Timothy's Journal

Hello all my fellow Heart Warriors. I am super happy to announce that I graduated from Cardiac Rehab today. I completed 24 sessions and am very happy I decided to complete the classes. I went into it with an open mind, with the hope that maybe I would get something out of it. Well, according to my nurses I "crushed it" and made some serious improvements. My strength, endurance, diet and confidence all improved a lot. I leave with the tools to move forward on my own and continue to make positive strides towards a heart healthy lifestyle. I am thankful for my time with those amazing nurses as they were an additional support group beyond this beautiful community we have here. If anyone is on the fence about doing rehab after surgery, I highly recommend giving it a try. I am now just short of 5 months since surgery and I feel great. There really isn't much holding me back from doing whatever my heart desires, except lifting extremely heavy items, which I'm ok with. I am thankful for all the support and encouragement from you all. Keep up with the positive attitude and trust the process. We are all in this together. God bless you all

I updated my friends and family on facebook yesterday so I figured I should do the same for my fellow heart warriors.

Yesterday was 15 weeks post-op and my 45th Birthday. I decided why not get out and try to swing a golf club with some friends. I went to TopGolf and hit quite a lot of golf balls. I swung full swings as I would have done before surgery. I did not experience any discomfort or pain, but I am definitely sore. That for me, was a HUGE step forward. I also just finished 14 of 24 sessions at rehab and I'm doing really well, lifting 15lb dumb bells and increasing the resistance on the cardio machines. I guess the last thing I am working towards for is to have increased endurance and stamina. Getting my complete energy back is the next goal. I'm hoping to finally go to France and Spain next spring to walk the Camino De Santiago, a 500 mile (800km) pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Saint James.

To all the heart warriors out there in recovery, keep being patient and set small goals. You will get there with time. It's easier to say, but enjoy the process, good and bad. This is an experience given to us all that is an extreme test of will and strength, mentally and physically. You can do it!!

As Adam would say, "Keep on Ticking"

Today is 2 months since my Ross Procedure. Overall I feel great, all things considered. Just this last week I attended a major league baseball game, had my first evaluation for cardiac rehab and yesterday I returned to church. I still have days where my fatigue is strong but I am slowly learning my limitations. My sternum is healing and I am finally feeling like I can try to swing a golf club soon. I imagine a couple weeks into rehab I will begin to start lifting light weights and that will be a good indicator of when I can go to the driving range. At times the recovery feels as if its only crawling forward but I have to remind myself how major my procedure was and that I am doing great at only 2 months post-op. I am forever grateful for this beautiful and supportive community of heart warriors. Thank you all for your kind words before, during and after my surgery. God Bless you all

Here's a silly story for you all. Titled, "Be careful what you wish for". I was whining a little about how I reached a lull or plateau and I just can't tell if I am progressing or not. I'm 54 days post-op and I am doing pretty good. I am driving, taking care of myself, doing light chores, staying active with cardio machines at home and an occasional outing so I can socialize. I also begin cardiac rehab on June 2nd. All great progress if you ask me. But, I still was frumpy about not having a quantifiable way to notice if I was still progressing. Well, my wish was granted. Just not exactly how I would have wanted. For the last week or so the tree pollen has been really high. I have been sneezing 3-5 times a day. During these sneezes I get to feel how my sternum is doing, Yay!! Not exactly what you want to feel while recovering from OHS. I asked for a quantifiable way to know if I'm doing better or not. Well, over the last week of sneezing I can actually feel that my sternum is healing. I got my answer, I am in fact still progressing. I just didn't want to have that feeling in my chest while sneezing. At 54 days it's not a painful feeling just a tight/heavy feeling. Either way it's kind of uncomfortable. Anyway, thought you might get a chuckle out of my sneezing story. Moral of the story, be very detailed and clear about what you want or it may come to you in a form you weren't anticipating. Haha

Today I am 21 days post-op “Ross Procedure” and yesterday was my first follow up appointment. Dr. Stelzer is very pleased with the success of my surgery and amazed by the numbers the post tests are showing. I am finally turning a corner and getting stronger every day. I’m walking 1-3 miles most days, have a healthy appetite and am getting good rest. I am ok to drive short distances, the grocery store and local walking paths. That tiny bit of freedom means the world to me. In just 9 more weeks I can return to the gym for cardio and light weights. And, also in July I can return for a new farming season and consult with my farmers and walk multiple fields a day with out any problem. For now, I will take all that good news and focus one day at a time at getting back to normal and possibly better than ever. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement. This community has been a huge help and will continue to be. God bless you all, Timmy
Below is a picture of me and my new friend, Dr. Stelzer What a blessing he is in my life 🙏🏽❤️‍🩹

Ugh, I was on intubation for 8 hours and I seem to have a swollen throat. It gets worse at night after talking during the day. The problem is I am not sleeping because my airway is somewhat closed off. Anyone else experience this?, if so, what did you do about it? Of course I did research and will call my surgeon tomorrow morning and get his advice. It’s not supposed to last longer than a week after surgery otherwise it could become a bigger issue. Talking will no longer be an option until this gets better because it’s holding me back from getting night time rest. Last 3 nights in the hospital and first 2 nights at home this is happening. Just became knowledgeable about it now. I would love to hear if anyone else had this problem and listen to their story about solving this challenge. Thanks 🙏🏽
PS. I did walk 3 miles today says my Fitbit. So, not everything is bad 😉 

Hello all, I will over share my recovery experience because this is the exact place to do it, with those that can relate or may learn something for their future recovery.
Day one of waking up at home and day 10 after OHS surgery. Very little sleep with a horrible Fitbit sleep score. I woke up crying feeling like I was hit by a truck. I ate a nice big breakfast and took all my meds and now going back to bed. I will be strong and get through this, just wanted to share with you all. ❤️‍🩹
Lesson I learned, truly take it one day at a time and never try to anticipate or compare how your recovery journey will go. Take it as it comes and stay strong. God is good and will never give me more than I can handle. 

Hi all, I’m happy to announce that I am being discharged in a couple hours. I know I will have a new set of challenges but will for sure be happy to be with family in a familiar place and also sleep in my own bed. Thank you all for your support as I move forward into the next phase of recovery. Now I shall get some real sleep. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏽🤙🏽🦾

Post op question for other folks that had the “Ross”. I’m wrapping up day 8 and we can’t get my BP stable and low. I fluctuate from 115-82 and 145/93. The medical staff is trying to dial in the right combo of BP meds and haven’t been successful. How many days have any of you stayed in the hospital after surgery? Was this a challenge for anyone else? 
FYi, everything else is great. Walking and eating a lot. Echo was great a couple days ago, no more swelling and back to normal body weight

I’m learning every day about this recovery process. I was given lasix to help me urinate more yesterday and today. When urinating a lot, the body loses electrolytes. The blood work they take every day should show that and then they will put you on an IV to gain those electrolytes back. The symptoms where shortness of breath and heart palpitations. A little scary because I can’t sleep and it’s difficult to breath. They are getting me straightened out and hopefully I can get a couple hours of sleep before waking up to begin the discharge process. My home and bed never sounded so nice.

Great day so far. I had my first bowel movement, which I never knew I would be so happy to do so. Second, I have been ok with just Tylenol, because I don’t want to become reliant on the heavier stuff. And lastly, I took my first “lap/round”. It tired me out but I’m doing it 💯🦾🙌🏽❤️‍🩹🙏🏽

Hello everyone, I am in NYC and the pre-op tests this morning went well. Surgery is a go for the 6th. I am calm and ready to begin my recovery journey. I was able to do some site seeing today and will do the same tomorrow. I am fatigued and tired from walking around the city but it sure beats sitting in the hotel room waiting for surgery. I'm spoiling myself with good food, because why not I really appreciate all the well wishes and advice from everyone. Being a part of this community has really helped. We are not alone and this website has proved that. Another big thank you to Adam my future #rossprocedurebrother

Today I am struggling with the fact that I am traveling for my open heart surgery.  I leave tomorrow April 3rd and will spend 3 nights in NYC prior to the big day.  And, with so many unknowns its difficult to stay calm and at peace. I may not be home for weeks because I don't think I will be able to travel back and forth for my first few checkups, which means probably staying in a hotel room after being released.  I will be praying and trusting in God's plan for me. Only he knows what is good for me. Stressing about it now will do me no good and I am aware of that. Sigh!! 

Has any one else experienced traveling for your surgery? Any advice would be appreciated. 

I am beyond happy to announce that I will be having the "Ross Procedure" done by the legend himself, Dr. Paul Stelzer of The Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. I will be his #779. It was a long, emotional and educational consultation, but I left his office feeling at complete peace that I will be in good hands. And its scheduled for 13 days from now. From my first ER visit on 2/6/22 to the surgery table 4/6/22 in 8 weeks. What a crazy ride its been. Cant wait to begin the recovery process.