After 34 years of marriage you would think you knew everything about your wife! Not so! Open heart surgery has proven to be an opportunity - an opportunity to see even more reasons why I found a special woman!
Remember that part of your wedding vows ..... "in sickness and in
health, as long as we both shall live."
I guess "open heart surgery" would count as sickness! Sue was amazing! First she helped me through the first 24 days before the surgery! I was not allowed to do anything! Did not want to have a heart attack! Decorating for Christmas, Shopping for Christmas. Taking out the garbage, walking the grand-dogs, driving me everywhere, and making sure I was not stupid!
Surgery day, we were up at 4 AM, at the hospital at 5 AM, stayed with me through the long first day! Visited me in the hospital! After having issues with Percocet, staying with me overnight the last night in the hospital room!
Getting me home, helping me dress, taking a shower, feeding me, and making sure again - that I did not do something stupid! Still not allowed to drive for 4 weeks! And here I am, almost four weeks out from surgery!
And all this and working full time! Well, guess what! I love her even more! She is an amazing woman & I am one lucky guy! Our love has grown stronger & deeper! My surgery and recovery would not have been possible without my awesome, lovely, dedicated wife! I'm a lucky guy!
Sue, I love ya more then ever! Your amazing & incredible strength though this entire ordeal was inspirational! I hope "My Heart Under Repair" will make our next 34 years even better!
All my love!
Jim
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
What medicines am I still using?
It has been 25 days since my open heart surgery. The medicines I am I still taking after surgery?
Metoprolol
(me toe' proe lole) Still taking one a day - 25 mg
Amlodipine
(am loe' di peen) Still taking one a day - 5 mg
Clopidogrel - Plavix
(kloh pid' oh grel) Still taking one a day - 75 mg
Acetaminophen Extra Strength Tylenol (This replaced the Percecet that I gave me issues)
(a set a mee' noe fen) - 1 tablet 500 mg - Started out taking 2 every 6 hours, now every 7 hours
The Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. I do not have high blood pressure, therefore, it also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and to improve survival after a heart attack(and I did not have a heart attack). Metoprolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.
Just like many other medicines we take the metoprolol may have side effects, one being depression. Depression is one concern in open heart surgery that I have read about & discussed with friends of mine that are "zipper" club members. The other side effect is tiredness. This is one that I am also trying to monitor. The tiredness is also normal after surgery & not sleeping well at night is a concern. Although the past few nights I have recorded more sleep!
The Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Amlodipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, amlodipine controls chest pain(this is important!), but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
Another side effect is again tiredness or drowsiness. Again as mentioned previously, this is one factor that I will be monitoring!
Next, Clopidogrel - Plavix is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients at risk for these problems. Clopidogrel is in a class of medications called antiplatelet drugs. It works by helping to prevent harmful blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes.
Here we go again, among other side effects is excessive tiredness. As mentioned before, this is a concern for me to get back to work at school & coach in the spring I will need my energy. The past few days I think that this has been improving & will monitor closely.
And last, Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual periods(THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM), colds and sore throats, toothaches, backaches, and reactions to vaccinations (shots), and to reduce fever. Acetaminophen may also be used to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by the breakdown of the lining of the joints). Acetaminophen is in a class of medications called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). It works by changing the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body.
Remember, I had issues with my first pain medicine Oxycodone(Percecet). After one week at home I switched to Acetaminophen (extra strength tylenol) and this seems to be controlling my pain issues.
Metoprolol
(me toe' proe lole) Still taking one a day - 25 mg
Amlodipine
(am loe' di peen) Still taking one a day - 5 mg
Clopidogrel - Plavix
(kloh pid' oh grel) Still taking one a day - 75 mg
Acetaminophen Extra Strength Tylenol (This replaced the Percecet that I gave me issues)
(a set a mee' noe fen) - 1 tablet 500 mg - Started out taking 2 every 6 hours, now every 7 hours
The Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. I do not have high blood pressure, therefore, it also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and to improve survival after a heart attack(and I did not have a heart attack). Metoprolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.
Just like many other medicines we take the metoprolol may have side effects, one being depression. Depression is one concern in open heart surgery that I have read about & discussed with friends of mine that are "zipper" club members. The other side effect is tiredness. This is one that I am also trying to monitor. The tiredness is also normal after surgery & not sleeping well at night is a concern. Although the past few nights I have recorded more sleep!
The Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). Amlodipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It controls chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, amlodipine controls chest pain(this is important!), but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to take when you have chest pain.
Another side effect is again tiredness or drowsiness. Again as mentioned previously, this is one factor that I will be monitoring!
Next, Clopidogrel - Plavix is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients at risk for these problems. Clopidogrel is in a class of medications called antiplatelet drugs. It works by helping to prevent harmful blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes.
Here we go again, among other side effects is excessive tiredness. As mentioned before, this is a concern for me to get back to work at school & coach in the spring I will need my energy. The past few days I think that this has been improving & will monitor closely.
And last, Acetaminophen is used to relieve mild to moderate pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual periods(THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM), colds and sore throats, toothaches, backaches, and reactions to vaccinations (shots), and to reduce fever. Acetaminophen may also be used to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by the breakdown of the lining of the joints). Acetaminophen is in a class of medications called analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers). It works by changing the way the body senses pain and by cooling the body.
Remember, I had issues with my first pain medicine Oxycodone(Percecet). After one week at home I switched to Acetaminophen (extra strength tylenol) and this seems to be controlling my pain issues.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Cardiac Rehab Begins!
Today was the first day of Cardiac Rehab at the Health Campus. Below is a brief outline of the morning activities:
9:00 AM Education Session & Video
Lancaster Cardiac Rehab Website
9:00 AM Education Session & Video
- First, we watched a video of The Risk Factors of Heart Disease
- Family History, Gender, Age, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Smoking
- High Cholesterol, Obesity, High Fat Diet, Lack of Exercise, Stress
- After video we discussed each of the Risk Factors
- Take blood pressure & Warm up routine
- Start with treadmill - 6 minute workout
- Take blood pressure & walk two laps
- Rowing machine - legs only - 6 minute workout
- Take blood pressure & walk two laps
- Stationary Bike - 6 minute workout
- Take blood pressure & walk two laps
- Warm Down Routine
Lancaster Cardiac Rehab Website
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The "Spiritual" Side of Open Heart Surgery
I cannot fathom going through life without faith. Just like many other people, when facing situations like open heart surgery, we ask why me! That is what being human is all about & I think what our faith is all about. Instead of trying to solve all our problems ourselves, it is in God's hands!
When you look at a sunset, fall in love, see your sons being born, and many other aspects of our life to me faith is a "no brainer" - God is in control. But, as a human, doubt & questioning are also part of who we are and the dialogue (prayer) we have with God each day is what keeps us going!
For the past 57 years, just like most people, when things are good, faith is easy! But, when we hit those speed bumps in life we question - "why me?". Well, facing open heart surgery is one of those big "why me" moments! Why me - I'm only 57! Why me - this is my last year in education! Why me ? To me that is why our Christian faith is so special.
If you take time to do devotions & read the Bible, there are many great lessons, this is one I discovered this week:
Matthew 26:39
When you look at a sunset, fall in love, see your sons being born, and many other aspects of our life to me faith is a "no brainer" - God is in control. But, as a human, doubt & questioning are also part of who we are and the dialogue (prayer) we have with God each day is what keeps us going!
For the past 57 years, just like most people, when things are good, faith is easy! But, when we hit those speed bumps in life we question - "why me?". Well, facing open heart surgery is one of those big "why me" moments! Why me - I'm only 57! Why me - this is my last year in education! Why me ? To me that is why our Christian faith is so special.
If you take time to do devotions & read the Bible, there are many great lessons, this is one I discovered this week:
Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Not as I will, but as You will!
I do not need help, family, friends, God - I can get through this myself!
Being a full-blooded American male this hits home! We can do it ourselves! (Not true) I needed to have the help of an awesome medical staff - Dr. Burlingame lead the way. I cannot perform open heart surgery on myself! Friends & family can help - my church prayed for me & had dinners delivered, my family helped around the house, my "zipper club" friends called & discussed their own personal stories, friends from school emailed, sent cards, & prayed for me, and many others assisted to help me get through the surgery.
And my wife - Wow! Thirty-five years ago I chose wisely. Sue was incredible! Still working full time, making sure I behaved myself, with me in the hospital, helping me shower, dress me, and love me "in good times & bad" Those marriage vows we take in church mean so much more! I have be blessed!
Our church, Redeemer Lutheran, has been very supportive. One day, in the hospital, Marsh Anderson & Al Rineer visited me. Al, sharing my love of the Civil War, brought in a book for me to read. Marsh gave me communion. The communion is just what I needed, while the tubes were pumping medicine into my veins, the communion was pumping God's love! That is faith in action! What a gift I received from my friends, church, family, doctors, nurses and.....
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The "Mental" Aspect of Open Heart Surgery
This may be the hardest of my three phases of Bypass Surgery. I will break up the "Mental Aspect of Bypass Surgery into three areas: Pre-Operation, Surgery & Hospital Stay, and Post-Operation starting at home.
1 - Pre-Op
I'm sure this is different for each individual tackling Open Heart Bypass Surgery. My personal experience had a lot of waiting time in this phase - 24 days! That was good & bad! I had a lot of time to prepare for the big day. This included, leaving work & giving people time to make sure all was well at school. Getting ready at home for the recovery phase and organizing help for my wife Sue. Informing family & friends of the surgery. Educating myself about the operation and recovery phase. The bad news is have 24 days to think about the operation & focusing too much on the entire process. Too much information - there were days when I was thinking too much about the surgery! I found the best thing to do is to talk to others about the surgery - fellow "zipper club" members! I was interested in their experiences with the surgery itself, the medications, and their own recovery. And how they handled the mental focus of the entire experience.
2 - Surgery & Hospital Stay
Of course, the hardest part of this phase was the night before and getting to sleep. The 4 AM wake up & needing to be there at 5 AM went well(because I was half asleep!) Once we got to the hospital I ran into people I knew that made it very easy for me. Jaime(Oberholtzer) Owens is married to one of Jared's(my older son) best friends. Dave Stoll, an uncle to two ex-track athletes was working & we talked about the kids & track & field, before I know it I was out & waking up on the other side of Surgery on Monday afternoon. The care was constant & great in the ICU. The hardest parts mentally were the nights sleeping & all the tubes & meds. Each day they removed more wires & tubes & I was able to start moving around. Probably the last night, Thursday, in the hospital was the most difficult, because of the meds & sleeping problems. Going home Friday was a relief and I was ready!
3 - Post-Op
Home, in your own house was an awesome feeling. I had people helping, my older son, Jared, had time off from the Army. Sue took a few days off work. And, Christmas was around the corner. The holiday time was a good and bad time for surgery. The good thing was being around people & sharing the time together. The difficult part was being tired & trying not to help & overdue my activity.
The most important part at home was staying on schedule, up around 6-7 AM, shower, take meds, & continue to stay busy & smart about my recovery. Remembering not to lift more than 8 pounds, push or pull anything heavy, & keep my heart pillow handy if I sneezed or coughed! Trying to get to bed around 11 PM each night. As I said before, the most difficult part for me was sleeping.
In summary, here is what I think are a few key points from the mental aspect of "Open Heart Bypass Surgery".
1 - Stay positive! We have great care givers, family & friends! My job, as the patient is to stay posive & work hard to get better!
2 - Stay on Schedule! This keep you focused & helps consume the time in a positive way!
3 - Projects - have something mentally stimulating to do. For me it was the blog, my love of history, reading books, and beginning rehab!
1 - Pre-Op
I'm sure this is different for each individual tackling Open Heart Bypass Surgery. My personal experience had a lot of waiting time in this phase - 24 days! That was good & bad! I had a lot of time to prepare for the big day. This included, leaving work & giving people time to make sure all was well at school. Getting ready at home for the recovery phase and organizing help for my wife Sue. Informing family & friends of the surgery. Educating myself about the operation and recovery phase. The bad news is have 24 days to think about the operation & focusing too much on the entire process. Too much information - there were days when I was thinking too much about the surgery! I found the best thing to do is to talk to others about the surgery - fellow "zipper club" members! I was interested in their experiences with the surgery itself, the medications, and their own recovery. And how they handled the mental focus of the entire experience.
2 - Surgery & Hospital Stay
Of course, the hardest part of this phase was the night before and getting to sleep. The 4 AM wake up & needing to be there at 5 AM went well(because I was half asleep!) Once we got to the hospital I ran into people I knew that made it very easy for me. Jaime(Oberholtzer) Owens is married to one of Jared's(my older son) best friends. Dave Stoll, an uncle to two ex-track athletes was working & we talked about the kids & track & field, before I know it I was out & waking up on the other side of Surgery on Monday afternoon. The care was constant & great in the ICU. The hardest parts mentally were the nights sleeping & all the tubes & meds. Each day they removed more wires & tubes & I was able to start moving around. Probably the last night, Thursday, in the hospital was the most difficult, because of the meds & sleeping problems. Going home Friday was a relief and I was ready!
3 - Post-Op
Home, in your own house was an awesome feeling. I had people helping, my older son, Jared, had time off from the Army. Sue took a few days off work. And, Christmas was around the corner. The holiday time was a good and bad time for surgery. The good thing was being around people & sharing the time together. The difficult part was being tired & trying not to help & overdue my activity.
The most important part at home was staying on schedule, up around 6-7 AM, shower, take meds, & continue to stay busy & smart about my recovery. Remembering not to lift more than 8 pounds, push or pull anything heavy, & keep my heart pillow handy if I sneezed or coughed! Trying to get to bed around 11 PM each night. As I said before, the most difficult part for me was sleeping.
In summary, here is what I think are a few key points from the mental aspect of "Open Heart Bypass Surgery".
1 - Stay positive! We have great care givers, family & friends! My job, as the patient is to stay posive & work hard to get better!
2 - Stay on Schedule! This keep you focused & helps consume the time in a positive way!
3 - Projects - have something mentally stimulating to do. For me it was the blog, my love of history, reading books, and beginning rehab!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Three Weeks After Bypass Surgery
Today, Monday, January 3, 2011 - 21 days from open heart surgery - quintuple bypass. My goal has always been to try to keep an accurate account of my physical, mental, & spiritual feelings and this life changing experience! Today I will focus with the Physical healing.
After 21 days, I am amazed how quickly the incisions & pain have progressed. The incisions for the grafts are healing quickly. Remember what I had removed:
The "holes" in my stomach, chest & neck for all the tubes are doing well. Remember, I had a least 5-6 tubes & lines for many reasons for surgery & after surgery. All these incisions have healed well!
The "zipper" in my chest is also looking great & there is not much in the way of pain, put a little numbness.
Walking & steps are going great. I'm trying to walk three times a day, for 10 minutes at a time. Hills are an issue, but each day I feel a little stronger. I do not want to push too much till my first cardiac rehab session on Thursday & see how much they push me! Getting around the house & small chores, dishes, laundry, etc. are going well(my wife Sue loves this!).
Sleeping seems to be getting better. This was one of my most frustrating issues. I have been getting only about 4 hours a day. But last night may have been a break through - I slept from 1 AM till 6 AM straight through! One of the problems is sleeping the entire night on my back. I could get to sleep on my back, but in the old days I would change to my side & stomach. Until I heal, I am not able to sleep on my side or stomach. I hope this week to continue to improve.
I am still not allowed to drive. Maybe next week I will take my first spin. The game plan for driving a car is 4 weeks after surgery. I will ask rehab this week what they think.
So, after three weeks the physical healing is going well. Of course, I am trying to me the "model" patient and listen to my care givers! This is not easy with my hyperactive personality!
After 21 days, I am amazed how quickly the incisions & pain have progressed. The incisions for the grafts are healing quickly. Remember what I had removed:
During bypass surgery, the doctor takes a vein or artery from another part of your body and uses it to create a detour (or graft) around the blocked area in your artery.
- Your doctor may use a vein, called the saphenous vein, in your leg. To reach this vein, a surgical cut will be made along the inside of your leg, between your ankle(mine was about an inch below my knee to the groin) and the groin. One end of the graft will be sewn to your coronary artery. The other end will be sewn to an opening made in your aorta.
- A blood vessel in your chest, called the internal mammary artery (IMA), can also be used as the graft. One end of this artery is already connected to your aorta. The other end is attached to your coronary artery.
- Other arteries are also being used for grafts in bypass surgery. The most common one is the radial artery in your wrist.(mine was from my left arm)
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002946.htm
The "holes" in my stomach, chest & neck for all the tubes are doing well. Remember, I had a least 5-6 tubes & lines for many reasons for surgery & after surgery. All these incisions have healed well!
The "zipper" in my chest is also looking great & there is not much in the way of pain, put a little numbness.
Walking & steps are going great. I'm trying to walk three times a day, for 10 minutes at a time. Hills are an issue, but each day I feel a little stronger. I do not want to push too much till my first cardiac rehab session on Thursday & see how much they push me! Getting around the house & small chores, dishes, laundry, etc. are going well(my wife Sue loves this!).
Sleeping seems to be getting better. This was one of my most frustrating issues. I have been getting only about 4 hours a day. But last night may have been a break through - I slept from 1 AM till 6 AM straight through! One of the problems is sleeping the entire night on my back. I could get to sleep on my back, but in the old days I would change to my side & stomach. Until I heal, I am not able to sleep on my side or stomach. I hope this week to continue to improve.
I am still not allowed to drive. Maybe next week I will take my first spin. The game plan for driving a car is 4 weeks after surgery. I will ask rehab this week what they think.
So, after three weeks the physical healing is going well. Of course, I am trying to me the "model" patient and listen to my care givers! This is not easy with my hyperactive personality!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Good Bye to Another Medicine!
Today I will not be taking: - Amiodarone (a mee' oh da rone)
I have been on this medicine for 2 weeks since I have been home from the hospital on December 17, 2010. The drug is used to control, Atrial fibrillation, which occurs in 10% 40% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and involves the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Its name comes from the fibrillating (i.e., quivering) of the heart muscles of the atria, instead of a coordinated contraction.
Found this great article on the issue of Artrial Fibrilation after bypass surgery.
Click on this link & read the article on Artrial Fibrillation
So, here is where I am with the medicine that I am taking. First, the meds I was taking before my problems:
Aspirin - 81 mg (my family doctor had me on this the past 5-6 years)
Lipitor - 10 mg (my family doctor had me on this the past 7-8 years)
Aciphex - 20 mg (my family doctor had me on this the past 5-6 years)
Singulair - 10 mg (my family doctor had me on this the past 7-8 years)
Zetia - 10 mg (my family doctor had me on this the past 2-3 years)
Second, the meds I am now taking after surgery:
Plavix (75 mg) Daily
Amlodipine (200 mg) Daily
Metoprolol (25 mg) Daily
Extra Strength Tylenol (500 mg) every 6-8 hours - 2 tablets
More info to come!
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