Lyle's Posts

I started Cardiac Rehab at San Antonio hospital in Upland, CA 2 weeks ago. I now realize why several people that I spoke to recommend rehab as part of the recovery process. This rehab program is a wireless monitored workout. The nurses do not let your heart rate get to 30 beat over resting or they have you slow down on your exercise. I know that 3 days a week is necessary for me because without going to the hospital to workout, I might not do it. I am walking everyday however. Given the artery bypass graft of my LAD as well as the valve replacement, my left chest is still numb and very tender under the skin. I am most comfortable being without a shirt on my chest. The nurses said that it may take several more months to feel better. I changed Cardiologist to Dr. Duber, DO., also in Upland. He is the head of the Cardiac rehab program. He saw me on 12-28-10 and told me that my heart was 100% good to go, but that I just had to heal up my chest. I will get another set of blood tests and a post surgery echo cardiogram on 1-12-11. Happy healing

It is now day 20 after surgery. I have not felt like getting on the computer much. The surgery went very well and no surprises. My surgeon, Dr. Wang performed a artery bypass graft in my left anterior descending and a bovine tissue valve replacement of my Aortic valve. My valve was 90% blocked with stenosis, so it was time. I had the procedure at San Antonio Community Hospital in Upland, CA. Dr. Wang's staff was very professional as was the hospitals. Just to show you how things can change, I was in the OR just about ready to go under and as I found out later, an other patient with 100% blockage came in the ER via paramedics and I actually got bumped until Dr. Wang saved his life also. I was finally out of surgery at approximately 12 hours after I went in. I would have wanted the doctor to do the same thing for me as well. I actually met the man that "bumped me" in a couple of days. He was 52 and went home in 4 days. I am 60 and went home in 5 days. Once home, my daughter solved my bed concerns. She arranged pillows so that I could get out of bed my self and did not need the hospital bed. I am trying to walk outside every day and stretch my chest muscles to allow proper healing, but it is quite painful. No pain no gain, right? All for now I'm going to bed. More to follow.