Ole's Journal

Elaine Foster  Happy Valveversary to you from me!! Glad to see you are doing so well. Wishes for continued good health. God Bless you

Cheryl Batzing  Ole, so glad to hear you are doing well, friend! Prayers for continued heart health, and many more half and full marathons!

Pat Bluemel  I posted before I took off for Christmas, for some reason it didn't post. Just stopping by to say happy one year!

Lilly Black  Me too 10 Mths and also feel really good. I walk 30 min every morning before work full time job 9hrday. I speak a lot all day and no breathlessness. All good...and keep getting better. Congrats!

Kathleen F.  Congratulations! Since you set a PR, can we assume you felt better than you had in the past, when you ran before surgery? Do you notice a change in how you feel when you run, and after? This whole recovery process is so amazing!

  Six months post-op! Awesome. Sounds like you are recovering very well! Good luck in your half marathon!
God Bless You...

Pat Bluemel  Woo Hoo! Ole, I am so glad we have been able to check in and you were my mentor when I started this out. Your positive attitude and insisting I stay positive will always be remembered. I appreciate you letting me go on and on and on via messenger, you calmed my neurosis like no other. You are going to Rock the Rock n' Roll marathon tomorrow.

Bill Cherry  GREAT NEWS Ole Bore, wish I could join you. But I probably better start with local 5Ks. I'm not in as good of shape as you are.

Bill Cherry  As for the shirt, I saw this image some where. You could replace the SURVIVOR with Marathon Name, or something that ties HVS & half marathon together. (Photo in My Photos)

Clare Auten  I just did a half here in St Louis last week. My second post op. You will probably be way faster than I am. Love the shirt though....

Cheryl Batzing  Ole, wow--way to go! Wish I could join you...but I'm in Texas. I think you had your surgery around mine...Dec. 16 for me. I have just started feeling awesome...better than surgery. I think I could do 3 miles with you...but not a half marathon! I'll be cheering you on from Texas.

Terry Shermeister   Thanks Ole for your inspiration. I bike and swim, my running days are in the past. You've already won!!

Clay Rowe  You are a rock star sir. I'm with Tim G above but gonna get at it in May. You and Clare and Cheryl carry the torch for now ha.

Tim Goff  the surgeon has told me no swimming inside of 6 months from surgery date to let the sternotomy heal. That seems extreme, but he's the boss

Kathleen F.  Good for you Ole! I'd totally join you but I'm signed up for a 10K in NY that day! Happy running!

Terry Shermeister   Thank you Ole! I loved the video. I have gained so much from talking and sharing on this site. I've enjoyed reading your story and learning from your experience.

Kathleen F.  I don't know about you, but I appreciate "normal" more than I ever did! I love all of the milestones we now can celebrate, too. Congratulations on your 100 days!

Barry Van Gemert  That is the energy level I would love to recover! Unfortunately it is going to take more than a valve job...more like a few decades off the odometer.

Terry Shermeister   Hi Ole! Thanks for your suggestion. They've already contacted my dentist and gave them their fax. I'm a flossing addict, do a double rinse, but I did just have a root canal in February. I can't wait till I'm 100 days post op!!! Right now I'm just anxious and some times worry too much. Take care.

Kathleen F.  I liked this too. I'm not a gamer, but also used the technique of "reframing" to give this surgery experience a positive and familiar way of viewing, that I could follow. The Ross Procedure became my "bivalvathon" and it's an endurance test for sure. Pacing myself and managing energy are a big part of it, just like in a race. Love your posts!

Patricia Garcia  You are so right Ole and it does make you look at your life and the people in it much more carefully. You appreciate everyday that you are given and value the blessings that you have been given.

Terrie Syvertsen  Good for you Ole! I will keep that thought in mind when I get off the recumbent bike and outdoors on my outdoor bike path soon! Nothing like wind in your hair, fresh air and I will be sure to where my helmet and probably tie my giant heart pillow to my backside!
Great accomplishment for you after only 21 sessions!!

Kathleen F.  Fantastic! Thanks for all your postings, guidance and encouragement, and I hope we can continue to follow your progress as you start training for your next goal. We should all meet up at a race one of these days!

Ole Bore  William - So far - no. Although I haven't gotten my pace too high yet. (topping out at 10 min/mile atm.) Will increase pace over the coming week as my stamina returns and let you know.

Kathleen F.  That's great! You've helped me get started - I jogged a little today on the treadmill and was happy to have some heart rate guidance. Thank you!

Terrie Syvertsen  Ole- Very impressive work for only being out 8 wks. I just read a note you posted to "Paul" and I made a reply that I hope you will not think too whacky but it was meant in humor! My medical coverage does not cover any managed re-hab program rather a few sheets of written instructions to do at home with some stick-figures to show placement of body parts as you go...... Not what I expected. So what I have done at 5 months is elected to learn from people like you who have made a conscious effort to share what their re-hab programs have set up for them and taken from them what I know I am capable of doing followed by keeping in contact with my cardiologist when in question. Mind you, at just about 66 I am thankful for surviving the surgery and take great joy in any new accomplishment my mending body is capable of reaching and will be delighted in getting back on not only the bike outdoors but the kayaks this spring with my husband. I am concentrating on changing my diet seriously and it is working well so I have to applaud any and all support thrown out to the heart community regarding diet and or exercise. Reading of your activity and your own focus on health is a great incentive to all of us of all ages. Have a great day.

Ole Bore  Terrie - Whacky replies are my favorite! In my humble opinion, humor makes the recovery better. Please do not hesitate to reach out for anything - guess I'm a bit of an over-sharer... :)

Clay - I guess that might have been why you had the surgery. I was lucky as I was asymptomatic and ran 4-8 miles per day up until 2 days before surgery. I believe that aided my recovery, but it sure takes time to get back to that...

Tammi Gunwall  You rock! Doin' great Ole...nice to see such progress from a fellow heart friend. I'm looking forward to starting cardio rehab tomorrow. You areally my inspiration :)

Adam Pick  Ole, Love the optimism. Love the attitude. Love cardiac rehab. Way to go! I'll never forget that first, good exercise sweat after heart surgery. It felt so great. All those endorphins. No need to rush it though. Sounds like you'll be doing some mileage here in the very near future.

Paul Fodor  Ole - cool I am at my 8 week mark and have not had the benefit of cardio rehab but getting advice where I can get it. Good to hear that after 8 weeks you will be back to pushing it. - Do you find any side effects related to the heart surgery (that are disappearing). - Eg I still get winded when going up stairs - it tends to be worse after my cycling.

Kathleen F.  your optimism is contagious - thank you! I'm still at the point where I'm concerned about pushing it too much, so I'm hesitant to exercise much, and it's comforting to see those of you who are ahead of me, doing fine.

Adam Pick  Way to go Ole. So happy for you at all angles -- work, running and... recovery. Love reading these posts.

tina fluhrer  My mom explained to me, Joe was cool to the touch out of surgery and sweating out. Thank you for posting your question. I will share the experiences I know of with Joe as needed.

Adam Pick  Ole, You just brought back some memories. Yep, I also woke up a few nights drenched in sweat. It went away after night 5 for me.

Jeff V.  Ole, I had the sweats each night in the hospital. The nurses called them "Percosweats". Could be the pain meds, esp. if you are taking Percocet.

Jason Leber  Hi Ole, I too had similar experience post op. I got the chills really easy such as when getting into bed, or out of the shower. My whole body would shake and shiver. I had some nights while at the hospital where I would wake up sweaty. I'm at week 2 and I feel like my body is finally able to control my temperature and I'm less sensitive.

Ole Bore  Thanks everyone. Good to hear this is just part of the recovery? Luckily my gorgeous wifey first kind washing sheets daily.

Nancy D  oh yes, had them before and after, but seems to be decreasing in amounts. Sleeping better too! Take good care!

Adam Pick  Ole, Great to hear you are feeling better. I hope the INR levels get under control and you are discharged asap.

Elaine Foster  Great news! Getting that pain thing under control is a bit tricky. I came home Sat. night after BAVR on Wed morning. The peace and quiet of home is heaven. Hoping that for you real soon.

Jason Leber  sounds like you're coming along just fine. Good luck with the spirometer - I was determined to hold all 3 balls up.

Ben Schraegle  Ole, very glad to hear you are doing well! Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm scheduled for Wed. morning. Best.

Adam Pick  Ole, Welcome to the other side. Looking forward to your next update. Wishing you a very smooth recovery!!!

Terrie Syvertsen  You take with you into surgery many prayers and well wishes for a smooth and successful surgery.
You will be up and using your new treadmill before you know it. Keep confident thoughts and the knowledge that your beautiful Wife Heather will be waiting for you to begin this journey of recovery at your side! Bless you both and know that this mending of the heart is the beginning of a healthy new chapter for you both! Take care and know soon
you and Mark will be swapping hospital experiences too! we look forward to hearing from Heather how things are going if She has time to post for you but of course "YOU" are the priority.
Take care!

Daniel Spurgeon  Good luck, I hope you experience smooth sailing tomorrow. It really is amazing that modern medicine can fix our complex problems, and that surgeons are brave enough to do what they do.

Ben Schraegle  Love your attitude! All the best for a speedy and total recovery. You'll be good for another 100,000 miles! Ben

Jeff V.  I would tell my surgeon to follow his instincts once he sees the condition of root and valve. If it turns out your AV is on the lower side of insufficiency, it may be best in the long run to leave alone. Good luck to you Ole... I'm sending good vibes from the east coast!

Kathryn Waymire  From what I read here the doctor at Cleveland would use his judgement when he opens you up. Now I can't speak for the others and I am not a doctor or have had surgery.

alan holland  Best wishes for a sucessful surgery tomorrow. I originally had my surgery at Cleveland Clinic to repair tricuspid valve set for tomorrow but lucked out when Dr Gillinov had a cancellation......got mine done on 11/20 and am recuping well.

Tammy Pilcher  Yeah for getting closer to having this behind you! You are going to feel great to just focus on recovery.

  Hi. I had the same diagnoses as you. Surgery was on 9/29/14 and doing well so far. No issues yet, knock on wood. I have low blood pressure too, some seem to feel the least amt of pressure on the aneurysm the better, which makes sense. I was not given it before my surgery....I waited two months, mainly because the first surgeon took forever to see, the second, and the one who performed my operation, saw me immediately. my aneurysm was actually hurting as it was pushing on other areas, and we found out after surgery, the walls were getting pretty thin. That pain, feeling is gone!! thank god. After surgery they wanted to get my heart rate down and put me on it the night before I left. But I denied it as I had tried it several years before and felt awful on a low dose. So, two weeks after surgery I saw my cardiologist and was surprised that he did not tell me I was wrong and should have went on it. His decison was no need for me to be on it, I already have low blood pressure , and since my body is deconditioned at the moment, compared to being conditioned, his call was no need at this time. Seems to me this is an important call based on what is going on with each individual at the time, and as time goes on if I am told I need to for a bit, I will. Mine is anywhere between 80- 90 right now, It was slightly over 100 in the hospital at rest, which is normal after cardiac surgery, but my BP always remained low, like 106, that is without meds, 90's when sleeping there. So it's coming down on its own. I have another check in with the cardiologist next week. So far, only taking aspirin since the surgery, and extra strength Tylenol when I need it. I prefer the body heal itself, vs the drugs being used, but I do clearly understand and realize how important watching the heart rate is, and thankful they can help us when we need it. I hope this all helps, I am typing on my phone and it's a pain, but I wanted to respond. Keep is posted. I had a ton of anxiety, even though I wanted the surgery, I hope u r doing ok, I am here if u have any other questions...I was on an emotional roller coaster for a bit prior to surgery, so much better now. No more anxiety!

  And I relate to the feeling of a ticking time bomb. We r lucky we know about it and it is getting removed. So unfair that so many do not know they have an aneurysm.

Michael Meyer  Ole:
The Toprol regulates both blood pressure and heart rate. Kind of acts like a governor restraining your heart rate. I was glad to get off the medication, I had a mitral valve repair which is a different surgery so check with your physician.

Adam Pick  That's one day less of waiting. That's one day less until your heart is fixed. December 11 will be a great day Ole! Happy Turkey Day!

Elaine Foster  Thats the day after me, I'm having AVR on Dec. 10th. I will be praying for you. I am trusting God for a good outcome. Hope this scripture helps you- Isaiah 41:10 " For I am the Lord who takes your hand and says to you "Do not fear".

D. Carol Moore  "Praise God from whom all blessings flow". Thanks Elaine, Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favorite scriptures. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Nancy D  Thankful for your shortened wait, as for me it was the hardest time. Recovery gives you daily improvements and you are an active participant, rather than a passive float in the river of appointments, testing and decisions. Prayers that your journey is peace filled and you have the support and care you need to get you to the complete restoration of your heart health! Take good care!!

Ole Bore  Thanks everyone. Needless to say, I'm the one pushing the timing here as I'd like to get my AAA removed. Until that is done, I sort of feel like a ticking bomb, pun intended. Hopefully I can get off the metropolol after the surgery