3 weeks post

[jeferi]

Hi everybody,
I have been lying low on the road to recovery. It started off a little slow because of a stomach acid/gas problem I developed a couple of days home. I lost my appetite for a few days and lost 10 pounds skinny me couldn't afford to lose. It made me weaker, and delayed my recovery schedule about a week. I finally gave in and started taking Zantac so I would star eating more. The past few days I feel like a new person with lots of energy and building my stamia up quickly. My INR is suppose to be between 2.5 and 3.5, so far it has been staying in that window for the most part. It went down to 2 yesterday so I they up my dose to 2 or 3 mg a day. Kaiser actually has a nurse that comes to my house to do a blood draw and vital signs checkup two times a week. I have 3 or 4 instances of rapid heartbeat in the morning in the last week. I guess thats A-fib, only lasted for 1 to 4 minutes. I am on atenolol for blood pressure regulation. So far everything is going very well except for my stomach problem. Hope everyone else is having a speedy eventless recovery.

Jeff

 

[nadi]

Hello

Hello

Its great news that you are now on the road to recovery. Hope that you have smooth sails from here on out.
Remember don't push too hard or that might set you back again.

Take care,

 

[bvdr]

Thanks for checking in.

Thanks for checking in.

Hi Jerferi,

I'm glad things are going smoother for you now. I've been wondering how you were doing and I'm pleased with the good news. Take care and don't over-do.

Betty(bvdr)

 

[Ross]

I had stomach problems too. It took a bit but things finally ironed out. Keep an eye on the INR and Zantac. It can go either way, up or down, so be sure to continue getting it checked frequently.

 

[Vicki448]

My doctor sent me home from the hospital for something to help with my tummy - to keep food settled. I guess it helped, although I don't remember having too much of an appetitie at the time. I lost weight too, but put it back on once things were OK. Too bad about that !!!! Keep taking it a day at a time - each day brings some type of an improvement.

 

[epstns]

Hey Jeff,

Welcome back to the world! Sorry to hear of the tummy troubles, but it seems that it has only been a speed bump on the road to recovery. I'm glad it is just that.

Hope all continues well -- it keeps us pre-surgery members from stressing out too much when we hear that recovery goes pretty well for the majority of members. Helps even more when we know who they are. . .

 

[ccrawford]

Hi Jeff - Good to hear from you. Keep up the good work and you'll be feeling better every day. You know those pounds you lost - well I found them. In no time, your appetite will return, and your energy too albeit slowly. Keep us informed. Chris

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Jeff,
Glad to you are doing well. Just remember lots of walking and naps. You will be amazed at how well you feel each day. Take Care. Dave


Keep your fires small!
____________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[David by Philly]

Tummy Troubles

Tummy Troubles

Hi Jeff,

I also came home with stomach distress and a script for 300 mg of zantac a day. Even that wasn't enough and doc wrote a script for protonix, which is a stronger pronton pump inhibitor.

Doc at hospital said send all patients home with zantac script. Now tree weeks later, appetite is back to normal. Trying to watch myself so weight doesn't go up... staying pretty much the same.

Hard to maintain such a low level of activity. Feel great, chest pain only requires 2 motrin every 6-8 hours, and docs are scolding me for staying on the treadmill for up to an hour. Hey, my heart rate never goes above 105 and I am not breathing hard at all. One thing I found out though..... it is very easy to take those two hour naps in the middle of the day. []

Be well

 

[Georgia]

Hi Jeff

Hi Jeff

Welcome back; sounds like things are well under control now. I keep asking my doc when I can quit taking the pepcid that was prescribed when I had surgery; she says not yet. Can't argue with success - haven't had any problems with my stomach.

Follow the vr mantra and stay in touch.