Penny's Journal

March 19,2018, 3 year anniversary OHS.

April 6,2016, had a massive stroke, I have had AFib with symptoms. They think is afib. I'm recovering

Well it showed runs of SVT so changing me to Fecanide twice a day and weaning off metoprolol. Hopefully this will stop all these rhythm problems. Was on this before years ago

I'm still having rhythm problems. Still exhausted tired with shortness of breath. Saw cardiologist and just had holter monitor done. Will get results next appointment. Trying to get doc to change these mess because I think this is part of the problem. I really thought at 6 months post-op I would feel a lot better. Maybe it's just going to take a little longer I hope.

went and saw Dr. Castro yesterday. Long drive but well worth it. Love how he explained the complexity of my valve. It was both stenosied and prolapsed. Adjusted meds even more due to afib. Not sure when I'll get off the meds if ever because of my blood pressure issues. Shortness of breath and chest pain from pericarditis getting better. Have accepted the fact it will take a little longer than most to recover. I just pray that this repaired valve will last as long as a replaced valve. Hoping for the best.

Well 3 weeks post op and lots has happened. Went back in hospital for a week with severe shortness of breath and SVT. I guess my heart is angry and doesn't want to be good. Final diagnosis pericarditis . Every time I get up to walk I get severe chest pain and shortness of breath. It's a good thing I have a lot of blessings in my life because I cannot put up with this . I did get my new precious great granddaughter on Monday. Went home on Tuesday and still feel bad. Hopefully this will all work out soon.

im home. Quite a ride I had. As I told everyone I was hoping for a 4 day vacation which turned into 8. Day of surgery around 6am wheeled into surgery,next thing I know looking at clock and it said 130pm. Sitting straight up in bed wide awake but drugged and still intubated. I'm thinking my doc takes the tube out before you wake up completely. I'm looking at all these people around my bed and I hear them saying she's fully awake but not breathing. It was not uncomfortable nor scary for the next hour or so I played charades and sign language til it was removed. The next 2 days spent in ICU with pulse ox problems and angry heart setting off defibrillator pacer wires. Remember I was on my 4 day vacation plan. I had yet to see a spa there. No one would give me a discharge date until I was finally told my heart had gone through 2 surgeries that day. The first went as planned with the docs repairing my valve, which was verified rheumatic tegurgitation, after the surgery was basically finished off bypass closed up that surgery failed and they once again put me i bypass and completed a second repair.
My surgeon and his staff and the staff at Sequoia was beyond excellence. Kind compassionate and caring. I used nothing I took with me because everything provided for me. I came home Wednesday night and doing pretty well. I'm still having shortness of breath but I did have some plural effusions. Pain level not bad. Keep using inspiramator and coughing techniques. Looking forward to next few weeks over with and know I will feel better than I do today. Don't sweat the small stuff it's only small stuff

48 hours from now,hopefully, I will be out of surgery and on my way to a new life. Had to go to backup plan for drive to Bay Area tomorrow. My Granddaughter may be having Khloee sooner than expected so I didn't want her making 2, 6 hour trips driving in one week. She has been kidding me for weeks she could have the baby at Sequoia. This is where her mother, who passed away 4 years ago ,was born. She is my rock right now, going to take care of her brothers whole I'm gone. I think I have everything I can get done finished. If not, too bad. I'm starting early tomorrow and believe I'm first on the books for Thursday yea. Only positive thoughts. Don't sweat the small stuff, it's only small stuff

This is the last weekend to get what needs to get done finished. It certainly won't be much. I can't believe how tired I am. I do have a chaotic household with my grandsons. Even though they are 17 and 16 their emotional maturity is 6 and maybe 8. So many mental problems. The youngest one is so worried and has had a few problems at school necessitating me going and picking him up. I keep telling him everything is going to be fine and we will be able to do more outings when my heart is fixed. I pray they will behave ok for their sister. There's a video game coming out on Tuesday they want and I'll get for them. Although I can't stand them sitting in front of the TV and playing all day, if that will keep them occupied so be it, I'll deal with it when I come home. I certainly don't want their sister to stress and have the baby early.
I'm so glad I have used relaxation techniques for years dealing with issues that come up as I think that has helped me remain very calm and non stressed about next weeks surgery. I really think it's just a bump in the road of life and you just have to deal with it.
Tomorrow I will go stock up on my most unfavorite food, TV dinners, but at least the boys will be happy. Paper plates and cups will do the trick also. Junk food makes kids happy, I usually cook hot meals but I have a few I have frozen the last few months so that will do when I come home.
So I can say I'm pretty much prepared for my mini vacation and adventure.
Remember don't sweat the small stuff it's only small stuff. Positive thoughts and healing hugs to all

9 days to go and I still haven't finished to crocheted dress for my soon to be great granddaughter. Trying to get house in order and bathroom floor breaks. Why couldn't it have happened a few weeks ago. I don't have energy or time to do it myself, guess I'll have to call ghostbusters. Everything else is going great. Need to get this over with and healed so I can do repairs myself. Looking forward to my mini vacation. I hope at least one night I get more than 4 hours sleep because that's not happened for me in the last 4 1/2 years due to my grandkids. Don't sweat the small stuff it's only small stuff.

Just got back from Bay Area. Surgery scheduled for March 19th with Pre-op March 18th. Chose mini sternotomy as opposed to rib opening. Hopefully only a 4 day vacation from home. If replacement needed then bio not mechanical. I'm not a good pill person and don't want all the hassle of INR. So glad I'll be able to be active again. No fear whatsoever. I have more important things to worry about besides heart surgery. This is just a jog in the road. "Don't sweat the small stuff it's only small stuff".

I was wondering if anyone out there has uncontrolled high blood pressure prior to surgery and if it went down in normal range after surgery. I have had uncontrolled high blood pressure forever and have never gotten it down below the high 140's range. I've been on many many meds to no avail. It's been running in the 160's range for last few years

made my appointment to travel to Redwood City to see Dr Castro. Hopefully a date will be set soon as I am tired of being so tired and short of breath all the time. Have another great grand baby coming in April and want to enjoy her birth.

Had my cardiac cath today. Piece of cake, chocolate fudge I'm sure. Anyone having one should try if able to have it done in the arm, virtually painless. I'm not a sedation person so I do everything I can without sedation. The only thing with me is I'm allergic to contrast and have to be premeditated with prednisone and Benadryl. No problems arteries are great but valve has not healed itself so will be making appointment with surgeon.

Happy Valentine's Day to all with new hearts or soon to be new hearts.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone having OHS today. Wishing all a speedy recovery.

Went to see the Cardiologist today and it appears he wants to rush things through. He didn't seem to like the idea that I wanted to talk to a few Thoracic/cardiac surgeons and I wasn't going to rush to whomever he said. Like I said before I wanted to go to Sequoia in Redeood City, but dynamics of my home situation may not work out. He mentioned Sutter in Sacramento area. I'm going to have an angio on February 17,2015. He wanted this next week but I have to find someone to watch my boys. I know someone here went to Sutter but can't remember who it was. I'd like to know their experience and surgeon they used. Thank in advance. I'm a laid back person that likes to research doctors before I go to them. Any help would be wonderful.

I've been reading journals and stories since October. I feel the family atmosphere and I am glad I found this site. I'm in limbo at this time. My PCP has left her practice so need to find a new one. I live in small town where all the good docs leave for greener pastures. I have appointment with my cardiologist at end of month to discuss OHS. My choice was Sequoia Hospital with Dr Castro, but due to family dynamics I'm probably going to go Sacramento route. UC Davis is there but having a hard time finding information on a good surgeon. Can anyone give me some info on their experience in that area of Northern California.