Suzette's Journal

Robert Miller  I lost quite a bit of weight during the days after surgery because I just didn't have much appetite. Then I gained it again and some more. It could be because for the first 2-3 months you can't do the same activities as you used to do. And if you are 50+ it's just harder to lose weight. Having said that, if you gain a considerable amount of weight within a short time (like 2lb/day) after you leave the hospital then you might have water accumulation. But I think you had your surgery a while ago so that's probably not the case here. 

Rose Madura  Suzette, I lost about 20 pounds just after surgery and then gained about half back. Then the company I retired from called me out of retirement for 6 months and I gained 15 pounds in that 6 months. Then I re-retired and actually lost 10 pounds during COVID because I'd walk nearly every day for a few miles. I suspect I'm much older than you but it is hard to lose weight after a certain age and especially after a menopause.  My point in all this is that I fluctuated constantly and still do.  With all the health issues you've had recently, it's probably that. But if it concerns you too much, check in with your PCP.  Sorry for being so wordy. 🥺

Suzette Schear  You guys are great thanks for the insight .  I am of the great age of being older but I think  water retention could also be a  valid thing, because I’m pretty active .  I have been avoiding the doctors since they  don’t agree and kept going back and forth blaming each other.  I actually had 3 days where felt normal.  

Yumiko Ishida  My partner and I disagree on what a "vacation" looks like - should it be restful or energizing? Whichever kind is your kind, you need a vacation, so enjoy every second of it!

Ana Brusso  Suzette, so glad to read your positive post. Great idea to go on vacation and just play it by ear. You will do fine and enjoy it. Have fun and post after. God bless you 🙏❤️👍👌

Fidel Martínez Ruiz  Congratulations for your first anniversary!. Talking about what Yumiko says, you can take a vacation in a mixture of relax and energizing, reading both peacifully interesting books and doing physical activities, in the middle is the thuth, as Aristotle said. Best wishes for you, world´s Heart Warrior! 

Rose Madura  He doesn't look too happy but he DID make me smile. I am sure he brings you lots of joy. ❤️‍🩹

Deena Z  Oh no, Suzette. That’s a lot.  What did the doctor say about your ankle?  It is weak perhaps and causing the falls. 
It can be strengthened. I know, you just want a break from medical appts!!!

Rita Savelis  Oh, Suzette. Not sure everyone got their lives back. I totally relate to you. There is always something. And it's unfair. You deserve a break. Your break will come. 

Suzette Schear  I’m home with sprained ankle and I have finally begrudgingly accepted it will be a different version of me.  I want to go to gym like a normal person

Darrell Malone  You are all normal person. Wishing you all the best recovery from your sprained ankle. You will get to that gym soon enough. 💪 

Rose Madura  Suzette, so sorry for your fall.  You've had your share of tough times and hopefully, things will start looking up for you soon.  🙏❤️‍🩹

Ana Brusso  Sorry you fell twice. Agree with Rita, it’s different for everybody. Some of our heart worriors were athletes and runners and walkers, but some of us are not and it takes a little more time to recover. Wishing you healing and good health and most of all faith you will soon be on your new normal. God bless you 🙏❤️

Suzette Schear  Thank you for all of your support and comments.  It really helps. thinking there’s a lot of hope in thinking it might just be a matter of more time.  It’s hard when it’s just when you’re home alone and the mind feels defeated.  

Kimberly Eisenhut  Happy Heart Day to ALL! A special shout out to all my singles out there who may be feeling a little down or lonely today. Sending BIG HUGS and LOVE to you ALL

Richard Munson  I like your post. M.   I now have a yen for m and m’s. I need to visit b.j wholesale and buy a large container.

Suzette Schear  It lasted all morning now I after lunch  I think I got acid reflux .  This is not normal for me I’m going to ho home and Fromm more milk.  

Marie Myers  You might want to try a week or 2 of famotidine. It is an over-the -counter acid reducer. I was sent home from the hospital on it for a couple months. The stress of the whole surgery and recovery can flare up gastritis. Luckily for me, I didn’t experience this, but it can happen.

Robert Miller  I googled "heart pangs". I assume you mean heart pain. I have this once in a while. It goes away after a few hours to a day. I didn't take any medicine or did anything for it to go away. But you might want to discuss it with your cardiologist if it keeps happening. 

Suzette Schear  Robert yes heart pains.  I called it pangs it’s under the heart it started today and I got nervous.  Still not comfortable hoping when I wake up it’s gone.  

Margaret Fielden  Beautiful picture. I loved New York on very brief trips.  Enjoy Christmas knowing you will get treatment. Will it be intravenous or pill form? When will it start? I so hope the change is fast and you can go into the New Year feeling a new person. God's blessing on you

Christopher T  I just read your story. How are you doing 6 months out post op? Besides the low b6/b12? You may want to start tracking our meals to see if you are getting all the right nutrients. I use cronometer on my phone it has really helped me dial in my nutrition.

Margaret Fielden  So very pleased Suzette that the low vitamin levels are identified. Both those can cause very serious neurological problems as you have experienced. So I thank God for an answer and for the treatment now available. Wonderful news! Not that you have such problems but that they are identified and treatable.

Rita Savelis  So happy to hear this good news Suzette! Gosh. Diagnosis can be hard. And unless a doctor asks for a specific blood test... It's slow going through protocol. Happy B6 and B12 this holiday season!

Suzette Schear  They didn’t have my blood work so thank goodness I printed it all out unbelievable.  I actually went on their computer signed in and they were able to access my file and add it to their file

Margaret Fielden  It is pretty  frustrating when medical records are not shared. Thank goodness you were able to do it for them! Hope and pray for clear answers for you.

Suzette Schear  I found out after all this time it’s a vitamin deficiency.  I’m hopeful this is the real answer.  How are you doing Margaret?

Margaret Fielden  It is good you have an answer. Vitamin deficiency can cause serious neurological problems so praying this is the whole answer for you.Will it be vitamin in pill form or injection?
I am stronger in many ways but still have the atrial fibrillation from the operation and I am still taking antibiotics for the patches of pneumonia in the lungs. Stupidly, it is the spinal injury giving me more pain than the heart surgery. I have a telephone appointment with the spine consultant tomorrow.  It is the base of my spine so I can't sit or lie down without discomfort. Keeps me standing and walking! 
How is Tiger, any results from his op?
Blessings

Richard Munson  Amazing. One a day brand is cheaper than doctor visits. If that is truly the cause of your problems, what a great xmas present. 

Suzette Schear  Check list is over.  I use the journal so I can refer back to time dates of test as well as my ever growing folder.  I haven’t collapsed since  so I’m not afraid anymore.  Still get the waves of imbalance .  I feel like all I do is complain so I have refrained from posting.  The heart necklace was from my ex husband he gave it to me years ago.  He is one of my best friends and we keep in touch. 

Deena Z  These little things make you appreciate even more the big stuff you have gone through.  Your spirit is great.

Suzette Schear  I got up to go out and my head was off so I accidentally kicked my baby  Tiger out of bed and we slept three hours.  Going to get outside or I won’t leave at all until Tuesday when i have to go in for work.  My extra heart beat goes out with love and compassion to you all and your journeys.  Tiger got his bed( really my bed) back

Suzette Schear  they don’t know.  They keep indicating it’s neurological and the neurologist says it’s electrical misfiring .  They both have added tests .  

Robert Miller  I had to google svt. I am no expert in this area but I don't believe this is neurological. This is an issue of how the "electrical" system works. This is a bit a complex issue and depends on what procedure you had, what medicine you are taking, etc. You might want to get a second opinion. 

Suzette Schear  I plan on it after I get these new test done -and revisit both doctors.  If I have an extra heart beat how can it not alter things.  Svt my heart heart went up to 175 beats per minute normal heart beat is around 100. 

Suzette Schear  I’m thinking of finding a heart doctor that specializes in electrical impulses.  It just a bit scary.  For now they put me on metropol 

Valarie Sullivan   Yes a doctor that specializes in electrical impulses would be a good idea. Strange how medicine is so detailed, one can be a specialist in just one little thing like electrical impulses!

Margaret Fielden  Sometimes it feels good to know that tests showed results that need explanation! Pray you will now get all the best help that you need.

Rose Madura  Suzette, at least your symptoms are validated with a diagnosis.  About 17 years ago, I underwent an ablation to fix SVT.  It worked. Not saying they will recommend that, just sharing my story.  Please keep us posted. Praying for you. 

Suzette Schear  Rose that’s what I hope they do.  My only concern is that there’s a possibility it could come back.  I’m going to speak to cardiologist today to see what they want to do.  You hit the nail on the head the validation.  It’s been challenging for me that’s why I haven’t posted . Don’t want to be a negative Nelly.  It’s been a serious struggle . Now I learned the abbreviations svt.   💕

Valarie Sullivan   If I remember correctly (been awhile since class) the ventricles beat twice close together before the atria beats at normal pace. Or something along those lines. 
Anyone,
feel free to correct me!

Richard Munson  This is a learning day for me. Intubation is a new one, now ventricular bigemy. I thought it meant having more than one wife. 

Yumiko Ishida  Had to look it up, but it sounds like it’s a kind of PVC? I know I had or have PVC now and then, more frequently right after my surgery.

Robert Miller  I didn't read your bio but what do you mean with "one more day"? Are you referring to some kind of heart monitor. They are annoying and frankly, rather useless.

Don't slow down. Go at what you want to do. If if get to the point where you can't do, what you were doing not too long ago, then there might be a problem. Take care of that. 

Suzette Schear  Heart surgery successful.  But post op issues  They are checking off what’s not the problem at this point.  

Brady Busch  I was driving yesterday and saw something in the road up ahead.Turns out it was one of those.The first I've ever seen in this area.He didn't move and I had to go around.Crazy bird.

Kimberly Eisenhut  I see a lot of wild turkeys when I go up to visit my daughter in Wisconsin. They can take their time crossing the road for sure! 😊

Betsy Davenport  My cat isn't interested in screen time. She would rather climb the curtains and knock over a floor lamp. She also figured out how to open a door by pulling on the handle. She is such a pip!

Susan Lynn  Wore the Zio monitor twice, but only for two weeks. It's definitely annoying toward the end, but provides very detailed information. Good luck!

Richard Munson  Its better than the holter but not much. My implanted monitor is almost 3 years old so i wonder when the battery will fail. They gave it 2 years in the literature. Maybe i can go to a vehicle charging station at the mall and plug myself in. I can go green. 

Susan Lynn  My cardiologist's office has a very steep parking lot, so they have valet parking at the door.   Bad planning...🤔

Suzette Schear  Wow Susan Lynn at least they have valet parking.  This is how I see all stairs now.  I’ve been taking escalators.  

Brady Busch  They had that problem,when putting in a pacemaker.The left arm was needed,for some reason.Three different people tried,even their "expert" vein finder,without success.So,it was up to the people in the pacemaker installation department,or whatever it's called.The guy that tried it there,found one the first time.
Now I tell people who draw blood,to please use the right arm.

Betsy Davenport  Water and heat are recommended, but some people's unique anatomy isn't conducive to successful phlebotomy. My daughter has had a many as 5 different people try in a single appointment for a simple blood draw for routine labs. I, on the other hand, extend my right arm and their eyes light up because it's so easy.

Suzette, I'm sorry this happened. I've found the numerous medical invasions, the minor pokes and prods, the application of bandages, the painful removal of tape that takes my skin with it, the gels and the leads I find in the shower that they didn't remove from the last EKG - I find it all adds up to feeling like an object and not a person, of being Done To. And you've endured so much more than I have. 

I also understand your "Eff it" reaction. I'm wondering if there is anyone either in your ordinal life or in the medics system who could be your companion and advocate. I've just learned that my county (state, maybe) has such a service. They certify people to perform that function in difficult situations and I don't think it's based on economic need. I'll find out what it's called in case you want to look into it. (Because of course you want another research project, yikes.)

Richard Munson  A lot of it is the person actually doing it. Same with taking blood, same with taking blood pressure. I had 3 different people take blood pressure and get 3 different readings. All in the same day no less. I recently had my weight checked at 250 and i have been 205 for the last 20 years till i saw her sliding the wrong weight across the scale. 

Suzette Schear  About 7 years ago I had septic infection, was in the hospital was pumped with so many antibiotics it damaged my veins.  I have one good one on the left but I think the stress test from Monday using that vein and not being able to drink or eat made it worse.  since the contrast was going to push in Iv  at a fast rate and my veins were already rolling it wasn’t going to happen.  Betsy thank you for sharing your story and I once went to hematologist and had come out with 8 attempts at drawing blood.  Meanwhile I tell everyone to use butterfly and  all the tricks but they couldn’t use my hand or butterfly.  It also depends on the people.  This one was good it just wasn’t in the cards.  So I get home landlord had plumber here water was turned off never told me.  Then came back from picking up paint and the electricity was out.  Then the heart monitor people came up on my phone as telemarketers and I hung  up.  My sister is a nurse so when it’s major appointments I ask her to go with me.  I have a lot of friends but nobody understands because they never had this.  It helps to write in journal .  I’ve had good care and doctors and my humor allows people to see me as a person not an object.  I’m going to start painting again .  Thank you everyone for the continual support it means the world to me. 

Anna Rakowicz  Suzette, wow you’ve been through a lot. 🥲 The vein thing has happened to me many times, even this week just getting labs, ugh. Truth on having friends but not really any understanding. Everyone’s in their own world. You have to face these things to really get it. That’s why site and this community is so helpful.  Hang in there ❤️

Gary Wood  I had an angiogram a couple of weeks ago and that was the worst part. Took them 4-6 tries between 3 different nurses to get my IV going. Kelli is the one that got it done on the first stab. Afterwards they told me that she has been known to start an IV in the back of an ambulance doing 80 mph and upside down. My first thought was "Why didn't we call Kelli first?"
BTW, Angiogram was clear, I won't need a bypass on Tuesday when I have my MVR Surgery.

Suzette Schear  Gary so glad it was clearand wishing you the best on your surgery.  Thank you all for listening I’m very blessed and happy in my life but few understand and I’m grateful for the compassion and camaraderie 

Daneen Douglas  You and I are in a similar boat of “dealing” with unsettling post surgery symptoms that doctors cannot quite explain.  The closest thing they have figured out for me after all the tests is vestibular migraine.  My last stop….ENT doctor.  I pray all the stressful red tape of insurance…etc…. Gets figured out and they determine the cause of your dizziness!

Richard Munson  Good luck my friend. Mark this down. By the time your month is over you will be ready to throw the holter against the wall. Maybe that was just my experience. Anyway i wish you well. You have been very patient. 

Geoff Curtis  I had to wear one for two weeks while we went hiking in Palm Springs back in the spring.  good luck to you!

Grace Mason   It is so frustrating not getting answers to explain symptoms and not being able to create a plan to make things better.
I hope you can find an answer during the event monitor or your body does it's own healing over this time.❤️

Suzette Schear  Rita the second chemicals to open up stuff is makinG me feel sick waiting on next round of scan.  I want this over 

Richard Munson  You seem to be getting the run around by them. I had one years ago and they put radio active material in my blood stream so it shows up in the testing. Seeing insert in your arm sounds like same thing. 

Anna Rakowicz  I usually get the stress tests that are done with exercise, either treadmill or bike. Doesn’t take long to reach target HR. I would actually prefer that, as I’ve been told the chemical ones can unnaturally increase the HR too high. Perhaps because you’ve already had surgery they are doing it this way. 

Suzette Schear  Home working now.  Apparently doctors order on no treadmill.  I understand he’s looking out for me.  The chemicals on second round were horrible for me I’m surprised my sneakers didn’t fly off on how much shaking of feet .  Team was wonderful chemicals not so much especial when they come in a lead tool box liquid in a lead protected needle but it’s going into my body.  Wtf. Well I’m happy it’s over

Yumiko Ishida  Sorry you had to go through that! I hated the stress test. My heart rate never came down, but the tech couldn’t wait, so they had to end it prematurely. 

Suzette Schear  Sorry yumiko . my body was having a reaction but it finally had stopped.  That must have been horrifyingly.

Richard Munson  I learn so much from you. Viking foot now pet scan insurance. Here i thought pet scan was looking around to see where shadow was hiding. I do have pet insurance however. 

Rita Savelis  Dealing with insurance must be awful. Pet scans are usually done after a cancer has been found somewhere (through a biopsy) as a way to see if that cancer has spread elsewhere in the body. Was the Viking foot diagnosed as cancer? Stress test and angiogram are 2 ways to look for artery blockage. I imagine you had one of these before heart surgery?
Having a complicated case is hard. Especially after OHS when one is expected by family and friends to be fixed. You must be so tired of this. But sonehow you move forward. Because what else can one do? Hugs.

Suzette Schear  Rita they didn’t do stress test before surgery because the valve was really bad and they were amazed i was  functioning they said it was one of the worst ones they ever saw.  When I just went for this round of echocardiogram the lady was like oh you were the one .  I’m famous lol. The Viking feet is not cancerous just annoying.  They can’t remove the tumors because they said it most likely come back.  The doctor was cute -he was like is Norwegian thing you have the blonde hair I had to tell him I’m not a natural blonde .  I have inserts and don’t wear heals and just adapted to it .  When it hurts I rest it.  I was still active wear two pairs of socks and it’s manageable.  Thanks for the hugs I’m really nervous about tomorrow. 

Daneen Douglas  What is going on?  I am lost.  Suzette I know you were having dizziness issues but I think I missed some details!

Suzette Schear  Daneen my neurologist and. Cardiologist don’t agree .  They are trying to figure what’s
What’s going on. I had. Olladped twice have bad balance and heart pangs these are all new - something’s up I have a lot of tests coming up am I was having a hard time mentally .. It came up in another conversation so I explained I have it it’s tumors in your feet no cancer just annoying.  Can’t remove  them because they come babk

Marie Myers  I am sorry this  has definitely not been the recovery you had hoped for! I really hope you will get the answers you need to move forward. Wishing you a swift, smooth diagnostic pathway towards answers!

Sue Maize  I’m sorry you’re going through this Suzette—hang in there, one day, one test at a time. 🤗❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

Rose Madura  Suzette, it's so disheartening to go through all you have been through. Stay strong! 💪We are here for you! ❤️‍🩹🪖(warrior status for you). God bless you. 

Suzette Schear  Rita  you’re correct patched up .  Patched up and filled with compassion . It made me tear up.  It meant a lot because I was drowning mentally and even though I felt like given up I don’t.  The.responses touched me deeply 

Ana Brusso  Cute comparison Suzette. Glad your X-ray came out good. Like your sense of humor. Stay strong and God bless you. Agree with on your assessment of our Rose 🌹 she is very special to us. 🙏❤️