Lori's Journal

February 14th.... a day that many people with heart issues can relate to. Today I began cadio rehab...... I \"worked out\" for about 25 minutes on the treadmill and a bike. My heart behaved and all is well. I even began to sweat a bit! Will return on Wednesday for session #2. Sat down to take a look at hospital bills today too. Wow! I am not sure how or what I will figure out but I am interested in all of the charges from each of the admissions. I am grateful for the good insurance I have!! Hoping the slight pain that I am experiencing lessens this week. It is just annoying but a reminder that I had surgery. I am ready to put that in the past......When asked how I feel, I reply by saying I will feel good when I have no reminders that I had surgery. I understand that make take some time though, up to a year. One day at a time...... Thank you friends and family for being here for me. I look forward to your messages, calls and emails as I continue to recover.

This past week has put me past the one month mark. I am wondering if how I feel is the way I am supposed to feel..... My energy level is increasing as is my confidence that I am on the mend. This week I was pretty independent in that my sister has returned to her home in Colorado. She took the train in order to use the 24 hours to decompress a bit from the last 4 weeks here. She is now home and adjusting to being there. She now needs the supports of others to get herself back to normal. She returns to her job this week so there is a bit of reality..... SIL Ronnie visited with me this week to make sure I was okay for part of the days. This allowed husband Al to relax a bit while he was at work. Niece Chelsie also visited me on her lunch hour. I am functioning fine and feeling good too. When Al gets home we go walk at the mall..... I have registered for Cardiac Rehab to begin this coming Monday. I will be there for 3 days a week working up to an hour of exercise on treadmills, bikes and ellipticals. Insurance covers this for 12 weeks but I will also be able to work out on my own if I want after 6 - 8 weeks. Coumadin levels are STILL struggling but getting better. Hoping to hear today that I am where I am suppose to be. Still having some pain but taking tylenol helps a bit. I guess feeling it makes me realize that I am healing. BTW!! I sneezed!!! That was the one thing I wasn\'t too sure about but it didn\'t hurt nor did I feel anything move about. So Monday is Valentine\'s Day. Again this was a date I had selected for a goal-I guess it will be the one I use for starting rehab. Next date is March 1st. I wonder what that date will be significant for? Again to friends and family-YOUR support means so much to me! Meals have been great as are the cards, phone calls and emails. Thanks you for your CONTINUED support to me and AL-Love you all!!!

Days continue to pass along.....can\'t believe it is Feb. 6th already. I am continuing to work on getting daily exercise and walking in. Today I was at an outside mall enjoying the snowflakes fall. Sister Sue is packing her bags and getting ready to head back to Colorado tomorrow. She arrived here 4 weeks ago. She/we feel confident that I am doing as well as I am suppose to and will continue to make daily progress. I have a doctor\'s appointment on Tuesday and imagine I will be getting my clearance to begin Cardiac rehab. That will assist in keeping my days straight and giving me more goals to work toward. I have felt a bit of pain/soreness around the incision site but imagine it is due to the fact that I am doing more moving around. I am still trying to sleep on my left side but the pounding I feel keeps me awake so I have resorted to the right side. Still struggling with the Coumadin levels......needing to get a bit higher but I seem to be resisiting. I have another blood draw tomorrow to see where I am at. This will be a tough week for both husband Al and myself with my sister being gone. We will need to adjust to doing things ourselves. No words can express the graditude we have for her just putting her life on hold and managing ours. I am not sad she is leaving but sad that she won\'t continue to be here....... Friends and family have continued to be here for us......cards, flowers and visitors have all been appreciated. I will continue looking forward to this support during the next few weeks as we move on to the next level of recuperation.

Well, it\'s been a few days since I last posted. Of course, the major snow storm here in Chicago has kept us occupied for the past few days. Since coming home from the hospital on Monday this is what I have done: Tuesday we went to the local mall to get some walking in. Knowing the snow was coming I wanted to be able to keep up the walking that I had begun in the hospital. I found out that if I walk the upper and lower level of the mall, it is almost 1 mile. As we made our way around the mall, we noticed some of the stores closing early due to the weather. We got in the car by 3:00 and made it home to ride out the storm. Wednesday I spent the day watching husband Al and sister Sue shovel and snowblow the driveway. It was a bit frustrating not being able to do anything to help...normally I would of been out there enjoying the exercise. By late afternoon, the company we had hired to plow our driveway showed up so that offered some relief. That was a wise decision we made back in December to hire someone to do the plowing of our 120 ft. driveway!! Thursday I made it back to the health club to walk there. Did about 20 minutes (3/4 mile). I am feeling good, eating well and not too tired. I realize that it was 3 weeks ago today that I had my surgery.......A lot has happened in 3 weeks!!! Wearing a heart monitor to watch my heart rate. Not required but interesting to see my range....my \"normal\" pulse is about 60 which is what it was prior to surgery too. Will see the cardiologist next Tuesday for my check-up and hopefully will be able to start cardio rehab then. Hard to believe I am beginning week 4 but I think I am feeling the way I should at this point. Time will tell....... Thank you all for your continued support, care and interest.

I am at home this evening after waiting most of the day to be released from the hospital. My echo this morning showed no more fluid around my heart. Although I feel like I lost a few more days (5 to be exact) I am grateful that I was able to get to the hospital and that the doctors were able to identify the problem. I have been told more than a few times that the amount of fluid that had accumulated was not safe...... and that reminds me that my life is still fragile. I am taking more medications to help even things out over the next few days. Had a pleasent surprise this evening......My nephew from Atlanta was in St. Louis for business today. He took a flight up to Chicago and came knocking at our front door a few hours ago. He has been following the saga from afar and wanted to be able to see I was doing okay. It also gave the opportunity for his other aunt (sister Sue) to see him as they have not seen each other in a loooooong time. He hopes to be able to get out of the Chicago area before the snow hits tomorrow. Spent time also organizing my meds....again. That is a chore in itself. Some a.m., some p.m., some both. Some have to be cut in half, some take with food, some take at bedtime...... PATIENCE. I am feeling good this evening and now know how I should continue feeling. Of course I asked the doctors what can I do to prevent things like this happening again and there is nothing I did or can do but listen to my body. So now I am on to Recovery #2. Tomorrow is February 1st and off to a new beginning.

And I am stilll feeling good.........I am staying another night here at Loyola Hospital awaiting an echo in the morning. The doctor wants to really make sure I don\'t have any more fluid around the heart. Then maybe I will go home tomorrow. Spent alot of time today walking the halls, up to 15 - 20 minutes at a time so I feel like I will be ready to hit the mall this week to continue with my walking. It sounds like the snow might prevent me from getting outside. Of course I might make it back to the track at the health club as well. I want to thank the many visitors I have had the past 2 days. I know coming here isn\'t the best of ways to spend time on the weekend......BFF Shellie and husband Mike drove 2 hours to visit, Ron and Cathy stopped by and Jenny and Ronnie also popped in.........Sister Sue brought me lunch from Portillio\'s today too. Husband Al took a break and stayed home cleaning house and catching a good ole\' sunday afternoon nap!! So nothing else is really new........Think POSITIVE for me please!!!!!!

Yes, spending another night in the hospital but feeling reaaaalllllly good. I am not in a hurry and am glad my doctor is being conservative (my opinion) in making sure my heart is ready for future healing. Had my tube removed today which was draining the fluid coming from around my heart. Now I have to wait another day or 2 before I go home. I have been able to get out walking in the hallways for 15 - 20 minutes throughout the day. Also working with my Spirometer, a breathing apperatus which helps clear the lungs. So until tomorrow when I will post again, I am going to get a good night\'s rest even while being IN a hospital. I have my pillow with me tonight! Love your thoughts and comments...Bring them on! P.S. For those of you who are wondering....780cc is almost a liter of fluid.

A few days have passed so let me get my bearings.....Yes I am writing this from my hopsital bedside. I am mobile and eating so things are looking up!!! As you may have read from my sister\'s post yesterday (Thursday), I ended up back in the hospital but that is a good thing (from my perspective). I just was not feeling well and a trip to the doctor confirmed that something wasn\'t quite right. To Nancy, you were right, Dr. Mac is Great!! He has been able to \"read\" me quite well and is protecting me here in his domain. Today has been good, feeling better, walking the halls and working on that deep breathing. I will stay here again tonight (yes! private room!!) and we will reevaluate in the morning as to whether I stay for another night. A few minor med changes to assist my heart, yes, patience is a virtue. My sister Sue has done wonders being both a sister first and then a nurse. I would have never been able to hear or understand what they are trying to explain or the decisions that are being made. It has been tough on her so kuddos to my sweet sister. And she is still accepting the Chicago weather: cloudy and cold!!!! Thank you for touching base with me.....Positive thoughts and prayers are still needed......keep them coming!!!

Sister Sue here again for Lori. We think we have found where all that energy has been going....It has been accumulating in fluid around her heart! Lori woke this morning (0645) in A-Fib, the first episode since discharge. So we went to see Cardiologist (EKG) then to hospital. 2 different meds to get her out of the rhythm were given with little effect. Next up was an echocardiogram. Then the plan was to cardiovert her heart out of the rhythm. But wait, whats that we see on the echo??? Effusion (fluid) around the heart? So now, no cardioversion but the fluid around her heart needs to be drained and we will hope this is what is causing the A Fib. So Lori went off into procedure at 5pm. An hour later after draining 780cc from around her heart, she is back into normal sinus rhythm at 55 bpm. Yay!! Lori said, \"What\'s for dinner?\" She immediately felt SO much better! She hadn\'t had an appetite for days so I knew she was better. She will have a drain in place for a day or two then home again! Lori is revisiting the ICU for at least overnight and we will go from there. LOOONNG day, time for some sleep!

Took a break from writing for the past 2 days. I have been busy trying to get more walking in but it is making me feel fatigued. Still hoping that each day will get better.... My son Ryan came home over the weekend. He flew in from Colorado to see that I was home from the hospital and in good hands. When asked how I feel, I am not experiencing any pain from the surgery itself. Can you imagine that? Yes, my incision is about 8 inches long but healing well. I am taking naps as needed through out the day. The challenge I am facing is taking the many pills required for thinning my blood, another for normal heart rhythm, iron, daily vitamins and the list goes on....... My friend Carol was right when she said I would need to keep a chart of what to take when. Tomorrow is another visit from a home health care nurse. She will take a sample of blood to see if any adjustments need to be made regarding medications. I will also gear up for more walking. What seemed so simple a few weeks ago is my challenge now....... so to my class, please take a few laps around the field house for me!

Thank you to everyone who continues to check the journal and leave me notes of support. It REALLY is encouraging. Today started with a visit from a home health care nurse. Besides all of the background information that she needed to collect, she also took 1 tube of blood. A courier came by about an hour later to pick it up and take it to the lab. I did receive a phone call later this afternoon confirming that my levels of Coumadin had risen to a therapeutic level. Once on Coumadin though, it will require a blood test every few days to make sure the INR level is in the right range. Spent the rest of the day doing what I am supposed to be doing....resting! In between little naps, I am walking around the house visiting bedrooms, checking on the neighbors as I look outside the windows. Candy, a dear co-worker stopped by bringing us a \"souper\" lunch: 3 different kinds of soups and a great sub sandwich. The brownies for dessert really hit the spot too. Although I am able to eat, my appetite is down a bit and eating does make me tired. Although tomorrow\'s \"schedule\" does bring the same routine, I do hope that my energy level rises a bit more. Getting outside is not an option for me yet and the cold weather and ice prevent me from even taking a quick walk outdoors. Here\'s to another good night\'s sleep too!!!

End of another day....felt good being at home. I was able to take a couple of short cat naps as needed. Found myself taking walks around the house, going up a few stairs would make me catch my breath which is normal. Taking a shower this morning went well. Al was able to stop in at work for a few hours as my sister and I stayed inside as it was sooooo cold today (high of 8 degrees or so). When Al came home, Sue got out to run a few errands. They are working quite well as a tag team. A nurse will be visiting tomorrow morning to do some blood work, check my incision, etc. My first doctor visit will occur not this coming week but the next. I believe that is the first week of February. When you lose one week of time, it really makes the calendar/days fly by. Looking forward to getting comfortable in my own bed again tonight. I was pretty comfortable last night too. That was a concern of mine prior to surgery, how was I going to be ble to sleep, either sitting up or lying down. I continue to hope that each day simple things stay simple and I am able to try another challenge.

It is Thursday evening and I am home sitting on the coach resting. My body guards errrr I mean my sister and husband are keeping very close tabs on me. I think my bed time is soon....... :) Because I had good days and nights, the docs thought I could go home......... feeling very good. Energy level is better than I thought too. I am hoping to get a good nights rest in my own bed........ Will spend the next few days continuing to rest. With as cold as it is going to be here in Chicago, there\'s no better place to be than at home. Al is glad I am back in our home which will allow him to rest a bit better too. Son Ryan will be coming home this weekend from Colorado too to check in on me before he heads back to college at CU. Go Buffs!! I will let you all know how I am doing while taking it easy, doing NOTHING except mini walks through out the house. Thank you to my sister Sue for blogging for me while I couldn\'t.......it took both of us to put our thoughts together. It has been taxing on her too. Please continue your positive thoughts and prayers for all of us!!!

Today was a very busy, productive day for Lori! Walking in the hall (Al was having a hard time keeping up with her!!), quite a few visitors, and, finally a shower and shampoo! She\'s a new woman! Lori says \"we will see what tomorrow brings.\" If Lori has another night tonite like last nite she could be home tomorrow! Yay!

It\'s Lori here.......Wednesday afternoon! Yes, I did have a Portillo\'s hot dog for lunch, a few french fries and a bit of a chocolate shake! Just checking to make sure the system is working well....... Had an uneventful night, sleeping without the \"sweats\", a side effect of surgery. As was explained to me, it is not normal to have your heart poked, cut, touched, or iced.

Lori\'s sister Sue here posting again for her. Lori is doing well, just really frustrated at the \"2 steps forward, 1 step back\" routine occurring daily. She is the eternal optimist, though, and believes tomorrow will be the best day yet! With more changes in her meds, I believe she is right! If you are a post op valve replacement patient with a similar story, I am sure Lori would appreciate hearing from you. Reassurance is what she needs. Hoping for discharge on Thursday or Friday.

Today was going to be one of those days.... My heart decided to take a few too many beats this morning, wiping me out. I have had great care between my nurse, Cardiac rehab nurse and the certified nurse practitioner. They are reassuring me that what is going on is completely normal. It\'s A-fib meaning the heart doesn\'t have regular rhythm yet, it could take a few weeks for it to straighten itself out.

It is Monday evening, I believe!!! Time sure has flown by...Happy MLK holiday! I hope my co-workers have enjoyed their day off. I was able to move out of ICU this morning and back to the luxuries of the 5th floor. It is very quiet and have already taken a couple of naps. Did a couple of walks already, 1 FULL lap each time. Not feeling any pain which is surprising me but I know that tomorrow could be different. Simple goals for each day. The surgeon paid a visit this afternoon and thought I might be able to go home later this week.....no rush as I can walk more here than in the house. More importantly I get to take a shower on Wednesday!! Thank you ALL for the well wishes, flowers, cards, thoughts and prayers. I know I am making great progress because you are all supporting me. Until the next post!!! ILY

1000 this morning Lori was moved back to the regular Cardiac floor, her heart beating a nice normal sinus rhythm. Feeling very well, her chest tubes pulled this morning. No more tubes just an IV for heparin drip. Once her INR (a measure of her bleeding time) is up to the appropriate level, she may go home maybe Wednesday or Thursday. Her pain is minimal, considering! We might be sharing Portillo\'s hot dogs and chocolate shakes for dinner! Ok, maybe just a few bites but her appetite is improving.

Lori had a great day yesterday, up walking in the halls 3 different times! (all prescribed) coming out of the fog. Her appetite starting to pick up, pain well controlled, BFF Shellie and I got her very comfy about 10p and were just ready to say good night when Lori put her hand on her chest said she could feel her heart \"beating\'\" Her heart rhythm had gone to Atrial Flutter at a rate up to 160. For IV meds to control the rate and rhythm she needed to move back to the ICU for the night. Her heart was a happy 69 bpm by 2am. As of 1000 this morning she is stable and sleeping. As long as her heart behaves, she will be back to the regular floor later today.