G
Guest
I just returned from a visit with my surgeon at UAB and he has given me a window of "anytime within the next 3 months." I told him I was hoping for a Fall surgery date and he said that's okay with him, as long as I schedule the surgery for sometime within the next 3-5 months, with a promise extracted from me that I will call him if I become more fatigued or more short of breath. I will have AVR and the aortic root. I think delaying a month or two will be okay if I pay attention to my symptoms. I still have good heart function even though I am in the severe category. Mean gradient went from 33 to 40 between Nov-Mar. UAB did another echo yesterday and mean gradient is still only 40, so it looks like I have a little time.
I feel very fortunate that I am allowed to choose the date. My employer changed our short term disability in January of this year to 100% coverage from days 8-70 ( you use your leave for the first 7 days). It is simply incredible and so much different from the first time I had surgery. I had no pay / disability insurance the 1st time around. I went a few months with no income until I was able to return to work. That was stressful. I am feeling so blessed that I am going to be able to focus on my recovery and not stress about getting back to work sooner rather than later. My boss is very understanding and has told me to take as long as I need, and at least the full 12 weeks of paid time. What a blessing!
I am planning surgery in September and then back to work in Dec/Jan. I will have a cath done here locally sometime soon and a CT scan at UAB the day before surgery. I am waiting on my cardiologist's office to call me with the date of the cath. Fingers crossed it will be through the wrist and not the groin this time around.
All in all, things are well with me. I am starting a list of things I want to get done before surgery time, including Christmas shopping
. I plan to make some casseroles and put them in the freezer to make meal prep easy on my husband. He does not cook at all. I am going to hire a seamstress to make some shirts for me that will snap or zip on the sides. I remember that lifting your arms over your head is a little tough at first. I'm sure there are many more things to put on my list; but, that's the start.
I have a peace about this. I am ready to move forward and get my shiny new mechanical valve.
I feel very fortunate that I am allowed to choose the date. My employer changed our short term disability in January of this year to 100% coverage from days 8-70 ( you use your leave for the first 7 days). It is simply incredible and so much different from the first time I had surgery. I had no pay / disability insurance the 1st time around. I went a few months with no income until I was able to return to work. That was stressful. I am feeling so blessed that I am going to be able to focus on my recovery and not stress about getting back to work sooner rather than later. My boss is very understanding and has told me to take as long as I need, and at least the full 12 weeks of paid time. What a blessing!
I am planning surgery in September and then back to work in Dec/Jan. I will have a cath done here locally sometime soon and a CT scan at UAB the day before surgery. I am waiting on my cardiologist's office to call me with the date of the cath. Fingers crossed it will be through the wrist and not the groin this time around.
All in all, things are well with me. I am starting a list of things I want to get done before surgery time, including Christmas shopping
. I plan to make some casseroles and put them in the freezer to make meal prep easy on my husband. He does not cook at all. I am going to hire a seamstress to make some shirts for me that will snap or zip on the sides. I remember that lifting your arms over your head is a little tough at first. I'm sure there are many more things to put on my list; but, that's the start.I have a peace about this. I am ready to move forward and get my shiny new mechanical valve.
