Leslie's Journal

Hello All!! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and are doing well. Happy New Year!!!! Catching up on everyone's progress and continue praying for Rachel and hope they find a viable heart for her. :) I'm doing well, slacking a bit on my walking and start cardiac rehab next week. I'm looking forward to that since I know I need a little push!! I don't have a lot to complain about. LOL Dizziness is not as frequent, shortness of breath is better. Cardiologist is tapering me off the beta blocker due to symptoms of shortness of breath. Having some shoulder and neck pain for the first time so I'm not sure if it was caused by lifting groceries or something else that may have been too heavy. It woke me up tonight and I came downstairs and took a Tylenol and I'm sitting waiting to see if the pain will diminish. I almost feel like neck and back are out of whack and the pain is from my neck down both shoulders. I'm driving and that is getting better. I still have a little soreness when turning the steering wheel but not too bad. Has any experienced shoulder and neck pain?? Can you tell me when the weight restriction is removed? I'm thinking I'm over doing it on the lifting. I'm not lifting anything over my head but I have been lifting to put groceries in the bed of the truck when I go shopping. Well it is 3 am here in California. Going to go rest and see if I can go back to sleep. I've been doing really well sleeping through the night and I guess this is a little bump in the road. xxxx Leslie

Where to start since I've been slacking on my journal. :D I'm 6 weeks post-op and doing pretty well. I think I've been a little impatient. I've been walking every day (weather permitting) and riding my stationary bike inside. Off the blood thinners as of last week. Sternum pain has been on and off, some numbness at times. Tylenol helps when needed. Started driving but have learned I need to take Tylenol before hand. By the time I get home from running errand my chest really hurts. I have a piece of tissue coming out of my incision. Doctor was not too concerned because it wasn't draining last week, but as of yesterday I noticed blood and a little puss coming out. So I left a message for my cardiologist and will go in and have it checked. I sure do not want an infection!! :( Some days I feel like I have cardiac depression but not sure. I don't fee depressed just a blah, blah feeling. I don't take a nap during the day and I'm moving, exercising and doing chores and make dinners when I feel up to it. Not sure if I should start taking naps during the day time. When I got home from the hospital I never could sleep during the day. I think I've taken 1 day time nap in my 6 weeks post-op. I do go to bed around 10-1030 pm each evening. I am going to check out cardiac rehab. I think that will help me a lot.

Not sure if the aspirin or other meds are causing my GERD. I just feel out of balance and yucky today. I also don't sleep that well at night and have never been able to take a nap during the day. Last night I woke up about 3 am and felt out of breath. After I propped myself up better it helped. I know I will have good days and bad days. Just a yucky today. Tomorrow is another day! :D

Today I'm 4 weeks post-op. I can drive as of October 24th but don't feel I'm ready. I still have some pain when I'm a passenger in car. When did you start driving?

I can't say enough about my surgeon, Dr. Craig Baker at USC (and staff). A wonderful surgeon who is caring and compassionate. Treated myself and hubby like family. I want to do something for Dr. Baker and staff but not sure what to do. I'm going to send a letter of thanks but want to do something to show my appreciation. Flowers, Starbuck gift cards?? Any ideas?? Or do you feel a thank you letter is enough?

OK, I started out doing well with my walking but since my support system has gone back to work and I'm home alone I'm starting to be a couch potato. I'm 3 weeks post-op and my surgeon doesn't seem concerned. I have been doing my PT exercises and walking for about 10 minutes 1-2x per day. I'm also doing my breathing exercises. I've been some what fearful to go out by myself on walks. I think I'm afraid something might happen to me. While I was in the hospital I had fainting spells when walking. After I was given a pint of blood I felt like a new person. Any words of wisdom or recommendations for me. At 3 weeks post-op where should I be??

I was wondering why I was having more pain as the day goes on. Kris weighed my laptop and it weighs 6 lbs. So no more lifting for me. I'm down to 1/2 a pain pill every 6-8 hours but take more in the evening since I've been lifting too much. How long were you on pain meds??

Hi All, Well I wanted family to log in and keep everyone updated but it didn't work out as planned. I've been MIA for some time. I had my mitral valve repair at USC Keck Hospital on October 24th. I was in the hospital for 6 days and now 3 weeks post-op and doing very well. I had my first check up at USC this week and my incision is healing well. I was hoping I could have the robotic procedure (smaller incision) but a cyst was found on my heart sac and had to be removed at the same time. My only complaint is sternum soreness and insomnia. Both are getting some what better. It is really hard for me to sit still and rest. Some days I over do it and Kris has to remind me to rest.

Hello Everyone! It seems like we've waited a long time for my surgery and it is finally approaching. What did you do the day before your surgery? And did you have trouble sleeping the night before? Wednesday, hubby and I will pick up my parents at the airport and go to our hotel close to USC. Thursday morning I need to be there at 530 am. As I get closer to surgery I'm not as anxious or worried. What a good feeling! I have been praying and listening to a relaxation tape and I think that really helps. Also knowing that I will have one of the best surgeons at USC to repair my mitral valve and remove a lung cyst is an extra blessing. Wednesday we plan to relax, go out to dinner and get to bed early. More soon!

I have surgery in 20 days. I try to keep busy to keep my mind occupied. It causes anxiety when I think about being cut down the chest. I\'ve never had major surgery before so a bit anxious. I read Adam\'s book, glad I did! I also came across a book by Peggy Huddleston that I just started reading. It is called, Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster.  http://www.healfaster.com I think this book and CD will help calm my body and mind. :D I go to USC in 12 days for my pre-op appointment. I\'ve been thinking about several things to get ready for surgery. Do I need to store blood in case I need a transfusion? I have 14 steps to get to my bedroom. Should I buy a recliner to relax and sleep in to avoid the stairs for a while? What should I take to the hospital? Can I ask for an IV pump to administer my own pain meds? Should I sign up for cardiac rehab though it may not be necessary?

Hello Everyone! I found this website a few weeks ago and thought it was time to set up a page to journal and to keep family and friends updated on my surgery and recovery. My surgery is scheduled for October 24th at USC Keck Medical Hospital. I\'m getting a bit anxious and I think it\'s because my brother had the same surgery today at Oklahoma Heart Hospital. All is well and his surgery went great!!! We were very surprised that we both have severe mitral valve regurgitation. Mine was discovered almost 3 years ago and my brother\'s was found this year. I\'ve had mild symptoms that bother me from time to time but not every day. Swollen ankles, heart palpitations and frequent urination. In the past i just thought they were menopause symptoms or hormone imbalance. LOL