Kathy Archambault - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2302 days ago

Bradley Dunn reacted to this

I'm scheduled for the first surgery tomorrow. So looking forward to being on the recovery side!

Lisa Guinan Being first is great! I’m four weeks post-op and doing great. Prayers that everything goes as plan ... Read more

Lisa Guinan Being first is great! I’m four weeks post-op and doing great. Prayers that everything goes as planned.

Jill McDonald Kathy, Good for you! I am one day behind you. Steady hands and swift recovery for you!

Karen Warren Prayers your way, Kathy.

Dan Vechiola Go get that valve replaced and get the peace of mind and longevity you deserve.

Louanna Miller I was first in the morning and so thankful. Prayers for you and your surgical team.

Susan Lynn All the best Kathy! We'll be here awaiting your good news!

Kathy Archambault Thanks so much everyone! I am home one week today and on Thursday it will be two weeks post op. I am ... Read more

Kathy Archambault Thanks so much everyone! I am home one week today and on Thursday it will be two weeks post op. I am amazed at how quickly they have you up an moving after a surgery like this, but it must be working. Getting stronger every day. I do have a couple of questions if anyone has any advice or experience with the same thing. My skin on my stomach is incredibly itchy as the healing begins from the removal of tubes and wires. Everything is starting to scab. Anyone have anything that helped with that? Also, it it common for coughing to hurt more as the healing process begins? My heart shaped pillow is never far away to brace for those moments. Thanks again.

Lisa Guinan I was lucky enough to not have much itching but I read to fold up a towel and gently use it on itchin ... Read more

Lisa Guinan I was lucky enough to not have much itching but I read to fold up a towel and gently use it on itching scars. Not sure if you had sternotomy or MI. Coughing for me got easier after about 3 weeks. Good thing cause I caught a cold. Sneezing is no fun either. You’ll get better each week post-op.

Kathy Archambaultposted an update

2303 days ago

Dan Baltazor reacted to this

Had pre-op appointment yesterday. Trying to stay busy and positive. The team was wonderful and did a great job preparing me. I just need to get out of my own ...Read more

Had pre-op appointment yesterday. Trying to stay busy and positive. The team was wonderful and did a great job preparing me. I just need to get out of my own head for the next couple of days.

Lisa Guinan You’ll be on the recovery side before you know it. Wishing you peace until the big day.

Derek Schilling I hear you about trying to stay positive and busy. Have my pre-op in 6 days. Not sure why they need 2 ... Read more

Derek Schilling I hear you about trying to stay positive and busy. Have my pre-op in 6 days. Not sure why they need 2.5 hours.

Louanna Miller Derek, my pre-op appointment with the cardiologist took a long time to complete visit with cardiologi ... Read more

Louanna Miller Derek, my pre-op appointment with the cardiologist took a long time to complete visit with cardiologist, another Echocardiogram, chest x-ray, EKG, blood work, etc. they make sure everything is in order. Another step closer.

Louanna Miller Kathy, I kept busy the week before surgery with household task to complete before my surgery. I also ... Read more

Louanna Miller Kathy, I kept busy the week before surgery with household task to complete before my surgery. I also used relaxation audio exercises from the internet. It helped keep me calm and focused on the positive.

Kathy Archambaultposted an update

2307 days ago

How do you sleep when you have been told you're have heart surgery in a week? I slept very little before my appointment yesterday. Last night...well not too ...Read more

How do you sleep when you have been told you're have heart surgery in a week? I slept very little before my appointment yesterday. Last night...well not too much.

Charles Hamel If you can do some aerobic excersizes or go for a good run it will be good for you, toughen you up an ... Read more

Charles Hamel If you can do some aerobic excersizes or go for a good run it will be good for you, toughen you up and help you relax...

Marie Myers I finally asked for a sleeping pill. Temazepam 15 mg worked wonders for me, although I limit myself t ... Read more

Marie Myers I finally asked for a sleeping pill. Temazepam 15 mg worked wonders for me, although I limit myself to twice per week usage.

Susan Lynn You don't. Take it one day at a time, Kathy. I wanted something to help me relax, but my cardiologi ... Read more

Susan Lynn You don't. Take it one day at a time, Kathy. I wanted something to help me relax, but my cardiologist's office was so unresponsive, they never replied. I made it to the big day without an ounce of medication and it was completely doable. I actually enjoyed my post-operative anesthesia withdrawal - it felt like the world's greatest nap. You can do it, too!

Dan Baltazor Praying for Peace for you. Anxiety rules the night unfortunately. All fears and concerns are exacer ... Read more

Dan Baltazor Praying for Peace for you. Anxiety rules the night unfortunately. All fears and concerns are exacerbated in that time frame. Find your meditation foundation and put it to use. For us it was praying. Like Susan said take it one day at a time. -Stephanie

Louanna Miller I agree with Susan and Dan. I prayed a lot and meditated on scripture. I also found a few relaxati ... Read more

Louanna Miller I agree with Susan and Dan. I prayed a lot and meditated on scripture. I also found a few relaxation dvd at Barnes and Noble and in the phone App Store. Those are helpful when I go to sleep, even used them when I was in the cardiac step down room.

Dan Vechiola I tell everybody what I did. Distract distract distract your mind and then distract your mind some m ... Read more

Dan Vechiola I tell everybody what I did. Distract distract distract your mind and then distract your mind some more. I distracted myself right up to the morning of surgery when I couldn't push it off anymore. When thoughts came I thought of something different. The wait definitely is the hardest part. Soon you will be on the other side and time will start flying.

Jennifer John Dan V. is right, Kathy. Keep the Faith, and trust the science.❤️🙏🏼

Kathy Archambaultposted an update

2308 days ago

I met with the Cardiac Surgeon this afternoon and I am scheduled for surgery one week from today. Even though I have known this was coming, I'm still trying ...Read more

I met with the Cardiac Surgeon this afternoon and I am scheduled for surgery one week from today. Even though I have known this was coming, I'm still trying to process.

Mark Jaycox I totally understand Kathy, my surgery is on Tuesday. I’m just want this over with.

Jill McDonald Kathy I completely understand. I knew for 7 years this day would come and I still think they will sa ... Read more

Jill McDonald Kathy I completely understand. I knew for 7 years this day would come and I still think they will say oh guess what we were wrong you're all good. I go the day after you! One day at a time and healing takes time!

Dan Baltazor I was all over everybody’s journals when I found out to help me process it. You’ll find courage ... Read more

Dan Baltazor I was all over everybody’s journals when I found out to help me process it. You’ll find courage here.

Kathy Archambault That was my thought as well. Figured one week trying not to stress about it was long enough! Best wis ... Read more

Kathy Archambault That was my thought as well. Figured one week trying not to stress about it was long enough! Best wishes for a successful surgery Mark.

Kathy Archambault Thanks Dan and Jill. It helps knowing others understand.

I (and many others on this website) know what you are going through Kathy.
Open heart surgery is a lo ... Read more

I (and many others on this website) know what you are going through Kathy.
Open heart surgery is a lot to grasp and process.
Joining this Heart Warrior community was the best thing that I did in helping me to prepare for my surgery. Lots of prayers, support, encouragement, understanding, and kind words here on this site.
Peace and blessings to you.

Dan Vechiola What you are feeling is very normal Kathy. While in the waiting room it is difficult to process. Al ... Read more

Dan Vechiola What you are feeling is very normal Kathy. While in the waiting room it is difficult to process. All you can do is to put your fate in the hands of your surgeon and hospital and let go. Then distract distract distract your mind and then distract your mind some more. The wait is definately the hardest part.