Kristin's Journal

Mary K  Kristin I have never heard of that, but doubt that you could tear out your surgery. The friend in me wants to advise not being in a situation like that. You are post surgery, and need calm and a positive environment. :)

Kristin Heusser 
Thanks Mary
Ive been here ten weeks Didnt have anywhere else to go
Horrible strain on my heart.
Dont recommend these places to anyone. Stay away!
Im suppose to be discharged tomorrow but just when I thought I had gained strength and momentum this happened.
Why oh why oh why!

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Kristin, I'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time. I, like Mary said, haven't heard of anyone having that happen. I also agree with Mary that you need a calm and positive environment right now. I'll keep you in my prayers for things to get better for you. This scripture helps me when I feel stressed, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.". Psalm 61:2. God bless you, heart sister.

Jean Raber  If you think you hurt yourself, you should have it checked out. Even if you didn't tear anything, extreme feelings may raise blood pressure, adrenalin, and be hard on you in your state right now.

Would your doctor's nurse be able to answer the question for you instead of having to go to the ER?

Depression and anger seem to be part of the post-op picture, but I think that the intensity of these feelings must depend on your general temperament and what else you've got on your plate. If you have financial troubles or problems with a relationship, those are all going to make matters worse.

I hope you will be kind to yourself, avoid morons as much as you can, and make some rules about when to cut off conversations that upset you.

I made a list of relatives I didn't want to hear from when my surgery rolls around. Raber's job will be to provide news and info and say I'm sleeping. I don't care if that's mean.

Ginger Marine  Kris, I sent you a note without being logged in and I have no idea where it is! But I think pretty much everything I sent to you that you have seen was in the note.

Since I am not eligible for Medicare yet, perhaps my situation was different. I know on day 3 or 4 a woman from one facility came around soliciting my business! But, fortunately, my daughters did some digging and found the place I ended up. The hospital social worker actively discouraged me from trying to get into a facility--said my insurance would not approve, that surely I could manage, etc. My younger daughter was there when the conversation was going on and got so upset at the attitude she complained to the doctor and the supervisor, and things got better fast.

I hope you can get all that you need. Please let me hear how you are doing!

Jean Raber  Kris, a nursing home/rehab is a possibility for me. My husband saw what was involved with my Mom's post-AVR care, and he does not feel he can deal with the post-op care. And if he feels that way, I don't want him doing it.

I have no other family available, and certainly no friends I would ask to do this.

Yes, I would like to know how you're getting on. Are you getting good care? Making progress within reasonable limits?

Please keep in touch.

Ginger Marine  Kristin, I sent you a note. Hope you got it. My experience with nursing home/rehab was great! I'm now on step 2 (staying at daughter's but everyone is gone all day, so I just have "supervision" at night.) I hope August 24 to get the all clear to drive and then I should be able to go home(Step 3) (live alone, way out in country, small farm to care for). Then I will drive 40miles one way for cardiac rehab.

Look carefully at your facility is the best suggestion I can give. I had good, caring therapy, and got better very fast!

Kristin Heusser  Hi Jean

Most places have some good ,some bad. Ive been in three places since last October. I would as much as you can investigate where you want to go, and if you have any chance ask anyone whos been there.

To me the worst part of any of them are the aides. People who probably get paid minimum wage, and often dont really care at all.
I could tell you a couple really bad experiences I had, but dont want to scare you off. Just as I said Investigate!!

On a lesser note, the food is often bad, but I did find the rehab dept to be stellar in one ... awesome gym.

Most places only have one social worker so if you need that kind of help good luck. They are spread Way too thin.

If you go to one where you pay out of pocket and can afford great care then youre much more likely to get good care, but if your going as I unfortunately am under Medicaid ..... care not as good.

So Im expected to be discharged this coming week. Im fairly scared being I havent been out in the "real " world for some time.

Im one of the slower ones in recovering. I can only 10 weeks post surgery walk at best say....1,400 feet in a given day and thats broken up.

Anyway, I hope you find a place that is supportive and helpful.

Stay in touch.

Kris : )

Kristin Heusser  Hi Ginger
Thanks for your post.
Ill get back as soon as I can. Tonight had only time to get back to Jean.
( I tend to ramble ) :) Im new to navigating this site and other than this post havent seen "note " yet. I can hunt around. So much for being internet savy lol : )
Talk soon


Kris

Kristin Heusser  Ginger,
Wow I read your story. They had to open you back up again.

Im so sorry you had to deal with that. One time is More than enough.
Im glad your rehab experience was good. Its hard to know where to go.
Doing all this alone is crazy difficult. Im suppose to be discharged this Wednesday ( in two days) and Im nervous. Im not going back to a good place but will hopefully move soon.

Brave of you to go out alone now. Write anytime if you want company :)
I will be going to a place that does not have consistant internet but I read this when I can. Keep me updated if you like :)'

I still have not found the note you said you sent me.
Might I ask where I look to get it?

Thanks
Kris H :)

Jean Raber  Kris, I'm so sorry you have received spotty care. It's why I agreed to stay with my mother after her AVR. The nursing homes that had beds available on discharge were not the best ones. The discharge nurse/social worker tried to strong arm us into one, but my brother promised to come up and spend another week with her after I had to go back to work.

There is one place I would go around my house. Beyond that, not sure what might be recommended or whether I can get insurance to pay or for where or how long. I think I need to ask folks around here and get some word of mouth.

Have you been able to talk to a social worker about services for when you get home? Someone to bring in meals or run any errands? Please keep us posted. I'm pulling for you!

Kristin Heusser  I guess the other option is to get an aide to come in and help you as needed, but there are restrictions. Im on straight Medicare right now and it only will pay for an aide if you do not drive. I do drive and I am not willing to give that up.

In the facility Im in there is one social worker for probably over 100 people. That often seems to be the ratio. Its crazy. She doesnt have time for anything. Usually Im my own social worker :) :( I know alot of whats around here.

I really appreciate your support :)
Can I ask you,... Ginger said she wrote me a note but I cant seem to find where it is in this site. Would you know?

I soon expect to be back where Im temporarily staying and dont have the best internet. its intermittant so I might be slow responding.

Hope things are ok for you.


Kris :)

Clare Auten  My scar is hypertrophic. I have tried creams etc but most have not made a huge difference. I am going to see a plastic surgeon in a couple weeks and can let you know what she says. My husband says he doesn't care about the scar, he is happy that I am alive. I don't hide it. I get some stares but most days it doesn't bother me. It is itchy and sensitive at times. I will try and get a picture for you.

Kristin Heusser  hi Clare,

Sorry im slow in responding. For some reason Im not sure if one responds on your own blog or go over to the person who responded and write them there..... amyway thanks for the feedback Yeah mine apparently is hypertrophic not keloid i realized too. I dont know if it was here or elsewhere but someone said when a man was staring at her scar repeatedly in a store.... she looks at him and goes " Bear Atttack"
lol..... I thought that was funny..... course I have an off beat sense of humor :)
Youre brave going on to a plastic surgeon, After this Ive had more surgery than I ever care to have.
Itchy for sure, but ive read various things you can put on it to help it heal or at least not bother one so much. Aloe, Lemon Juice, Vitamin E... amongt others. its all on google. I go the naturopath way.
Anyway yeah let me know how it goes if you feel up to it. Good luck with the plastic surgeon.


Kris :)

Janice Powell  Yes I went from having high blood pressure to low blood pressure.. I will let you know something tomorrow after I come from my second doctor's appointment.. Because I'm in need of them answering the same question for me.. I will let you know thank you stay blessed

Terry Shermeister   Hi Kristin: Thanks for your comment. I'm just happy that the incision and sternum pain are diminishing. It takes a while. Yes, I'm grateful that I'm walking and exercising. I've found that doing light chest exercise helped with my chest pains. I started doing wall pushups, then light dumbbell work and then a little heavier. This under the supervision of my cardiac rehab nurse.

  Mine is running 83-92 on top number last two days. I am frustrated too. Meds were changed, maybe not enough time yet. May be a medication change needed for you. Good luck, know how you feel.

Janice Powell  It's all normal you got to give your body time to adjust and workout the difference.. Everything you mention we going through my surgeon completed my sentence for me lol.. So we are good..

Kristin Heusser  One thing Id like to add is that I have been disappointed in the overall minimal support network in my region. There is American Heart Association but from what they told me they only do fund raisers and teach CPR I told them I think they need to do a whollle lot more.... support networks and all.
Wondering if there are any NYers out there whod like to be in touch?

Thanks
Kris

Jean Raber  Kris, bless you for trying to get something local together for your fellow heart patients. I live in a rural area as well (in Michigan). Big national organizations for heart, cancer, lungs, cancer, tend to be in biz for research fund raising providing those little four-color info brochures your doctor gives you. It's a worthy endeavor, but, they aren't really "people" oriented. Hope you can get some traction with a group. Stay well.

Kristin Heusser  Thanks Jean. :)
Im not in any way an expert wish I could find others in this area more qualified that myself to run a group like this. Im positive the need is there. I cant believe no one has thought of it before.

Kristin Heusser  Wonder if I might ask if anyone here has dealt with keloids ? Im new to them and they are begining to hurt. Initially my incision point was nice and clean and now this has arisen. What has anyone else done?


Thanks

Kristin Heusser  Also ( Im full of questions ).... I am 7 weeks post surgery and feel like Im Exceptionally slow in recovering. I can only at this point walk 200 - 250 feet without stopping and resting. Ive heard other people say that soon after surgery they are walking a mile or two. I know everyones different but I still find myself thinking Whats wrong with me??? Im frustrated. Anyone else slow in recovering?

Thanks
Kris

Jean Raber  Kris, my mother had AVR and went home with a-fib that never went away. She did not recover very fast either. Finally she had a pacemaker installed, and this really helped. You may not be a pacemaker candidate, but next time you talk to your doctor, tell him/her what you're feeling about your activity and energy and see what he says. Then let us know, too, eh?

Kristin Heusser  Jean
Thanks. Im glad your Mom found something that helped.
Mostly the feedback I get is its too soon to tell. I saw a mans post that said he had walked 5 miles 11 weeks out. Im astounded.
Doc didnt seem surprised at where I at. He says everyone is different and
where Im at isnt abnormal. I guess I just expected otherwise.

Hope you are well.

Kris

Jean Raber  Kristin, my mom had her pacemaker installed about three months after her surgery, so that fits with what your doctors are telling you about it being too soon to tell. Don't beat yourself up. You're doing the best you can.