ctyguys in recovery

[ctyguy]

Well as you can see since I am posting something Im still here. The procedure went very smoothly but I had a pretty hard time for about the first 36 hours after the procedure. Getting the pain medication right was tricky and I had alot of anxiety and discomfort. Also seems I introduced the ICU staff to all kinds of naughty words after they got the breathing tube out. I have to say Im utterly impressed with the staff at the Cleveland Clinic, virtually everyone I dealt with was wonderful. I was only in ICU for about 24 hours and actually the most difficult time I had was in the stepdown unit upstairs. Once all the anestestia wore off my pain meds weren't right and I suffered pretty good for about 12 hours. But once they got the meds right things have been pretty smooth sailing since. I actually could have gone home today but my IVR levels still aren't right so they are going to keep me until that gets stable, maybe another day or two. Also I got word today from the Cardiologist that the echo they took this AM was very promising. The Valve (On-X) appears to be working solid and the gradiant right now is about 25 (pre procedure it was 115, obviously NOT good). So Im pretty well giddy right now. My wife has been with me the entire time and I can't express how much she has done for me. Anyone who has to go through something like this needs someone like her. Backrubs on demand, wet washcloths when I was sweating, basically anything I needed. I already told her she can pick her vacation spot when its all said and done so I suspect you can look for us in Hawaii at some point in the next year or so. I will post again in the next day or two, just wanted to let you all know that Im doing well and it seems that Im going to be walking out of here with a new lease on life. For anyone who needs this type of surgery I can't express how much I would recommend the Cleveland Clinic and the On-X valve if you can get a surgeon who has implanted them before. My surgeon Gosta Pettersson has done over 50 of these now and Im really thinking that the sky is the limit for me going forward. Thanks again to you all for all the kind thoughts and prayers !

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to this side of the mountain! Sounds like you are doing really well. Best wishes for a smooth, and speedy, recovery.

 

[marie]

Sounds like you are doing really well. Yes having someone right there with you is the best. My husband did that for me as well. Eat, sleep, rest and walk.
Hope you continue to do well.
Earline

 

[Phyllis]

Great to hear from you and I will keep my fingers crossed that you will be home in a day or two. Glad to see how much you appreciate your wife!

 

[Mary]

I'm glad to hear from you and know that all went well!

 

[zipper2]

Yippee

Yippee

Glad to see your post and read your over
the mountain.another adrenillin rush,great
to see a post from you.

 

[netmiff]

Welcome to this side of the mountain ! you sound really good, keep your spirits up, it really helps to have a good attitude. There may be a few bad days in the next month or so, I know I got to the stage of "will I ever be able to sleep on my side again", but the whole thing was far less traumatic and painful than I had ever imagined.

 

[njean]

So glad to know you made it back from your surgery & that you are on your way to a speedy & hopefully, uneventful recovery. Hawaii awaits you & your wife my friend; you both deserve a wonderful vacation after all of this is behind you! Take care!

 

[Curtsmum]

Glad you are doing so well,sending my best wishes, keep it up.