Sue's Journal

Joseph Heinzmann  Sue, I can only tell you about the vaccine. I had it a couple of moths after mitral valve repair. Other than arm soreness and being just a little tired the ... Read more

Joseph Heinzmann  Sue, I can only tell you about the vaccine. I had it a couple of moths after mitral valve repair. Other than arm soreness and being just a little tired the day after, no issues at all. Same for second dose. My wife had the same experience.

Patsy Stewart  Sue, I hope you can let your worries go and have a great day by yourself. I have been ‘hold up’ forever because of covid! I was vaccinated starting in February ... Read more

Patsy Stewart  Sue, I hope you can let your worries go and have a great day by yourself. I have been ‘hold up’ forever because of covid! I was vaccinated starting in February of this year. The doctor at the center came and talked with me the day of my first shot. He told me that they didn’t think the vaccine would work for me, but that I could take it if I wanted to. He also told me that I would have to continue to be extremely careful by masking, social distancing and staying home. 😕 I have several other health issues besides having the heart valve. All of my doctors gave the green light for me to get the vaccination. I did great with it. I only had a sore arm with both shots. My husband and my son were vaccinated as well. They do all of the shopping and I get to sit in the car. I haven’t been shopping since the end of 2019. I’m trying not to complain and to be as patient as I can. Our son moved back home from NY to help me. He works from home, so I’m basically with him 24/7. I am very fortunate to have him. He does the majority of the cooking and cleaning. I do the laundry and cook/bake on occasion. I remember the first day that he went out for a few hours and let me stay at home. I was in heaven just to have a little time alone. Of course, I was given instructions on what I could do and what to stay out of. We have an Echo Dot in every room, so I knew he could drop in at any minute and catch me doing whatever. Ha! I would just suggest that you don’t climb any ladders (wink~wink) and just putter around, read or do something simple that won’t put you at risk for an accident. I get to be by myself tomorrow. 🤗 I announced that I was going to clean the oven, but that idea has been shot down. Ha! You will do great… just choose wisely what you want to do while being home alone. Sending prayers that you keep getting stronger and better every day. ~❤️

Susan Lynn  Sue - The fatigue does hang on for awhile. That surprised me, too. You can likely thank the bypass machine for it. We usually have OHS without blood transfusions. ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Sue - The fatigue does hang on for awhile. That surprised me, too. You can likely thank the bypass machine for it. We usually have OHS without blood transfusions. Our own blood is cycled through the "pump" during surgery and the process can result in a drop in hemoglobin. Even though our levels are monitored before we're released from the hospital, unless they're really low, the doctors count on us rebuilding our own iron. You'll regain your strength and stamina, you just need to be patient a bit longer. Full recovery takes time. Best of luck to you!

Ana Brusso  I wish we could close our borders here. COVID is now all over the place and we have had to start ordering everything for delivery. What a drag, masks are mandated ... Read more

Ana Brusso  I wish we could close our borders here. COVID is now all over the place and we have had to start ordering everything for delivery. What a drag, masks are mandated now. I never took mine off. Praying that people get the message and be more caring and responsable about other’s health and well-being. Disappointing……..

Duane Shewmaker  Hi Sue! I am 6 days post right anterior mini-thoracotomy surgery (came home yesterday). I find sleeping in a recliner more comfortable. I have breathing difficulty ... Read more

Duane Shewmaker  Hi Sue! I am 6 days post right anterior mini-thoracotomy surgery (came home yesterday). I find sleeping in a recliner more comfortable. I have breathing difficulty laying too flat when using a wedge pillow.

Ana Brusso  Hi Sue, sleeping after surgery is tricky. Lisa’s suggestion of putting a normal pillow on top of wedge worked for me, but it took a while to get a good night ... Read more

Ana Brusso  Hi Sue, sleeping after surgery is tricky. Lisa’s suggestion of putting a normal pillow on top of wedge worked for me, but it took a while to get a good night sleep. Some have found like Duane that the recliner worked for them. Be patient and try different things until you find what works for you. Duane, so good to hear you are home, welcome to recovery. God bless you all and be well.

Rose Madura  I used a wedge for a few days but found that lots of pillows worked best. I'd sleep for a couple hours and then go downstairs to the recliner with my faithful ... Read more

Rose Madura  I used a wedge for a few days but found that lots of pillows worked best. I'd sleep for a couple hours and then go downstairs to the recliner with my faithful travel pillow it will get better in time.

E Taub  A half round pillow under my knees helped as did baby pillows I got on Amazon under my arms. I’m two weeks post surgery and still sleeping in recliner. When ... Read more

E Taub  A half round pillow under my knees helped as did baby pillows I got on Amazon under my arms. I’m two weeks post surgery and still sleeping in recliner. When back pain starts a heating pad really helps - I sleep with it and turn on when needed. Did this in hospital too

E Taub  I too had irregular rhythm s but dr said it was heart muscle getting used to all the new blood flow and each side of the valve repair learning to talk to each ... Read more

E Taub  I too had irregular rhythm s but dr said it was heart muscle getting used to all the new blood flow and each side of the valve repair learning to talk to each other again. It resolved and then I had a higher heart rate but it is slowing down now. Said it is all normal part of heart recovering.

Sue Gough  I have spent all my hospital and rehab admission in lockdown. My husband was with me post surgery for 1/2 day! From then on its no visitors. Thank goodness ... Read more

Sue Gough  I have spent all my hospital and rehab admission in lockdown. My husband was with me post surgery for 1/2 day! From then on its no visitors. Thank goodness for technology. I would have meals with my family via FaceTime which was a great thing. They could see me and I could talk with them 👩‍💻

Sue Gough  Dat 4 post mitral valve regurgitation repair and atrial clip insertion. Sort. Uncomfortable. Blood pressure low-ish. Walking more confidently assisted by physio ... Read more

Sue Gough  Dat 4 post mitral valve regurgitation repair and atrial clip insertion. Sort. Uncomfortable. Blood pressure low-ish. Walking more confidently assisted by physio and nursing staff. Difficulty sleeping. The blues today crying when talking to anyone. Can only get better!

Susan Lynn  Sue - I'm glad you're on the recovery side! It sounds like you're making progress. Keep looking ahead - you'll be surprised how much better you'll feel in ... Read more

Susan Lynn  Sue - I'm glad you're on the recovery side! It sounds like you're making progress. Keep looking ahead - you'll be surprised how much better you'll feel in the coming days. You're doing great so far! The blues will come and go. You've been through a lot and not having visitors probably isn't helping, but you have us! We'll keep your spirits up until you get home!! All the best to you!! ❤

Marie Myers  I felt those blues also for the first couple weeks. It was hard not to get emotional, but that slowly went away with time. You have been through the toughest ... Read more

Marie Myers  I felt those blues also for the first couple weeks. It was hard not to get emotional, but that slowly went away with time. You have been through the toughest part, and it will get better bit by bit, and day by day. Hang in there!

Lynn Loudermilk  Hey Sue, I had that. Yes it helped with healing and I ended up taking it off before my 2 week appointment. Got so itchy, but my scar looks good and it is fading ... Read more

Lynn Loudermilk  Hey Sue, I had that. Yes it helped with healing and I ended up taking it off before my 2 week appointment. Got so itchy, but my scar looks good and it is fading now with scar cream. And the blues, yea still have them to a point but dealing with it.