Michael's Journal

I just discovered your website. Not quite sure where to start, but the beginning seems like a good place. Fifteen years ago I was diagnosed as having a defective aortic heart valve (bicuspid instead of tri cuspid). I was told that heart valve replacement would be necessary in the future. In November of 2015 my cardiologist shared his findings of my most recent echo cardiogram & told me it was time to do the surgery. He believed we were on a course for a mid winter procedure. My heart catherization in January showed no blockages & meant it would be a heart valve only surgery. He recommended that I have the less evasive procedure owing to my status as level 3 kidney failure. The surgeon also informed me I would need to address some dental issues before scheduling the surgery. The dental (deep cleaning, filling, & extraction)took longer that I would have preferred. In late March I was cleared for surgery by my dentist & anticipated a timely date for the procedure. How wrong I was! After countless phone calls & emails to my surgeon, I was finally given a pre-surgery exam for mid April. One of the outcomes of the evaluation was the astonishing news that my creatine level had dropped from 2.6 to 1.4. I was scheduled for the less evasive procedure on May 11 and arrived at the hospital ready for surgery. The surgeon's team was reluctant to procede without first confirming that the creatine reading was accurate. Not only was the level correct, it now read 1.3! The surgeon explained that the change in my kidney function would now make open heart surgery possible. I consented to the revised plan & was sent home with a new surgery date of May 18. I should say that during the months from November to May my heart function worsened. Having the anxiety of the long delay, coupled with the last minute change in the procedure, left me greatly weakened. The surgery finally took place &, thankfully, I survived to tell about it. A week after the procedure I was released from the hospital & sent home. Two days after my release I realized that I needed more medical attention than I could receive at home. I admitted myself to a local nursing home/rehab facility, where I remained for 3 weeks, My progress during the stay in the nursing home placed me on a solid track to recovery. I continued out patient therapy at the same rehab facility & continued to make progress. In early July I had follow up visits with the surgeon & my cardiologist I was given a clean bill of health. Cardiac rehab was ordered for me by the cardiologist & I began that phase of my rehab. Two weeks after beginning the cardiac rehab I was suddenly overcome with extreme fatigue, abdominal/chest pain, upset stomach, headache, & light headedness. I returned to my cardiologist & was told that a recent chest x-ray revealed fluid in my right lung. My heart function continued to be normal & showed nothing abnormal. After seeing my primary care physician & gastro specialist, I wa determined to have increased stress & constipation. These two latest issue are being treated with medication & have produced only improved my bowel function. It is now mid September & my overall condition remains unchanged. I knew that recovery would be long & realized that I could not rush the process. I had not anticipated this set back & believe that anxiety & stress are now causing my recovery to stall. It's almost like things are repeating what took place in the months leading up to the sugery. One agian my old nemesis is holding be back. It is a discouraging time & I just want to get back on track. If anyone else has gone through a similar experience, I would appreciate any advice or suggestions you might offer. I am not a quitter, but this has been a long year & shows no sign of improving.