Keith's Journal

the chest pain is at last subsiding, plus no more profuse sweats overnight, the weird overnight dreams have stopped too, but the doctor gave me a mild sleeping tablet and that helped they finish this weekend, I can do the twice daily 30 minute walks now with minimal stops and includes small hills. get the odd cough, but seemed to miss picking up my grand-daughters chesty could/cold.
I start an internet training course on Monday for the week, but as no real going out or lifting means it will give my mood an uplift, as the depression does get me now and again.
Next Saturday I have to have a Echocardiogram on the new valve and see my Surgeon on the 26th when I hope to get the sign off, as the wife wont let me drive,
But today I celebrate a momentous occasion, our Ruby wedding anniversary, 40 years ago we meet at a valentine dance in 1977 and got married the same year, managed to get a few years together before our first child (boy) in 1981 arrived followed by the second in 1982 (Girl). now expanded to include 4 grandchildren (3 girls & this year a boy), certainly give you the cause to fight to stay alive. I even started a full time job as a senior consultant this year and on my 65th birthday this year on 14 July, I celebrated my first month there, they knew about the heart op when they offered me the role.
I pray you all are feeling better and wish you all the best

a small towel rolled into 10" long and 2 tape rings holding it together

Amazing how time has flown by, with help by my doctor, I have now slept 7 hours over the past 2 nights right through, which is great, at last feeling so much better, managing to walk the 30 minute, but must be careful that my heart is not racing before I start. I did it once and nearly had to get my wife to get the car to take me home. My personal doctor (Called General practitioner or GP in UK) stated I am progressing very well and must take it easy and not rush.
This site has been really great and I have the book as well, so does calm me down as locally where I live there is no self-help cardiac groups.
I wish you all the best

2 days before going to the hospital, my operation was cancelled as the surgeon is going on 2.5 weeks holiday (again!) and some ill patients meant cancelled beds again, as the NHS is always so short of beds, times like this I wish I stayed working at the European Space Agency in Germany. I have twice passed out in the past week, but all the admin staff say is call an ambulance, which is a heavily used services and did not fancy staying in an ambulance as no beds or even places in ER(Casulty or A&E) I am 65 now but enjoy working, but really worry once I get old and infrm. Sorry for the negative thoughts, just the chest pain and stress is not doing me any good, fond regards to you all big smiles

Although my daily profession is in IT, (30 years +) I have carried out extensive renovation on the houses I have owned (the first was built in 1830! and was a listed building) as my father was a builder so got the skills past down to me . I also have been helping my son in his house too, but is now so frustrating that the slight exertion and I get out of breathe & heart goes on a race, I find it really hard to always stopping to catch my breathe. But it is just a waiting game now.

How does everyone get around the impatience or is typical for a guy?

I also got my new job as a senior consultant, that is despite the new company knowing I am going in for an op, which is great news, this will force me to stop the building as will be picking up new skills.

Regards to all

Saw nurses and had loads of tests, then the surgeon (Mr Ishtiaq Ahmed) and have to have a ct scan, amazed at the clarity as he showed me one he had access too, it was a 3d image. looks like op will be in 18 weeks, at least can plan around it now. Advised it may be a small cut rather than via the sterum, At least I know now, why are men so impatient! regards to all :-)

6 weeks post Angio, have moderate to Severe Aortic Stenosis, due to bicuspid Aortic valve, initially found out in 2006, but past year huge decline in health & now waiting for a spot on the UK NHS waiting list. All normal symptoms of AS, but worst is the fear, not helped with being an ex- cardiac technician in UK when I was 20, so then saw the AVR operation many times, not help the old nerves one bit, now 64 yrs old,