Update and Hello ( finally back at computer)

[ludlowjack]

Hi All-
Having a pretty good day, so thought I'd drop a byte.
Special hello to Daniel who shared my surgery date ( or I shared his i guess). Glad you are doing well.
Like Daniel, I have to thank everyone for the info that helped me prep.
I was surprised by how painfull the experiece was in intensive care. They had a bear of a time finding the right "brew" to take the edge off. It became managable after about 24 hours, though, and then remarkablebly almost pain free after the " Blakes" ( drains) were removed . I 've been home since Monday afternoon and have not taken ( needed) but one darviset since!
Have graduall incresed waliking to todays target of 2+ miles in two walks. The first was this am and the second will be as soon as I finish here. Energy is good. So, while the initial pain was worse than expected, this is going better than expected. In fact, I may try some phone work next week ( I work for a Social Service agency doing supervision and program development and can work from home). If its too soon, I'll fall back.
Sleeping better, but positions remain a challange!
I think my greatest challange will be to keep my physical limitations in view ( we live on an herb farm and its garlic harvest time) and not try to do more than I can.
At any rate, thats my report. I'll gladly stck oround and lend what I can- especially to fellow future Philly area consumers of Cardio care!
Special Note to David By Philly - Do I understand you didn't get the Toronto BiLinx? Was that your or your surgeons decision?

 

[David by Philly]

Hi Jack,

You are correct. Since I didn't need for full root design on surgical exam, Dr. Bavaria choose to implant the CE bovine valve instead. I am very happy with this desicion.

Jack, just watch how much you do, and how fast you do it. I was so happy to be home, overdid it and set my self back a bit. Did you see your cardiaolgist yet? I was almost "scolded" for being on the treadmill for over an hour, even though I protested that I never got out of breath nor did my heart rate ever go above 105. Remember, you have LOTS of time to get back to "better than before".

Best of luck,

 

[ludlowjack]

Hey Dave-
So what is the difference between the two valves? Does the bovine have a stent?
I will keep in mind your caution. I remember how the group came down on you.
How was the quality of care at Penn?- particularly when you got out of ICU? How was your pain experience?

 

[David by Philly]

Hi Jack,

The CE bovine valve is different form all others. It does not come from a cow heart, but the pericardial sac surrounding the heart. They cut out leaflets form the sheet of tissue and then sew each on onto a framework. Also, strip most of the phopholipids out of the tissue, which is supposed to greatly reduce the amount of calcificatiohn. It has a higher collegen and water content, which (I think) increases it's flexability and long life.

I listed some info (and my pic) on this post

David's Valve

Care at Penn was very good except for two nurses. One on the day shift in ICU complained that I was hitting my morphine drip (18 hours post surgery) too often (which the cardiac floor totally disagreed with). Second was my Sunday nite nurse (only had her once) who was late with my meds by 2-3 hours, gave me a lasix injection at 11 at nite (and hand injection the entire dose in 1 minute), and over heard her say to the assitant nurse that "I would just have to wait for my pain meds", on Monday morning (last dosage was prox 7 hours before).

Other than those two, I felt the care was excellent. (except for a security person who innitially would not let my daughter onto the floor on Fater's Day, even though I got prior approval and she had already been in to see me)... what can you say... people with little bits of power and weekend staffing.