William's Journal

Bought an excerise bike thinking it would help when I could not get outside to walk, did 86 mile in 7 days and did my INR last Monday and found my blood level dropped to 2.0 from a 2.7 the week before. found it harder to get the blood to drop on the test strip. So I found a tread mill and put it in the living room and feel much better. I can tell when my body is cold (fingers and toes that my INR is low, like when I was on the bike but when on the treadmill my finger and toes are getting more circulation. Weird how this all works.

I met with my surgeon and had a EKG done everything turn out fine no problems. I go back in June for my 1 year anniversary Echo Cardio Gram with the surgeon. My home testing is about 3.1 watching what I eat and walking about 5 miles a day around the lake here in Tacoma. Yesterday we took a 5 mile plus hike around the lake in the snow! Funny on Christmas Eve we were sitting around 60 degrees. Did my INR today and was at a 3.6 love this home monitoring. More Later have a Great day!

I had my cardio stress test and passed now I did not have to go back until March of 2012, I go accepted into the Plavix asprin and coumdin asprin program I will be taking the coumdin asprin arm of the program. Next month I will get my INR machine when I see my surgeon and then I see the nurse at the coumdin clinic who will show how to use it. This is a 8 year study through the FDA and the Canadian FDA, Where eventually they would like everyine to move to Plavix. Take Care and keep on Ticking! Bill

Well I had to go back to the hospital on Monday and spent 7 hours there. I had a pain from my fore arm to the back of my hand. They gave me some potassium but I was only a little low. I told them what I did for the day and they did not think that would cause it. So I had to make a appointment to my Cardio doctor and he scheduled me for this coming Monday and prescribed me more Nitro just in case. the pain has since gone so on wards and upwards!

Well this has been my first full week back to work and it like I have been gone for months trying to remember stuff. Took me all day to be able to access any of the programs I had been using. My co-worker has been my life saver. Have been working out 6 days a week for an hour each day up to 4.35 miles each day. Feels good and the PT staff at the hospital have been letting me jog on the treadmill for 30mins and then I do a fat walk the rest of the time.

I will be starting work again on Monday the 22nd and work 4 to 5 hours a day for 2 weeks and then increase to an hour each week. The physical therapy is going good I have been using the tread mill everyday there and for at least 40 minutes a day when I\'m not there.

Well it has been one month since I had my surgery and it seems surreal. I have driven twice, first attempt was not that good. second time I made was better and was able to drive myself home. I have started physical therapy 2 days a week and the the other 3 days I get on my treadmill for 30min They told me no more than 30 min so that I would not tire so easy. So I have excercised everyday this week and when Saturday came I had lost all my energy. So I just layed in my recliner all day.

Well this Friday will be 2 weeks since surgery and yet it seems so far away. Had to go to the hospital Saturday night was running a fever, everything turned out fine but did not get home until late and slept most of Sunday away. Doc told me to slow down more. So far this week it has been busy ging to the doctors for the pass 2 days and getting the cumindin checked. Was able to sleep on the couch last night was proped up. Cat naps have been my life in the morning because I get up at all hours of the night. Take Care Bill

I think thast was the best day ever since having surgery. was able to walk the garden more play with my Grandson. Food is still in issue but oh well. Today I will be walking around the lake not to far my house. Bill

Well, It is so good to sit at the computer and be able to type. The last few days have been a blur, trying not to use the pain meds as often. Couple of things though about eating and drinking. Lost my appetite on most foods does not taste good, I used to love coffee a Starbucks everyday now I take a sip and put it down and walk away from it. I eat the fruit cups like they are going out of style. It felt good to take a partial shower since I could not get the stomach area wet because of the tubes they took out yesterday so today ahh yes! The staff was top notch in my hospital stay and were very attentive. I will write more later. Bill

Morning all ~ Bryan here. Well, Bill had his chest tubes taken out this a.m. and we will be both attending a diet class where we learn what he needs to eat or NOT eat!! The class is from 9:30 - 10:30. After that he will be able to sign the discharge papers and will be able to go home today around noon. He is really looking forward to this as we can all imagine! He can hardly wait to shower!! He has been walking around doing really well. He said that when it is really quiet, he can hear his valve click. He is like a timex, he takes a licking and keeps on ticking!! (Finally, able to have a humor moment) All of us appreciate your thoughts and prayers and Bill sends his love to all!

Evening everyone! Bryan here. Bill is doing very well. He has walked around the floor 3 times today and really has a decent speed. He looks REALLY good and has great color. He didn\'t sleep real well last night since they are working on his meds to even out them all. He still has the chest tubes in and they may be removed as soon as tomorrow. His blood count is at 38 (for those who are aware of what this means) and basically this is excellent for someone who has had this surgery. His sugar level has been a bit high (174) so they have been giving him insulin. This is also normal. He is not diabetic although his levels are high and we will start to control this by diet. He is doing his breathing treatment every hour to prevent pneumonia and he is doing really well with this also. His care has been great. He has a bit of time recongnition problems since he thinks it should always be later in the day then it is. This shall pass once he is off the pain meds. He is not really taking much when it comes to pain meds and it really is remarkable to see him doing so well. His incision is about 12\" long, all internal sutures and looks REALLY good. He may be able to come home on Tues. Please forgive me for the delay in posting. I will be better for you all. Bill sends his love~ Until later~ Bryan

Good morning everyone! Bryan here. Sorry for the delay in getting this out to you all. Bill did really well yesterday with the surgery. He got out of surgery around 5 pm and his heart valve was replaced with success. He had one bypass and the vien was harvested from his shoulder area and not his leg which was great. He has just had all the tubes taken out with the exception of his chest tubes which may be done either Sunday or Monday. He has pain although he is getting through it really well. Once I hear anything more, I will update you again. Bill sends his love to you all! Bryan

Well all, the surgery should be around 12:30 and he will be in until approx. 4:00. He will then be in ICU and should be awake around 5:00. He has been sleeping most of the morning and this has really been good for him. I will update you all when more info becomes available!

Hi everyone, this is Bryan. Bill\'s surgery has been postponed until possibly Noon or later. They had an emergency open heart patient that had to go in so Bill\'s surgery has been pushed back. He is doing ok, sleeping off and on currently and seems to be comfortable with the upcoming events! Once he goes into surgery, the doctor will update every hour or so, so I will post the updates as they are received. If anyone needs or wants to get ahold of us, feel free to contact my cell at 253-273-7219. Thanks for all your warm wishes and prayers. Love to you all from Bill!

Hi Everyone, Hope you are all doing fine! Just getting ready here for the big morning so I wanted to tell you all I will have someone post for me while I\'m in surgery. Take Care all Bill

Hi Everyone, What a day this has been Had the doppler done on the carotid artery botrh look fine, Signed up for the blood thinning study where I will be cumindin for 3 months and then switch to asprin and Plavix, The study group will pick up all the bills for check up\'s and meds for 8 yrs. Then I met the surgical team and they each came to me one at a time and explained everything they would be doing from the beginning to the end of surgery, tube and breathing machine to getting me up the next day to hourly breathing treatments. I will be in there from Friday to most likely next Thursday. I would Like to thank Bryan Nuxoll who has made the process enjoyable one for me! Our slogan is \"It Hurts Only When I Laugh!\" Last but not least Art and my Sisters Lynn, LeeAnn and brother\'s Robert, Teddy and Lee and my childern Meghan and Zack, and many new friends of everyone one who have sent me wish\'s to me really does mean so much, To my Aunt Norma for being there when I needed that mother figure since mom has been gone and to Uncle Jake for yelling at me to slow down and stop taking on the world of taking care of other and focus on myself for now. Love You Both. And to my Brother\'s and Sister\'s from the Heart Valve Journal, when I need a question answered I get up and read the web site and more often than not I get the answer. Love to All of You BIll

Thanks for the advice! Matt I will ask the surgeon tomorrow when I see him about the sleeping thing. Today was filled with at the fabric store to see what I want to use to recover the dinning room chairs with, when I\'m able to finish that project. Got the paint for the living room and bedroom already. Funny though my brain says get busy but parts of me tell me just wait, so I will wait. @ Kathy glad to hear from you Hope all is well! Well tomorrow is the last busy day. I will write more after I see the doctors and so forth. Take Care Bill

Well its been a couple of busy days, Got some reading material. Got some shows lined up that I have not been able to watch. Tomorrow my day is filled up with going to the surgeons office before the big day on Friday. Hope all is well with everyone!

Well my niece just had her baby last night she was suppose to deliver on June 30th but her blood pressure was up. So now my sister can rest about worrying about her daughter and me being in the hospital at the same time. Yesterday went to the book store got a few books to read. I think the hardest part has been feeling tired, I wanted to mow the lawn so bad (sounds crazy) but it is my solitude! Take care Everyone