Marcia's Journal

Marcia is doing much better. Doesn't use a walker when taking short walks and is more talkative today. Pain is under control. Doesn't have many side effects from procedure.

Marcia was brought to the OR around 8:00am and the surgery started shortly after 9. Just after 11:00am I received the call that the surgery was done. No problems or complications. She is waking up from the anesthesia right now but all is well! I will keep you all updated.

I've got three days to go until my surgery this coming Wednesday. I'm doing pretty good and have found this site to be so encouraging. It is so nice to have a place where we can come and hear firsthand what this experience has been like for so many.

Well I'm feeling a lot better today than I was yesterday. The information I got was just a lot to take in and I just needed time to process it. I guess I was surprised by some of the side effects of the Anastasia and narcotics They will be giving me. And to hear the details and see pictures of my heart. But today I am ready for it and so grateful that they have the technology to do this kind of surgery . I hope to spend the next two mornings out in service. That really helps me to keep my mind in my focus where it should be.

Today I met with my surgeon. I really like everyone I met today. It was a very helpful visit. I have to say I was a bit nervous going to see him today.i am not afraid of the surgery and I have great confidence in my surgeon and his team, but open heart surgery is a lot to go though and so I was not sure how much I wanted to know. But I heard all the details. I saw my heart on the monitor, it was the echo cardio gram. I have to say it was really an eye-opener see in my heart and what bad shape it's in but then it just made me glad that I'm getting this done soon. And while I felt A bit overwhelmed after taking it all in, now that I've had a chance to process it all it has really helped me to be more relaxed about what's going on what is going to go on in the future. so I really have mixed feelings about it I'm so grateful to be getting this done and to have such a skilled team working for me but at the same time it's like I just like to turn around and walk away from it all. Marcia

Three weeks ago I was hospitalized for A-fib. It was pretty bad by the time I went in with my heart rate over 200. After a couple of days in the hospital and some test it was decided I needed this surgery to replace my valve. It was caused by my having rheumatic fever as a kid. I found this web site, which has been very informative, and I thought it might be a nice way to let my dear friends know what is going on and how I am doing. So I will write on here from time to time to let you know the latest. Right now the next thing coming up is my appointment with the surgeon. I will see him on Feb. 1st. At that time my surgery will be scheduled, so I can let you know on here when it will be. I am very excited about the surgeon I have. He is reported to be one of the top surgeons in the country and has done this surgery bloodless. He practices out of St. Joseph hospital so I know that is where the surgery will take place.