Vel's Journal

All the literature warns us - be careful with knives in the kitchen, gardening tools in the yard, falling, bumping into things - the whole nine yards - but somehow I missed attack dogs! Several days ago my husband and I set out for a shortened version of a walk around the block (blocks being quite long in our neighborhood) and cut through our neighbor\'s yard behind us (for which we\'ve been given the nod). Oops, didn\'t notice the not-too-happy big dog on the leash until he rushed me and tried to sink his teeth into my upper leg. Since he didn\'t actually tear through either fabric or skin (although it hurt like the dickens), we just went on our jaunt and didn\'t give it much thought. Until I got back home, that is! Such a hematoma I had, lots of bleeding inside. Realized way too late that I should have attended to this immediately to slow the spread of bleeding, etc. Now, almost a week later it is still humongous, so much more pronounced because of the blood thinner. I have learned my lesson, not just about that dog, but even more about treating injuries like this rather than walking away (literally) from them. Such is life with Coumadin! Vel Turner

It was exactly six weeks ago I climbed that mountain! Wow! A few chapters have closed this week (thank goodness) and some new ones opened. First of all, the rental recliner is gone. My advice to anyone who is thinking of either buying or renting one - be sure you put it in a room where you definitely will spend time. I chose our den, in front of the TV. Not being the TV hound my husband is, I often found another room for my frequent reading. At $150 a month, I would guess my average \"sit\" cost about $15! My hubby enjoyed it after I retired at night, though, not to mention the cat taking over on numerous occasions! On Monday of this week my surgeon pronounced my incisions healing well and said he was dismissing me. Of course, I will continue with my cardiologist. The next day the home health care people came to pick up all of their equipment. I had been weighing and measuring oxygen saturation, BP and pulse daily, which went through the phone line for their monitoring. Now I get to do this on my own and drive to the lab for INR checks. So, what\'s next? Another cardioversion is scheduled for next Wednesday, in hopes it will resolve my A Fib. After that, I am hopeful of starting some cardiac rehab. On the non-medical front (and do I need a non-medical front!) I am anticipating getting back to some of the volunteer work I was so involved with before my surgery. Yard work will just have to wait! It\'s been a slower journey than I thought it would be, but the progress is the most important, and to that I can attest. The best to all of you who are climbing your mountain in the days ahead. Vel Turner

It\'s been almost two weeks since my last post, and I am glad to report that I am feeling far better than I did then! Unfortunately, even with the medicine I am taking for it, I am still in A-fib, which causes some SOB and fatigue - hard to differentiate at times. So I nap in the afternoon when I need to, which thankfully is not every day. Dehydration has been a problem, so I started taking on more water this week (like 3 qts a day), which really helped the cough, but I am still dry. Maybe its the meds. Has anyone else had this problem, especially this far out? Still working trying to get the blood thinner stabilized; at least it is on the thin side now, which is a lot safer place to be. Plans are for doing another cardioversion within the next few weeks, dependent on INR readings, and I remain ever hopeful that this time it will hold. Had an ECHO last week and today got a report that the valve was working perfectly. That sure was good news! Ear doc confirmed increased hearing loss and he attributes it to the heart-lung machine. Says it is very rare, but it can happen. But I have good hearing aids! When I was released from the hospital, they said I should eat what I liked for 30 days (with emphasis on protein) and then go on a low-fat, low-sodium diet. So, my 30 days are almost up, and tomorrow is celebrate food day. The things my hubby has lined up are NOT on my future diet, that\'s for sure! Vel Turner

It\'s been well over a week since I have added anything to my HVJ, so time to do it! \"It\'s a one day at a time thing...\" - truer words were never spoken. And my surgery was three weeks ago today. I have managed to sleep fairly well at night, short and interrupted as the nights are, and have managed to limit myself to the extra strength Tylenol, without the codeine. This is good, because my brain was addled enough as it was. And, how I love the recliner(s), not to mention the wedge! Went for pacemaker check end of last week and learned that the cardioversion held for only 4 days, so I have been in Afib on and off since the day I got home from the hospital. Am hoping time will help on dealing with this. Went to the surgeon\'s office this week for a check of my \"wounds\" and they seem to be healing satisfactorily. Some days it hurts a lot, and I think it is related to my limited use of the left arm because of the pacemaker (for now), so the right side, with all the cuts, gets all the use. Hard to know how much is too much until after I have crossed the line. How common is SOB after valve surgery? Mine comes and goes, and I sometimes feel it is more related to clogged nasal passages from sinuse or allergies than to my heart or lungs. Would be interested in your take on that. The optical migraines came and went, and the beauty of them was that they were painless! Crazy! Much more serious, however, is that I seem to have lost completely what hearing I had remaining in my left ear. My hearing aid doesn\'t begin to get me where I need to be on that side, but the other side with the stronger aid seems to be exactly as it was before. Will pursue this with the drs. in the days ahead. So far have not heard of anyone else with this problem. Still working on getting the coumadin level just right - it has been a slow laborious process, but they say once they get it right, it\'ll be easier to maintain it on level. Nursing service is here almost daily. So, today we had our new computer installed, our old one having crashed and burned last weekend. A lot easier to journal again! My goal in the next few days is to get back into reading and responding to guestbook messages, and getting updates on a bunch of other HVJers. In the meantime, thank you, thank you for all of your kind messages to me in recent days and weeks. And how wonderful to be this far out already! Vel Turner

First, my sincere apologies to everyone I left hanging by leaving a good friend updating my journal and then never picking this up from her once I returned home. So, the mountain was scaled! I would be exaggerating if I were to suggest something like Mt. Everest, BUT will not hestitate to think in terms of Mt. Mitchell - and for all from the SE US you probably know it is, for us anyway, one big mountain! Surgery reportedly went wellt, but I remained in the ICU until late the third day, and then finally went to another fairly intensive cardiac care unit for 3 more days and then the final two in a regular room. The highest they could get my heartbeat on its own power was 28 beats per minute, and kept waiting, hoping that would change. I also developed, as expected, AFib. So, mid-week I underwent a cardioversion, which so far, has worked. Later that day had a permanent pacemaker put in. My surgeon says the surgery went well, was successful (it\'s just these other little things...like maybe they belong to the cardiologoist, uh? Just kidding - I know it\'s all wrapped up in one, but it is a bit scary.) I was able to have the less invasive technique after all, which is helping with pain management, healing, etc. and I am most thankful for that. Have a few more details to share, but just HAD to get this message out, because I sure some people have been wondering what happened to me. I am OK! More a bit later. Vel Turner

Surprise! I called Vel\'s cell phone this afternoon thinking I would get her voicemail. She answered & for the first time since surgery, she sounds like our Vel. Her voice sounded cheerful and almost energetic. She is feeling better & hopes to go home tomorrow for further recuperation. As is the usual case, she has been unable to rest in the hospital--last night slept less than an hour and only a 40 min nap today. She is starting a blood thinning regimen--coumadin which will require close monitoring until correct levels are established. Let\'s cheer Vel on: hip-hip-hooray for continuing progress toward full recovery!!

I phoned Carl this afternoon who was at home resting prior to returning to the hospital. He reported that Vel had the internal pacemaker installed this morning--approximately a 30 minute procedure. She tolerated it well, but still tires easily. She is going to a regular room this afternoon to concentrate on regaining strength and general healing. As yet, Vel has not felt up to making the journal entries herself, so I fear that you guys are stuck with me for a few more entries. :-) Keep generating those prayers and cards!!

We had a great surprise this evening(about 7): Vel called us to chat for about 5 minutes. She is still very weak and not up to visitors yet. She sat up in the recliner today, watched some light TV, & ate, although not too tasty. (Not surprising, as we all know what a great cook Vel is.) She slept most of the afternoon due to pain medication she was given for a very painful muscle spasm. Tonight, Carl chose to sleep at home, and we all hope that Vel gets a good night\'s rest and continues on her road to recovery. Tomorrow\'s journal entry may come from Vel, herself, as she intends to pick up her I-Pad tomorrow, the dear Lord willing...

To Vel\'s dear friends: Carl called me about noon today(primarily to decline our offer for dinner as he wants to spend the night at the hospital-Vel has a sleeping sofa in her room now.) I actually spoke with Vel very briefly! She is still weak today and has requested no visitors until she feels much better. But she covets our prayers, and cards would be a real boon! She is at Presbyterian Hospital in room CC 14. This is a private room, but she is still under close watch in the coronary care unit. Carl had further clarification re the pacemaker today: Vel\'s heart would not start back on its own following the surgery, even with electrical shocks(she had been on the heart/lung machine, I presume). Therefore, she is now wearing an external pacemaker, and an internal one will be installed prior to discharge. Keep sending up those prayers for our dear friend\'s quick recovery...more later.

Carl spent the day with Vel today and was able to speak with the surgeon, who is one of few words. He was pleased that the surgery went well, but remarked that Vel\'s heart beat is slow & she will likely need a pacemaker. Carl was not sure if the Dr. meant one would be needed before Vel is discharged or later. Vel remains in the Cardiovascular Recovery Unit all day, although, the medical team continues to promise that she will be moved to intermediate care. She is very hopeful the move will be soon as she has no privacy in CRU. She was able to sit in a recliner a couple of times, and she ate some jello. Carl remarked that Vel continues to fall in and out of sleep & is still groggy, but all in all, he is very pleased with her progress.

Friends, I stopped by the hospital at 5 pm for a brief visit with Carl Turner, who told me that Vel went into surgery on time early this a.m. He had about 1/2 dozen supporting friends with him while Vel was in surgery. He was able to visit with her briefly at 1 pm and again at 4 pm. He will be able to visit her, as well, at 6 pm and hopes by then she may be awake. He has not spoken with her surgeon as yet, but has been assured by numerous hospital personnel that Vel\'s surgery went as planned, and that all her vital signs are normal. The 24 hours following the actual surgery are the most important and Vel will remain in ICU through that period, at least. Vel\'s friend

Tomorrow is my big day - finally arriving! Saw surgeon again this a.m. and it looks as if he can proceed with the less invasive after all, more about that later! I felt this was a Godsend, believe me! I couldn\'t have come this far without the wonderful support of my husband, Carl, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart. Don\'t quite know who is the more worn out getting ready for the big day...but it is time to sign off and get some sleep! Vel Turner

Don\'t know whether anyone else has experienced this, but over the past several weeks people\'s reactions to hearing about my upcoming mitral valve replacement have ranged from \"oh, no, how dreadful!\" to a question sometime later to the effect of, \"Now, tell me again, when is your procedure?\" PROCEDURE? Uh?? Maybe that\'s human nature - some people take things mighty seriously and then there are those who just don\'t want to acknowledge the seriousness of anything. The beauty of the HVJ community is your straightforwardness, and have I ever appreciated that! Got the recliner rental pinned down today, cleaning ladies came and did a great job with the house, I\'m still getting things together, meet with surgeon in the a.m. Think I will be ready to roll come Thursday morning. I am especially thankful for all of your prayers and for those of many more who aren\'t part of the HVJ community - but they sure are out there! Vel Turner

This was going to be my Memorial Day message, something I am usually fairly impassioned about, but have to admit that this was the most re-directed one I have experienced in years. Just trying to tie up loose ends, and there are too many of them. Being half sick half the time almost the whole month didn\'t help. My hubby, who is a Korean era WWII vet, got a free lunch at Firebirds today, so we just had to go. Of course, we ended up with lots more...but no doubt our last eat-out meal for awhile. It was good for us. Finally got that wedge pillow today, along with scales for home use, which I understand I will need and should have had anyway. Tomorrow plan to try out the lift chairs, in hopes of renting one. Resurrected the old CD Walkman (anyone old enough to remember those?), put in some new batteries, and voila! Since I have so many CDs, I am covered big time for \"music to recover by\" in the hospital. I had the best time tonight standing at my kitchen counter, with the headphones and listening to Chopin while preparing food for the days ahead. Forgot everything else for awhile, and was that ever great! But I still cannot forget the soldier who has helped ensure the freedoms I enjoy today. I am ever thankful for that! Vel Turner

It\'s been a beautiful day! Wonderful church service, great weather, even time for a little nap (I\'m pretty good at them lately), and a little more on the learning curve with my new iPad. As I go into this final week (surgery Thursday), I still have lots of small things to wrap up, but am trying to pace myself. Am so thankful for all the wonderful friends who have supported me on this journey, along with the number one man in my life! And then, did I ever mention my two marvelous pet children? (Standard poodle and tabby cat!) I love them, too! I think I\'ve moved beyond stressing over the breathing tube, which has been my #1 concern these last weeks. Vel Turner

This may sound really crazy to some, but one of the things I would love to have with me in getting through post surgery is music. I love the classical genre (sing in an oratorio chorus), so I am thankful to have lots of CDs to take with me to the hospital. I read in someone\'s journal recently that their hospital played music in ICU (that sounds so comforting!), but I\'ll just have to wait until after that. Would start out with old familiar hymns, and then progress through a few requiems, Haydn\'s Creation, Beethoven\'s 9th. By that time will be ready for some good piano, opera, and maybe even Carmina Burana! (As they say, to each his own...) Sure hope it\'s a private room! Has anyone else done this? Listening would be so much easier than trying to read, which NO ONE even mentions. Vel Turner

Tonight, after making my first full-fledged dinner in several days (it\'s been a busy week), I thought about all the wonderful meals that are being prepared for my husband and me when I get home. Our \"church ladies\" are especially good at this, and that is what I am thankful for today. Quite an alternative to my husband Carl\'s statement that when I get home (and he is doing the meals) I will be tasting some of the best canned vegetables money can buy! (Oh, dear me!!) You can tell I am trying hard to put my mind to other things, and food is just one of \'em! Vel Turner

Today was day four of a recurring sore throat. The very last thing I want is to have this surgery postponed again! It occurred to me about mid-day that my sore throat was more under my ear(s) this time, so I called my ear specialist (I am a regular patient) and he worked me in this afternoon. Sure thing - I had an ear infection! Very localized, so he treated it topically, but I think this just might help make things better! So, what am I thankful for today? That this was identified and treated promptly, and I just may be on the mend in preparing for my big day on May 31st. Vel Turner

Every time I travel uptown (that\'s a Charlotte term for downtown), I pass under a large sign mounted on an overhead walkway between my hospital and a medical tower. The sign reads something like: \"Presbyterian Hospital and Cleveland Clinic, Connected at the Heart.\" That has become a real comfort to me, because I have heard so many, many good things about the Cleveland Clinic and am so grateful for the strong connection of these two medical facilities. It makes me thankful for the good hands I know I will be in come May 31 at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte! Vel Turner

Back in March, I was given the names of two surgeons who might be a good fit for dealing with my particular surgery. So, of course, I started googling, and up popped the name of one of them, pulled from a heart valve journal of a patient of his here in Charlotte. What a wonderful discovery. Subsequently I spent a lot of hours reading journals and sorting out those with MVR and surgery soon or just over. Even with that, there were SO MANY and I learned SO MUCH! Didn\'t start journaling until I met with the surgeon I selected, but have enjoyed my continued reading. I am wondering how everyone else ever found this wonderful website!? What a fantastic supportive community! Vel Turner

So, this is the second time I am counting days before my big surgery, and this time remain hopeful it will come to pass. Recovery from the chest cold has been slow, but is happening a little more each day. I realize that every day I have is a gift from God. \"This is the day that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!\" So I have made a list of things I am thankful for, and hope to journal them each day. After missing two weeks, finally got back to church yesterday and what a blessing it was! Not only for the worship experience but also for the camaraderie with God\'s people. And I know there are many, many prayers being offered up for me, from them and so many other friends and loved ones. I am in His hands! Vel Turner

Not surprisingly, by this past Monday morning, my chest was not at all clear when I saw my surgeon and went for my pre-ops, so the response was \"no way!\" While a week ago, I would have given just about anything to have this over with, by the weekend, it was just the opposite. So, here I am trying to rest a lot, drink lots of water, stay away from crowds, and stay patient. My surgery has been re-scheduled for May 31. Wonder how many others had to have theirs postponed because of URI? Vel Turner

Such anticipation of getting this over with, and with only ten days to go, woke up with pretty bad sore throat on Sunday, which has now developed into a real nice cough. Not good! Went to PCP yesterday, put me on an antibiotic but it\'s probably viral. Now let\'s hope I can get over this before next week! We are going forward with the pre-op on the 14th, and at that time they will decide whether to postpone the surgery or not. This all gives new meaning to \"hurry up and wait!\" Vel Turner

Finally, after waiting since February, May finally has arrived and I\'m counting down to the 16th. It\'s been an up and down week for me. Have noticed that little things bother me in a major way, and I think it is anxiety creeping in. Have had a real challenge balancing \"doing\" with relaxing, both of which I need. This weekend will be an away one, celebrating my husband\'s high school reunion, and that should help. Then next week the only full week left to take care of wrapping up lots of loose ends and preparing and freezing good things to eat. My church community, good friends, and my wonderful husband have all sustained me, not to mention the power of prayer! I continue to appreciate HVJs for the community we have! God bless all of you! Vel Turner

Time is flying! My surgery is scheduled for three weeks from today, and it seems like just yesterday that it was a lot longer than that! The weather finally cleared up to allow me work in the yard this afternoon, and getting out there helps me get my mind off this for a time. I know that after surgery it will be a long time before I\'ll be able to dig in the dirt again, especially with NC hot summers. Thanks to all of you who have responded to my questions. I have one more: how critical was a recliner once you got back home? We have an old one but it has no handle or anything to allow ease for getting out ot it. Am thinking of renting one for a month. Good idea or not necessary? Vel Turner

In trying to write my second ever journal entry, I hit \"edit\" and wrote the rheumatic fever entry, and then submitted it. Of course, it deleted my first entry! Recap: Met with surgeon last week and set May 16 for mitral valve replacement. Have wavered back and forth the past week on tissue vs. mechanical. Had CT scan yesterday to determine how \"clean\" my arteries are, since my surgeon is interested in slightly less invasive technique involving entry through the aorta, also with two smaller incisions not in front. Have read many stories from people who say going through the sternum area is not such a big deal...feedback on this appreciated as well. I\'ll get the hang of this journaling yet! Vel Turner

In reviewing numerous journals of people with MVR, I have been looking for evidence of their having had rheumatic fever earlier in life. Is there anyone out there who went through this? I had it at age six and was bedridden for a full year (an early case of home schooling for me!). Since I am in my late 60s and many fellow journalists are way behind me on that, perhaps the development of antibiotics to combat this disease was a big factor. I am wondering about this because of how it has affected my heart and my need now for surgery. Vel Turner