Six months today and feeling good

[Georgia]

Just a brief update on moi, since today's six months out from surgery.

I've been working for 3 months now, and find it's getting much easier. I'm able to concentrate longer every day as well as longer through the week. I still don't trust a lot of what I do after about 3:00 (the last hour of work every day); and sometimes Friday is a bust. I also find I still really need the weekends to recharge. The occasional 3-day weekend is such a gift. I suggest to those going back to work that if they have the luxury of doing so, take a Monday or Friday off whenever possible during the first few months back. Your work will improve a lot.

Go back to my cardiologist this week; nothing special (like echo) scheduled, so it'll be pretty routine.

I still go to Phase III cardiac rehab 3 times per week; am working at about 8 mets now and intend to continue there indefinitely. I can't suggest too strongly to those having surgery to get themselves to Phase II as early as possible if it's available to them. And if your insurer doesn't want to cover you because it's a valve surgery, appeal and grouse and generally make a pest of yourself. That's just nonsense.

Finally, thanks again to all of you for helping me along so much. This is such a wonderful group; I feel truly blessed to have found you.

 

[Bill Hall]

Georgia - It sounds like you are doing great. Recovery can sometimes take a long time. My experience was a bit different, but I must confess that I was somewhat tired at the end of the day when I restarted work. Anyway, take care of yourself and get better at your own pace. Good luck with the cardiologist appointment, hope everything is routine and uneventful.

 

[Ross]

Congrats on the six month mark Georgia.

I'm a year out and still I'm not fully into the program, but you know the score with me.

I'm glad to hear all is well and hope it stays that way for a long time to come. Keep in touch.

 

[Nancy]

I'm so glad you're feeling well, Georgia. It's just wonderful to hear.

best wishes,

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Georgia,
It is so wonderful to hear how well you are doing. Keep up the Good Work! Take Care
Dave

__________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[nadi]

Congrats!

Congrats!

Georgia,

That's great news! Hope the Dr's appt is very very routine.

Tomorrow is 3 months for me and I agree with the work schedule I should never had told the I was ready for full time. I'm NOT!!
going back to 30 hours a week per Dr's suggestion.

Enjoy your day and celebrate.

Take Care,

 

[ccrawford]

Georgia - Glad you are doing so well. I'm a little more than three months off the table and thankful that I am retired (except for taking care of a farm). Cardiac rehab is a very positive thing and it helped me learn enough to do it myself without a drive to town. Key for success it to keep motivated to continue the exercise. I know I feel a lot better each day that I do my program, and sluggish when I don't. Keep those doctor appointments boring !!
Chris

 

[bvdr]

Hi Georgia,

It seems like such a short time ago that I joined this site and was reading posts about your very recent surgery. Swill had had his surgery the day before, Mike Anthony just before that and Chris was gathering information about his upcoming surgery and Dave and so many others weren't around yet. I joined and started soaking up information like a sponge.

I thank you and all the others for sharing your day to day experiences with me. I remember when you started back to work and I was so hoping you wouldn't get too busy and abandon me. You didn't. I am so glad that you are doing well and are still here sharing your milestones with us.

Likewise, I thank each and everyone here on the site for all your wonderfulness!

 

[Creed3]

Georgia,
I'm so glad to hear that you are doing so well. As the months continue to pass, you will regain more and more strength. Keep us updated on how you are doing.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi georgia!
you sound wonderful!!!! i'm so thrilled to hear you are doing this well.
please let us know how the routine dr's appt. goes.
wishing you a continued smooth recovery.
all the best, sylvia

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Gerogia:

Thanks for the update 6 months out from surgery. I know I appreciate hearing what it is like after surgery as I sit in the waiting room. I have a full-time job [career] and hope to be able to go back full-time to it ASAP after surgery. In the meantime, I need to plan and save sick leave, and annual leave for the time after surgery. It is encouraging that you were able to go back to full time after just 3 months. I hope to do the same.

Can you give me a little insight into cardiac rehab. What is Phase II, Phase III? Is it common to have trouble with insurance covering rehab. if it is a valve replacement? Why is that? Versus what other kind of heart related surgery. Do you mean they cover rehab. for by-pass but not for valve replacement? Oh boy, another thing to worry about!

Glad to hear you are doing well and I know your check-up will be as boring as can be!

Peg

 

[JimL]

Cardiac rehab:
Phase I: In the hospital, after surgery, before you are released.
Phase II: Usually a six week program, three times a week, to which you commute.
Phase III: Anything after that.

VR surgery is more serious surgery than CABG, since they go inside the heart, it really is OPEN heart surgery. Why insurance should give any problem about paying for rehab defies comprehension. I think that the rehab was the one most important thing in speeding my recovery.

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Woo Hoo Georgia...

Woo Hoo Georgia...

Six months is a first milestone and you've made it in fine shape...

It's kinda like making it 'over the hump' of recovery. Keep it up -- whatever you're doing, it's working! Congratulations!!

Now it's time for that cruise...

 

[Les]

Georgia,
Congrats on your 6 months! Keep with the program!
_________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Georgia!

Glad things are going so well for you! You post was a great and helps us in the waiting room get a sense of what we might expect on "the other side".

Keep smilin'

Melissa

 

[Georgia]

Cardiologist appointment

Cardiologist appointment

Had a good one; the nagging little congestion I kept feeling turned out to be drainage so I got some steroid nose spray (major allergies in Aug). Lungs, heart good. She's pleased with progress. Will have echo and another visit in 6 months.

Just booked a 10 day cruise commencing 9/17 - New York to Montreal with stops along the way (Newport, Bar Harbor, various maritime provinces stops, Quebec City and Montreal). This is in celebration of our 30th anniversary (it was 6/30). Can hardly wait. Am going to ask if they have protime checks on board. Not sure if I'll have home testing by then. If not, I'm not too concerned - figure I'll NEVER get too low; and if anything bleeds I'll eat more veggies and have a V8 and worry about adjusting when I get home. But I never drink too much, so I don't think I'll have the trouble that a lot of folks do.

Will get back in plenty of time for the reunion. Kewl.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Georgia,
Glad to hear that things are OK. Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary and hope you enjoy the Cruise. If you have room in your suitcase you can pack me in. lol
Take Care
Dave

______________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Georgia,

Your doing fantastic! Congratulations on your 6 months.

By the time you hit the 11-12 month mark you will have all of your energy.

Around month 11......just popped up and felt great! Have to admit my crashing point was 2PM everyday. My daughter was also 2 at the time so I am sure you can imagine my plight. Having been on both sides of the fence. Working full time and staying home,
raising a child and running a household is demanding 24/7 work. No breaks. She would lie down with me for an hour and sleep. We are blessed with a sweet girl. So thankfully she gave her mom the time needed to recharge. Now that she is older...she helps out when I am not feeling well. The days I feel like a millon..... she gets my all for sure and more!

Wishing you all the best!

 

[Birky]

Congratulations

Congratulations

Congratulations on your 6 month postop. My 6 mos. will be on the 27th of this month. I went back to work part-time in 5 weeks and full time in 8. I work a 35 hour work week so it wasn't too bad. I do get tired in late afternoon but seem to perk up at 5. I did PhaseI and II. My insurance did pay for it. I understand that sometimes Medicare will not since it is a valve . I made sure before I started that Blue Cross would pay. It really helped and I did meet some great people.