Hi: It's been a while; however, I am still here.
I had heart valve surgery on Nov. 23, 2010 and was released from the Cleveland Clinic on July 31, 2011. I am still wondering when will I feel normal again? I still can not walk very far without my chest tightening up and feeling out of breath. I took the advice I got from reading some of your posts on this sight and found a new PC doctor - I am so glad I did! My past PC was hard to get in touch with and gave me the run around when it came to vaccines. His office did not have them - so he gave me a prescription to get it from the pharmacy and bring back to his nurse to administer it. After waiting over an hour in the pharmacy (that was downstairs from the PC's office) I found out that my Insurance will not pay for it unless the Doctor's office gave me the vaccine. My new PC's office had the Flu and Pneumonia Vaccine and gave them to me on my first visit. My PC prescribed a Meningitidis Vaccine. Her office does not keep that Vaccine on hand - so she and gave me a referral and the number to a 'Travel Clinic' to get the Vaccine. That did not work, because The Travel Clinic's policy is 'they only vaccinate people who will be traveling out of the Country and will only give people the Vaccines needed to enter the Country you are planning to travel to.
So I finally found out that if I change my PC Doctor to a 'Doctor within the Travel Clinic,' I could get the Meningitidis Vaccine if that particular Doctor prescribed it. I will try that route next week.
Even though I still get out of breath easily and don't feel as well Now as I did before the Nov. 2010 surgery, I feel a little comforted by the fact that 'everyone does not go frantic when I get an EKG now.' After my last Echo Sonogram a few weeks ago, the cardiologist said that my new Valves are working properly.
My new PC gave me a referral to get more Physical Therapy to work on my Balance and Endurance. I can tell that this round of Physical Therapy is helping because I feel that my 'gait' has improved and I am walking straighter.
I have been thinking of trying to make an appointment with Dr. Stubblefield in NY -- so I was glad when someone on this sight said that there was a Dr. Dric Wisotzky in DC who had studied under Dr. Stubblefield. I have an appointment with Dr. Wisotzky on January 29th. I would welcome some help with questions I should ask him during this initial visit.
My coumadin numbers are still not stable and I go to the Coumadin Clinic every 2 weeks. Right now, I take 5mg on Th and F & 2.50mg (1/2 tablet) the other 5 days. I was taking a 5mg tabled 3 days a week and 1/2 tablet the other 4 days; however, my nose bled. How long did it take those of you who take Coumadin for your numbers to become stable?
Also, how long did it take for you to feel normal again? I just wonder when will I be able to just Jump Up without thinking about it. I hope you know what I mean.
I thank you all for sharing with me.
bbbdirector
24 Years Old - Hodgkins Lymphoma - treated with Mantle Radiation and MOPP - 1978
57 Years Old - Mital Valve (Homograph) Replacement;
-Aortic Valve (St Judel) Replacement; and
-Aorta Root Replacement by Dr. Petterson at the Cleveland Clinic - Nov. 23, 2010
On Coumadin
