sa's Journal

It's been over 7 months  since my surgery.  It's been 4 months since I have been back to work.  Not been to the ed  in 5 months! Did miss a few days of work due to exhaustion and elevated bp. Gained the weight I lost ( bad me....not walking as much as I did  after the surgery). Still having some gait problems, and some word finding problems when tired.  Had attempted mri but did not realize how badly I am claustrophobic  ..had a major freak out!  But things are better than they were. Last week been in the hospital with my mom who had to have her valve replacement.  I told her that she is a copycat.  Best part and amazing part is that the nurses and staff are stopping me and telling me that I look much better than I did when I was with them.  They really do remember.  Now my mom is on that floor I know she is in good hands!

It's official (lol) I have a heart valve replacement, because I have my card from St. Jude's. 90 days from my surgery date. Monday I go back to work (8/3/2015). Had my clearance interview to go back to work. After we were done I asked the nurse to take my bp, because I was not feeling good. It was 165/104, they would not let me go, because of it and I was very clamy, and pulse was very high. After a few hours it went down to 140/104 and no longer clamy, pulse was much better. I stated that at my last visit with my cardiologist it was 152/104, he did not seem so concerned. They let me go home. :-) . I was afraid they were going to recind my authorization to return back to work.

Well its been 3 months since my emergency surgery. My cardiologist has stated I can return to work on Aug. 3rd. I have to have a work clearance evaluation through employee health. That will be done this week. It's been a terrible last few weeks. They cutoff my disability last month because the doctor did not send the required paper work iin. So that meant no income for over 6 weeks. I was not aware because I had budgeted pretty well and did not realize there were no deposits into my account. Until I received a letter informing me that they cut of my disability 30 days ago. And had 3 days to get the paperwork in. It also stated that it would affect my employement.... Since it looked like I had resigned my position. After numerous phone calls I am still employed. Told my cardiologist that after my appointment last week that his office had not turned in my required documentation and I had no income for the last 5 weeks. I had to pay for his visit with my laundry quarters and singles. In the meantime I had gotten a notice that the practice had changed to be affiliated with another hospital as of July 1, that my insurance does not cover. He told me to find another Cardiologist because it would be to expensive to keep him. Since I need another appointment in November and than once a year. I also had to call my insurance company because they would not cover my dental fees, had to have all my teeth removed, and they will not cover dentures until next year, but only a partial cover... Suggested that I start saving for next year and increase my FSA (which is now empty). Good news is that the largest bill is from the hospital iis that there were other providers working at my hospital that are employed by the other hospital not covered by my insurance. So I received billing as a cash client with no insurance $$$$$$$$$. The rep on the phone called them on my behalf and told me not to pay any of it, as they never submitted the bill to my insurance provider.Thank the Good Lord, because I was stressing out how to pay these bills. I have used most of my meager savings to cover my bills and expense. I was prior to surgery paying off all my credit cards, because I had planned on buying a new car and trailer for my summer business in April ,I am sure glad I did not. Family went camping,for a weekend, 4 generations, did not have to do anything, brothers paid for everything. I sat on the edge of the pool watching my niece and nephew swim, ( I was not yet cleared for swimming), got sunburned, bit up slept on the ground in a sleeping bag,not much chest pain. So its been a stressful few weeks. I have gained 12 pounds since my discharge and the heat is unbearable(I find it very tiring so held up in the house), finally had to put the air conditioner in. Things are finally looking up!

Spoke with my cardiologist, about walking crooked and sometimes dizzy. A few times I have problems finding a word or say a wrong word. He referred me to a neurologist for an evaluation. Did not know about the word finding problem until last week. Had a bunch of people around and alot of conversation with people. Previously spent most of my days alone so not much chance for conversation. This is not stopping me from doing my walking I did almost 3 miles yesterday, I was tired when I finished but I did it.

Since I am no longer carry my medical back pack. I am able to walk farther and longer. I even use my track on my phone to measure distance, speed. My neighbor saw me and said I now walk like I am drunk! I did notice I don't walk a straight line anymore. I am going to ask my cardiologist and ask for referral to cardic rehab ( after hearing people on here about it). Does any one else walk this way? And feel a bit dizzy when walking ?

I have had to have in home infusions for the past 34 days ( bacterial endocarditis due to blood infection) . It will be a total of 36 days of being connected to a machine, that puts antibacterial fluid into me every 4 hours. The other one I do 2x a day 12 hours apart, with a fluid drip and portable machine. So Monday will be my last treatment. I am not going to miss my medicine backpack and tubing (that i get caught on everything) . Than on Tuesday my Home Health Nurse comes and removes my pic lines ( i actually have 2 junctions) . It will be much easier to move around than.

Was sick for 6-8 weeks, saw my PCP, urgent care due to cough, that would not go away. I ended up with jaw problems, problems sleeping due to cough. Went to ed, they were about to send me home with a bronchial inhaler and cough medication. Took me on a walk to test my O2 levels, went Tachycardia. After a few xrays and test. found out I had vegetation in my heart and my valve had to be replaced. Scheduled me for surgery in the next 5 days. My aortic valve was severely damaged only working at about 35%.