Joseph Ballett - Heart Valve Journal

Al Soares Glad you're doing well Joseph. I've read you can't lift over 10 lbs for a few months but have they told you when you can lift more? I'm a bowler with a 14 lb ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Well I can't speak for every doctor, but you should not lift that weight for at least 8 weeks, then my surgeon did not like that the ribs where still clicking ... Read more

Al Soares Thanks very much Joseph. I'm just checking ahead of tIme since I don't have a surgeon yet.

Al Soares Joseph, how long before you can drive? Thanks, Al

Joseph Ballett Al i was told not to drive for six weeks as the car insurance co would not cover any accidents, I felt like i could have drove but did not want to take a chance on myself or someone else.

Joseph Ballett Al i would also look into renting a power lift chair for when you get home , trust me it really helps.

Al Soares Joseph, thanks for the advice...

Joan Napier Joseph, Wondering if you should call your doc sooner rather than later and describe your symptoms just to be safe.

Joseph Ballett Thank you Joan for your concern, I have taken some pain killers and do have relieve now , I will keep your words in mind and if i get worse i will call 911 , Thank you my friend.

Linda Crawford Joseph, I don't want to be a pessimist but what you are describing sounds like what I felt when I had a blood clot in my lung. That was not a good situation--potentially ... Read more

Joan Napier Joseph, As a follow up to what Linda said, the first thing I thought of with the symptoms you described was a possible PE (pulmonary emboli or blood clot in ... Read more

Cris Dykeman No suggestions - but prayers are with you. I hope you slept better and feel much better today!

Joseph Ballett Thank you all for your concern This morning i do feel alot better but will watch, and promise i will go to the hospital if i get bad again.

Joan Napier Glad to hear it Joseph!

Tammy Pilcher Joseph, I've been very emotional too. I cry at the drop of a hat and it's not because I'm unhappy. I just feel so thankful for everyone in my life. I know ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Well it seems i'm not alone with that Tammy, yes i am doing fine now and i hope you are also.

Adam Pick Joseph, Your sense of thankfulness is a great lead-in to the holiday. Thank you. Regarding the tears, I can completely relate. I remember my eyes welling up ... Read more

Joan Napier Joseph, I can relate to you, Tammy and Adam. Emotions do run high for many reasons post HVS , and it's ok. It does seem to give a whole new perspective to life, ... Read more

Nancy D Joseph, I have always been quick to tear up for both happy and sad occasions. I am now so grateful for all I have in my life and that I am here to continue ... Read more

Ruth Valenzuela Joseph, Your post brought tears to my eyes and this is the second time you've done that. I haven't been operated on yet either so I'll probably cry a river ... Read more

Lynne Jeffreys Exactly, Ruth. I was reading Joseph's story and thought, I'm emotional now just wait for the surgery! I'm also from Ontario in Scarborough but I'm planning ... Read more

Joan Napier Sounds like you are right on track with recovery, Joseph. Glad to hear you are doing so well and moving right along. Keep on going! These positive reports are very encouraging.

It certainly sounds like you are moving along nicely in your recovery. Thank you for the update. I agree with Joan, these positive reports are very encouraging.

Elaine Foster Being dependent on others is humbling, so I understand wanting to be independent. So happy you are doing well. Question- if it is not to personal- What type ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Joan and Karen thank you so much and i hope it shows that we will all recover and do wonderful things with our new life's. And Elaine it is no problem to ... Read more

Adam Pick Soon Joseph... You will be sleeping on your side. I remember that one of the key moments in my recovery. Some patients have no issue with it. Me? It took me ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Yes i am Adam, is there any one thing i should being doing more than the other.

3 weeks post op.

Journal posted on October 28, 2014

Well it has been 3 weeks since the surgery, each day I feel better, I look back on the past year and see many times where i did not feel good but just brushed it off as being out of shape or just getting older i now know that it had to have been my Heart. I look back on the Day of my operation how scared i was in the morning. The day after my operation was going to be my 9th anniversary, I never knew what the out come was going to be, I remembered listening to music that morning, I remembered contacting the local Radio station told them what was soon going to happen and if the could give a shout out to my wife for are anniversary they said they could i also asked for a song to be played ,they stated they wish they could but it was all programed. Well at 8:40 they gave out the best of wishes to me and my wife and family it was awesome then out of the blue they said they would play my song as it was ironic for what was going to be done for me .(the song was Kick Start My Heart by Motley Crue) I cranked it and rocked out as soon as the song ended we left for the Hospital.For most of the ride i looked out of the window and did not say much as the odd tear came to my eye once there it was hard just lying in bed with my family there and thinking about the what if's and trying to be brave in front of them. It was hard giving them hugs telling my kids and wife that i loved them watching the tears and fear on there face's, but it was something that i needed and my wife could not understand as why i wanted my whole family there, and i never did tell her how scared i was and if i was to go the last thing I wanted was to see them all together. Once the time came and i was wheeled away and placed in the hall, the fear and anxiety kicked into overdrive as i thought of my family present and past one's. Once in the O.R. i am thankful i was out quick. I look back on that and see how each and everyone of us on this site must feel the same, how this plays with your minds, for me i kept my feelings inside for months sometimes it is all i thought about. I was so glad to find this site with all the information and friends in the same position. It did help and put me at easy for short periods of time . Well it is now 3 weeks and i thank one and all, each day i am thankful to be on this side of the dirt. And each day i get better because of my wonderful family and friends I would also like to thank my wonderful Doctor at Southlake Hospital In Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, Surgeon Carolyn Teng.

Like | Kenny Knox, Ruth Valenzuela, Tammi Gunwall and like this

I believe ....

Journal posted on October 6, 2014

I believe tomorrow will be my day...My day for a new leash on life, and i welcome it with open arms. I believe my wife will find the strength to make it though a long and unknowing day..I believe she will be by my side when i wake , i believe we will grow old together, I believe we love each other more with each passing day, I believe in her each and everyday.
I believe in my two sons.. I believe they will grow with values and commitment, i believe they will succeed in what they want to do in life . I believe they will be respectable young men and will fight for what they believe in, yet know when a battle can't be won , walk away, with there heads held high... I believe they to will be by side.
I believe my Daughter will fined her calling, I believe if she sets her mind to her goals she can reach the sky. I believe she will always be beautiful in and outside .I believe that one day i will walk her down the isle. I believe that will be the day she will become a woman, but always my little girl. I believe she will always be by my side.
I believe i have missed my Father for many years. I believe i have done my best to worship his wish of caring for my mother, I believe it is the reason that i am who i am today because of them... Because they always believed in me.
I believe i miss many friends some lost and some just gone . I believe they have touched me and i have touched them. I believe we came across each other to make ourselves be better. I believe i wish you all well and that one day our paths cross again. I believe deep in my thoughts you are always remembered.
I believe there will be a future, I believe in the sun and rain , I believe in the laughter ,I believe in the tears and pain, I believe in Family and friends and what we share. I believe we will all be there to the end .
Today I believe i will see another sunrise , feel rain on my face, feel the bitter cold on my nose , today I believe all will be fine , i believe my mind is at ease and i have made piece with one and all.
But tomorrow I believe in my surgeon and her steady hands......I Believe.....

Like | Ericka Carlson, Tammi Gunwall, Mark Alafita and likes this

Eleanor R That is a really positive way to spend your pre-surgery hours Joe. I did the same thing one night back in July when I could not sleep later than 3am. I crept ... Read more

John Noriega Nice Joseph...good way to stay positive. Keep thinking about that because that is WHY you're having the surgery done.
Onward & Upward!

Terrie Syvertsen How awesome R You that you take the time to share with all of us and your family what you feel for your Wife, sons and daughter. You will feel 10 times that ... Read more

Susan Ericsson Glad you filled those sleepless hours with peaceful and loving thoughts.

Joan Napier Joseph, I have had similar nights recently…it's good to focus on how much you love and are loved by your family. God bless.

Dan Sinclair Sometimes you just have to roll with it, my surgery was actually moved up a day which caused me some of the same feelings, take care, enjoy a few more days ... Read more

Angelo Varrone At one point ,prior to my surgery just over a year ago, I had to just let go of all of the worries. They don't help and are often exaggerated. My wife helped ... Read more

Eleanor R I think what helped me Joseph, was my surgeon confirming that yes indeed, I could wait several weeks to get on his schedule if I wanted him in particular to ... Read more

Eleanor R I think what helped me Joseph, was my surgeon confirming that yes indeed, I could wait several weeks to get on his schedule if I wanted him in particular to do the surgery. He told me that there were several surgeons in his practice who could do the surgery sooner (he had been away at an international conference, and his schedule was booked for six weeks). I asked him point blank if I could wait, since by then I acknowledged symptoms that previously I had attributed just to aging. He told us, my adult daughter who went to every appointment with me, and myself, that while aortic stenosis is progressive, and ultimately fatal, that it progresses in a steady rate. Months delay would be of concern, weeks hardly at all. He actually gave us the statistics, which were minimal. He also said that if anything went wrong with the heart, which would not happen since he by then had seen the results of the angiogram, that I would go to the hospital, where he is Director of Cardiac and Valvular surgery, and he would do the surgery, on an emergency basis. But, that he would see us on the scheduled date, not to worry. This is not a man who gives blanket assurances easily, so I figured I would live to do the actual surgery, and of course I did. Like many of us, you have a very healthy imagination. You might can write novels, but right now your imagination is not serving you well and to the extent that you can, try to shut it down. You can't do much about dreams and messed up sleep, other than live as healthy a life as you can during the day, without taxing your heart do your daily activities, stay busy, go places with your kids (to the park, on a bike ride around the block, to a movie, play a video game), and your wife, and try to be physically tired and with something playful or joyful in your mind. They will love it, for sure. You will make it, and trust me that this is the hardest part, even harder than being prepped for the surgery, even being in the ICU, the waiting is a bummer. Best wishes to you. Eleanor

Susan Ericsson Oh no! Sorry this happened and you're back in waiting mode.

Joseph Ballett Thank you, problem now is that i have to find more work around the house to keep me busy till then

Eleanor R Oh, now you are going to have to look for work to stay busy. Maybe that means you also get to do another celebration dinner with the family though! When ... Read more

Joan Napier Joseph, I completely understand your ambivalence! I would feel the very same way. Try to "enjoy" your reprieve and keep busy, as I'm sure you will. Hang in there and keep us posted.

Adam Pick Joseph, You are almost there. Just a small, miniscule delay when you consider your lifetime. Before you know it, this chapter will be way behind you.

Joseph Ballett Thanks Adam

Joseph Ballett By the way Adam just want to say awesome site you have made Thanks again

Eleanor R Sounds like you are checking items off your list, getting your home environment more comfortable for your return. I did the same, but I realized that after ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Thank you Eleanor

Joan Napier It's good to keep busy and take control of the things we can. I'm doing the same and I call it" nesting." I must say that impending heart surgery is a tough ... Read more

Joseph Ballett you said what i was thinking Joan

Eleanor R It will certainly help you to get up the first weeks you are home, and might be good for sleeping, at least napping. I used mine probably too much, to sleep ... Read more

Joan Napier Eleanor, thanks for sharing your experience with using a recliner post-op. I've been thinking about it but based on what you've said, I will go ahead and rent ... Read more

Joseph Ballett Yes and here in canada it was only 150.00 to rent for the monthe

Adam Pick Joseph, I can relate to and remember the feelings you are experiencing. Many patients feel a lot of anxiety leading up to their surgery. This is completely ... Read more

Eleanor R I know, Joseph, I would wake up in the middle of the night, going over my "what if" list. I don't know what changed for me, or I could advise you what to do. ... Read more

Eleanor R I know, Joseph, I would wake up in the middle of the night, going over my "what if" list. I don't know what changed for me, or I could advise you what to do. Mainly I think for me was the realization that this was not an elective surgery, even though they were calling it that, as opposed to an emergency surgery. Reading the statistics of "what ifs" and hearing the surgeon himself quote us his personal statistics, which were even lower than the national 1-2% risk of death, helped. He gave us statistics for stroke (0.04 percent), for bleeding, etc. and they were all less than one percent. So a 99% success rate, compared to the risk of death for not doing the surgery and having severe stenosis with emerging symptoms. I read that the risk in that case is about 50% of dying within 2-3 years. We don't want to be in the 50/50 category for sure. You are a young man and are probably in good health otherwise and strong is you are working in construction. You have a young vibrant family, which is a real plus for recovery. If you have a hospital, surgeon and date, you're set. You don't have to do much other than show up, and whatever you need your family can bring to you. I took my ipod, a book, slipper and robe and only really used nothing since they wanted me to wear the socks with skid grips on them, and a hospital gown on backwards and snapped around my neck as a "Superman cape" rather than the robe. What I am saying is even if you show up with nothing, unprepared, you would be fine. Your contribution comes when the surgeon finishes his work and sends you to the ICU to recover, then you do your part on the recovery, walking, breathing, coughing when asked. You may not feel like doing anything other than sleep, but the surgical and ICU nurses have a way of getting you moving. I wish you the very best. I wish I could take away the nerves, and as my mother used to say at age 92 when I told her to not worry about something "well, if you have a pill for that, there is a fortune to be made". Just know that every person on this site has experienced what you are feeling, and those of us who have gone ahead are hear to tell you that your imagination and the fear is greater than the event itself. Seems impossible I know, but trust me on this one. Eleanor

Debbie cross I have been making list,and more list.

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