Tom's Journal

Just wanted to report that I had my 10 year anniversary of my aorta valve replacement on 12/27.
Feeling great, annual echo tests have been great.
Retired 2 years ago and my BP numbers are roughly 20 points lower on average. Traveling (in our convertible and on cruise ships) watching grandkids and actively building plastic model kits ( Christmas present in the attached photo).

During most activities and projects today I reflected on where I was and what I was doing 3 years ago today. Very thankful that I had the surgery before something bad happened, especially since KC had 4 big snows that winter and also in light of the passing of celebrities today and this week. Happy holidays and wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Today is the 1 year mark for my aorta replacement surgery. Looking back one the day of surgery I remember seeing my family that morning, being wheeled into the OR,being put on the table, and chatting with the surgery team. Next thing I vaguely remembered was fighting the breathing tube. Then 'waking up' and feeling like I was in a basement (dark,dazed and confused). Six days in the hospital, 7 weeks recovery at home, 12 weeks of rehab, returning to work at a new facility, and getting back into the swing of life. Seems like the general soreness of the sternum healing had mostly gone away by the 6 month mark. Walking, riding the bike, enjoying family, friends and coworkers. Enjoying the grand daughter from the first week home, and every month that I saw her I could do more. Spending a week with her this summer before her sister was born. Creating a journal entry from the maternity waiting room with her and knowing that none of this/that would have been possible without the miracles of heart surgery. Life is pretty good. This journal was and is an awesome tool for learning, sharing and communing. I hope that the rest of the heart surgery 'class of 2013/2014' have had similar good experiences, and I wish them a Happy New Year (that phrase, like many other things and experiences, has taken on a new meaning this year. A huge ' Thank You, to everyone on this journal that checked on me, to my fellow coworker CS that had aorta valve replacement in 2012 and is always there to answer questions about healing, to another coworker that has experience in designing and manufacturing heart surgery equipment and always asks how I am doing and says I am a model and inspiration, and to other coworkers, and my ushering team at Grace UMC (that have had their own life event experiences over the past year), and to everyone out there..... Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and to quote Adam, 'Keep on Tickin' Tom Bender 12/27/2014 Aorta replacement 12/27/2013

November was busy. Our son bought his first house and we moved him. We had Vicki's family over the weekend before Thanksgiving. That allowed us to have the grand daughters for a long weekend. Ate out on Thanksgiving day. Flew to Orlando on Friday. Spent the week at Disney parks. Enjoyed being able to ride what ever I felt like. Must be healed pretty well, as I did not feel any pain except my feet! The parks were busier than they used to be on the week after Thanksgiving. Guess the word must have gotten out to go hat week. We bought a treadmill for an early Christmas/1 year gift. I enjoy being able to use in the evening w/o leaving the house. Hard to believe that my 1 year anniversary is only 20 days away. This year, like most has gone by really fast. I sill get a few "how are you doing/feeling" inquiries and comments from coworkers and friends. To the best of my memory, i feel like I was back to full normal activities w/o chest soreness by 6 months. Avoided heavy lifting until this fall/winter. I let the young bucks in the family do that this year. That would be my biggest advice to those that had or scheduled for open heart surgery. Happy Holidays to all. To those facing surgery, God will get you thru it. I thank God for those of us that had the surgery and have recovered.

I am so thankful that I had the valve sugery last winter in time to be healed up this spring/summer. Whn I work in the yard, around the house, think of the days/weeks this past winter when all I could do is think about doing stuff. Our oldest daughter had a second daughter last month. How great it was go be there, and be able to help out that first week they were home. I just can't believe how fast the year has gone by. Seems like I was just having the urgery and hanging out at home and rehab and now the summer is over. If there is anyone out there mullng it over, have it done asap. I get stressed with pressure and activity due dates, but at least I am around for that. Toallthatre just having surgery, I wish you well and know tht God will protect you. To those jat starting je healing process,take one step/day at a time. And be carefull when streching. And to my December 2013/January 2014 fellow valve patients,thanks or your support...and keep enjoying the year. Guess we can't get out of shoveling and deling with that season rhis year. Oh well,it could be worse, at leadt we have he chance to enjoy

Last Friday was 6 months since my surgery. Time flies. Today I had my 6 month echo and cardiologist visit. He said the echo results looked great. First time I've ever had those results. Still minor struggles with swings in BP. Anyone else have that nagging problem months after surgery? No doubt that some of it s work stress driven. Anyway he does not need to see me until next July. Woohoo! Hope that everyone has a great and safe July 4th holiday. Grand daughter #2 is due by early August.

Hard to believe that it has been 5 calendar months today (the 27th). Last Friday was 21 weeks. Most everything is close to normal now. I still get sore when I do new things, stretch too much or have the grand daughter push at my chest. My neighbor gave me their recumbent bike. It is nice to be able to use it when ever I want. Today is the last day for our companies annual walking program. Been striving to do 10000 steps per day. Hope that those that had surgery this winter ..(again it really helped to journal together) are doing well. As well as those that have had or are getting ready to have surgery. Today is my work anniversary. 34 years. Saturday will be Our 34 th wedding anniversary. May 1980 was quite a month. College graduation (same day as Mt. Stain Helens eruption), started work and got married. Whew!

Just got home from spending the weekend with our daughter, son in law and our grand daughter. I am so thankful that I had the surgery done this winter. It was a beautiful weather weekend. Got to go o several playgrounds/parks. I enjoyed every minute of that. We walked up the street with her holding my finger. Awesome. I thanked God and my surgeon many times. And I thanked myself for enduring the recovery and rehab. I think it is ok for us to thank ourselves in this case. Back to work for full week number 4. And 4 more weeks of cardio rehab. Can't wait for the next visit with our little one.

Hard to believe it has already been 2 months since my surgery. I survived the first week back to work. I am half way done with cardio rehab. They are going to add incline on the treadmill and add arm rowing next week. I look back and just 6 weeks ago it was exhausting to do 10 minutes on the treadmill at 1.5 mph. Now I do 30 minutes at 3.5 mph and the ride the recumbent bike for 20 minutes at 20mph, then go to work. The rehab and recovery process is amazing. And the adjustment to my BP meds seems to be keeping it lower and below crazy levels.

I returned to work on Friday and survived it. I will say that I went to bed early afterwords. It sounds strange to go back on Friday, but that's the way the leave worked out. I went to cardio rehab for an hour before work. I (and the surgeon) were concerned about running out of steam in the afternoon, but it did not happen on day one. A little sore in the neck (working on getting the right height of the monitor and the chair, and from looking up to see people coming my way) and a little sore in the chest and neck from turning and reaching. Next week could be different, as I get more intense into work. Went walking in the mall for about a hour today. I'll let you all know how normal full day goes next week. So I survived that net step in the recovery process. Tom

Today I finally had my post op visit with my surgeon. I had the stomach flu on the day I was supposed to see him, three weeks ago. He was happy with my recovery and progress. And especially happy with the sound of my heart and and the new valve. Now I can drive, gradually increase lifting and continue the recovery and rehab process. My leave expires after Thursday, so it will be back to work on Friday. Weird, but that's the date the insurance picked. Anyway it is a good way to ease back into things and the world outside of my living room and rehab. I'll let you all know how the first day. Tom

This year's Valentine's Day seems more special, now that my heart has physically been repaired. My heartfelt thanks go out to God, my wife Vicki, my family, my friends, my surgeon, my cardiologist, the medical team, and all my fellow journalers. We deserve to celebrate today! Tom

While watching the NHRA Winternationals drag race this weekend, I saw that racer Greg Anderson had his bicuspid aorta valve replaced earlier this month. I thought it was interesting that he had it done the week before the season opener. Greg is 53. Kind of curious what triggered it now and not earlier in the off season. But better now that when the stress of the season and weekly trips across the country get going.

So how long did most feel movement in the breast bone? It does not hurt, but it still feels like there is some movement, especially from getting out of bed and drying off after a shower. Just thought I'd see what others experienced.

I am not taking credit or blame for potentially jinxing the Broncos. I like their coach, John Fox, and know it must have been tough to be out of the game for a portion of the season. Not a fan of Seattles current coach. But really wanted to see them take it all once the Chiefs were out of the picture (early like usual). It will be interesting to see if we hear more from Coach Fox about his surgery and recovery now that the season is over. I really liked the commercial that implied SB Sunday was like a national holiday and your team is also home watching the game. That would be most of the country.

How long did most of you have sore chests after surgery? Mine was just starting to feel better at the 4 to 5 week mark when I had the stomach flu. It wasn't as painful while being sick (I will leave out the grafic part of the flu, but I think you all know what I'm implying). But it got sore two days later and has been that way all weekend. Just curious for how others healed.

Living in Kansas City is is very hard to cheer for Denver, even if they are the AFC team. I have lays liked Seattle form there early dismal days, thru them beating KC around, and now seeing their really good days. Really glad they are NFC these days. On the flip side all of us heart surgery survivors should cheer for success with Denver coach John Fox, since he like most of us had to interrupt his life and work schedule for aorta surgery. Food for thought (enjoy goodies this Sunday, we all deserve it, and we can walk it off in rehab next week)!

I was supposed to meet with the surgeon this morning for the already delayed 3 week post op visit. The surgeon has that many patients because he is that good. But I woke up in the middle of the night with the stomach flu. It was a rough nite and morning. So I had to reschedule for a few more weeks out. I know they appreciated me not taking my germs to them, as they do surgery most days except consult day on wWednesdays. It will all work out. I can drive to rehab. And I am recovering well (no pain with most movement, can do light tasks, make myself food, rehab going well).

It has officially been one month since my aorta surgery. It really has gone by fast. Last Friday was 4 weeks. I've been doing cardio rehab for 2 weeks now. I'm up to 30 minutes one the treadmill and some biking). I walk in the house (since it has been cold and windy all month). I usually walk about 2000 steps a day in the house, usually 4 times of 500 steps. Sunday was finally nice enough to walk outside, so I walked up to rehab and back, which was about 1.5 miles roundtrip. That was nice to get fresh air and see the outside. Been to the primary doctor, the cardiologist (who was very impressed with my lower blood pressure (25 points lower post surgery) and impressed with my recovery. Going to the surgeon this Wednesday. That is typically 3 weeks, but they were very busy with numerous people having surgery in late 2013 for insurance deductible reasons (one of my drivers, but not the prime driver for doing it then). I'm thinking I will get the approval to drive more than my 1 mile each way to rehab. I'll do an update after the surgeon visit this week. Tom in KC

Hard to believe that 3 weeks ago I was on the operating table. Time flies and it drags. Very interesting. I had my second cardio rehab his morning. Went well. We'll see if it makes me tired today. I had a nice midday nap after the first visit. Continued prayers for those having surgery (and their spouses/family) this month. Their have been quite a number of use in the past month. Since I don't have contact with my coworkers during my time off, this has been a great forum. Maybe we should have a physical reunion at some point. My family is planning on going to Disney World the week after Thanksgiving (Disney decorates almost overnight that weekend). Just thinking out-loud. Tom in KC

Had a good visit with my primary doctor. The surgeon and cardiologist had been giving him updates while I was I the hospital. He thought I was doing great. We discussed BP meds and general issues. A good visit. It will be about 2 weeks until I see my cardiologist and then the surgeon follow up. In the meantime I 'll get cardio rehab scheduled. For now I take walks in the house once every hour or two and monitor my vitals. My daughter and grand daughter went home to the St Louis area this afternoon. I will miss there company.

Can't believe it has already been 12 days since my surgery. Going to my primary care physician today for post surgery check. My daughter and precious grand daughter are heading back home this afternoon. It's been great having them, to help me do what I can't or should not do, but mostly to spend time with them. Had a great time sharing bananas and pudding with our little angel. I tried an additional BP med, to get the diastolic down as it was at 100 for the first two days home, but it seemed to make me have dizzy spells. Turns out the BP came down without it. Lower numbers than I typically get. Interesting that my BP seems to be lower than prior to surgery. Not sure why, but that is a good thing. I'll talk to my primary about it. Has any noticed a difference in BP between arms? Kind of interesting.

Did anyone out there expience a rise in there blood pressure once home several days? I was running a little high when discharged but w also not on my regular dosages. Now that I've been home for two days it has risen. More concerned about the bottom number being near 100. Have a call into cardiologists nurse. Any comments would help. Tom

I am usually by nervous about things less major than this. I was nervous at the heart cath and the pre-op, but passing out while getting arterial blood sample eased that condition. I thinkI had mentally and spiritually prepared for the operation and the minimal chance/risk of something bad happening. Thursday morning I heard several Christian songs that touch me whileI was journaling. I disaffected minor DIY projects thatI knew would be on hold post surgery. Then the ret of my kids and grand baby showed up, we did presents, I took the shower and went to bed. Slept well, got up, rode to the hospital, saw my family one more time. They wheeled me into the operating room, one of the surgery team joked with me about doing other surgery- that probably eased my mind. I told the prep team about my memories of having my first heart cath 48 years ago, could have been the same room. Next thing I knew they were removing the breathing tube 12 hours later. It is actually kind of amazing that I had the first cath and the surgery at the same hospital 48 years later. Every staff member that I talked to asked me about symptoms and how I knew to have the surgery done. No we are 6 days post op, the surgeon and staff were all amazed at my mobility. My reply to them, "I had all the right people taking care of me, a great cardiologist that gave me the best yearly projections and a great surgeon and God watching over all off them and me. I know have a "great sounding bovine valve" and a Custom tailored Dacron aorta. Bottom line, it is all simply amazing when you think about it. Tom

It sure is great to be home. Keeping Ain meds to the minimum. Really did not need that much, to my knowledge, after say day 4. The nurses taking out the next swan, neck IV, taking out the chest tubes and finally the pacer wires, all that was 'fun'. Slept in my recliner last night. Woke up about every 2 hours. I guess my system was used to being woke up every several hours, for vitals, blood samples, breathing treatments, meds and outtake. To those who are pending surgery, that is something to be aware of, it might take a few days together your systems back to normal. My thoughts and prayers to those pending surgery. There are probably a lot out there that aren't aware of HVJ. Tom

Going home in the next hour. Thanks for everyone's prayers and comments. Walked 660 feet and did 3 stairs with cardiac rehab this morning. The stairs were to show me how to and how not to do them. I have 3 stairs in and out of the house. Fortunately we designed the house such that we don't have to do stairs internally. Amazing that I had,aj or surgery just 6 days ago. Looking forward to my new pow recliner since I haven't slept flat yet. Tom

Surgery went fine on Friday. Got vent tube out Friday evening. I don't remember much other than going into the operating room. Spent Sat and Sunday morning in ICU. Went to a room on Sunday at noon. Slept most of that afternoon. Started cardiac rehab (walking on Monday). Did about 680 feet on Monday and 970 on Tuesday. Everyday the nurses took something out. Got chest X-ray on Tuesday. Should be going home after lunch on Wednesday. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers. Tom

I am more happy now. Our precious grand daughter and our daughter and son-in-law just showed up at the house. She is walking. She was standing but not walking at Thanksgiving. In a month I should be mobile. Mentally ready to get the surgery done. I hope to journal myself before leaving the hospital or at least once I'm home. See you all.