Laura's Journal

It's been a while since I posted. I was notified after my echo last week that my tricuspid valve is leaking. What a punch to the gut. On Oct 13, 2017 I had my aorta replace and my mitral repaired. I wish they had done this tricuspid valve then. I will be going back downtown to see the doctors who will determine I guess whether to split me down the middle again. I am so scared again.

Just wanted to drop in to let everyone know, I'm doing great. It's like having an "extended warranty" on the old girl ( LOL!). Back to work. Never got to do cardio rehab but resumed Planet Fitness...Piedmont hospital needs to check into Russ' (cardi a nurse) decision making processes. My physicians were very unhappy with his decisions. I requested to let it go. I pray for those who follow for this(OHS) has truly made a difference. A great one...

Russ the nurse is still in hot pursuit in getting me pulmonary rehab . Cardiologist office stands firm on their order, cardio rehab not pulmonary. Dr won't address or return Russ's call. Meanwhile, I've return to Planet Fitness and I'm using common sense in rebuilding. I had asked rehab nurse if he could start me on cardiovascular & if that didn't work he'd be able to justify request. He wasn't open to that. Had me calling dr's to tell them to change. What he is doing unorthodox and harassment to patient. I think cardiologist wanted to see info provided when hooked up to leads. She'll have to bring equipment to Planet Fitness. I'm returning to work Jan 8.

I was scheduled to start cardiac rehab on Monday. But, after my assessment with with exercise tech (?)the nurse came & said, "you need pulmonary rehab more than cardio rehab". I tried to explain to him I've had lung surgery 6 years ago & Dr never sent me. & my shortness of breath didn't start until after my OHS! He still insist he needs to change it. I told him lung dr is not going to be happy with him making such a decision. As of yesterday, no one had responded to him (cardiologist or pulmonary MD). Prior to surgery I enjoyed my new Planet Fitness membership (4 months) with no shortness of bresth. I've never run into a situation like this. I will return to PF this afternoon with a modified exercise plan (already up to 40 min walks). Doubt if lung Dr will do as nurse orders...so, I will eat the lost. (All patient records are viewable thru Piedmont Hospital staff & this is what nurse is looking at. He is looking at past pulmonary treatment records! If he didn't have my past treatment records he would have given me cardiac as ordered!). I am not happy.

Cleared 1st cardio doctor appointment since surgery 10/13/17. Referred officially to cardio rehab. Collarbone pain cleared itself prior to appointment. On to Lung doctor. He spotted on that CT scan 2 separate spots on right lung. Then tells me too small to worry about, at this time. Scheduled 3 month scan to follow up. He said with "my history (left lobe cancer 2011) we have to watch it. I have been avoiding stress in hopes of better heart health. No, it's not the end of the world but it's close to the edge! Also, cardio doctor said no work until after 12 week period (1*05*2018). Thanks for letting me share.

Still shortness of breath but not on every exertion/task. New pain in collarbones. More so to left side. Scheduled by pulmonary MD to have whole body scan on Wednesday. Appointment Friday following scan which I also have cardiologist appointment, too. I'm scared to ask lung specialist what he might be looking for. (Our Piedmont Hospital connects and advises all of your doctor's whenever any treatment or visits occur or they can see it if they're in the network). The scan provider is not Piedmont & they'll give me a CD to take to lung dr. (I'm a previous lung cancer patient). I will request cardiac rehab when I visit cardiologist because I simply need structure. Well, I'm off to walk to mailbox.

Today (all last night) I kept going from hot to cold, physically sweating. I have had this since being home but this time it took all of my breath to move around once I got up, just as it had when initially released from hospital. I must admit I haven't been as active for 2 days (downright lazy). I do take HRT which I went without for 9 days. Since I've been typing the sweat issue has disappeared, hum...Anyone with thoughts

Yesterday I said good-bye to my heart surgeon, James Kauten, MD. I rate him the greatest in all aspects of care. He said everything looks good & now I'll see my cardiologist, going forward. I can now drive & lift over 10 lbs (use common sense). Last night I slept in the bed and not the recliner. Overall☺ I will continue to engage this site...for it kept me sane.

I'm feeling remarkably well and I'm having issues with not having permission, yet, to drive. I really need to go to the store! Must say, I can hardly believe how well I've been repaired. Shortness of breath has diminished and I've started walking everyday. I'm truly thankful for the site support & feedback I've received. & I'm not going to drive! Surgeon's visit this Monday (11/06).

I'm trying to figure out when the pain is going to begin. So far, I haven't had to use medicine for pain. Some of resistance is psychological because of news about abuse of pain meds. I do know I hurt when the weather is rainy in another long ago surgery I had. Guess I better keep them near...Just in case

One week ago, they replaced aorta valve and repaired another . It was Friday 13th. I'm not in pain but short on endurance (breath). The lessons learned from this site helped me prepare to re-enter home...ready for next phase. More later.

Bedside manner: unique! I can usually read faces but not my "bestie" of a physician! I am so happy I didn't fly off the bed to hug him for a job well done when he visited me yesterday (inappropriate behavior, whew!). The time and patience, explanations, prior to the surgery certainly allayed my fears. & wrote "confidence" across his forehead . Just being told, "trust me" would not have done it. Thank you so much Dr. James Kauten! Piedmont Hospital, Marcus Center

Have been advised will leave ICU, shortly. I finally urinated, a lot. So 2 days ICU. Most connections (tubes) are gone. To those who follow, listen to other members it's doable (no LO! intended). I don't believe there is anything to relieve the fear. HOURS LATER: **Update* Moved out of ICU-progress. Praying I don't have coughing fit! I love the red "heart" shape pillow and it relieves the pain of coughing.

Tomorrow's arrival time, 5:30 a.m. Surgery 7:00-730 am start time. I've had a lot of surgeries, even, lower lung removal but this is different. With the lung they were able to use the robot and didn't have to cut me down the middle and to the back and also break the sternum. Yes, I had tubes when they were finished and it hurt ridiculously when I coughed. This is why I am in so much in fear thinking this is going to be 10x worse! I have all but called and cancelled! I will make myself trudge on because I don't want to end up like my aunt Helen who put it off for two years and it took it's toll this year. Of course, I am weighing my odds on how long I'd last if I didn't get the surgery and what if I could have more time considering the 3% factor... Well, let me go and pray some more and hopefully I will get back with some good news...Thanks to all my site-buddies who have comforted me on this journey....

The pressured. discomfort that I have experienced on and off for the last few years has plagued me since waking up this morning! Always thought it was my lung issue. Is it anxiety due to upcoming surgery? Pain not in regular area (sternum, left of it). If it continues, I'll have someone take me to ER.

Better late than never. I was supposed to get this contraception two weeks ago to go along with other lung improvement apparatuses (CPAC, inhalers, & Spirometer). I had a lobectomy (lower left lung removed) in July 2011. My monetary expenditures are mounting. I will spend my last dime (out of pocket) on my health. Worried about after OHS medicines needed, on going. I have Medicare Silverscript & sup Medicare & still $50 here $46 there. Need feedback.

Starting nose ointment, Mupirocin (antibiotic), as directed, today. Since I am an overly 'clean" person, never leaving the house without a scrub down, clean undies, deodorant, etc, I am sure the ointment & upcoming body sanitizing efforts are truly medicinal & not a personal affront on my hygiene. I must stop mentally derailing and misinterpreting what is going on. Fear is sapping my energy. Don't know what I'd do if I didn't have site-support to corral me back in. Journaling is cathartic...Now, I'm on to a nose smearing!

The actual process took nearly an hour with the administrating nurse. It went far beyond blood work and a urine sample. 1. Extensive hands-on training on breathing apparatus which I start using immediately. 2. Weight 3. 62 verbal health questions and history. 4. EKG, 5. Numerous blood tubes and a special blood factoring band which is not to be removed (it's red, so everyone is staring at it), 6. Went over pages of steps I must complete and medicines to start and stop going forward. 7. Explained how to properly bathe self for 3 days before surgery with special solution (Hibiclens) , change sheets on bed, too 8. No make up, deodorant, etc on day of surgery 9. Chest x-ray...and I'm sure I left off something...oh yes, I was given a DVD: Heart Surgery; A home guide to Recovery. Sure there was more but it was massive. Visit just confirmed for me that this is really happening!

Tomorrow, I'll travel to Atlanta...your worst logistical traffic navigation nightmare. Pre admission time. Don't have a clue what's going to happen. I'm sure sticking me is on the menu Had Eye injection, not related to OHS, today. Went to Planet Fitness today, so I could distress

I've ordered a recliner. Action taken because of various post on this site and similar references, that it may aid in getting up and down instead of rising from bed. At least for a few weeks after surgery. My bed is real high off ground and that may present a problem, initially, after surgery. I feel like a bird, "nesting" prior to laying and hatching her eggs! Closest analogy I could think of...

PFT tech said I needed to see Dr Joshua, pulmonary doctor, asap because lungs need to be in best shape for surgery. I had lower left lobe removed July 2011. No further incidents since. However, I have slacked off inhalers & use of CPAP machine. I've been ordered to resume , Stat. Plus now must have long overdue CT scan before surgery. My goodness, I hope they don't find some other issue gone amock!

Another prerequisite cleared yesterday. I don't remember past cathe's requirIng such preparation. Shaving public area...duh, putting cold cleaning solutions in places never conceived (I took spic & span bath before going), etc. Well, it went well and they were on so nice and respectful. 😊 Did carotid artery ultrasound & PFT test Monday 9/25. Free until pre admission 10/6/17.

As I sat and waited for Nurse Hope to come in and explain heart cauterization procedure for Sept 27, 2017, I was jiggling my legs and nearly chewing my tongue. I am piked up way too high with nerves. When she finished she said we'll need to get blood work, so, follow me. I asked the phlebotomist, "Will you have to stick me?"...duh! I don't know...I need to pray more and stop creating terroristic events which are making this a lot worse. Thank good for this site. So cathartic...

I went in for my occupational yearly exam and as usual I had to get a cardiac clearance because I have a loud heart murmur which can't hide. (& known valve dysfunction). This time I got clearance & demand to see Valve doctor because echo/ecg was way out of order. Hence, today Meduri MD said I was beyond minimum invasive & turned me over to Kauten MD for open heart surgery to replace 2 values (one they may be able to repair). This is overwhelming...which led me to this site. Surgery October 13, 2017. So quick!