Tandy's Journal

Well, I know it's been too long to update my story but really I am just starting to feel I could. I was 6 days in the hospital so not home until 9/10. During my stay I can report the following 1. In ICU I was over seen by a great group of nurses. 2. I was awake enough to feel the breathing tube come out. This was something the doctor said I probably would not even remember. Well I do. 3. I was so emotional I pretty much cried everytime someone spoke to me 4. I was up and walking by day 2 and sitting in the chair after that. 5. While the nurses didn't really hinder my sleep, I found myself only being able to sleep in 10-15 minute intervals. On Saturday 9/8 I was moved to the step down unit. While I started to feel better, I was still an emotional wreck although I couldn't figure out why. My husband and mother just tried to reassure me it would pass and it has. In the step down unit: 1. I could finally wash myself up. Not a shower but at least wash myself. My hair on the other hand would not get washed until I came home. 2. During a walk my heart went into Afib but that was the only time. 3. I experienced pain in the oddest places. Like my wrist, shoulder and back. The incision has felt tight but have not had the pain there like I thought I would. The pain meds I'm taking are more for pain in other areas of my body. 4. I was weighed....and about fell over when the nurse asked if that seemed right and it was about 20 pounds over my weight. I now know that was fluid but was not prepared for the number. Home on 9/10 1. I am fortunate to have a home nurse come by 2x a week so that has helped. 2. My blood pressure, which started creeping up in the hospital, was still not stable. I am now taking 4 tablets of Metoprolol daily which has now brought it down to pre-surgery levels. 3. Im walking outside and going further each day. 11 houses today. It's unseasonably warm here in Michigan for September so I try to do the outside walks early in the morning. 4. Water/fluid weight is gone. 5. Appetite coming back slowly. I can't thank everyone on this site for the support you provided enough. If you and all this info wasn't available i would not have been prepared. Greater thanks to my Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ for watching over me and the surgical team. To him be praised.

Well it's been a long day of tests. At the hospital at 9:00am for first test and last one finished at 5:45pm. I'm tired. However, surgery was moved up to 9/5. I am ready.

So glad this site was included in my 'Heart Surgery" binder I received from UofM hospital. I've been overwhelmed with my diagnosis and scheduled surgery for 9/7/18.