stephanie arnold - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

recovery

Journal posted on May 30, 2020

i seem to have a tough time keeping myself from overdoing. the good part is i. am better. people say how i heal quickly...but it is hard to see things that need doing( laundry, cooking, watering my green house garden) and still take rest breaks. today i am tired, so will rest. i feel ok, though. that is my miracle.

Like | Valerie Herndon-Vitarella, Shannon Gray likes this

Marie Myers It is hard not to do too much when you are normally an active person. That is how I felt, for sure. Gotta take a lot of breaks in your early recovery, and just ... Read more

Marie Myers It is hard not to do too much when you are normally an active person. That is how I felt, for sure. Gotta take a lot of breaks in your early recovery, and just realize your stamina will come back. Stay positive!

stephanie arnold thanks. that helps.

Update posted on...

May 26, 2020

a sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT. I'm getting my brain back, after that post by pass machine brain fog, aka pump head syndrome. also, i see some energy....a hah! oh..goody.

Like | Rose Madura, Valerie Herndon-Vitarella likes this

Here's my newest picture!

May 25, 2020 Like | Valerie Herndon-Vitarella, Susan Lynn, Adam Pick and 2 others like this

i just shot this now, w camera feature, instead of loading off albums.

Adam Pick Looking good!

Marie Myers Scar is healing nicely!

stephanie arnold i decided not to worry about scar. it's healing. that's good. my chest bone isn't too bad either. i do feel some recovery happening. good. i am blessed.

Marie Myers Now THAT is the right attitude!

Update posted on...

May 24, 2020

i tried to load a profile picture, but nothing happened. it's still just a blank silhouette. it even said loaded. what am i missing. I'm running an android lg stylo2.

Like | Adam Pick likes this

Adam Pick Hi Stephanie, That's strange. What type of image are you trying to load? Jpeg, PNG, Gif? If you like, you can email your picture to me and I'll upload it. My email is adam@heartvalvesurgery.com. Thanks!

stephanie arnold hi, adam.thanks for coming to the rescue. it's the camera in the phone, whatever syx that uses. i can definitely send you a sample. you're da pro. thank you. ... Read more

stephanie arnold hi, adam.thanks for coming to the rescue. it's the camera in the phone, whatever syx that uses. i can definitely send you a sample. you're da pro. thank you. it's not just aches and pains y'all help with. a luttle tek help? wonderful!

stephanie arnold well, i got one in there. i don't think i like it...ugly....but will quit while I'm ahead.

Adam Pick :)

more about me

Journal posted on May 24, 2020

well, I'm 76 yrs old going on 40. fighting the creeping olds, which are creeping faster since this scary near death cardiac event. having to budget my energy to maintain a modicum of household normalcy and hoping i can get back to where i can ride my bike, run a weed whacker, a shovel in my garden. at this point, i feel like I'm just kidding myself. hopefully i can write again regularly, chronicling my recovery, and the inspirations that have. helped.

Like | Susan Lynn and 1 other likes this

Susan Lynn Stephanie - Take your time. Recovery is different for everyone, but I can tell you, I was exhausted for quite a long time. The afternoon power nap was my ... Read more

Susan Lynn Stephanie - Take your time. Recovery is different for everyone, but I can tell you, I was exhausted for quite a long time. The afternoon power nap was my friend for many months! I didn't have the extensive surgery you did - you're doing great so far! Continued success with your recovery!

stephanie arnold i need a nap

Here's my newest picture!

May 23, 2020 Like | Valerie Herndon-Vitarella, Shannon Gray, Susan Lynn and 1 other likes this

fiirst post op visit to cardiology clinic.

normal?

Journal posted on May 23, 2020

i guess i wonder if and when I'll ever see normal, and what kind of normal to even expect. am i actually officially "OLD"? my body has been traumatized to such an extent that i truly wonder what to expect.

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Valerie Herndon-Vitarella Sounds like you have been through a lot! I only had mitral repair and the tiredness started getting a lot better after the 3rd week. So many things contribute ... Read more

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella Sounds like you have been through a lot! I only had mitral repair and the tiredness started getting a lot better after the 3rd week. So many things contribute to the tiredness - the surgery itself, possible anemia, beta blockers that many are put on, not sleeping very well, the list goes on. If you had all that going on that called for an emergency surgery, I think you will feel even better than before surgery once you are fully recovered! Go easy on yourself, do what you can, rest when you need to. Overdoing it one day can wipe you out for the next day. You can recover and get back to biking, horses and everything you enjoy!

stephanie arnold thank you,valerie. i guess i just lack the confidence to believe in my own self. but resting certainly feels good.

Valerie Herndon-Vitarella Yes, just listen to your body! You sound like you were an active gal before surgery which will definitely work in your favor as you recover. I have had 2 mitral valve repairs and the second was full sternotomy at age 59. I had surgery on 5/14/18 and came home 5/18/18. On 5/22/18 I started riding my recumbent exercise bike and rode for only 10 min at a lower resistance and slower pace. The next day 15 min, next day 20 min, then 25 min for the next 3 days (just didn't have the energy). A few days at 25 min, then I was at 30 min, but still not the higher pre-op resistance and pace; I just did what I could to build back up. I started cardiac rehab around 5 weeks and went back to work at 6 weeks. The first week or 2 back at work were tiring especially since I worked 8-430 then left work to go straight to rehab across town. I only did half of my approved visits because I felt that was all I needed. Has your doctor said anything about cardiac rehab for you? Rehab may be very helpful for you to get your confidence as well as your strength back. I sure hope I can still be biking when I get to be your age. You sound like a pretty amazing woman.

stephanie arnold i have no clue about cardiac rehab. I'm pretty independent when it comes to someone telling me when and how to work out.as it is, i found out oretty quick that ... Read more

stephanie arnold i have no clue about cardiac rehab. I'm pretty independent when it comes to someone telling me when and how to work out.as it is, i found out oretty quick that i need to pace myself...aka, when I'm a little tired, IT'S BREAK TIME. today i lasted all morning doing different things, some of which involved getting up and down, and walking to the back of the yard.this mirning i ate a real breakfast, was famished. slept well 2 nights in a row.so possibly i feel an upsurge. but i. will. be. good.

impatient patient

Journal posted on May 22, 2020

how long til i feel non tired..non wore out.i know, patience. i have a delightful home health rn. she's really knowledgeable, having worked cardiac previously. and what's neat is we have a lot in common , friends and horses. so she boosts my morale every visit.

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Marie Myers It is going to take several weeks before you get your strength and energy back. Remember, you have been through a huge, emergency surgery. Recovering both mentally ... Read more

Marie Myers It is going to take several weeks before you get your strength and energy back. Remember, you have been through a huge, emergency surgery. Recovering both mentally and physically from that experience is not a quick process. Hang in there.

stephanie arnold thank you, marie. i need that encouragement

Rita Savelis Oh gosh. I was exhausted for a month and then tired for many more months. OHS affects every organ and hormone in yr body. It's a big trauma. You can't see yr ... Read more

Rita Savelis Oh gosh. I was exhausted for a month and then tired for many more months. OHS affects every organ and hormone in yr body. It's a big trauma. You can't see yr heart like you could see a broken leg but it needs time to heal. EVeryone has their own personal recovery. There is no norm. So take it easy. Breathe. Be good to yourself and allow your body the time it needs. You have been through a lot. Take care.

stephanie arnold rita, you have a point. they took a big blob of muscle,( my heart) sewed new stuff in it, did other stuff to it. then started it all up again. amazing that ... Read more

stephanie arnold rita, you have a point. they took a big blob of muscle,( my heart) sewed new stuff in it, did other stuff to it. then started it all up again. amazing that their stitches hold, but i respect the fact there's definite healing involved. my chest booboo is healing

Here's my newest picture!

May 20, 2020 Like | Susan Lynn, Rose Madura, Shannon Gray likes this

i look wrecked, but hope to improve.

Nancy Chavez Welcome to recovery! You’ve come to the right place and you will have support here. Be kind to yourself, you’ve been through a lot. Wishing you all the best in your recovery.

Susan Lynn You, Stephanie, are a rock star! ❤

Marie Myers I would say you look pretty good, having been through emergency surgery! Recovery takes time, for both your mental and physical states. Things will get better ... Read more

Marie Myers I would say you look pretty good, having been through emergency surgery! Recovery takes time, for both your mental and physical states. Things will get better bit by bit, day by day. Hang in there, and take a nap when you feel the urge!

stephanie arnold oh wow. i feel lived already

total valve job

Journal posted on May 20, 2020

nope. not my old 6.9 idi ford f250. my whole heart, suddenly broke down and off i went to carson tahoe for emergency surgery. everyone was so good to me. the surgeon is a master in his field. i am so blessed, i did not drop dead.
but, oh boy, i spent 9 hours, on bypass, heart totally repaired. aortic valve replaced, mitral valve repaired, aortic aneurysm patched.
it has been 3 weeks post op. i am an impatient patient. so of course i sored myself up by overdoing. now, i have a routine, tylenol at night, protein powder and good food. fruits, vegees, lots of chicken. my crock pot is a Godsend.
that's about all for now. i am 76, a bicycle rider,( until i collapsed) and a horsewoman.
i can use feedback from y'all, get my nose out of Google. i promise to take care, now, walk, breathe, stop the anxiety. and exercise my brain cells everyday. i think i have pump head syndrome. i totally messed up an online pickup grocery order because i forgot how to nav the site.
thank you for bearing with me.

Like | Susan Lynn, Joe Tarango, Shannon Gray likes this

Joe Tarango I wish you a strong recovery and glad to hear about your successful operation!

Rose Madura You have been through a lot. Now you are on the recovery side. Healing takes time. And take it one day at a time. Wishing you a successful and uneventful recovery.