Mindy's Journal

Merry Christmas to all of my heart brothers and sisters. Enjoyed a wonderful morning with my family, and could not stop thinking about how grateful I am that God placed me in the hands of competent surgeons so I could enjoy another Christmas. Life is great!!!!

Well hello from the other side of surgery! I am so sorry I have been absent for so long, but I have been battling nausea and it has been kicking my butt! Now, first I want to say yesterday was my "turn around day" (day 9). I had hoped to bounce back a bit sooner, but we have realized it was the pain medicine that was jacking me up so bad. So, if I can give one piece of advice it would be to come off of the pain medicine as soon as humanly possible. I want to say a great big thank you for all of the prayers and well wishes you sent my way. You all are soooo wonderful! As for my fears before surgery, I was most worried about fighting the vent, and having the chest tubes removed, but just as you all said I remember it, but barely. It is weird, I knew it was happening at the time, but it was kind of like an out of body experience...strange, I know. My family has been amazing...very patient, and loving. I will say I asked for adivan the night before and the morning of. Honestly, I don't even remember walking in, so I guess I kind of cheated, but it worked and I didn't cause an emotional scene! :) Much love to you all!

Mindy should get discharged tomorrow. Good rounds with surgical team this morning. Battled a little O2 drop and low BP but only small bumps in the road. Nerve endings just waking up to provide a host of fun and exciting new feelings. Y'all (nice Southern gentlemen term) on this blog really helped allay some of her concern leading up to the event. Thank you and God bless you.

This is Mindy's husband. She had successful double valve replacement yesterday (7 hr procedure). She's still in ICU with low BP and anemia. Took on two units of blood this afternoon with hopes of moving to the floor tomorrow. She mentioned something about a Mack truck.

I hope everyone had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving! Life is great in SC, with 73 degree weather and a beautiful sunny sky! Spending the day with my husband and son today. Going to make a trip to see the new Bond movie and go out to eat. Looking forward to just relaxing over the next few days. Have one more day at the college to tie up a few loose ends, but then off Tuesday for preop. I thank you all for the continued encouragement you have provided and I am so fortunate to have met you all. Many Blessings!

Well, I am on the board, but really need prayers because I still have a very deep cough. Is it crazy to say I hope it is congestive heart failure rather than a cold? The doctors state it is most likely CHF since I have no other symptoms, but I had no idea it could get so severe so quickly. Completed my last day at the clinical site where I teach yesterday. Had to give a pep talk to my students and the staff I would be working with, but feel like everything was left under control. One more item checked off!

Well, went to the hospital Friday to get a pre-op test for MRSA, since I work in the hospital and my step-son is a carrier. Should hear back in a few days. I am really impressed with everyone and how proactive they are to prevent infection. I have been struggling with tightness in my chest and an increase in shortness of breath. I have also developed what reminds me of a smokers laugh/cough. My primary started me on an antibiotic just in case so it would be finished by surgery. The PA said I am getting into congestive heart failure, so I guess the surgery is right on time. Please send prayers to over come this if it is a cold. I DO NOT want to have to put this off! :)

Ok, heart family, I am sure all of you will echo this, but I have been up since 3am working on things before surgery. I am a week and a half out and am doing my best to get every thing ready. Anyone else feeling the push? I also am a week and a half out from completing my Master's degree. Wahoo! Master's completion Dec. 1st, Open heart Dec. 2nd! Wishing everyone a great day!

Well, I just had to share an amazing story with you all. Last night my fellow colleagues and I put on a class reunion for our Radiology (x-ray) program for the last 45 years. Oddly enough the husband of my department head at the college I work for will be my perfusionist during surgery. As we spoke, he read my name tag and said, "Oh, you are the class of 1994, Brandi was in your class right?" Then he said, "She is a cardiac physician's assistant now and she works for the cardiothoracic surgeons you are using!" So, I immediately went and reconnected with her and she informed my not only is she with that practice, but she personally cares for MY surgeons patients! She smiled at me and said, "I will be the one taking care of you every step of the way!" I cannot tell you the emotions that came over me. Knowing I would have someone I have known for 21 years watching over me was wonderful, but it also made me think, we all have God watching over us who can do so much more than a surgeon or a PA! Although this interaction gave me comfort, I am finding myself very emotional today. For some reason, I have been struggling with sleep and today is no different. The bouts of crying make me feel so weak, but I am not sure how to move past them. Does anyone else experience times where you are in control: all business and just trusting things will go well, then BAM! Everything is difficult and you just cannot stop crying???? I am trying to be tough, but the waiting is excruciating!

Trying to get as much information as I can to try to ease my mind. You all helped so much with my fears about the vent, can you tell me about the chest tubes? Do you remember them? Were they very painful?

Ok, still learning how to use this. I have never blogged before. I am not scheduled for surgery until December 2nd, which is WAY too much time to think. Can anyone tell me if they remember waking up and fighting the ventilator? This is one of my greatest fears. Mindy