Elizabeth Hartman - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3401 days ago

Hello. I am 10 days post op AVR with a St Judes valve and some days I feel good and others not so much. I am on Coumadin and frustrated trying to reach my cardiologist ...Read more

Hello. I am 10 days post op AVR with a St Judes valve and some days I feel good and others not so much. I am on Coumadin and frustrated trying to reach my cardiologist to see if I need to adjust my meds (last INR 1.9) or not. I have a local cardiologist and the one that was assigned to while in St Lukes. I have called his office 6 times and no call back. I am confused and stressed at who is going to manage this for me. Also, no cardiac rehab had been discussed. Do I need to start walking? Can I do that by myself? How long does the dizziness last? Was in A-Flutter post op and now in and out. Is that normal? I know I cannot lift more than 5 pounds for 8 weeks but that is all I know! So many unanswered questions! I feel very emotional and stressed... a whole gamut of feelings! Any insight from anyone? I feel alittle nutty and like a burden to others. Is this normal? Sorry about the vent! Thanks for any advice.

Jeanette Davidson Elizabeth first and foremost I want to know everything you feel is normal. It is a roller coaster ri ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson Elizabeth first and foremost I want to know everything you feel is normal. It is a roller coaster ride but remember that the trajectory is still upward and you are getting better even if you don't feel like it . I think it's important to be forceful to get to see your doctors and get your questions answered . Once you see them and they will give you some feedback and believe me you will feel a lot better . I'm sorry this is so challenging for you heart sister hang in there ❤️

Elizabeth Hartman Thanks so much for the encouragement!!! I feel like a pain in the you know what! LOL

Kenny Knox I agree, push to speak to your doctor (or anyone in the office). My INR bounced in and out of range ... Read more

Kenny Knox I agree, push to speak to your doctor (or anyone in the office). My INR bounced in and out of range for the first few weeks. I also went into Afib 3.5 weeks post op. I'm having a cardioversion soon to take care of that. I felt the same as you on the 10 day mark. I hope the doc calls you back and you get your questions answered! Take care of yourself.

Lora Lee Peterson Don't you feel like a pain - it's their job to take care of you! Call every day if you have to or fe ... Read more

Lora Lee Peterson Don't you feel like a pain - it's their job to take care of you! Call every day if you have to or feel up to it, because that is what I had to do, and once I got someone that did their job, the rest went like clock work. If it was their wife, or daughter, or mother, or sister, you can bet they'd get answers!

Tammy Pilcher Praying for things to get better for you, Elizabeth. Hang in there heart sister. God bless you!

Gerald Schaffer You certainly need and deserve answers to your questions. My brother in law is on Coumadin for a diff ... Read more

Gerald Schaffer You certainly need and deserve answers to your questions. My brother in law is on Coumadin for a different disorder and has been for years but still is always adjusting his dosage depending on what he has eaten or drank. I hope you get your answers soon. Don't give up until you do.

Clare Auten My hospital has an anticoagulation clinic. The ladies there are pharmacists who always answER the pho ... Read more

Clare Auten My hospital has an anticoagulation clinic. The ladies there are pharmacists who always answER the phone. They give me the results of my bloodwork, tell me dosages (I have 2mg pills so I can make any dosage I need....3 pills is 6mg, 2.5 is 5 mg and so on.) I had my surgery at St luke's in St. Louis. I would also ask for cardio rehab. I found it very helpful. Sorry you are not getting the help you deserve.

Elizabeth Hartman So guys, thanks for all the support! I finally got an answer about my Coumadin. What a relief! I so a ... Read more

Elizabeth Hartman So guys, thanks for all the support! I finally got an answer about my Coumadin. What a relief! I so appreciate the prayers and positive thoughts. I know this is going to be a crazy emotional ride . It helps to be able to get some feedback from others who know.

Mary K Hi Elizabeth. Happy to hear that you finally got some answers from the doctors.

I had my AVR at Cl ... Read more

Mary K Hi Elizabeth. Happy to hear that you finally got some answers from the doctors.

I had my AVR at Cleveland Clinic six weeks ago. They sent me home with a booklet if easy chair calistenics ( I called them my nursing home exercises) and instructions to walk four times a day for increasing lengths of time as tolerated. I found the walking to be most helpful, both to get my body moving, and to give me a sense of improvement.

They told me to wait six weeks for rehab, so as soon as I get my local cardiologist's OK I will be starting. Hope this is helpful. And all the best to you. Go easy on yourself, you just had major surgery, it gets better and better as time goes on and you heal.