Boy do I need sleep.......

[epstns]

Joey,

Was your former low heart rate due to conditioning or other factors? I ask because I may be headed down the same path when I have my surgery (whenever. . . ). My pre-surg resting heart rate is usually down in the low 50's or even high 40's if I've been resting. My docs attribute it to 25 years of recreational jogging, and are not worried by it. Now your situation gives me cause for thought.

Keep us posted -- and I hope we're not aimed down Pacer Street! (Although my mother had one for years, no big deal. It would just probably mark the end of any serious running.)

 

[joey]

Shalom Steve, the young GP who analysed my ecg miss read the pulse rate of 30 because of the irregular heart beat on the ecg. My cardiologist confirmed today my pulse rate of 45 /55 which has been with me for as long as I remember. I used to wrestle until the age of 35 I once tried to pick up another wrestler double my weight result my right lung collapsed. I'm ok today and hope to be very active soon. I have once again developed over this last week an irregular heart beat it comes and goes. The cardiologist is not unduly worried he says it should settle down.
At least 35% of pateints who undergo valve replacements can develope this problem during their recovery. To tell you the trueth almost all my life I have had this problem . The only time I am aware of it is when I am lying on my back it feels like a dico in my chest turn over and it dissapears.
Not quite sure where it goes . When are you having your op. ?
I was very well prepared for my op. A week before I used a marking pen and drew a 30cm line down my centre chest . Every night after the shower I would look at this line and pretend as well as imagine it being the scar. In the end the real scar is only 19cm long.

Warm regards
Joey

Warm regards
Joey

 

[joey]

Paul, thanks for the info it is exactly what I wanted to hear . You made my day.

Joey

 

[hensylee]

Thanks, Paul. And this is exactly what I wanted someone to tell Joey. I knew somebody would come along with the whole story. Thanks, everybody. Ann

 

[joey]

Thank you Ann, I have learnt over the years that a 100 men may make an encampment, but it only takes one woman to make a home.......thank you.

Joey

 

[ticktock]

sleep problem?

sleep problem?

Joey
I don't know if you have access to one, but I slept in a recliner for weeks after surgery. It was the most comfortable. BUT, if not, I propped up with about 3 pillows, to almost a sitting position. Slept very well, and still sleep that way sometimes.
You have gotten great advice above, about the lifting, driving, etc. Your body will usually tell you when to stop. You just have to LISTEN!
The very best of luck to you

 

[joey]

Every one on this web site has been a great help I thank you one and all. However I still have three small nagging problems maybe some one out there has the solution. After spending four days in the hospital and five days at the resort I developed a itchy rash on my back either from the coumadin or from sleeping in their beds that had a plasic sheet under the top sheet. I have been using a bacterial cream, which is not realy helping. The other problem is that it is now one month since the op. The scar looks good but still very tender . Would it be a good idea to start using some cream , if so any suggestions what kind. How long should one wait before going into a heated swimming pool.

Joey

 

[hensylee]

use cream or lotion any time, as long as there aren't any open places. Shouldn't be anymore. I used vitamin e ointment, but 'they' say it makes no difference.

Rash - could be the plastic sheet - but if it persists, contact your dr. If it's only on your back it might re reaction to plastic or detergent in the bedclothes, if you sleep on your back.

Don't know about swimming pool. heated or not, but if you can shower, well ??? somebody else can answer this one. Think this came up a long time ago but I don't recall the information submitted.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Joey-

Joe has had that rash every time he's been hospitalized. He has sensitive skin. Several medical people have told us it's from the heavy-duty detergents that are used in the hospital laundry, and I suppose in your case, the resort sheets too. Ask your doctor about using a cortisone cream. It's over-the-counter here.

It'll go away in time, but it is stubborn.

 

[dwfreck]

Joey,

For scars, my family has been told that it's not so much the choice of an ointment (we used one with lanolin, I think) as it is the act of rubbing the ointment into the scar that promotes better healing and a smaller scar. We've also been told to avoid ultra-violet light, which, of course, is impossible if you go outside with the scar exposed (and our scars were always exposed), so we also applied extra-strength sun block cream to our scars before we went outside. My sone has a small scar on his cheek that has almost disappeared after three years, and I have a scar on the back of my neck that hasn't done as well, mostly because I wasn't as vigilant with the ointment and sun block.