Lynn understock - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3202 days ago

I am feeling good.....back to work full time but feeling incredibly depressed. Anyone else going through this and what did you do to snap out of it. On welbutrin ...Read more

I am feeling good.....back to work full time but feeling incredibly depressed. Anyone else going through this and what did you do to snap out of it. On welbutrin 300 mg. Thx much

Brian Walsh Focus on the positives, the new life you have and all that is ahead. Talk to your friends and family ... Read more

Brian Walsh Focus on the positives, the new life you have and all that is ahead. Talk to your friends and family around you and let them know what you are going through. You are at that key turning point in your recovery. God pulled you through this far and will continue to be with you past this time.

Lora Lee Peterson I have heard so often that heart patients, no matter what the procedure, suffer from depression. If ... Read more

Lora Lee Peterson I have heard so often that heart patients, no matter what the procedure, suffer from depression. If you've been on Welbutrin for this long, and it's not helping, maybe some other prescription might work better? Since I haven't had it done yet, I don't know anything except what I've been warned about by several people.

Rita Savelis It's hard to go back to work. You've been through a lot. I'm where you are and my cardiologist said i ... Read more

Rita Savelis It's hard to go back to work. You've been through a lot. I'm where you are and my cardiologist said it's a time where a lot of us feel down and disheartened. One day at a time. I feel for you.

Jean Raber I agree with Lora Lee Peterson: If you've been on Welbutrin for four months, it may be time to try so ... Read more

Jean Raber I agree with Lora Lee Peterson: If you've been on Welbutrin for four months, it may be time to try something else. Also, doctors can only do so much for the emotional aspects of any illness. Sometimes talk therapy helps in addition to anti-depressants. Sometimes cardiac rehab programs help with the depression by providing socializing time or group talks. Barring all that, that's what this site is for; to provide a listening ear. Please let us know how you are doing.

Lynn understock Thx so much seeing my doc Wednesday

Tammy Pilcher Prayers for you, Lynn. I didn't experience it, but I know it does happen often and I feel for you. ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Prayers for you, Lynn. I didn't experience it, but I know it does happen often and I feel for you. God bless!

Ericka Carlson Hi Lynn, I am sorry to hear you're going through this. Are you doing cardiac rehab? If not see if y ... Read more

Ericka Carlson Hi Lynn, I am sorry to hear you're going through this. Are you doing cardiac rehab? If not see if you can join a program or a gym. I felt many times better emotionally as soon as I started cardiac rehab, and this is coming from someone that hates gyms and structured exercise. In fact, it's made me feel so good that I am already shopping for a gym to join once rehab is over so I can keep on with this wonderful new habit of 6 AM exercise 3X's a week! I swear to you, I am not even a morning person and I am doing this, it's amazing. lol

Hugs and good thoughts to you.

Bruce Burnett Depression can be mild or severe and can happen anytime after surgery. When I think about it, especia ... Read more

Bruce Burnett Depression can be mild or severe and can happen anytime after surgery. When I think about it, especially after my third surgery to remove fluid from around the heart. When I went in I did not feel that bad but by the time they took me into surgery and I kept getting nauseated going unconscious going into A-fib was the only time I have ever felt like I may die. It has been 4 weeks and it still gets to me. I know the feeling will disappear as my strength gets better.

Lynn understock Thx so much ..... did rehab 20 times and this wave didn't hit me until I was feeling better.. it snuc ... Read more

Lynn understock Thx so much ..... did rehab 20 times and this wave didn't hit me until I was feeling better.. it snuck up and bam! My cardiologist said he sees this more often than not .... I will continue with a trainer at my gym next week because I was released to do so.
Yay.. My doc said depression can happen because yr body is confused and getting used to the new valve and reacting to the trauma of surgery...... i should plan 6 months to a year to feel my maximum. anyway thx everyone you guys made me feel better. I love this site. Facebook for heart patients. :-)

Ericka Carlson They are also looking into a link between inflammation and depression, which would totally make sense ... Read more

Ericka Carlson They are also looking into a link between inflammation and depression, which would totally make sense for surgery patients, I am sure there is much more inflammation than we even know after going through such trauma.

Lynn understockposted a journal

3202 days ago

Jim Kelly-Evans reacted to this

I am feeling good.....back to work full time but feeling incredibly depressed. Anyone else going through this and what did you do to snap out of it. On welbutrin ...Read more

I am feeling good.....back to work full time but feeling incredibly depressed. Anyone else going through this and what did you do to snap out of it. On welbutrin 300 mg. Thx much

Jim Kelly-Evans Sorry to read about the depression Lynn. I think it is relatively common. I didn't experience depress ... Read more

Jim Kelly-Evans Sorry to read about the depression Lynn. I think it is relatively common. I didn't experience depression for the first couple of months post-op because I was laser-focused on recovering. But then I did become mildly depressed...grief over the loss of an animal companion set it off. You're not alone. Hang in there and take one day at a time. It gets better.

Lynn understockposted a journal

3224 days ago

Three months out from aortic root replacement and aortic valve replacement. I feel pretty great. Returned to work on part time basis and almost feel guilty ...Read more

Three months out from aortic root replacement and aortic valve replacement. I feel pretty great. Returned to work on part time basis and almost feel guilty about leaving mid day but know i have to take things one day at a time. Walking almost two miles per day and back to lifting weights. For those who are just going home....have faith it does get better and you will feel like your old self but more energy and gusto.....Hmmmm do they say gusto anymore lol ...m

Patrick Dowd Thanks for the hopeful promise

Bob M One day at a time! Amen and God bless!

Lynn understockposted a journal

3244 days ago

Yeah I graduated from cardiac rehab. Got a tshirt lol. Cardiac rehab best thing in world. Made arrangements to return to work :-(. Feeling awesome except ...Read more

Yeah I graduated from cardiac rehab. Got a tshirt lol. Cardiac rehab best thing in world. Made arrangements to return to work :-(. Feeling awesome except for tender incision but getting better. After nine weeks I am feeling almost normal. Hang in there everyone....it does get better.

Rhonda Rawles Good for you!

Mary K Thanks for your sharing from the other side.

Lynn understockposted a journal

3250 days ago

Linda McHugh, Mary K and 1 other reacted to this

Yeah......saw surgeon....can drive legally again....lift my arms over my head and lift weights. Sternum solid ....... incision good but surgeon suggested ...Read more

Yeah......saw surgeon....can drive legally again....lift my arms over my head and lift weights. Sternum solid ....... incision good but surgeon suggested vitamin e oil to soften and protect. My incision was pulling and feeling tight and the vitamin e oil really really helped.

Gerald Schaffer great news and good advise.

Tammy Pilcher Great news, Lynn! God bless!

Lynn understockposted a journal

3251 days ago

Michael Donohoe reacted to this

Whoop whoop!!!!!! Drove for first time since March 30th. No accidents....didn't get ticket and shopped for two hours. Then came home and yup took a nap :-)........ ...Read more

Whoop whoop!!!!!! Drove for first time since March 30th. No accidents....didn't get ticket and shopped for two hours. Then came home and yup took a nap :-)........ today appointment with surgeon ..... may be able to lift weights again

Gerald Schaffer Congrats, stay safe on the road, sounds like you're doing well.

Lora Lee Peterson Good for you! That is so encouraging!

Great! God is Good!

Tammy Pilcher Great news, Lynn! God bless!

Lynn understockposted a journal

3253 days ago

Kathleen F., kristin ott and 1 other reacted to this

Eight weeks out from aortic root replacement and avr replacement. Feeling pretty good but had to share my nurses comment at cardiac rehab. I was whining about ...Read more

Eight weeks out from aortic root replacement and avr replacement. Feeling pretty good but had to share my nurses comment at cardiac rehab. I was whining about not feeling good because before surgery I was feeling awesome. She responded. ..... your body adjusted to how your valve was functioning and know it has to learn a whole new way of your blood pumping through your body...... it will take time.....and if your aneurysm would have blown we wouldn't be having this conversation. That was the best thing in the world she could have told me. Now when I feel uncomfortable I hear her voice and put on my big girl pants and thank God I am here. Thank you Avera Heart Hospital..... you have angels that work with your patients.

Kimberly Biddick Wonderful advice! Thank you so much for sharing! Best wishes for continued progress for you!

Lynn understock Thx it's looking up!

Lynn understockposted a journal

3257 days ago

Steve Salvador, Mary K reacted to this

Today is the third day I actually feel a bit like myself again. almost over nite my ache in my chest gone.....incision burn gone.....energy back somewhat......no ...Read more

Today is the third day I actually feel a bit like myself again. almost over nite my ache in my chest gone.....incision burn gone.....energy back somewhat......no nap for two days....it's six weeks out from aortic root replacement and aortic valve replacement and for the first time I feel as if my life will once again be "normal" .... Whoop whoop! So everyone keep the faith....be patient....it will come.

Eleanor R I am glad to hear you are doing well, I remember this time last year, and it was also about six weeks ... Read more

Eleanor R I am glad to hear you are doing well, I remember this time last year, and it was also about six weeks after my surgery, when I realized that I had become so much stronger, pain free, and not being shocked by sneezes or arm lifts. What a lovely feeling to know you are better, and improved. Keep up your steady healing, sounds like you are doing well.

Sounds like you are doing great!!!! God is Good.

Lynn understock Thanks ..... I am blessed to be here as my aorta was paper thin....do fortunate I have been followed ... Read more

Lynn understock Thanks ..... I am blessed to be here as my aorta was paper thin....do fortunate I have been followed for so many years.