Olga Landry - Heart Valve Journal

Clare Auten My hands turn blue/purple all the time. But, they did it before my surgery too.

Hey Olga. Glad to see back! There are a lot of weird things the body goes through after surgery from minor heart attacks to a myriad of aches and pains. ... Read more

no it can be Raynards symptoms you can look it up .

You are only a couple of weeks post op and you had a problem with your blood pressure being too low right after surgery. I would say stop trying to guess why ... Read more

and I agree with Karen.

Joan Napier Definitely check in with your doc. A common cause is medications such as beta blockers that can affect peripheral circulation and cause hands and/or feet to ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Olga, I agree with Kathryn agreeing with Karen! HEy Kathryn how is your beautiful bird doing? How are you?

Tammy Pilcher Great to hear Olga! I hope you continue to recover fast!

Joan Napier Olga, Good to hear you are gradually returning to your normal activities. Wishing you all the best as you continue your recovery. May God bless you.

Eleanor R Leave those dishes alone and enjoy being taken care of! But like you, I was right back into my daily routine, it was comforting somehow to know that I could ... Read more

Olga, I am so happy to see you here. And happy to see you are doing so well. Keep up the good work. It does my heart good to know that you are healing and ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French Olga, So glad to see you are getting out a bit -- the warm welcome at the care home must have been great. Please try to allow yourself some time to relax a ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Hello Olga, Daniel and Mom! Glad to hear you made it to see all of the residents at your workplace. Now! Did you watch out for the many hugs I warned you to ... Read more

Last post to Reveille

Journal posted on October 15, 2014

Since Olga feels she is not yet ready to type herself, I have chosen to come out of retirement and take command of the situation.

Olga continues to amaze and astound the staff. She was able today to attempt climbing stairs in order to prepare her for our stairs to get to our apartment. When we went to the stairwell to begin, the physiotherapist turned to Mum and I to say something and, while he did this, Olga started to zip up the stairs (8 of them) and the physiotherapist had to chase her up the stairs. Olga is extremely strong willed when it comes to doing something that frightens her. She will simply conquer the fear and press on!

Her determination to leave the hospital is surpassed only by her desire to be at home in her own bed.

I have every confidence that Olga will be leaving the hospital tomorrow but I had to reassure her tonight that it is all in heavenly fathers' time. Only He knows what Olga is capable of and what she isn't at this point.

I wish to give thanks to all those who have blessed our lives in their prayers and thoughts, you have been instrumental in Olga's recovery and belief in herself. Your prayers have been answered and Olga is whole, and getting well. Now if only she would TAKE the time to heal properly she would feel less stressed and more in tune with Heavenly Father.

To all of you who have been in similar circumstances, I thank you for your words of counsel and willingness to share your experiences with us. It truly has eased our minds during this time.

Olga is my candle burning bright,
Her eyes are filled with heav'nly light
Like a beacon in the night

Gently guides my heart to hers
And richest feeling in me stirs
Then sudden though to me occurs:

An Angel sent from God above
Landed gently as a dove
To teach me how to love

She came to me in beauty fine
As sweet as early morning wine
Before it's rancour off the vine.

I'll not forget the blessed part
That stirs within her beating heart
And pain be gone ne'er more impart

The fading, flustered, fleeting thought
Nor bring again what fear has wrought,
Begone, and ne'er round here again be caught!

Thy powers gone to blind our mind
The faith and courage of her kind
Its gentleness and meekness find

In all who's life her steps have trod
And as she holds the iron rod
That leads again to God

May we who follow be so bold
To grasp her hand and tightly hold
Til all the streets that paved with Gold

We find beneath our surest step
Because her faith and promise kept
She for us knelt and fully wept

That God might in his bosom hold
Our hearts when we too should grow old
And in eternal rest He'll fold

As he did his sheep before
So now he did her heart restore
My dearest Olga, I love you more!

Daniel

Like | wendy gorst, Linda Crawford likes this

A Garden of Blessings!

Journal posted on October 15, 2014

Hello Everyone! Today was truly a garden of blessings!

Olga has graduated from the Third Floor to the Fourth! And the Fourth is truly with her. "Yes, this one's a Star Wars reference and no I have still never seen any of them!"

Today we bid fare-thee-well CVICU we'll see you another day.

Tomorrow is a brand new day and Olga has risen to the STEP-DOWN unit.

What an exciting day for all of us as Olga now is running circles around the fourth floor. She continues to amaze the staff with her determination and cheerfulness and desire to drive herself out of the sickbed.

Olga will now relearn how to climb stairs, and how to get along with her revitalized heart. The staff at the University of Alberta Hospital Mazankowski Heart Institute have been excellent (for the most part but who's counting). The care Olga has gotten, the instant friendships, and the acceptance into the community has been exhilarating. I would also like to point out that not just the staff but also the families of other patients has been uplifting during trying times. (I would hope that we too have provided the same).

As Olga is now a self-propelled entity, full of energy and vitality, and endowed with her infectious smile and happy personality, (and access to the outside world), I believe that this may be my "Last Post" so-to-speak. I continue to appreciate all of the prayers and well wishes on our behalf. You all have contributed greatly to the pre during and post surgery healing and I thank you all for the love you have shown Olga, Mum(Jane), and myself.

The fourth floor of the Mazenkowski unit houses not only the Step-down unit but it also is home to the Guru Nanek Dev Healing Garden. It is a wonderful place to just sit, relax, enjoy the sunshine, and listen to the soothing sound of the water features. And Olga's room is only steps away. It is part of the laps that she is going to have to do four times a day. What a marvellous way to recouperate.

See you all on the other side when we all get there together.

Bon soir mes ami! De mon coeur a le tien, Bon soir!

And now I bid you a happy day and hand you back over to the Heart of my Heart. Olga!

Daniel

Like | Linda Crawford, wendy gorst likes this

Daniel, thank you for all of the details on Olga's journey during her surgery. I am so happy to hear that she is doing so well and can't wait to chat with ... Read more

Eleanor R Thank you Daniel for your posts during this time, and best wishes to you for your own surgery. Take good care of each other! Eleanor

wendy gorst Wonderful, wonderful news. Stepping down to go up - I like it!

Mary Myers That is the best news. I hope to meet the lovely Olga one day. Our prayers have been answered and am so thankful. Looking forward to many years of friendship ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Are you passing out Cigars?!!! Great news. Now let the Healing begin. Make sure you get some rest and food Daniel. Tell her we are thinking of her but you ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French And the twin Cow says, Ditto! Kiss on the forehead for me, too!

Wonderful News!!!! Lots of love being sent to Olga. God heard our prayers.

Olga Landry Terri: no cigars, can't stand the smell!
Ginger and Terri: kisses will be passed on!
Karen: He did indeed!
Thank you all for your cheering and support!

Terrie Syvertsen Sister, Mum, Daniel and Olga. Prayers are heading your way as you head into the evening. Glad you are stopping to get something to eat and you all have to keep ... Read more

Joan Napier Such great news! Prayers answered, and prayers continue for a smooth recovery.

very tired. / last day of work before surgery.

Journal posted on September 17, 2014

Hello, It been a while since I wrote on here so I thought I will do an up date. My Surgery is still on the 30 of Sept no changes yet.
my pre op is on the 29th of September. It is going to be a very long day that day,
Daniel ans I will go to Edmonton on Sunday after church. A friend of ours is going to Scooby (our Dog) that week.

I have notice I am getting tired quickly now. Today is my last day of work until after my surgery. I just was finding I was getting to tired.

On Monday I worked from 8;30 till 1;30. then I came home. then around 5;30 I got a phone call from work. I call it the care home, from one of my co-worker/friend. to tell me she got hurt and need help. well I didn't have the car. Daniel had it at our local store. so I started walking really fast up a up hill road. Daniel met me half way and took me the rest of the way to the care home. The care home is close to my home like about a 10 - 15 min walk,
I didn't have time to rest plus my adrenaline was pretty high so I just jump in and started working. I worked till 7:00. I had a couple of friends come from church we were going to prepare food for the freezer meals that the ladies from the church were going to put together the next night. that was till 8:30.
I was pretty tired then. I went to work yesterday. I felt physically tired I had a short break. then I went back to work. The grocery came in. I started to put them away there was another worker there. she is very lazy, So instead of asking for help. I put all the milk away. I put a big bag of brown sugar on the cart as well a big tub of margarine on the cart wheeled it to the back kitchen. empty the big bag of sugar into a container and put it away then put the big container of margarine away. After that I was very tired and out of breath. I had no energy to go farther. I went to the office and told my boss how tired I was and she sent me home.
I even had a hard time going up the stairs that go to my apartment. (no There is no elevators.) I just rested for the rest of the day. I told my boss today this is too much to work so I am taking the week off before my surgery. plus a couple of the residents have bee sick so I don't want to take any chances to get sick, plus I think it will be good to get thing organize next week for the surgery the following week.
I am starting also getting anxiety about the surgery as the date getting closer.
Terri- the decision of the shield I decided not to get the shield. I like your idea better about gauze and the paper tape.

Thank you Terri, Ginger, Mary and Eleanor for all advice about before and after surgery.
Have a great day.
Take Care. Olga

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Eleanor R Good decision, Olga, to take a bit of time off before your surgery, so that you can rest and get your apartment and yourself ready. You will do fine! Before ... Read more

Virginia (Ginger) French Olga, I am with Eleanor on this all the way. There comes a time, and our bodies tell us if we will only pay attention! when at this part of the Journey one ... Read more

Olga Landry Thank You Ginger and Eleanor.

Mike Nunes Olga, I did not get and have been just fine. I know that some have used and liked, but for some reason I have been lucky so far and had no issues with my incision. I am 3 weeks post op.

Terrie Syvertsen Well hello Olga and Daniel. Do I have a comment or two for you today, ha. ha. Terrie here and I just read this question on the "shield" and would like to give ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Well hello Olga and Daniel. Do I have a comment or two for you today, ha. ha. Terrie here and I just read this question on the "shield" and would like to give you my 2 cents worth. I had the full sternotomy incision and am equipped with a full "Woman's chest" thank you very much. Point being, unlike the men who might benefit by the "shield" to be honest with you I don't think it would be worth it but it is your choice and I would wait to see about whether any one else says It was good for them that is a female. Myself. I know others may have a different experience but after waking up and having the nurses clean the area one time I have not had anything covering the area other than occasional gauze strips where areas may be more prone to rubbing. I also used the "Paper tape" due to the fact I am allergic to adhesive(not a great thing but workable) after surgery. Since home I have made sure to keep the area clean and free of lotions or odd soaps, just your every day soap and water and be gentle. I did as Eleanor suggested in one of her posts. I went out and bought 12 special for me wash cloths all white so that Gary couldn't use them or wash the dogs face with the for they are "Special cloths for Special Terrie's Special Incision!!!!! You can't see me but I just stuck out my tongue and made a cool bratty face! The reason for them is that by having your own special clean and laundered cloths at hand while you are healing you can make sure the area remains clean and has plenty of air to get to it to heal. I have an incision that you can almost not see due to the fact it has healed so beautifully in only 4 weeks! The lady who put on my "Monitor" said in fact that She hasn't seen someone come out of surgery with an incision after this short a time with such a great looking, incision. "Thank you very much Mina" from Kaiser/Stockton!
And our Heart Sister Ginger also had a great suggestion in that after home, it is far easier to take some gauze and fold it into a shape that will settle between the breast area and lay up towards the top and bottom of your incision. It can be taped with paper tap so that it doesn't open up and I have to tell you at times when I didn't want anything rubbing it worked beautifully until the incision settled into it's healing mode and if you are gentle with your upper body and don't try to stretch too much you will find it to heal well!. I also learned from other women that not wearing a bra if you are comfortable with it due to size and just wearing comfortable cotton camisoles or thin strapped t-shirts under loose cotton blouses will make the healing time better as it still allows the skin to breath and a bra was not on my list of things I must do. you will be healing at home at first and there are no prizes for being uncomfortable while this is happening Lady!
Second Olga. I have a comment on your return of the "Monitor"! That is the subject of another "Book" in my life as I have only had mine on for four days and I can tell you the following experiences.
!. No fun while walking in the park when the monitor is weighing down your right hand pants pocket along with the cell phone, water bottle to the point wear your pants are sliding down your --- while you take each step. #2 The dreaded sticky stuff on the stickers. Removing the stickers to shower was a joy this morning as they are placed beneath the breasts and over the right hand upper chest. Gary was getting ready to go out the door as I was getting ready for shower and was in hysterics as my upper body looked like aliens had abducted me over night as the removal left these giant circles of red in place of where the stickers had been. (I am allergic to adhesive which is on my chart and was missed so I was sent home with them. (To anyone getting a monitor for your heart and whom will have to wear it for days please phone in ahead of picking up your monitor so that they will mail you hypo-stickers to replace the adhesive!). The sticky stuff is no picnic but a gentle rub of warm water and soap does take it off! Also didn't know to put the leads into the "holders" on the skin first so Gary spent 5 minutes poking the leads into the already placed patches and guess what, had to remove them and put them in first. Good to know for next time as I felt like I had been
poked in the chest one too many times before he left. And someone must be able to come up with something less sticky, yes!!!
Glad you got your Monitor off. When will you hear the results of it? I have25 more days to go! Well I have to go eat my blueberries and yogurt that I was headed for before I caught site of your post on the shield. Hope this post finds you and Daniel enjoying this beautiful day!

Virginia (Ginger) French Olga, one other piece to incision care that many of us have found helps with comfort and speeds the final closing of the incision. Anytime you wash and even ... Read more

Olga Landry Thank you Ginger. I am going to try to remember this tip.
How are you doing

Mary Myers

Mary Myers Hello Olga, glad you got the monitor off. How are you doing? Did you get my latest email? Hope you have a pleasant nights sleep. Hugs from Mia

Hi Olga, so glad you are done with the monitor. Sorry to hear about the irritation though. I know how much that hurts. I hope it heals quickly for you. ... Read more

Eleanor R Don't you hate the sticky stuff that stays on your skin? It irritates, plus it is so hard to get off. In addition to being black and blue, I was covered in ... Read more

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