a little much. The next day I felt like I was getting over the flu with aches and higher than normal temp (99.1). Today after a days rest I feel great again, so I learned the bottom line is don't overdo and listen to your body. That is so hard for me to do but I know now how important.

Virginia (Ginger) French  Glad you are doing so well, joni! I was offered a discharge on day 4, but the nurses had kept me up all night so I chose to stay to day 5 and get sleep and ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French  Glad you are doing so well, joni! I was offered a discharge on day 4, but the nurses had kept me up all night so I chose to stay to day 5 and get sleep and more fluids in (drinking, not IV!)

Unfortunately, this was my fifth surgery in the past three years, but I have learned a lot. We have recliners that also swivel and rock in our home. Because of previous surgeries where I could not use my arms, I had learned to prop up in the bed with pillows to sleep. Occasionally I would go out to the front room to get a change of position in the recliner, but I could not use the handle for the footrest. Because my husband's work hours are long and variable with call included, he was not home much to be of help.

We discussed a lift recliner with a controller before the surgery, but Jim suggested we not jump ahead. Instead we would see how things went and get a chair once back home if we needed it.

One thing I had learned was that strengthening one's legs, especially one's quadriceps, make the need to pay for a recliner into more of a choice.

What I recommend is that for at LEAST two weeks (more is better) before surgery, practice sitting in various chairs AND on the toilet. Cross arms so hands are on shoulders. Edge forward as much as possible, then lean forward with nose over toes and stand up.

I did not practice for weeks, but was very aware of what I needed to do. My husband was home with me just a few days, but he was rather pleased when I got up out of the recliner under my own power the first day home.

I made sure to clear away a substantial space next to "my side" of the bed, and had no problem moving some of the extra pillows in the bed, then crossing arms and doing a log roll onto my side and sitting up.

So not having an electric recliner was never a problem for me. I understand they can be handy, but we were trying to spare unnecessary expenses, and this is one payment we did not have to make.

Rest and remember to use your energy for healing rather than trying to drop pain meds too fast and instead using your energy to fight the pain. A person is not a wimp if they use pain meds reasonably. So be good to YOU and give yourself a break as you would with others!

Blessings and prayers for comfort, strength, and rapid healing!

PS - I thought it was a Mack truck that hit me at highway speed, and I had the bruises as evidence!

Eleanor R  I remember that well myself, and I was further along in recovery when I thought I would move to the bed one night. I got myself settled, but then could not ... Read more

Eleanor R  I remember that well myself, and I was further along in recovery when I thought I would move to the bed one night. I got myself settled, but then could not turn over when one hip began to hurt. Fortunately my daughter was sleeping over the first month or so, and we had a system of calls, so I called her cell and she running thinking I was having a heart attack or worse, when all I needed was a hand. Actually, two hands, shoulders and a strong back. I went back into the recliner and the wonderful electric lever for another few weeks. In due time you will be back in bed, hopping up, flipping over, and maneuvering as though you have never had surgery. What a blessing! Keep healing well. Eleanor

Jim Hernandez  My thoughts to you as you prepare for your day....I am 48 days away from my surgery and like you, are now in the midst of all the pre ops and preparation. It ... Read more

Jim Hernandez  My thoughts to you as you prepare for your day....I am 48 days away from my surgery and like you, are now in the midst of all the pre ops and preparation. It certainly takes its toll on your physically and mentally. I look forward to hearing about your journey in the upcoming days and hope everything goes according to plan :)

Adam Pick  Hey Joni! Welcome aboard. Great to have you here. And, just in the nick of time... Just 7 days, huh? Well, I'm hopeful the info and people here are helping ... Read more

Adam Pick  Hey Joni! Welcome aboard. Great to have you here. And, just in the nick of time... Just 7 days, huh? Well, I'm hopeful the info and people here are helping you. If you need anything, please let me know! Adam (patient & website founder guy)

Bill Cherry  Hi Joni,
I went through aortic valve replacement surgery about a month ago. If an old codger like me can do it, you will do fine.
I will be thinking of you ... Read more

Bill Cherry  Hi Joni,
I went through aortic valve replacement surgery about a month ago. If an old codger like me can do it, you will do fine.
I will be thinking of you and wishing for the most positive outcome on your surgery day. You are in good hands.
Bill

Nancy D  Joni- the what ifs are usually worse than the reality. Try to stay busy but not exhausted. I did some cooking and freezing for the time during recovery when ... Read more

Nancy D  Joni- the what ifs are usually worse than the reality. Try to stay busy but not exhausted. I did some cooking and freezing for the time during recovery when my husband didn't feel like cooking all he had to do was thaw and reheat. I packed early as I am prone to packing panic and wanted to avoid that for sure. I downloaded some music on my phone for quiet in the hospital, and I read on here and did some praying as well. Did a wee bit of walking, and thinned out files....just wee jobs that took no thinking but occupied my time! ;-) Take good care and I hope these 10 days and the next 10 days go smoothly for you!