Steve's Journal

Yesterday was my 1st day back to work. It was a long day and I was a little tired but it feels good to be putting one of the last pieces of my life back in place. I Still have a few pieces left which should get resolved over the next month or so. I've had to keep reminding myself that this is a long term project and to be patient. I've learned alot and found support from reading the posts on this site and I'd like to thank everyone that has responded to the few times I have posted. Your support has been a very big help.

Had another appointment on Monday. They seam to be please with my progress. Now that i'm no longer in a medicine induced fog we finally got to talk about the condition of my valve pre-surgery. He was amazed that I was able to function concidering how bad the valve was. I am finally cleared to drive with out restriction, and I need to talk to work about a return to work date. I still have a small part of the inssission that is open and they will continue to follow up on. Oh and I still have the Holter monitor. So not 100% but getting there and finally to the point where life can start returning to normal.

Had a folow up appoint yesterday but just after I got up my heart decided to race along at 130 - 150bpm just as I was sending my vitals to the telemonitoring folks. So as you can imagine that started a flurry of calls from visiting nurses and doctors. Lucky it lasted less then 10 minutes. So off to the doctors I go, this was supposed to be a check on the small piece of my incision that did heal right. (which they did work on) but it turned in to an EKG and alot of question about what happened in the morning. So to shorten the story. I now have an open wound that has been packed needing daily attention, a Holter monitor for the next month, more appointments and still not cleared to drive. I get that all this needs to be done and I can deal with it as they are just bumps in the road. But not getting cleared to drive hit me the hardest. I'm feeling good pretty close to 100% and still being dependent on others to cart me around is fustrating and has caused some issues with my kids who I depend on to get me to places I need to be. I know we get through this but now that I'm doing good not being able to drive has been the biggest stress on my family. Sorry for the rant but I needed to vent.

Over all thing's are looking good and they are pleased with my recovery. I was hoping to get cleared to drive but not yet. Plus I may have the start of an infection, or it could be one of the stithes irritating the surrounding tissue. Either why they put me on antibiotics and go back on Monday for a follow up. I am also suprised at much of a change for the better i notice from on day to the next, I just need to remember that I do still have restrictions that I need to follow.

Ok so yesterday I started felling like myself and today was even better. Something I am very happy about. Trouble is I am also worried about it. where I'm starting feel right that I may forget my restriction and either injure myself or undo the Doctors fine work. Is this a common concern?

Got released late Tuesday what a long day. Had a couple extra days stay to figure out a an Afib issue. Things are much better now that I'm home. but over did it a bit yesterday. Even though my routine is do a little task (like read email) take a nap, eat then take a nap. As a teen all these naps would of been awesome. I know my body needs the rest so I guess in nap alot. =)

Got the news in august that it's time to Concidering replacing my aortic vavle. We have been monitoring it for about 10 years now so it was no real suprise. It still has hit me kinda hard. Met the surgeon about 2 weeks ago. He left it up to me when I want to scedule it. It has been waying pretty heavy on me after meeting with him. I have been trying to find support groups in the area(southern NH) so I can talk with someone that has been through it. But they don't seem to exist so that has added to my fustration. I guess I've come to terms with it, if thats what you want to call it . Just decided today to have the surgeon schedule it sometime in the next few weeks. In part because there is never a good time to do things like this, and to do it and get it over with so I can start heeling and get on with my life. My Doctors are great and vèry reassuring but that is part of thier job. The family is also very supportive but there are still so many uncurtinties that make this hole thing is pretty scary.