Guestbook of Ellen Leng

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Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3017 days ago

Tom Dadisman posted a note for Ellen that says:

Hi Ellen, I read your post and as for the "emotional and cognitive issues related to being "on the pump" (cardiopulmonary bypass)" Seems to me there has ...Read more

Hi Ellen, I read your post and as for the "emotional and cognitive issues related to being "on the pump" (cardiopulmonary bypass)" Seems to me there has been vast improvements in this technology and if you read the actual studies which I have there has never been a strong relationship to many of the problems patients have reported. This week after 8 hours on bypass I feel great, no issues no emotional concerns. My usual work involves the design and development of medical devices used for surgery, it can be stressful but its all manageable. I'm certain that being deep under for a long period and the abuse the body takes is really the cause of most post-op issues but all surgeons have ideas on how best to cope with those issues, my team did great. The next day out of ICU I felt great and rode a wheel chair to my room, I think I could have walked. I will follow your progress and the MAIN ideas is stay calm, don't worry! TOM

Ellen Leng Thanks Tom.
I'm not having any pumphead issues either. My reading seemed to imply that if you have co ... Read more

Ellen Leng Thanks Tom.
I'm not having any pumphead issues either. My reading seemed to imply that if you have coronary disease, you are at higher risk for cognitive issues from the pump likely due to presumed present cerebrovascular disease. Glad you are doing well.
As to the staying calm, I am working on it with some meditation, but I have to say that a lot of the reason that I went with a little earlier repair was to avoid the specter of long term AFib and so this in and out stuff is honestly scary for me.

Rita Savelis In my experience many of the "issues" happen much much later (months, years) and yes have to do with ... Read more

Rita Savelis In my experience many of the "issues" happen much much later (months, years) and yes have to do with the pump effect as well as the myriad secondary issues plus new meds plus new life that occur after OHS. This doesn't happen in the first weeks.

Tom Dadisman well...i think any issues with pump head now or in the future are nothing to worry about....hey what ... Read more

Tom Dadisman well...i think any issues with pump head now or in the future are nothing to worry about....hey what are ya gonna do...I was on the pump about 8 hours no effect now and by the time it ever shows up if ever i will be old enough to explain in in the mean time I've stopped eating wheat which i think is more harmful than pump head. :-)

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3025 days ago

Phyllis Petersen posted a note for Ellen that says:

How are you doing Ellen? I hope things are coming along well for you.

Ellen Leng Day by day, sister!! No AFib for more than 48 hrs, so that's good. But I'm pretty blocked down keepin ... Read more

Ellen Leng Day by day, sister!! No AFib for more than 48 hrs, so that's good. But I'm pretty blocked down keeping my heart in rhythm so have less energy than it seems I did in the hospital!
Generally, these are little gripes, still hurts like the Dickens to cough, and I have these lovely little patches of itchy rashes where I had tape or tele patches. Just mini gripes....but all is generally well and I LOVE being home!!

Phyllis Petersen I hope that you continue to progress to more energy, normal heart rhythm and less pain and itchiness. ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I hope that you continue to progress to more energy, normal heart rhythm and less pain and itchiness. Home is so much better than the hospital! Go easy on yourself! you've been through a lot.

Roseline Rosario Yes agree...because your athletic your mindset may be to challenge yourself but listen to your body. ... Read more

Roseline Rosario Yes agree...because your athletic your mindset may be to challenge yourself but listen to your body. My date is coming up and I have learned so much from you ladies...thank you!

Ellen Leng Thanks Roseline, not feeling so athletic at this time and am definitely following MD orders :).
Are y ... Read more

Ellen Leng Thanks Roseline, not feeling so athletic at this time and am definitely following MD orders :).
Are you ready for Monday? I was so surprised by how calm I stayed pre-op, not sure where it comes from, but hope it's true for you and the others upcoming!

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3033 days ago

Barbara Laurie and 1 other reacted to this

Craig Gay posted a note for Ellen that says:

Praying all went well today and your pain is being managed!!!

Ellen Leng Doin' better Craig, thanks!

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3033 days ago

Amy Steele reacted to this

Corey Sines posted a note for Ellen that says:

Thinking and praying for you today!

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3034 days ago

Roseline Rosario posted a note for Ellen that says:

Will be thinking of you tomorrow and started praying already for successful surgery and swift recovery.

Ellen Leng Thanks so much! Had a friend wish me a boring recovers which I totally appreciate :)

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3034 days ago

Roseline Rosario reacted to this

John White posted a note for Ellen that says:

Don't worry. You are going to be fine. Your doctor is one of the best in the world. God Bless.

Ellen Leng Thank you John

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3034 days ago

Bridget Sawmiller posted a note for Ellen that says:

Best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery!

Ellen Leng Thanks Bridget! Lots of us tomorrow. Pre-open today, then off to the OR tomorrow, wow...

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3037 days ago

Jane Buttram posted a note for Ellen that says:

I, too, have as my biggest worry, the potential cognitive impairment of which you speak. I suppose you have read a lot on pump head syndrome. However, the ...Read more

I, too, have as my biggest worry, the potential cognitive impairment of which you speak. I suppose you have read a lot on pump head syndrome. However, the latest I have read is research no longer points to the heart/lung machine as a cause but perhaps the degree of atherosclerosis present in the body. That is plausible I suppose but I don't think "the jury is out" on exactly the cause (although nobody is denying it happens in a high percentage of patients). I know of another person who suffered cognitive decline after having back to back surgeries in a short period of time, suggesting anesthesia. Then again, a poster on this site wrote that she (a lawyer) experienced greater cognitive ability due to increased blood flow to the brain after her surgery. One thing that keeps me in check about it is that if it happens, it's not permanent. Also, I truly believe a positive attitude toward healing and rehab, proper diet and exercise and "brain training" are key to minimizing this if it even happens. I will be interested in what you have learned and what you experience in this regard. Good luck to you.

Ellen Leng Thanks for the update, Jane! My reading is much the same as yours...seems to be related to cerebrovas ... Read more

Ellen Leng Thanks for the update, Jane! My reading is much the same as yours...seems to be related to cerebrovascular disease rather than the bypass machine itself. My thought is that as I age, i'm only at higher risk, so I'm doing the surgery a little earlier than my cardiologist would like, but at exactly the right time for the surgeon, and for me based on my ERO from the ECHO.
We'll see how it goes..my diet will continue to be good, I'm good about exercise, and I'm a puzzle-o-phile, so hoping for the best :)

Jane Buttram Thanks for your response. Good luck with your surgery. I'll look forward to your posts as both our ad ... Read more

Jane Buttram Thanks for your response. Good luck with your surgery. I'll look forward to your posts as both our adventures play out.

Jane Buttram Ellen, I had my last pre-surgery appointment with my surgeon yesterday. One of the things I asked hi ... Read more

Jane Buttram Ellen, I had my last pre-surgery appointment with my surgeon yesterday. One of the things I asked him was about the incidence of cognitive impairment. He did not deny that nearly everyone experiences it to some degree because of extreme fatigue, the anesthesia, pain meds and lack of sleep. He went on to say that those around you will probably not even notice it, in fact, I may not notice it myself. It goes away within 30-60 days. He continued by saying the only patients he may see with a lasting effect are the very elderly or those who were beginning to have some problems in that area before surgery. He said most of his patients never even mention it to him. He does not have a baseline done before surgery because in his practice it is mostly a non-issue. This eased my mind a lot so I wanted to share it with you.

Ellen Lenggot a new guestbook post

3038 days ago

Marie Leighton posted a note for Ellen that says:

My dear Ellen, Your surgery day is almost here. Reading your story, we have so much in common - (me born with 2 valve problems, family history of "regular" ...Read more

My dear Ellen, Your surgery day is almost here. Reading your story, we have so much in common - (me born with 2 valve problems, family history of "regular" heart disease, carnivore husbands.) We truly are sisters of the heart. With your caring response to my diet post, I feel like we've been friends right along that just had not met yet! I join you with heartfelt prayer that every detail and nuance be taken care of, that you meet with nothing but skill and love in your surgery and convalescence. Rooting for you every step of the way. Write when you can to let us know how it goes. <3

Ellen Leng Thank you so much, Marie! We do have lots in common :). I so appreciate your rooting and friendship a ... Read more

Ellen Leng Thank you so much, Marie! We do have lots in common :). I so appreciate your rooting and friendship and I will post when I can about how it goes. Here's to the warmth of heart sisters!