Suzette's Guestbook

Suzette Schear  Thanks Margaret a bit overwhelming but it wasn’t as bad as I thought other than the cold .  I just had to load up on caffeine on Thursday.  How are you feeling?

Margaret Fielden  So pleased you handled the week. I'm sure by Thursday you were feeling the strain. Well done, travelling in such cold weather too. 
I'm doing OK trying house walking as it is too cold out. I've realised I have to stay away from bad news at present, particularly all the old very sick people on local news lining corridors in UK hospitals waiting for help. It was freaking me and tapping into the ITU experiences. So tomorrow positive news only until I'm tough enough for the real stuff.
I hope you don't have to face the cold tomorrow and can give your body and mind some rest.

Suzette Schear  That’s tough, that he gets so traumatized by his nails.  I saw a man put a plate with peanut butter taped to his forehead.  It was funny but worked.  Temple grandin was an Austic lady who developed  a way for the cows to calm down while walking through the machinery to their demise.  She also helped herself with a weird calming apparatus for herself .  I always wrapped a towel around my pets to give them comfort when I had to cut nails clean eyes and all funky stuff.  They even now have blankets for that people use for pets during storms though I never bought one.  Poor Cassie must be very traumatic,  they have dog melatonin I use to have to give Felix  for car rides.  Maybe ask the vet if that’s an option. I used to keep the powder as well.  I always cut the black nails very sparingly.

Suzette Schear  No I will continue post but can now be more helpful than self absorbed with trying to find my situation. I didn’t realize posting my downfalls would actually help others  to realize they were not alone.  Seeing everyone else get better when I wasn’t functioning was a hard thing to accept.   My health was declining rapidly, to the point I thought I was dying.  It’s going to take 3 months but I’m grateful for being given another chance at life 

Richard Munson  Unfortunately i also discovered by chance that your vitamin readings don’t always show up on standard bloodwork. 

Marie Myers  Be sure you are turning frequently to give those bedsores a chance to heal. Even if you can slightly prop yourself to each side with pillows, it can give those areas a break. Did they leave you on your back the whole time in the hospital?

Richard Munson  I know a person that got a very bad infection from a recent hospital stay bed sore. The days of nurse marie are long gone. Too much dependance on machines and not actual people. 

Margaret Fielden  I think the staff didn't focus much on my increasingly sore coccyx. I was on my back for three weeks. In the week of intensive  care they moved me regularly. I have a district nurse visiting twice a week and some plasters and medi- honey cream. I will be checking the soreness level, I can't  actually see the sore! Maybe a mirror?. Thank you

Richard Munson  Hard place to see. Maybe an owl can see it. They also sell pads with gel in them to relieve soreness, or donut pads. Coccyx is tough to heal even if bruised. 

Suzette Schear  Hi Margaret, I’m sorry for the bedsores and all you have been through. I’m grateful they sent you home. Please listen carefully to nurse about and make her look at them.  Richard and Marie are so 100% right.   That’s why they put you in those annoying beds that move up and down.  I still include you in my prayers.  I was not cheery when I first came home it’s okay to be you just don’t get lost in it. You been through a lot and are now on the other side.  Welcome aboard.  People love you and they just want to be there it’s humbling but it’s okay.  Your husband sounds like a  doll. Tiger is getting surgery Friday he just got approved . the tumor in ear triple in size.  I won’t know if it’s cancerous until they do the biopsy.  I have my an appt on 12/16 with neurologist.  I haven’t been on website I try but I haven’t gotten my life back and don’t want to be discouraging to others.  I just don’t feel like I belong.  I asked doc for antidepressants so we’ll see if that is a bandaid fix.  

Margaret Fielden  Hi Suzette, Thank you for being in touch. I am so sorry about Tiger's surgery. I pray the tumour is benign and he will recover fast. He is a such a good companion.
I think we need all types of experiences on this site. Not all experiences are good and we need to feel it is OK to say things are not good for us, as well as report successes. Otherwise, where do those who are not finding recovery easy turn for an understanding ear. I have really valued messaging with you. I think anti depressants are often needed after the trauma we go through, I hope they help you. I don't know how to come to terms with knowing my surgeon didn't think I would make it. I feel guilty I don't feel better. It's five weeks today. Praying for you.

susan harris  please know that sharing the bad stuff is really really valuable to those of us looking in and learning about upcoming surgeries. if only good stuff is said here, we won’t know how to deal w things!  thank  you for sharing anything you feel comfortable sharing!

Suzette Schear  Margaret, I was told if I didn’t have the surgery I wouldn’t be around this year. Based on some of the chats you were really having struggles, but you’re a fighter and owe me a picture in Greece.  sometimes they just really don’t know how bad things are until they go in.  Then the complications after I had 1/2 liter of fluid surrounding my lungs, Tylenol messed up my liver and other stuff.  Oh and please don’t feel guilty for not feeling better.  They told me 6 months to a year.  The surgery changes a person during healing , it’s normal.  For my journey. It really takes time. 5 weeks really isn’t a lot of time and the funny thing is I felt the same way, I should be grateful and I really was until I collapsed.  I thought I was young and healthy I see people on this website who are running marathons and went on to their lives right away not collapsing and getting tested all the time.  Then my best friend Tiger has this tumor and is suffering a bit much.  

Suzette Schear  I’m like an old car & need a tune up.  They just don’t know what to tune up.  So more blood work, a carotid test, getting an eeg. Then back to neurologist then cardiologist.  Neurologist thinks my heart is misfiring that my heart is not pushing the blood correctly.  I haven’t collapsed but I still get off balance. I just laugh it off now and people go along with it.  I put tanning cream on my face so I don’t look pale.  My cardiologist says I need to be a bit more patient.  It been 9 months.  I thought I was being patient. 

Suzette Schear  I just got this message and told my boyfriend if we ended up in Massachusetts we will need to visit you & your wife.  You have been instrumental in helping me through this journey.  I hope the eye patch is gone and you can take a normal shower.  Hopefully the eye growth is a stupid thing like a dirt spec or eyelid hair.  I had stopped posting for a while because I’m suffering and don’t want to be discouraging to others. I do believe the glue products are a problem I have such a rash from the monitor I’m also concerned with products from china and our banking systems etc. three days off heart monitor and my skin isn’t right.  Time should heal it.   I called and got a nurse who was great they see irregularities in results but nothing alarming on the first two weeks of monitoring. Waiting on second two weeks  I’m going to get Ct angiogram then go back to both doctors.  Everything keeps coming back normal I can’t walk a flight of stairs without being out of breath.  My balance is off I get dizzy and heart pangs. I’m 59 in an 87 year old body.  I might have to just get used to this.  Also hope colonoscopy went well.  You need some time with your family and shadow with freedom of this behind you. Retirement is hard it’s an adjustment learning just do for you.  You are good with people you would be amazing helping a youth group. 

Suzette Schear  That’s funny what are the odds- continuing the other posting .  My question what is the correlation between the two the speed of the 8 cylinder?

Richard Munson  Oldsmobile rocket was the name they gave their v8. The 350 which i have, came in 2 sizes primarily a 4 barrel or a 2 barrel. I have a 4 barrel which was 310 h.p. From the factory in 1970. Since i rebuilt the engine and added a hotter cam, headers, etc, it is putting out 325 h.p. 

Suzette Schear  I get it now never knew that.  What’s the the fastest speed you pushed it too?   Original or after market parts?

Suzette Schear  I got it Viking  feet Viking ax.  Thanks Marie.  I was curious how they did it.   I had surgery within three weeks of finding the mitral valve regurgitation.  I didn’t find this website till way after.  

Marie Myers  Dont forget Viking Hand (Dupuytren’s Cotracture). I have that in a mild degree, so i guess I am related to you both!

Suzette Schear  Marie how are your hands does it come and go ? I know my feet it’s painful, but wearing inserts and raising them helps, .  I like the movie Thor he was so handsome until he cut all his hair off.  Sorry I’m side tracking three days with monitor am I already pressed it 13 times .  Your right king of hearts I want to throw this thing across the wall and it’s also itchy. 

Marie Myers  My case of Dupuytren’s is very mild, so it doesn’t bother me at all. You can always see the slightly thickened and contracted tendons in my palms. My Dad ‘s little finger was contracted into his hand, so his case  was much worse. I do a lot of stretching and yoga, so I may have inadvertently helped with my own case. 
  Hope you get some answers to your baffling case soon!

Suzette Schear  Richard I had my inserts made at a pharmaceutical store. I was looking for a picture I had taken if my foot but I had deleted it.  Glad you’re getting back to basics with your eyes and showering.  Since I couldn’t find pics I found a X-ray of my knee since we are swapping war stories.  Here it is.  Oh yeah I had inactive gall bladder that was removed . 

Richard Munson  I also read the menu last nite with no glasses. Praise the lord , dr. Abazari and whoever invented that new laser. I salute you. 

Richard Munson  Don’t want to count my chickens too soon but so far so good. Shadow gets to meet his other husky cousin today as Michelle visits. Never brought her siberian husky luna before. Should be interesting.

Deena Z  Great news!  Congrats on working it.  Never ever heard of a pistachio martini, but nice way to relax and celebrate.  Sounds like it might have been an Italian restaurant? As for the rest of today, enjoy the friendly combat zone today with the two huskies!

Rose Madura  Sometimes though, the older doctors are too "old school" and not up to date on new protocols. My cardiologist was a prime example. Three doctors looked at my echo from a year ago. My cardiologist said to wait for symptoms. The other three said I should have had it a year sooner than I did. Scary. Hence, my new cardiologist. This is why I'm called second opinion Rose....🤔

Suzette Schear  Rose I had the same results with a mri once on my foot.  I asked the tech can I see what my foot looks like. 1st doctor I’m not seeing anything there’s nothing in the report.  I showed him my phone picture and I don’t know there’s nothing in report.  I went to another doctor top doctor show him mri - he’s like I see it some mri are really lo res .   I have Vikings foot - I’m not a Viking lol So I understand that frustration.  

Suzette Schear  Richard regardless of what type of surgery it’s surgery and it affect everything you do.  I’ll be honest I have an
app be my eyes.  The purpose Is for someone to call app I’ll get the call and use my eyes to help others.  Like whose name is on my package?  What it does for me it humbles  me and it enabled the user to have independence.  We take eyes for granted.  Even
something like this website must have taken a toll but king of hearts still helps others .  The one thing that stinks about the surgery is you thought your car was clean now there is no excuse for the dirty  spots you miss.  I am truly happy for you and hopefully your balance, and life has approved greatly.  

Suzette Schear  Sometimes it works but not always the way it should.  I said some prayers and in case I dont get back on line good luck. I sincerely appreciate your humor and help.  

Suzette Schear  I meant before your eye surgery.  I go to doctor tomorrow so they can order it charge me co pay give me a phamplet so I can’t wait till it gets sent to my house .

Suzette Schear  Thanks Richard, there were slight findings like on brain vessel is narrowed but according to my neurologist my brain is juicy.  The weirdest adjective-Reminds me that Ray Liotta in silence of the lambs. She thinks my heart is misfiring and wants me to go back to cardiologist .  P.s your wife is smart

Richard Munson  Signing him up for miss manners school of table manners. While eating the phone he had the knife on the wrong side.

Suzette Schear  I guess shadow wanted to chew some one out and got carried away.  Glad he’s okay especially with the plastic.  

Kimberly Eisenhut  According to my vet, when my dog ate an entire toy, if they chew it up into small enough pieces, it usually will all come out on its own. Needless to say it was "coming out" for a full week, even after an overnight at the vet and having barium with xrays😆 I am extremely careful what I give her to play with now. For an 18lb dog, she has the jaws of a shark and can chew up practically anything! Love my pets, but at times it certainly is a challenge🤪
Suzette, my daughters cat actually comes up onto the table to visit us when we try to eat. Guess he needs "miss manners" school also.

Suzette Schear  Kimberly I never saw him do that I almost brought his food bowl and water to the table but thought not to.   Sounds like a big dog what kind is he.  

Betsy Davenport  Oh no. That's a determined cat! 
My cat has not gone that far but she may be working up to devouring books. I'm reading a very interesting book right now by a heart surgeon which describes his development into a heart surgeon with heart (which he was not trained to do). I picked it up yesterday and saw it had been gnawed at one corner. 

Suzette Schear  Betsy my cat doesn’t eat people food but has a serious addition to plastic bags and paper post it and recipts.  

Betsy Davenport  All these complicated machines and sometimes the cure for their malfunctions is to unplug and start over. It's so odd to me that I usually forget to try it.

Suzette Schear  Wow a little unnerving when you depend on these machines.  I usually plug n unplug everything.  They sound like and amazing company .  Waiting for brain mri until I get the monitor it’s going to be weird going back to cardiologist.  Might ask surgeon do I can get a cardio who specializes in electrical impulses and the heart

Suzette Schear  Richard thank you.  If I get lost please return me to my owner.  & always share the doggie treats .  All kidding aside it sounds like the right avenue for me now and thank you explaining it.  If you’re out of the house then you bring the keyfob  to point out abnormalities.  Does it hurt and do they take it out after say 3 years?

Richard Munson  The chip itself will register any event on its own no matter what but the fob you click puts a big star next to it. That should trigger your doctor calling you and asking questions. You should write down any issue you had and symptoms. I have never used my fob. The chip does NOT hurt. Not sure if they take it out after 3 years or if it says in. Never asked. 

Suzette Schear  Thanks for making me laugh as I’m getting ready for a neurologist appointment and I’m nervous. I can’t even imagine the look on your face when everything came out of the shop vac.  Your wife must have been hysterical laughing I have to find a picture of my 1st car.  It was called the bomb because it was running on 6 cylinders instead of 8 nothing a little fire starter couldn’t fix.  it when it stalled out but the car was amazing .  

Richard Munson  I had a neurologist appt recently for balance issues. My wife already has declared me unbalanced. First he hit my knee with a hammer and i kicked the table. Lucky he was not standing  in front of me or he would have been visiting the urologist. Next he had me stand on one leg and close my eyes. I asked him to do it first. 

Suzette Schear  I couldn’t afford it not even a kit car.  I like the idea of an extender makes it cooler. Who wants a back seat driver.

Richard Munson  I was going to trade it in for an electric car but decided i want to burn as much gasoline before i die as possible. Lol.

Richard Munson  Maybe pick up bill belichicks new 24 year old girlfriends older sister. Maybe 26 is the magic number. My mitral valve might last 2 weeks. Just the thought is making my leaflets quiver.  Now i know why his name is beli—chick.

Suzette Schear  Thanks for posting photo love old cars.  My first car was a 68 cutlass Oldsmobile hardtop. Dream car 56 corvette blue.  I have Saturn sky

Susan Lynn  This could be a great future question for Adam to ask one of the surgeons.   Why is post-op vertigo so prevalent and why are the symptoms often delayed?   Seems like many recent heart warriors are having this issue.  🤔

Richard Munson  It happens too often to be a coincidence. Thank the lord i have not experienced it again but in my 79 years pre surgery i never had it 

Rose Madura  I asked my ENT about if having OHS could have triggered vertigo and he blew me off.  But our heads are in one position for hours.  Makes you wonder. I know I ly Adam could get to the bottom of it.  😊

Daneen Douglas  I asked this question in the webinar “Ask Dr. Gerdisch anything”. He said it is very uncommon.  However, I’ve read about many people just on this site that had vertigo after heart surgery.  He said it isn’t caused by the surgery unless I had a stroke during surgery.  I had an MRI of my brain today and will see if I had a stroke. If not, then I think it may be positional from laying in bed so much, recovering in the same position for so long, etc…that may upset the vestibular system.  I think more studies need to be done for sure or maybe many of us have had small strokes affecting this system? I will keep y’all posted with my MRI results. 

Suzette Schear  orthostatic hypertension is one of the possible things happening when I stood up my blood pressure dropped.  Since the room wasn’t spinning the around they ruled out vertigo. After new echocardiogram they are sending me to a neurologist 

Daneen Douglas  Well at least they are narrowing things down for you.  Hopefully you have a definite answer and solution soon!🙏🏽