Walking AND Chewing Gum

Everything is continuing to get better here. Things are so much easier for me and I have been more active over the last couple weeks. Last week I started walking regularly for exercise. I only do 1/2 mile a day, but I have done it six out of the last seven days. Looking forward, I'd love to get back in the swimming pool within the next month, but I think the racquetball will have to wait a while. I am a little bummed, however, that with all the other limitations of my body, I haven't been able to take the new and improved ticker out for a test run to see what it can do.

Ironically, I also found that last week I started doing some really quality "vegging". In large part that's because I finally feel comfortable (physically) lounging around on the couch. Part of it might also be that I'll be returning to work soon and want to soak up the rest of my time off while I still can. ;-) Ripley, of course, has fully supported my couch time by graciously keeping me company and continuing to look out for me.

Looking back, February was a blur. I came home on February 4th, and it was a good three weeks that I didn't notice much improvement at all. Actually, it was just a few weeks ago that I suddenly found myself starting to improve and feeling better and stronger.

As far as on-going issues, I'm still on blood pressure meds, but honestly, I'll probably always have to be treated for that. I'm continuing to take an iron supplement, but I'm only expecting that to last for another couple months. Also, I'm continuing to test my blood sugar each morning, but I'm not being treated currently (I'd love to avoid that if I can!).

The hearing loss in my right ear is still 100% which continues to suck. I am getting used to it, though, and trying to make the proper compensations. We saw an ear doctor last week - he listened to our story about my hospital stay and thinks that while I was being treated for the blood disorder, I had a small blood clot that lodged, essentially causing a mini-stroke that solely affected my right ear. Hearing aids won't help as there's no hearing left to work with and the nerves have been damaged. However, once you start hearing "blood clot" and "mini-stroke", suddenly the hearing loss is put into perspective and you realize it could have been so much worse.

Now that I'm well into healing, before you know it (okay, next Monday, April 3rd!) I'll be back at work. It'll be difficult getting back in the routine, I think, and catching up on all I missed should be interesting. But it'll be nice to see all the familiar faces and catch up with my friends.

Oh! Today while I was outside walking, I was also chewing gum, so...... well..... you know.
;-)

Finally, a new post!

I haven't posted in a while because I thought I had nothing to say. There's been no earth-shattering events -- which if you think about January, it's a good thing there's no new big events to talk about as they are not always the happy type.

I do have news, however. I'm doing so much better in my recovery! It's been over 7 1/2 weeks since my surgery and I've been home for almost six weeks. Somewhere in the last week and a half, things have started coming together. I'm more active around the house and have been less hesitant to venture out. I have been climbing the stairs and doing laundry (Tony still carries the basket back up as the stairs do wear me out). I'm also driving now.

The doctor appts are fewer and farther between now. I had an eye exam yesterday - figured I was due and since everything else on me went south recently, I thought it wouldn't hurt to check out the old peepers. Everything's A-Okay with them which was good to hear!

There's been no improvement in my hearing loss, however -- this still pisses me off as it just seems so random. Monday we have an appointment with another ear doctor and we'll be prepared with "what can we do to live with this condition?" type questions.

I plan to go back to work on April 3rd. I still have two weeks at home and I'm looking forward to continued improvements and increased energy and strength during that time. My legs still feel weak if I'm up too much - I'm trying to challenge them more as they might just need the exercise.

Happy St Patrick's Day!
:-)

Care to make a donation?

Yesterday we received a call from St Joe's asking if we'd like to make a donation to support the construction of their new cardiac surgery wing.

Luckily Tony answered the phone and responded with a polite "not right now". My response? Ummm, yeeaahhhh.....I'm going to have to pass. January wasn't that long ago - I know you guys pulled me through, but the whole "almost died" thing is just too fresh. Call me back in six months and we can talk.

;-)

Getting Better

It's been five and a half weeks since my surgery (I can't decide if time is flying by or creeping by - it's sort of a combination). I had a series of doctor appointments this week and things are looking better. Tuesday we saw the kidney specialist, then my primary care doctor; Wednesday we met with my surgeon.

The kidney specialist thought things were looking good but she was hesitant to give a glowing report. A couple of levels were high (like protein) but she assumes that was just a temporary abnormality from the sample that was tested. I had additional lab work done before I left and will see her again in three months to have an ultrasound of my kidneys so she can get better information. What we learned is that kidney damage, to some extent, is permanent. Yes, the kidneys can repair themselves, but that will leave scar tissue which can still inhibit performance. Looks like blood sugar and blood pressure will be something I'll need to keep my eye on from here on out as they both can lead to further kidney damage if the levels get too high.

The visit with my primary care doctor went very well. I've been wearing a pedometer since coming home from the hospital, but my walking has just been around the house, going out to eat, or quick grocery trips with Tony. No walking for exercise yet. But the time has come and Dr S wants me to try some dedicated walking - outside or in the mall. Her recommendation is to try to do a full lap of the mall - if it takes me an hour, it takes me an hour. I'm going to start this today - Tony and I'll head up to the mall later, do some walking, then grab lunch.

Then on Wednesday, we started the morning bright and early at St Joe's where I had an echocardiogram, then a visit with my surgeon - everything related to the surgery looks terrific. Dr K seemed very excited (beyond the valve replacements, he'd made a couple other corrections while he was in there). There's still some fluid around my heart, but it's nothing at all of concern to him. As far as he's concerned, my cardiac recovery is 100% and there's no need to schedule any additional follow-ups (although next week I do check in with my cardiologist).

I'm looking forward to the walking - at first it's going to be hard (just don't feel I have the energy and my legs do get weak if I'm up too long) but I'm hoping after a couple days the activity will start feeding my energy level. I know my body was zapped by the post-surgical complications and the week in ICU, but it's also been over a month since I've asked my muscles to perform beyond the bare minimum. Maybe it is time to start pushing myself a little. I'll let you know how it goes. :-)