Gary's Journal

I must say that I was terrified as well at the start of the process.the staff at vasysar was amazing and little by little I became only really scared. After meeting with doctor Sarabu I felt like I was well informed and in great hands. Dr. Sarabu was professional informative and personable. He answered all of my questions and presented me with a clear understanding of my options. After care at vasar was just amazing at all levels. While it is still scary you can rest assured that you are getting the best of care. I am pretty much healed and getting adjusted to my new valve!

Ok finally starting to feel whole again- do fatigue easily but getting better each week- echo of valve was all good - getting used to occasionally hearing valve clicking away-at least I know it's working!

Making progress, starting to finally have some little pain time. Family has been great support, it is hard feeling so dependent on people something as simple as opening up new prescription bottles!! Had first echo and everything seems to be working.

Finally fall a sleep in chair, legs elevated or coma not sure which, wake up at 2:00 in the morning convinced that I did not survive surgery and am in hell being tortured for all my good deeds, every thing hurt, couldn't really move- after about ten minutes I realized I had survived and was still on earth paying for my sins,got pain pills down and eventually made it to b- room and realized that getting paper was going to be bad. So the motto is be prepared so many little things, stayed up and made lists and prepared my battle plan, 1 never let pain med run out- pain is manageable with them but without nit so much- 2 get up and move as much as possible so when you have to cough it's productive 3 keep in mind the alternative to all this is to not be here so it's really worth it. Two days home and it's all schocking, both the amazing progress you've made and the daunting road still to go., but find many times to smile through the pain and laugh at small things that used to bother me.

Getaway day at the hospital is a journey unto itself- decided no drama when they were ready I would leave- my goodness 10 hours later I was finally released. It really comes down to resources the staff patient goes on ad you are already a memory.Any way three hours to get to pharm, get prescriptions , get something to eat( gave me insulin on way out the door with 45 minute ride home. Shuffle into house and drag self into chair, after 45 minutes cause looks like peter pans fort with portent stuff all around it, breathing monitor,pillow for chest,juice bottle( no water allowed), 14 prescriptions and literature, insulin, pens cell phone and charger etc.

Ok set to go home tomorrow - valve is whirring, heart is pumping,lost 15 pounds in wAter weight, magnesium up, potassium good, coughing hurts like hell, god help the sneezes, feel bones knitting, BM good,all ldrainage systems out, we are go for take off!!

Well no setbacks yet, lots of growth, I am zooming ( well old guy zooming) around the halls amazing progress. Yes it does hurt but there is also some satisfaction from moving from yellow socks to blue socks( you become an independent walker) Got neck uriynarycatheder out- yup the small joys !!!! I know I am repeating myself but the hospital and staff inclusive of everyone has been beyond expectations it really is quite amazing the talent that is brought toghether To make a valve replacement happen. Maybe home tomorrow - shhhhhh

Well I'm sitting in the hospital at 1 am feeling like a very lucky man. I'm 2 days out from surgery and already have all but 2 tubes out, lots of pain, in lots of areas, but all manageable with meds. Coughing is everything everyone promised! Vassar hospital has been an amazing experience, my surgeon was just a joy to be around,knowledgable, kind,did a great job and has visited me at least 3 times. The staff at the hospital been professional extremely knowledgable and maybe most important really cares about their patients.

Well it's off to the races!! Just notified that I have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am sharp tomorrow! Thanks again for all the kind words and knowledge it has helped to have wingmen" plow the road" . Feeling good, staying positive.

Ok so all pre- op test are done and I still have a little blood left! All very professional, pre-op nurse was very informative and helpful, kept a light touch, reminded me that surgical soap should be carefully applied in certain areas, ouch. Research on warfarin is a little scary, but blog on thus site certainly helped calm the waters. Cant stress enough how helpful the responses from this site has helped. Surgery Monday so just trying to relax and make sure all life minutiae is in place, cars,will,bills, phew. Ready to git it done.

Woke up out of a sound sleep with a clear mind and said "oh----" they are going to stop my heart! After some quality thinking time I realized I had been dreaming about being awake during the procedure, well the good news is it was interesting. Anyway thanks again for all your journals it has helped me keep things in perspective. I intend to just keep on keeping on. 3 hours of final tests Monday- phew.

Went in for cat scan of aorta, all is well nothing there to interfere with procedure!! At least one part is ok. Thanks for all the good words, it is amazing how much feedback helps. Many relatives and friends support has certainly helped as well. My son ( former biologist and now tech guy) is doing research on procedures, really nice circle of life in that he is now giving me support.

Dr.sarabu was recommended by cardiologist and quietly all of the nurses at cath lab. Attended first meeting with wife and he turned out to be everything I hoped for, informative ,clear and personable. Went over all the choices and explained clearly the differences between tissue and mechanical valves. While life long Coumadin is major concern with mech it seems because of my diabeties to be the best choice, otherwise I might be facing a repeat performance in 5 years. Explained the need for the one bi-pass as getting it cleared up while in "there".Taking some time to put all in "order", just in case, four adult children,wife and 2 grand kids to take care of, all have been very supportive and concerned.

Recovering from emergency strangulated hernia surgery,I traveled to disney with grand kids and started to feel out of breath and weary. I had echo in hospital and assumed all was well with heart. I scheduled cardiologist appt to make sure and surprise new echo revealed bad valve, so off to testing with cath and yup valve and as long as in there one bypass, scary stuff, just had aorta cat yesterday waiting for results. Must wait 10 weeks from surgery so scheduled for April 17th, gulp.