The Thief
Well-known member
Hey all,
I just thought I would update on my progress. 5 weeks ago, my mechanical valve (installed only 3 months prior) was found to be coming off, causing shortness of breath. The day after we finally figured out what was going on (Bacterial Endocarditis), I had an emergency surgery to replace the valve, as well as the ascending aorta, which was repaired before, but now replaced. See full post here: http://robovalve.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/only-a-minor-setback/
Now that my aorta is replaced with a dacron tube, I feel the pounding sensation that I've read about here. I did not experience that after my first surgery. My heart pounds against my sternum (at least that's what it feels like) in certain positions. It seems that this is consistent with patients with aorta replacements. I hope it goes away. I have been getting very dizzy when standing up from crouching or sitting positions, although I experienced that after the first surgery too. I'm still on 25mg metoprolol, though thankfully no longer amioderone and also no lisinopril. As I recall, last time the dizziness started to get better after 8ish weeks. My upper back is in allot of pain. So is my sternum. When I get up from a lying position, they both hurt like hell. Perhaps I strained them recently because this pain feels like it has increased slightly. I think because my sternum was cut twice within 3 months, that it is having some trouble healing perfectly this 2nd time around. My scar looks great though.
I had a scare recently; I was getting low grade fevers in the late afternoon. The doctors were a bit concerned at first but reassured me that I was fine, especially if the fever returned to normal in 24 hours. I monitored my temp, and my body was following the typical human daily temperature fluctuations. We are cool in the morning then gradually get warmer throughout the day, then cool down at night. I am just still freaked about infections.
I have 2 weeks left of my antibiotic regiment via PICC line. I have become a pro at administering the medicine (2 kinds of antibiotics, 4 times a day total). I'm on Vancomycin and ceftriaxone (rocephin). I am looking forward to being done with these meds and getting back to routine. In fact, I start a new job (i'm a science teacher) on May 1st, which I am very excited about. I got my insurance figured out so that the transition is seamless, thanks Obama. Seriously, 'obamacare' or Covered California will allow me to stay with my current insurance even though I am leaving my old job and thus losing their employer based health coverage (Kaiser). This way I can continue with Kaiser for a few months so that my follow up appointments can happen, and once this all blows over, I can switch to my new employer's insurance. I know for some people the health care reform issue is controversial and disagreeable, but for me, someone who has been denied coverage for years because of a preexisting condition, I am thankful for this reform that will benefit me in this time in my life when I need it most.
Oh, by the way, I am NOT up for a political debate. ha!
Guys, life is tough when we have to go through this OHS thing. I was very good at positive thinking after my first surgery. This emergency surgery really knocked me down a peg or two. I'm trying real hard to keep my head up and to not be scared. I'm doing okay, and I'm feeling better about it each day. You know, that whole getting knocked off a horse thing.
So let's all get back on!:thumbup:
I just thought I would update on my progress. 5 weeks ago, my mechanical valve (installed only 3 months prior) was found to be coming off, causing shortness of breath. The day after we finally figured out what was going on (Bacterial Endocarditis), I had an emergency surgery to replace the valve, as well as the ascending aorta, which was repaired before, but now replaced. See full post here: http://robovalve.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/only-a-minor-setback/
Now that my aorta is replaced with a dacron tube, I feel the pounding sensation that I've read about here. I did not experience that after my first surgery. My heart pounds against my sternum (at least that's what it feels like) in certain positions. It seems that this is consistent with patients with aorta replacements. I hope it goes away. I have been getting very dizzy when standing up from crouching or sitting positions, although I experienced that after the first surgery too. I'm still on 25mg metoprolol, though thankfully no longer amioderone and also no lisinopril. As I recall, last time the dizziness started to get better after 8ish weeks. My upper back is in allot of pain. So is my sternum. When I get up from a lying position, they both hurt like hell. Perhaps I strained them recently because this pain feels like it has increased slightly. I think because my sternum was cut twice within 3 months, that it is having some trouble healing perfectly this 2nd time around. My scar looks great though.
I had a scare recently; I was getting low grade fevers in the late afternoon. The doctors were a bit concerned at first but reassured me that I was fine, especially if the fever returned to normal in 24 hours. I monitored my temp, and my body was following the typical human daily temperature fluctuations. We are cool in the morning then gradually get warmer throughout the day, then cool down at night. I am just still freaked about infections.
I have 2 weeks left of my antibiotic regiment via PICC line. I have become a pro at administering the medicine (2 kinds of antibiotics, 4 times a day total). I'm on Vancomycin and ceftriaxone (rocephin). I am looking forward to being done with these meds and getting back to routine. In fact, I start a new job (i'm a science teacher) on May 1st, which I am very excited about. I got my insurance figured out so that the transition is seamless, thanks Obama. Seriously, 'obamacare' or Covered California will allow me to stay with my current insurance even though I am leaving my old job and thus losing their employer based health coverage (Kaiser). This way I can continue with Kaiser for a few months so that my follow up appointments can happen, and once this all blows over, I can switch to my new employer's insurance. I know for some people the health care reform issue is controversial and disagreeable, but for me, someone who has been denied coverage for years because of a preexisting condition, I am thankful for this reform that will benefit me in this time in my life when I need it most.
Oh, by the way, I am NOT up for a political debate. ha!
Guys, life is tough when we have to go through this OHS thing. I was very good at positive thinking after my first surgery. This emergency surgery really knocked me down a peg or two. I'm trying real hard to keep my head up and to not be scared. I'm doing okay, and I'm feeling better about it each day. You know, that whole getting knocked off a horse thing.
So let's all get back on!:thumbup:
