Karl is doing well..

[realkarl]

Surgery went great on the 21st, according to everyone. The first couple of days went by fast, then a couple of bumps as expected, needed to be re-cathered to empty a too stretched bladder, and bad constipation making it harder to breath. I am learning to control the pain meds (nurses change all the time and do things differently), so I can do and exercise more. This is key, and today is my best morning. It's all the small things, done ever so carefully, but still done. One doctor says home tomorrow. I am not so sure, maybe rather Monday or Tuesday.

Glad to be back here, on the other side, with my netbook computer, after a toothbrush a fresh shave and morning physical theapy without too much pain.

Karl.

 

[Bina]

Welcome back Karl.

 

[skeptic49]

Congratulations on making it to the other side, Karl.

Best wishes for a continued smooth recovery.

Jim

 

[RI Mom]

Glad it is over Karl and you are starting to feel a little more like yourself.
Best wishes on your recovery!

 

[Cris N]

Good news! Wishing you a smooth continuing recovery.

 

[Mary]

Here's hoping that you're home tomorrow!

 

[catwoman]

Karl:

Glad you're doing better. Here's hoping you'll be going home by Monday, if not tomorrow.

 

[Johan]

Karl, I am so happy you are on your way home. The long and stressful wait is now over and you can concentrate on getting better and stronger every day. My own surgery went textbook style including the "normal" complications in ICU. Bp, AF, low hemoglobin, diabetic reaction etc. All sorted out within days by the amazing ICU staff and my skillful surgeon. I am now just over 2 weeks at home and doing very well, almost back to normal. Check out the pictures on my profile.

 

[realkarl]

Thanks, Johan. Yes, I also have other complications, like potassium levels, and red blood count (21). They would like to avoid a blood transfusion. I will make sure to get the whole list down on paper, along with all the medicines I am given. For breakfast: 1/2 medicines, 1/2 food it feels like. But I am feeling stronger and more up to involving myself a little more with their care. I hope to get off the last IV today (doputamin) increasing my mobility dramatically

I am really happy with my surgeon and the CCU staff (well, I was there only 24 hrs, and can't really tell), not so thrilled with one of his doctor assistants, along with a few of the techs and nurses in the telemetry unit, who make it apparent they have been doing the same thing for too long. Some are right out lazy, they change way too frequently (not the shifts), but whoever is responsible for that shift. Constantly handing over information, doing things differently than the previous, having to explain preferences , pre-existing conditions, and medicines over and over again. Maybe I am expecting too much... Some are very good though.

 

[realkarl]

Short update: off the last IV, woo-hoo. But the increased mobility was a little overstated. Just the little extra I do from not being attached is making me feel so fatigued, I can't really do too much more. Eating more today though, and looking forward to see what the red blood count (hemoglobin) will be tomorrow.

 

[netmiff]

good to hear you are doing average, take heart (pun intended!); I still remember that first shower after surgery (mmm, we need a "bliss" icon).

Take it easy, low blood counts are expected, as are some other things, including the insulin thing, and return to normal real soon.

By the way, how did your surgeon like the On-X??

 

[escargome]

Hey Karl,
Take it slow. Yes I remember feeling like I had been let off the leash when the last IV was removed. Then like a dope, my PT tech came by and we went for a walk. I was feeling 10 feet tall and bullet proof, so I said "hey lets do some stairs" BIG mistake. I did the 4 stair practice platform about 4 times up and down and whoa was I sorry. The PT tech got me back to my room, and then...I got a good scolding from my nurse cause I had over exerted myself. So just go with the flow for a little while. It will all fall into place before you know it and you will be up and about without feeling like you've been run over by an 18-wheeler.

 

[COLLEEN S]

Great to hear Karl! Hoping you are up and feeling well...and stick around and write us.

 

[Juan P. Negret]

Good to hear that your are doing good progress. Take it easy,

Juan

 

[KAJ]

Hi Karl,

Glad you are doing better. It will take time. Try not to over do it. Your experiences with the complications and medical staff sound similar to mine.

Karl

 

[Tbone]

It's good to hear that you are slowly getting better. Keep up the good work & don't overdo it, just what your body is telling it you can do not what you think you can.

Good luck for a speedy recovery, and bumpfree from here on out.

 

[realkarl]

I got home yesterday (1 week in hospital), and everything went well, considering the at least 10X physical activity this involved, compared to previous hospital days. We also have a record heat wave in Seattle (100F). It may not sound much, but I don't have A/C. Fans keep the air moving, and it wasn't that bad where I live.

Getting to sleep was the most difficult part. I tried a recliner, but it didn't breathe enough, tried my bed, with extra pillows, but I am certainly not ready for that. Ended up back in the recliner, but with a light down comforter under me for skin breathing. I still have awful nightsweats, and have to get up once or twice to change.

Will take it easy with walking outside at peak temperatures, but this morning I had a nice relaxed 8 minute walk.

and here's my surgeon and myself right before I went home:

 

[ottagal]

Great news that you are home, Karl and I hope that your sleeps get better. One day at a time...
BTW...I don't see the picture of you and your surgeon.

 

[realkarl]

Great news that you are home, Karl and I hope that your sleeps get better. One day at a time...
BTW...I don't see the picture of you and your surgeon.

Thanks, and strange you can't see the photo. It's in my public album "Karl's Album". I can't see it in another browser where I am not logged in, but here it works fine.

In the post above I used image embedding of this URL:
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/album.php?albumid=159&pictureid=1048

 

[realkarl]

By the way, how did your surgeon like the On-X??

He says it was no problem. The only difference was the sizing. It had to be more accurate to allow for the On-X flange design. With St. Jude he said they could often push in a slightly bigger valve. Here it had to be accurate.

I also asked if my surgery was one of his biggest that week. He said it was one of his biggest. PERIOD. I am kind of glad I didn't know that phrasing beforehand, just that it was a "pretty big operation". I had been reading this forum, where many signatures show combination surgeries, and multiple surgeries (over time), and had gotten used to the idea very well.

Karl.