SUSAN's Journal

It has been a little more than 5 months. I started rehab late, but am up to 10 minutes on 3 machines and starting the weights. Walking around in Manhattan with my briefcase has gotten much better. I used to look for red lights to stop, but now I dodge and weave like a native again. I do find if I exert too much I may feel a little bushed that evening or the next day, but who wouldn\'t? I am using silicone strips and mederma on my scar- just wish that would get better so I can stop wearing crew necks or button up shirt! Also coming up on 6 years cancer free- I have a lot to be grateful for. live, laugh, love susan

I am so sorry it has been over a month since i wrote! for 3 months post op, I am feeling good I had a bad cold- in bed for 3 days- the cough is still lingering- will go for a chest x-ray if not better soon I also have gotten and will sign up for Cardiac Rehab I wish I had started about a month ago! I am envious of all of you who exercised so early and are so much stronger than me. I hope you are all geting stronger every day Live laugh Love susan

Boy- have I learned a lot in the past few weeks! 1. What a difference a week makes-Between week 5 & 6 my energy got better- only problem was my stamina did not keep up! Week 5 I went to work and it was hard. Week 6 I was walking around Manhattan and it was so much easier- even got up a hill I COULD NOT have made before the surgery. 2. Driving long distances is tough_ I am surprised by this but do find if I do a lot of driving I feel it in my sternum. 3. The sternum takes a long time to heal-I am still having some pains- the fact that I had my echo cardiogram and kept my arm lifted, used a shop vac outside to clean up broken glass and have washed my floor a couple of times can all be reasons why I am healing slower than I would like 4. I still need to rest when I push too hard. 5. THE VALVE IS WORKING PERFECTLY!-This was the best thing I learned this week. Had my echo-I am not a doctor but could tell immediately how different it looked this time- no floppy leaflet swinging, blood colors stayed on 1 side of the vale, not all over. Doc confirmed YEAH All in all I am feeling great, meds are lowered, I am off coumadin. Just still some discomfort in the chest and side sometimes-Tylenol takes care of that. also, if I push too hard, I get wiped out- everyone keeps reminding I had MAJOR surgery less than 2 months ago and it will take a while As my cardiologist said, I have gotten through Cancer surgery and chemo, and major heart surgery. When I look at it that way, I have lots to be Thankful for . I know life has a lot in store for me ahead and I look forward to it. Live Laugh Love

I am doing well- trying to walk, but really lazy about it. My energy is great.. I have a question for those of you that had a sternotomy. How long did it take for your incision to heal_no scabs, etc. My surgery was January 13 and the very top is still a little sore and has a scab. At first I had a little oozing from there, which the PA said was to be expected. I wash it gently every day, no oozing or blood. also, does the little scar on your neck ever go away or should I audition for True Blood, since I already have vampire marks? Thanks for the input Susan

I went in to work for a few hours today. It was funny-everyone said I looked exactly the same- I am not sure what they expected, but I put on makeup and work clothes-I guess they should see me makeup less and in my sweats and I would get more sympathy. LOL I drove to the bus parking lot-since I was in late, it was a longer walk-all the good spots were taken. took the bus in. Then walked to the office. I usually hate slow walkers in Manhattan-they slow down the walking traffic pattern. Unfortunately, today I was one of them and really tried to stay to the right. It was a little tougher than I expected, but at least I did it. I will go in for at least 1 day next week as well. Slowly but surely. I am not good at walking up hill or fast, but my energy level is really good. the energy in my head is pushing my body to keep up. Hopefully they will be in sync soon! Oh- had a little bit of blood in my nostril-probably need my coumadin level checked- 10 more days and I go off it. Live, laugh, love susan

What a difference 4 weeks makes. Yesterday I drove a bit- just to supermarket, walked around a bit and back. Joining the world a bit more each day. I am still a bit tired but feel so much better when I am moving. I will hit the mall today. My scar is oozing just a little- again I see it as the body healing itself-PA told me to expect it and to bandage as necessary. Otherwise, the rest is healing nicely. Glad to know it is normal and expected. all of you who had surgery before me- thanks for being so supportive and inspirations. To those of you waiting for your turn- it is so worth it and you feel so much better in a very short time. Live Laugh Love susan

Yesterday was 3 weeks from my surgery and 2 weeks since I left the hospital and boy have i turned a corner! Dr. Girardi was very happy with my energy level, my steri strips were removed so now I can see my scar (not too bad). ! more week to drive- Yeah! I needed to skip my Coumadin today because my test came back slightly elevated. I will be going off it on March 1 anyway. Stopped at my husband\'s workplace on way in to city to go to the hospital, walked around a bit, did the dr visit and came home- my chest does not hurt as much and the car ride did not bother me as much as in the past. Thought I would be exhausted in the afternoon, but was not- and even today, I was still feeling good. Boy, 2 weeks ago, I would have been pooped! 1 more week until I am driving and then watch out- Here she comes! To those of you just starting out or planning this surgery- The light is SO bright at the end of the tunnel. Some of you are even having a less invasive surgery than mine I thank G-D every day that I have been blessed with an easy recovery and no complications. Whoo Hoo!!!

Today was the first day I got out of sweats and into jeans-it feels great! I have decided my time in the shower is the absolute best time of the day. I pray, Thank G-d and just enjoy the water and being clean!!!. It is truly unbelievable to think 3 weeks ago, my heart was stopped, I was put on a machine and then I came back. My sister told me how amazed they were to leave me out of it and bloated in the ICU to find me sitting up, eating, talking, etc the next morning. Nancy- thank you for the quick reply on the post op visit- I go tomorrow and will send your regards. Today I went for my weekly blood test at the local Quest lab and then we went to the mall and I walked around. I do find that I feel so much better when I am moving. Last night I made lamb chops for dinner- it was great to prepare fresh real food vs. reheating all the prepared food we got from family and friends. We appreciated it, but it is definitely time! I have repotted some plants- I bought the pots and soil before hand so it was a good project to do at home. I even have swept my floor and run a wet swifter over it since it has been so wet lately and the dog paw prints are all over. I am even ready to tackle folding my laundry- while sitting down of course. Yes, I am tired at the end of the day, but know it is so worth it. I am off Percosets completely and have been for a while. I take tylenol during the day as needed and 2 before I go to sleep-that\'s it. I find I do not nap at all during the day and am quite tired at bedtime. I had nite sweats at the beginning, but those are gone. Little steps for the rest of the world but Giant Leaps for us heart surgery patients Live, laugh and love Susan

I was reading your journals today and want to thank you all HVJ friends. I was feeling lumpy, not moving and very disappointed in my progress-Well of course- I was not moving. After reading all your journals, I was inspired to set my timer and start moving. Walking around my house, putting away some laundry(hubby brought basket upstairs). Now I will do this a few times a day. Just becuase the weather is yucky and I am home bound, does not mean I should not walk. No More excuses and thank you thank you susan

Hi Folks OK- all those I told I was walking in the mall can laugh now! The good news is no more percoseet- just an occassional pair of tylanols. Now I can go off the senekot and colase as well. Coumadin level is perfect- so I keep take 4mg. We spent a few hours on Tuesday out and about-blood test, pizza, manicure, in the car for errands. Wednesday, I went to the mall and also got hair color and cut- OK I am now ready for my closeup. I was up and around in the mall but only walked a little- it really pooped me out. I keep going from Vegetable to push to vegetable, trying to find an easy balance of exercise and rest- does it exist? This weather does not help- I really wish it was nice out so I could walk- looks like snow will be here until April! I walk around the house and up and down the stairs as necessary. Any other suggestions are welcome. Hubby takes me out moving as we can. tomorrow he is going to a baseball card show and wants me to come along. It takes place in a hotel so I really can sit in a chair most of the time. I think I am scared it will be difficult and need some pusing- he is probably right- I should try to get out. I need a routine to get my strength back. I have appointment with surgeon on Thursday. Did you all see- Barbara Walters is doing a special on Open Heart Surgery-Regis, Letterman, Clinton, etc. Hope you are all feeling well and continuing on your journey, recoveries. Thanks for the visits Susan

Hi Folks, for some reason, yesterday was tough- I did not feel like doing much- just a vegetable. I have not been napping, just sit on the couch and watch TV when I get tired. In bed last night, I thought something was wrong and I was going backwards. Then my percoset timer went off in the middle of the night-I had used it to know when it was 4 hours and I could either take another or know it was OK to take any timeafterward.- well the pain was a dull ache and not the sting I had before, so I just went back to sleep. When I woke up, I realized it was not worse and I managed to go downstairs and make breakfast wihtout taking a pill. When I took my AM pills, I took some tylenol- let\'s see how that works. My husband is off today and tomorrow, so we plan to go to the mall the walk a little . Back on the road to recovery. Thanks for all your tips and encouragement Susan

Sorry I have been so quiet- every day I plan to update and then get tired. I have been home since the 18th and finding it pretty easy. I can go up and down the stairs, straighten up around the house, make myself meals and shower and dress by myself. i just get a bit tired if i do too much. alos, I stll have pain in my chest from the strenotomy. it goes from itching to pain. I have to take 1 tab Percoset every 4-5 hours. I am great when there is no pain. Can anyone tell me how long to expect this pain? I have never been on percoset for 2 weeks! but of course i have never had this surgery before.. I wish it was not so cold so I could walk around outside-hope to go to the Mall on Wednesday for a bit. Thanks for all the input susan

all is progressing well-need to do more walking and breathing exercise. Saw Dr. Girardi this morning and he said I may go home tomorrow. I am ready for it. I am also happy to be back to regular week staff in the hospital- seems to hum better than the weekend-but I am still extremely happy I chose this doctor and hospital. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I will post a long journal on the journey when I am home and comfortable to help reassure all of you you have this coming up Susan

I am out of ICU. All the tubes are out and I am waliking on my own from bed to bathroom. I have a view of the east river but miss the big ptivate room and nurse on call. Michael has been going out with friends most nights-so they drag him out which is good I am getting bored which is a great signm Still taking percoset but really helped me sleep. I must say the cHest incision is bad, but the uscLe cutting and expaNders from mastectomywas worse. I try to smile, joke and thank everyone I am in contact with and they seem to appreciate It. I am sure they get Complaints all the time. Thank you for the guestbook visiTs More updates soon Susan

I just read Dennis\' entry and boy am I jealous- he got to sleep thru the procedure- I was awake. I was a nervous wreck when they told me that. They gave me a seditive, but I threw up before they even started. then, I needed a double shot of the numbing medicine- first was not enough. Good news is my heart looks fine except for the valve, I am the 2nd surgery tomorrow- so I go around 11:30 I am in my hospital room and exhausted from a busy, emotional day. Lots of docs, questions over and over, etc. would love to give you more detail, but that will have to wait a few days. thanks again for all the posts susan

We came into NY a day early because of another snowstorm. It is snowing hard now, but I am just a few blocks from the hospital. I have to be in tomorrow at 10 for the catheterization- lots of friends have been calling and emailing. I am much clamer now that I am here and this whole shebang is starting- can\'t wait for it to be over. just went to dinner with a frend and her daughter- chocolate fondue for desert-YUM! I guess tea and toast next-tomorrow after procedure. I will post again tomorrow- thank you for all the guestbook entries Susan

Chris, Ruth, Terry- thanks for sharing with me. Chris- who did your surgery at NYU? I was recommended to Didier Loulmet but chose to go with someone my cardiologist has a relationship with. I am just exhausted from the emotional roller coaster- The Xanax helped, I got out of the house, bought a reading pillow and some Caffeine free Keurig coffee cups and Hot Chocolate at Bed Bath and Beyond. Just had a nice cup of cocoa and that helps. I was supposed to bring my big, silly golden doodle for a grooming, but did not have his rabies certificate- have to go back tomorrow. We loved taking the car ride together. In addition to my meditation, my dogs are so supportive when I need a hug and kiss, I am going to post pictures as soon as I finish this Sherman is the Golden Doodle Max is the smaller Golden Sophie is the larger Golden they are the best company. thank you again for your posts- it sounds like I should be OK at home alone after the first week with just some visitors to help as needed. My husband is off during the week and I can get folks on the weekend- I should be covered. Happy healing to all of us Susan

Yesterday i got the house in a bit of shape so when i got home from the hospital it is neat for visitors. We moved a recliner upstairs near the bedroom and I brought up my shower chair. I also wrote out my Healthcare proxy and Living will- just need them witnessed. It may snow big again tuesday night, so I arranged for Michael and I to stay near the Hospital Tuesday night-The Hotel manager at the Bentley Hotel has been fabulous-making all the arrangemennts, she is putting a fridge in Michael\'s room at no charge so he can have OJ and milk, etc. He will bring his Keurig machine so he has coffee too. OK, I have taken care of the organizational things, now I have to deal with the emotional. The nerves are hitting me today-I am sure it is normal, but I am a bit of a wreck. I am about to pop a Xanax and try to get on with my day. I did not want to worry my sister or Michael, so I am posting here and sharing my feelings with you. I am sure you all understand. I have had a great attitude and will continue to, but today just seems a bit tougher. Ugh- the surgery is not until Thursday- while it seems so close it is also so far away. thank you Adam for giving me a place to voice my feelings and thank you all for allowing me to indulge and rant Susan

Let\'s try to plan a get together this spring or summer- i would be happy to offer my home or perhaps someplace central. I look forward to meeting you all and sharing a glass of red wine!

I am having a Mitral Valve repair on thursday. Did anyone have a family member need to take Family Leave from work due to excessive recup OR...need a full time aide in the home? My family is freaking that I will need this and I know you have had family home to help- but how long, how much, etc. Thanks susan

Thank you all for writing to me and offering your support and prayers. It does seem like the recovery may be a bit harder at first than I expected. as I told some of you, after my mastectomy (double) I went home on the 3rd day with my drains and cleaned them and measured myself! I was also very able to move around and care for myself- I think this may be a bit different and have told my sister I may need her to stay over. this weekend I will get my shower chair out of the basement and give it a good scrubbing. I also have a wedge pillow I will bring up. Reading your journals and speaking with Nancy and Theresa has been a big help- we will definitely need a NJ get together when i am up to it. Again, thanks for the words of encouragement susan

Hello, I cannot believe it took me so long to find this site-Thank you Nancy. I am a 55 year old woman who is having mitral valve repair surgery by Dr. Len Girardi at Cornell Weill. My surgery is scheduled for January 13. Just some background- I am a 5 year Breast Cancer survivor. I have the BRCA gene mutation which makes me a high risk for additional breast and ovarian cancer so....I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction and my ovaries remaoved. I tell you this so you understand I am not new to surgery (4 in 1 year), drains, unable to lift my arms, etc. But heart surgery is something new! Some family background- both my parents died young of heart attacks- my Dad at 54 and my mom at 66. If that is not enough, 60 years ago my parents had a baby born with a \"hole in her heart\". Open heart surgery was not an option for infants back then and she passed at 18 months. I guess I got the heart gene from my parents as well. My cardiologist- Dr. Labarre in Stamford Ct has been watching my MVP for 15 years telling me to be patient since the surgery was getting less and less invasive. Chemo can weaken the heart as well, so we kept a close look. Lately, I cannot walk up and down stairs or hills without stopping to catch my breath-my echo shows my heart is not enlarged, but my chords are ripped, my regurgutation is pretty bad and it is time for the surgery. I was recommended to see Dr. Loument(NYU), DR. Stewart(Columbia-my alma mater) and Dr. Girardi(Cornell) I put my network to work and I got the most positive feedback about Girardi- so I saw him first. I really liked him and the entire office- they were friendly, reassuring and professional. We were ready to sign up right then. Since I like the \"Nordstrom Shoe\" approach, I had to see at least 1 more surgeon. For those of you unfamiliar with the Nordstrom women\'s shoe department (brilliantly placed next to the men\'s department) you may only ask for 1 styles, but they always being you out a selection of others you may like so you can try at the same time. I need choices. I went to see Dr. Alan Stewart- I have read others that loved him. After all this is the office of the famous Dr. Oz and Dr. Smith who did Bill Clinton\'s surgery. I was never so disappointed in a Doctor\'s office. We had to wait 2 1/2 hours to be seen-no one came over, offered us water, even apologized for being late. It was a week before Christmas and all the ladies were opening up chocolates, eating and describing each one and never even said- would you care for one. I even heard one office person being scolded in front of us for taking too long somewhere. Were patients invisible here? My husband and I were tempted to run, but I wanted to meet the doctor- maybe he would make up for this. Unfortunately, when I met him, he was nice, did apologize but said this shows how good he is since he is so busy. He was visibly trying not to show it, but we did feel rushed since we were the last patient of the day. His technique was slightly different from Gerard, told me my scar would not be visible under a bra-Did you not read my papers- I already have scars on my chest!!! and his recovery time was 2-3 weeks instead of Girardi 4-6. As you already know, we went with Girardi and so far the hosptal and his office have been a dream. I have already let all my friends and relatives know, so the support system is out there for me and Michael(my husband of 35 years and my rock). Michael will stay in the city while I am in the hospital since our drive from NJ to Manhattan is 1 1/2 hours. He has lots of offers for dinner companions. I had my preop tests on Monday and now the countdown begins. yes, I am nervous but I am also getting excited to have this behind me and to get my strength back. The human body is amazing when you can watch it heal. I am proud to say I am a Survivor and I will survive this as well. Thank you all for your honest posts- the fear of the unknown is scary and you help to make it understandable. Ihope my journal will inspire others in the future. Happy new year! Susan