Mindi's Journal

Allen Carkner  I certainly don't feel totally myself at this point. Heart stuff can be challenging. We just have to do our best I suppose. 

Klara Čičić  Dear Mindi, I got CBT psychotherapy within my cardiac rehab relatively early in my recovery so it may prevented cardiac blues from even developing, but it is definitely a problem for a lot of heart warriors. Cardiac depression post surgery is a real thing. You are getting help and that is the most important thing. It is also good you shared your feelings here. All of this isn't easy, but  you will get through this. 

Richard Munson  My only depression in life was when i lost my dog after heart surgery and it was a massive hit so i am no expert by a long shot but on a positive note, if this helps, is that you had successful heart surgery which will prolong your life. Thats a good thing. 

Ana Brusso  Hi Mindi, nice to hear from you. Sorry you are having these difficulties but glad you will be seeing a therapist. Praying for your blues to go away. God bless you 

Rita Savelis  Depression after heart surgery is very common and not spoken about enough. There is still a stigma around depression. What you are feeling is normal. I'm very sorry that you have to go through this. It's hard Seeing a therapist can be helpful. Talking about all that you are feeling. 

Susan Lynn  As Rita said, depression is very common after heart surgery. Glad you're going to see a therapist. We're always here to listen if you need to talk.

Mindi Wieseman  I have tears in my eyes reading yours posts to me about these cardiac blues. I hadn't been able to go online after my post, so I'm just now reading yours. Thank you Allen, Klara, Richard, Ana, Rita, & Susan ♥️ Richard, I also lost my dog, due to kidney disease, a week before my surgery. I was also going through the empty nest syndrome for 2 months, and planning to sell the house and move out of state, a huge undertaking I was not accepting. So going into surgery, I was already in a sad state, plus having to have the surgery. That's when this family right here, you guys,  helped me accept and trust ... accept the surgery and trust the medical team. And I did it and I am healing! I'm so grateful for knowing you! It seems to be difficult to find a therapist right away, when you need to talk, so I'm still waiting. It's a difficult time and I just want to feel better mentally.  

Susan Lynn  Mindi - That's a lot to process all at once even without heart surgery. If you can go to cardiac rehab, you can chat with medical professionals and other heart warriors who know exactly how you're feeling - the exercise can be uplifting, too! I found that being around my classmates helped me to appreciate what was going well in my recovery and the staff was amazing! Hope you can have a similar experience while you wait for an appointment with a therapist. Sending you a virtual hug!!

Rita Savelis  You've had so much going on Mindi. It's so normal that you would be feeling down now that you've gotten through surgery. There is post-surgery, and life, to deal with. I went into a funk 5 months after surgery. Maybe the hardest part being that no one wants to hear about it. I hear you Mindi. You may not feel better tomorrow, or next week. But this, like everything will pass. Sharing what you are feeling is a start, which you are doing. Take care.

Klara Čičić  Mindi, these ladies have said it so well... You really had a lot on your plate, no wonder you feel this way. But it will get better. Surgery is such a demanding state even when everything else in your life is perfect let alone with all those circumstances you had. We are here for you, please keep us updated. 

Robert Miller  Great! Congrats! It's indeed a bit confusing what you can do and what you can't. When I went home after my second surgery I was told to walk no longer than 5 minutes 6-7 times a day. I was told not to walk longer than that. It's kind of silly because I literarily walked thousand of steps in the hospital and nobody told me to stop walking (they even encouraged me to walk) At home I walked some 20+ times up and down the stairs, etc and walked more than 10k steps a day. Also after my first surgery my cardiologist told me not to bother about cardiac rehab. He said they will only slow you down, then ask you to do more and then tell you the great improvement you made (compared to when they slowed you down). So to me it's still not clear what you can and cannot do. I think(!) you just don't want to get your heartrate too high (I never really got it above 90 for about 4 weeks after surgery, usually it was 70-80 at most when walking), and keep your blood pressure low. But who knows...

Mindi Wieseman  I could use cardiac rehab this minute! Somewhat less enthusiastic this morning and a bit down, but working hard to not letting my emotions take over. Going to get dressed and walk with my hubby outside. Taking it slowly and gently. We all have our ups and downs, don't we? 

Mindi Wieseman  I finally walked a couple of times today, and grateful I did...I feel good again! A little push goes a long, long way. 

Patsy Stewart  You’re doing great, Mindi! Sounds like you did the smart thing today. Push, but don’t push too hard. Keep that smile curve side up!🙂🙂🙂

Rita Savelis  In all honesty I had no pain after heart surgery. Lots of discomfort and lots of exhaustion, but no pain. My anasthesiologist had told me that cutting through the sternum is not painful and she was right (in my case). There are many who have the same experience I had. There are others who have pain because of the awkward positions they were in during surgery. Waking up from surgery is never fun. But you are groggy and you are immediately treated for your discomfort and pain if you have it. It passes. I'm sorry that you have to go trhough this. Take care.

Klara Čičić  When I woke up, for the first few hours I had no pain at all. After that came pain and nausea and all that fun stuff... But we are women, we can endure and have endured so much more than this! I was in a same dilema as you regarding the timing of surgery...and I also decided not to wait. It is nevery easy decision. You can do this, Mindi! Happy new year! 

Pamela Gregory  My biggest fear was pain also. They are experts at keeping you as comfortable as possible in the hospital. I had some nausea issues with oxi-meds but once that got switched I did ok. It wasn't a walk in the park but definitely not as bad as I was thinking in my head. If I can do it, anyone can do it

Mindi Wieseman  Yeah lol. Where's the med? But I feel much less afraid of experiencing pain post op now after reading your posts! Like a ton of stress just melted off of me. I'm staying glued to you guys, my new family

George Gardopee  Mindi - I too was terrified of the post-op pain. I may be an outlier, but when I woke up I was astonished at how good I felt. Like Pamela, I had more problems with nausea than with pain. Many others on this site advise staying ahead of any pain - that is, ask for relief before it gets uncomfortable. By two or three days after you can expect not to need anything stronger than Tylenol. It is amazing, actually. Good luck.

Klara Čičić  Dear Mindi, that is exactly what this website did for me, I always repeat that... Amazing guys here. Better than any anxiolitic drug haha. It is the fact that we all know what you are going through. It is such an incredible, crazy and unique experience! And you can do it! We will be here every step of the way. 

Mindi Wieseman  Thank you so much 💓 💗!!! Knowing all of you are there for me is such a mental lift!! It creates the positive thinking I've been trying to adopt, and what my husband has been hoping for me to have. I see a light now!! 

Greg Lewis  Mindi, I will let you in on a secret. .. how you feel, really is a lot in your head.    When I get up in the morning,  and feel pain, I tell myself to just forget it, and just go on with what I want to do that day, then I usually do forget about it, and start to feel better.   On the flipside, if I focus on it, then it usually gets worse, and I feel terrible. That is truly what I have found. 
I quit taking most pain medication quite a while ago, because I usually just overcome it.

You simply will too!!  
It's only pain. Don't  let it ruin your day. Push it around a bit. Show it who's boss!! 🫡

But at the same time learn when it's telling you to go sit down. 😉 🫡
Your gonna do great!!!

Leona Resch  Hi Mindi! You are doing the right thing getting this done now. Like you I had no symptoms but that’s a good thing going into this. There were times I was like I feel great! Why am I doing this now? But deep down I was so scared of this worsening and then presenting bigger issues. You don’t want to wait until it affects your heart adversely. Go into this positive, feeling strong, and getting past it to move on with the rest of all the adventures life holds for you! You will do great!!❤️. 

Patsy Stewart  Mindi, I don't think they would suggest having surgery now if they thought it would be wiser to put it off for a while. My cardiologist and surgeon both told me that there was nothing you could do but surgery to fix this. You've made a wise decision for yourself. As for having pain....it was mainly in my back and shoulders when I would get up and try to get my walking in, and as Rita said, that's because of the position you were in during surgery. The incision itself was not all that painful unless I twisted or turned the wrong way. I was caught off guard by the exhaustion. You're in the best hands with your heart team. They will all work together to help you through this. We will all be here to help you as well. Keep pressing toward the mark and don't look back! You can do this hard thing that is before you! ~❤️

Mindi Wieseman  I am amazed at this, but I honestly feel the courage to have my surgery, and I have the trust in my doctor and his team, my team! I feel ok about this, that I'll be fine. All your encouragement and experiences you share here are truly a blessing. 🥰🥰🥰

Terrie Syvertsen  Dear Mindi, just posted a note meant for you on the news feed by accident  instead of here!please look for it while I go back to sleep! It's 1:57 a.m and I wanted to step in like so many have done and send you support, hope and great healing energy. Funny thing lady, just found I needed to be fully awake to do it!Listen to all your Heart Brothers and Sisters and their/our mended and open hearts!

Adam Pick  Hi Mindi, I thought you might like to watch this video which shares four patient success stories. These patients, as you will see, had very little pain! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ3x1dfS1o0

Mindi Wieseman  Oops! A late thank you for sending to me, Adam! I didn't see it until after surgery. Amazing and inspirational! 

Marie Myers  A lot of us can identify with that shock and disbelief. I listened to a lot of “acceptance” and “relaxation” videos on Utube. Yoga and meditation helped me also. Waiting is really difficult because our minds entice  us to worry, dwelling on the worst case scenario. I wish you peace during your wait!

Susan Lynn  Mindi - If you can sleep, you can do this! Your surgeon and team will take care of the rest! You'll wake up - in what will feel like a moment- and it will be behind you. Listen to the nurses, walk, and rest. You'll be home before you know it! All the best!

Lisa Coombe  It takes time to get your head around it, I remember I cried after I found out I needed surgery but by time the day arrived I was excited to get it done, it 5 months I will be 2 years post op

Greg Lewis  Hi Mindi !  Can you tell us what specifically, what it is that your nervous about? 
For me, I think I was nervous,  because I had never had any surgery before. So I was unsure...where do I go, what happens, what is ICU, what will the OR be like, ...I relied on my wife, for support. But for the really big life questions...the one's  deep inside...I knew that God was pulling me to lean on him for strength, without any doubt in my mind. So that's who I talked to about it. I talked to him all the time, leading up to my surgery, and all through this recovery. I prayed to him, as I went to sleep on the table.  He saved my life, through the surgery team. 

Sometimes I think, this site is not the place for me to talk about God, but...it is the truth. And where should we turn, for the big questions in all this? He says it's to him, that we are to turn! 
When we do, the anxiety just fades away. Not all of it, but the big stuff does.
So, that's  why I ask ...what are you nervous about? There are so many on here that can help. Ask away!  

Pamela Gregory  I guess none of my posts made it so... Mindi this is the hardest time for you no question. The things that helped me during the last week were breathing exercises, being surrounded with family and friends, this website because there are so many people that really know how you are feeling and understand your need to talk about it, and faith. You are going to do great. 

Debra Russo  Mindi, I really get it. Once I had the TAVR I thought OHS was off the table for good. Five years later there is no choice but OHS and I'm frequently freaking out! The waiting has been tough, but I'm glad I had the holidays with my family first. 

Susan Eckermann  Hi Mindi, as several others have mentioned, the waiting is probably the hardest part. I just had OHS mitral valve repair along with other assorted procedures in November. The only hospital visit I'd ever had before was a tonsillectomy when I was 10. I was petrified of the whole process, but mainly awakening on the ventilator, and of course, the pain. There are a few great videos on this site, including one about what happens when you awaken. Viewing those videos, and reading others stories on this site, really helped me prepare. Pain, for me, was not at all what I anticipated. I took the pain meds for about 2 days in the hospital, sleeping a lot, and from that time forward have only taken Tylenol. For me, it was more of a "discomfort" than actual pain. Getting comfortable sleeping was a challenge for the first couple weeks, as was coughing and sneezing. But I was, and am still amazed at how quickly i healed and have been able to do more, without any discomfort. Once I found my surgeon, and got to know him and his team, I had confidence they would do everything in their power to get the best possible result for me. Greg (above) often reminds us of the importance of faith. That was huge for me. I talked to God each day, and still do. Acknowledging that it is ultimately in His hands, brought me peace. Keep the faith. You've got this.

Greg Lewis  Pamela...so many posts...poke poke poke poke..damn thing..poke poke poke poke...ahhh😱..delete delete delete delete..😂😂