1-month post-op

[catwoman]

John (catman) had a 1-month post-op yesterday with Dr. Ryan. Had a chest X-ray, which looks good & which he has to take to our cardiologist later this week. Was told to get a baseline post-op echo.

Told to come back at 1 year post-op.

John is walking 3-4 times a day, nearly 1 mile each time (per his pedometer). He still has some arrhythmia & lymphedema (just in the left thigh now).

Overall, the entire experience has been much easier than John anticipated, other than day of surgery & next day. He still needs some rest each day and has found that he will have good days & bad days. He's learned not to overdo it on those good days.

He is light-years ahead of me at 1 month post-op.
Reasons:
His pre-op condition was much, much better.
We found a surgeon who would do a minimally invasive procedure.
The valve was repaired, rather than replaced.

Lesson: If you know you have a problem, get thee into surgery ASAP. If your condition permits it, opt for/seek/demand a minimally invasive procedure. Not all cardiac surgeries may lend themselves to MIS, but it's worth pursuing.

If it weren't for vr.com, we would not have known about thorocotomies or Dr. Ryan.

 

[WayneGM]

Sounds like John is doing great. Congratulations on a great report.

 

[QueenVictoria]

We've been following you all the way through. Keep up the walking...... God Bless you.

 

[Phyllis]

Glad he's doing so well- a model for all those in the waiting room!

 

[Pegasus]

Sounds like a text-book recovery. Great news
astrid

 

[KAJ]

"He is light-years ahead of me at 1 month post-op.
Reasons:
His pre-op condition was much, much better.
We found a surgeon who would do a minimally invasive procedure.
The valve was repaired, rather than replaced."

I often wonder if my complications could have been avoided had I exercised egularly. Up until the time I had AVR, I had not done so since I left the Navy in April of 97. I have never been overweight but that does not mean I was in good shape. Since my AVR, I have been fairly consistent in my workout routine. If I ever have surgery again, I want to make certain I am in far better shape.

Karl

 

[Mary]

I'm glad to read that John's recovery has gone so well, Marsha.

 

[EireCara]

Glad to hear John is doing so well. Long may it last. Best Wishes.

 

[MaryC]

Marsha,
Glad to hear your husband is doing so well! I am the living example of the lesson at the end of your post. Now here I am - starting to feel better than I did before surgery. The folks at cardiac rehab are starting to let me push it a bit. Yesterday they started me on this eliptical machine that I loved. I have tried them in the past and didn't care for them - but I really liked this one. I also started bike riding with my husband and son - my son's working on his Boy Scout merit badge so I am tagging along. I am planning to sign up with them for a 50 mile bike ride in Wichita Falls the end of August.

Tell your husband to keep up the great work!

 

[67walkon]

I like hearing good stories!! Thanks. And continued blessings to your husband.

 

[Susan BAV]

Marsha, you're too modest; don't forget about the excellent and experienced private nurse John has! Nice to read your post; take care.

 

[Guest]

Marsha,

Very glad John is doing well .

Thoughts/prayers continuing, of course.



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Enough is enough, I can't take anymore" ... Alabama ... 'Can't Keep A Good Man Down'

 

[KatieD]

Marsha,

That's a wonderful report! I'm glad to hear John is doing so well. It's very reassuring to hear such great progress for those of us in the waiting room. Especially since I'm scheduled for a repair with the same Dr. Ryan in a very short two weeks. Congratulations on what's sounding like a very successful recovery.

 

[gijanet]

Nope, I think...........

Nope, I think...........

He is light-years ahead of me at 1 month post-op.
Reasons:
His pre-op condition was much, much better.
We found a surgeon who would do a minimally invasive procedure.
The valve was repaired, rather than replaced.

it was that Nurse Ratchett of a wife of his, getting him up and getting him moving! Seriously, I am so glad that John is doing so well. Mah-velous, simply mah-velous, dahling! Still can't believe that next time we have a Dallas gathering we will have a valve couple. Hugs. J.

 

[debster913]

We found a surgeon who would do a minimally invasive procedure.
The valve was repaired, rather than replaced.

Lesson: If you know you have a problem, get thee into surgery ASAP. If your condition permits it, opt for/seek/demand a minimally invasive procedure. Not all cardiac surgeries may lend themselves to MIS, but it's worth pursuing.

If it weren't for vr.com, we would not have known about thorocotomies or Dr. Ryan.

Marsha,
Glad to hear your hubby is doing well!!! I think also that the large part of my recovery being so quick was that I also had MIS. I still had ups and downs with my recovery, but it was worth it. The funny thing is that I don't have a visible scar, so when I do tell people about my valve surgery, they look at me questionably as if I'm lying. I can't exactly lift my shirt to prove it.

Debi

 

[catwoman]

Update: Cardio appt.

Update: Cardio appt.

Today (6/7), John saw our cardiologist, who asked, "When do you want to return to work?"

John plans to wait until the beginning of the 2nd summer term (week of July 4) before going back. He's got quite a bit of sick leave plus vacation time left.

He's on warfarin because of arrhythmia. Had another INR test this morning at our PCP's office. His INR last week was 2.1 (Dr. Ryan set range at 2.0-2.5 -- kinda narrow to me). He's been taking 5mg a week. Because he's been walking more and more, I had warned John his INR would be low this week and, sure enough, it was -- 1.6. Our PCP bumped that up to 5mgX5 + 7.5mgX2 -- a 15% increase. I'll buy that. Our PCP said I could reconfigure the daily dosage if I want (as long as it adds up to the weekly amount).

When Katie comes to Dallas for her surgery, John & I will have to visit her!!! The Presbyterian cafeteria is pretty yummy.

 

[jds]

Fitness is important. I was fit and have had a good recuperation so far.
Also, is an attitude of "I am not a victim - I am charge of my own destiny" and being conscious of:
(1) exercise - walking - a lot - even when you do not feel like it
(2) diet - eat and eat protein and salad - get weight under control by substituting salad for fat if you need to
(3) keeping records and keeping charge of your weight, exercise, BP, pulse, and meds

Keep it up.