Noreen's Journal

I have not had time to come on and look around for a while. I am finishing up my degree that I had put on hold. I will be done with that in about 5 weeks. A lot of papers to write between now and then. My biggest issue I am having in the past few months is that I often get depressed and scared when I think about what has happened to me. I don't like having so many "foreign" objects inside of me. Living on blood thinners, wondering when I have pains if they mean anything. I sought counseling once. He was not helpful at all. I may call and see if I can see someone else. Has anyone else had these issues?

I am not sure what happened but last weekend it seemed that I turned some sort of corner. I have been feeling better. Therapy is progressing, started working on arms too. My chest was really sore when I started. I am going to be seeking counseling for the emotional issues. Scheduled to see the cardiologist Tuesday to get the release to go back to work. A little apprehensive about returning, it has been 12 weeks. I believe it will be a good thing though. This has been a long journey for me. Healing from this surgery has taken a lot longer than any other surgery I have ever had. I feel so much better, physically at least. I did not even know I had anything wrong with me before October 20. The adjustments that I am having to make in my life (medications, monitoring INR, watching certain foods, etc) will take more time. Because I have to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life I was able to get a home monitoring system to do my own INR tests. I am so thankful to God for all he has brought me through.

I started the rehab this week. It took a long time to get me referred. I was having issues with my heart beating extra. I was told that this can happen after surgery. I feel better after the exercises at rehab. Unfortunately I will not be able to go a long as I would have liked due to the cost. But I am getting better. I am scheduled to return to work on 2/23/15. I look forward to seeing my co-workers but do not look forward to the stress work will be. I will be going back to college in March, hoping to graduate in September. Having a lot of emotional issues right now.

I am now at 7 weeks +. Last week I had a stress test followed by an echo-cardiogram. My heart was beating irregular. I had to wear a monitor for 48 hours. They placed the electrodes directly onto my scar. This really bothered me as my scar is still sensitive. I could not sleep much at all the first night. The next night I was so tired I don't think it matter any more. I go in to the cardiologist office tomorrow to find out the results of both the stress test and the monitor. I need to know if I am going to have any rehab and when my anticipated date of return to work. I stopped in at work the other day for about an hour, didn't even do any work just talked to co-workers and I was exhausted. I am so emotional right now. I seem to be crying all the time right now. I have had many surgeries in my life and never has it taken me so long to return to work. Yet I am not sure I am ready to go back. I am an Eligibility Specialist (Caseworker at Job and Family Services) I have a very stressful job. Then i worry what if I can't do my job? I need to just relax!

I have not had time to come to this site during the holidays. Hope you all had a great time with family and friends. I am finally sleeping more than a couple of hours at a time. I have been sleeping on average of 5 - 6 hours a night with out waking up. It feels so good to be able to sleep. I cannot lay flat yet so sleeping in a recliner for now. I will see the surgeon for the follow up this week. Stress test scheduled for next week. Cardiologist said once that is done I will be scheduled for rehab and I can begin driving again. Since we now have snow, I am in NO hurry to drive. It is still some time before I am supposed to go back to work. For the most part the pain I have is just on the incision. Once in a while my chest muscles hurt. My twin sister will be speaking to the surgeon when she goes with me. She has an aneurysm that they said is 3.9. When they found mine, 6 weeks before surgery, they said it was 4.7. The report after surgery it was stated to 5. She will probably be getting it repaired pretty soon. Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks

I am only having a small amount of pain, mostly just uncomfortable where the incision is. Still swollen a little at the top. I am getting bored, wanting to be able to do more. Rehab has not started yet. See doc on Tuesday. Trying to be patient with progress.

Hello everyone. I posted once since I came home, but not sure where I posted it to since I don't find it here. I left the hospital on 12/7/14, 5 days after surgery. The day of surgery is a blur. They tell me I did well. I got up and walked on Wednesday, not far, but I was out of bed that day and walked into the hallway. Since getting home my twin sister got the results of her echocardiogram she had the week before Thanksgiving. She has one too. Hers was 3.9 when they did the test, the cardiologist will meet with her when she takes me in for my follow-up on 23rd. The biggest problem for me right now is the pain in strange places, like in my back, different parts of my legs, being uncomfortable when I have slept for just a couple of hours. Not sleeping like I would like to be able to. I believe things are getting better everyday.

I did not even have time to post anything yesterday. I went to work, I left a couple of hours early. I felt like I had so much to do to get ready for today. I have to be at the hospital in 4 hours. I slept pretty good so far tonight, just woke up and thought about the fact I did not post on here. I appreciate all the encouragement from everyone! I do feel good about today. Not looking forward to the ups and downs but I am looking forward to when all the healing is done! I will keep you all posted on how I am doing. Thanks so much!

I have to go see the cardiologist tomorrow to go over the testing I had on the 13th. My twin sister will have an echo cardiogram done tomorrow to see if she has any issues with her heart. One week from tomorrow is surgery day.

Went for the pre-op testing today. It is becoming more of a reality! I am not looking forward to one week from now, but will be glad in two weeks from now.

I have about a week and a half until my surgery. I am feeling a bit anxious sometimes. The doctors ask if I feel any pain, if my arm feels numb at all or if there is pain in my back. I tell them YES ever since you told me I had this problem. Not sure what it is I am feeling. The catheterization showed no blockages and no heart disease. I am not sure yet if I will need a valve replacement, the surgeon said he will not know until he is in there. I am feeling very emotional yet will not allow myself to cry. I am trying to relax as much as I can. Getting everything in place to be off of work for that long of a time sure takes a lot of work. I have to do that besides my regular job too. In some ways I want the time to go quickly, but not looking forward to the pain.

It is 3:30 in the morning, I have to go to work today, but I could not sleep. My catheterization is tomorrow. I have know for 3 weeks now that I have an aneurysm in my heart. I had not felt sick before. I went to the ER for an abdominal pain. They "by chance" found the aneurysm on the CT Scan. I have almost felt like this is just not real. After having the echo and a couple other tests on Monday I feel like I have all the symptoms of heart problems. I think it is mental more than actually physical. I have not allowed myself time to really react to anything. My twin sister, so I have heard, has cried from time to time. I want to release the pent up emotions but do not feel as if I can. I live with my husband (of 33 years) and my 22 yr old son. Both of these guys have TBI's (Traumatic Brain Injury). They are both very high functioning and can physically care for themselves, which is a real plus. But each have their "issues". They are not all that understanding of each other. I am looking forward to getting the surgery and starting the journey back to being able to take care of my guys. I will be staying with my twin sister during my healing time so I can focus on me. Hope that does not sound too selfish.

I am trusting that God has a plan, just not sure what it is. I found this site today. I have read many of the stories. It is inspiring to read them. I have been a bit concerned about this surgery. Not sure if the surgery scares me more or the waiting to have it. I am glad I found this site. I have found a lot of answers to things I thought no one else was thinking about. Thanks!