Kim's Journal

Today was my 4 week post op with my Cardiologist. All went well. Got the referral for cardiac rehab, said I should hear from them in about a week. INR still low. Have to go back again of Friday for another check. So frustrating that I cannot get it leveled out. Have an echo scheduled for end of April. Told me nothing to worry about, I will have them about every 3 months for the first year. Still nerve wracking though.

I went for my follow up this morning. I got back everything except for lifting. He said I am doing very good. He also put my mind to rest with people saying I should be doing more, he said, first are any of them a heart surgeon, then he said, only listen to what my team of Dr's say and if anyone has any questions, they can call him. He is an awesome Dr. I would recommend him to anyone in the Phoenix area.

Wow and holy cow. They said, need to cough, let it go, they said grab and hug the heart pillow against the chest. Owwie. Did I see stars? You betcha, I saw the whole galaxy. lol.

Moved to a regular room yesterday. Oxygen down to 2 liters. Waithing for a nurse so I can start with my first lap. Scar is very tendwr and sore. The only things left are the wires by where the tubes were and one IV. Discharge im guessing tomorrow. Have a great weekend everyone

I am curious, as the date of my surgery gets closer, next week. I feel myself getting more and more nervous, more emotional, (when I talk to my adult kids, or face chat with my granddaughter, I find myself crying ) more anxious. Questioning the what if's, Did anyone else have these feelings?

Hello- I just confirmed my appointment with the surgeon for Monday. I asked his assistant if surgery will be scheduled while I am there. She said, no. She will meet with the Dr. He will tell her what he wants then call me later in the day or on Tuesday. I asked her if there would pre-op stuff, she said when she calls we would discuss schedules. What could he want? Could she just wait and compare his schedule to what days the hospital have available before calling me?

A friend of mine is a R.N. works in cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic, this is a website that is easy to read and can answer some of our basic questions. clevelandclinic.org/heart. I found it interesting.

Had my final test yesterday (PFT) Didn't realize how difficult it is to breath out that air until you have to force it out. Will get the results on Monday. Do they effect surgery, . would it be delayed? Or does the surgeon just use the results for his benefit for surgery and recovery? My next appointment with the surgeon is Jan. 15, 2018, I was told the surgery would be scheduled that day and possibly for the following week. It seems the closer everything gets, the more anxious I become I cannot even fathom how it will be once it is scheduled because this part is hard.

Saw my Cardiologist today, he gave his thumbs up. Final test tomorrow. Appointment scheduled with Surgeon on Jan. 15th. Surgery will be scheduled that day.

Happy dance- The appointment for the PFT that was cancelled yesterday, office called, squeezing me in tomorrow. Angiogram follow up with Cardiologist today. Things moving right along. :)

I just can't keep doing this; I was supposed to have my final test today, PFT, the tester called off, they wanted to reschedule, this wouldn't be until the end of the month. I really need to get this surgery done, my anxiety and stress is through the roof and now I am looking at Feb. Lord, please give me strength.

I went to the ER on Nov. 13th. I was having a real bad cough and very short of breath. Oxygen level was low and I was admitted. Throughout the 10 days I was there; Tests showed I have; pneumonia, Pulmonary Hypertension, COPD and Mitral Valve regurgitation. I met with the surgeon on Dec. 6th. I was told, need to have replaced, cannot do the minimally invasive, so I will have the full open heart. I chose the mechanical valve based off the Dr. recommendation. Also need two tests done, angiogram and a PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) Good news with the angiogram- no blockages. First thing good since all this started, Next week I have the PFT. From there? I am assuming having another appointment with the surgeon and scheduling. I can say, I really do like the surgeon, he is very down to earth, he has a calming demeanor about him. He talked to me at my level of understanding, not going over the head to cause more confusion. Next update- next week. Until then, Happy New Year!!!

My first time here. Going to have my mitral valve replaced in Jan. 2018. The date has not been scheduled yet, I have a PFT test on the 3rd and go from there. I am so scared, my anxiety is through the roof. They have to go through the sternum and of course, stop my heart. My biggest fear, what if they cannot get it started again. What happens during recovery, what if I cannot do everything. Are these questions normal? Has anyone else had the same.