Karen's Journal

Rose Madura  Karen, I'm so sorry for your setbacks.  I was readmitted 4 times with various complications (once for pleural effusion) so I hear you!  But you are a warrior and before too long, you'll be feeling better 

Karen Marvenko  Thanks Rose! Holy cow, 4 times…you’re a trooper and an inspiration. Glad things finally improved and I know they will for me also.

Rose Madura  I was readmitted 4 times for complications and I attribute it to them releasing me too soon. That's my opinion though and they won't keep you if they feel there is "no medical reason to keep you". After my first readmission, my cardiologist asked me if I wanted to stay an extra day. (I suspect I looked horrible which I did) and it was after the first afib incident. I said yes because I didn't feel right. I couldn't place a finger on anything, just didn't feel right. Five minutes later he came in with the head nurse (Nurse Ratchet - she reminded me of) who indicated they couldn't keep me because there was no medical reason to. I translated that to mean the insurance company said no. So, they sent me home. I felt horrible for a week until my next bout in which I was brought back again by ambulance and lost consciousness in the ER. Come to find out I had fluid buildup around the heart and had to have pericardial window surgery to drain over one liter of fluid. Turns out, the amount of fluid they saw on xrays and echos was a "normal " amount for most, but not for me. They came to realize I was very symptomatic. So I said all that to say, I know you want to go home ASAP but sometimes it's not always the best thing. Praying you have an uneventful recovery. Listen to your body. But things will get better as time goes on.

Karen Marvenko  Thank you all, spoke to my doctor today, so they opted for a tissue valve versus the mechanical valve they had planned on, apparently the mechanical would’ve been too large. So if they need to replace in the future it will be another tissue one through my leg. Good news is no long term blood thinners as I had original planned for! Just waiting for them to do rounds this morning and I’ll find out for sure if I’m going home.

Deena Z  Getting there, Karen. I agree with Richard. I preferred to stay in the hospital until confident O was not going to be in the ER.

Ginny Turner  Karen, I’m sure you’ll be home at just the right time. Recovery rarely follows a straight path, so I’ve been told, but the big event is behind you and you’ll be feeling better soon. Hang in there!

Richard Munson  They wanted me out after 4 days and said as well that all my vitals say go home. Richard knew better however because i know when i am not ready so i accentuated the negatives and squeezed out 2 extra days. Was i crazy about staying in there longer, no, but in my heart ( pun), i knew it was too soon.