Well, today was the 7-week visit with my cardio at Northwestern. This was also the follow-up to my re-visit to the hospital after discharge from surgery, etc.
She said that I am finally progressing at the rate she expected originally. I am perhaps a couple of weeks behind where we hoped I would be, but I'm doing better every day.
Since my edema has not returned, we are going to suspend lasix treatment (and the related potassium supplements) and if all remains stable, no more lasix.
The cardio also said that from her quick check, it sounds like I am in normal sinus rhythm - so maybe the Afib was purely post-surgical and temporary. Hope so, because that would mean that eventually the amiodarone and the warfarin could go away, too.
Other than hoping to not remain pacer-dependent, my only other issues are the hoarseness (almost no voice, but no pain) which the cardio says may still be related to the intubation, so give it another couple of weeks before we consider going to an EENT, and insomnia. She said (and I know) sleep disruption is common after OHS, but she did write a prescription for Ambien if things get too bad. I wouldn't want to use that stuff consistently, but for a night or two if things are bad, it may be good to have on hand.
Now that my pacemaker has been in place for 6 weeks, I no longer have to be so overly concerned to keep my left elbow at or below shoulder level. For the first 6 weeks they tell you to restrice range of motion to minimize chances that the pacing wires will be pulled out of place. Of course, being highly pacer dependent, I wouldn't want that to happen.
All in all, a good check-up. I feel better by the day, and I can now say that I definitely feel better than I did just a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully I will remain on track and can be back to almost my usual self by the 3 month mark.
She said that I am finally progressing at the rate she expected originally. I am perhaps a couple of weeks behind where we hoped I would be, but I'm doing better every day.
Since my edema has not returned, we are going to suspend lasix treatment (and the related potassium supplements) and if all remains stable, no more lasix.
The cardio also said that from her quick check, it sounds like I am in normal sinus rhythm - so maybe the Afib was purely post-surgical and temporary. Hope so, because that would mean that eventually the amiodarone and the warfarin could go away, too.
Other than hoping to not remain pacer-dependent, my only other issues are the hoarseness (almost no voice, but no pain) which the cardio says may still be related to the intubation, so give it another couple of weeks before we consider going to an EENT, and insomnia. She said (and I know) sleep disruption is common after OHS, but she did write a prescription for Ambien if things get too bad. I wouldn't want to use that stuff consistently, but for a night or two if things are bad, it may be good to have on hand.
Now that my pacemaker has been in place for 6 weeks, I no longer have to be so overly concerned to keep my left elbow at or below shoulder level. For the first 6 weeks they tell you to restrice range of motion to minimize chances that the pacing wires will be pulled out of place. Of course, being highly pacer dependent, I wouldn't want that to happen.
All in all, a good check-up. I feel better by the day, and I can now say that I definitely feel better than I did just a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully I will remain on track and can be back to almost my usual self by the 3 month mark.
