Linda's Posts

I am updating my status. I am doing well. I just had my 18 month follow up in SLC, Utah and was told all the labs look much better than they have looked in the past. I have graduated to only having to go to Utah annually after June 2019. My next follow up in SLC is in June. Since August the PCP has heard from me about being tired all of the time. I had told SL, the cardiologist and the PCP about being tired for about a year. Finally in August the PCP ordered an Iron infusion as the labs showed anemia. The anemia has been present in the lab work for about a year and I was feeling more and more tired. The PCP referred me to the Oncology center for the infusion. I had 2 Iron infusions and a B12 shot at various intervals. Wow did they make a difference. I feel great and believe the Iron and B12 are the reason my lab work looks so good this time. I have learned that I am the expert on my body and it is very important to keep reporting to the professionals, they need to listen to you. I have been careful to follow instructions to the letter. Every morning I weigh, take my temp and blood pressure as well as record the readings on my controller for the LVAD and my blood sugar levels. Two times a week I check my INR as I certainly do not want a blood clot or to bleed to death. I monitor the salt and fluid intake as well as the carbs. There is a lot of monitoring going on. The monitoring is becoming more routine. I have known for years that everything in our body is connected but in having 2 open heart surgeries I have learned (that I don't know much) how integrated everything in our body is connected and one thing effects another! What an intricate piece of machinery!! I am working on losing weight and can't seem to make progress. I need to lose 20 pounds. I need to change something but what I am not sure.