Today is the 46th day after my open heart surgery. A lot has happened during that period, a lot of it very painful. And all of it necessary.
But all the treatments and medications are paying off. I'm not there yet but 'normal' seems to be a reasonable goal. I feel pretty good.
Yesterday I visited with the nice people at Lakeshore Regional Medical Center's Rehab Center so they could evaluate my readiness for rehab. I passed and now I'm scheduled to start first thing Monday, July 1st at 7:00 am. I'm up for it and eager to get started on the 12 week course.
I selected 7:00 am because I'm an earlier riser, and there will probably be less traffic and people around that time of morning. It's only about 20 minutes from home and takes about an hour each day.
My Sweetie can sleep in on those days. She's earned it.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Smart Woman, My Wife and Nurse
I already mentioned my great post-surgery look-see of my
legs by my cardiologist’s nurse practitioner, and my surprisingly good dental
check-up yesterday, but I failed to mention another series of events that
started two days earlier and ended with good results. I’ll start from the
beginning.
Our water heater stopped making hot water a couple of nights
ago after I took my shower. It could have been sooner and I just used up
all the hot water. No matter, it was still a problem the following day.
So I went into the attic and checked it out. I’ve been
re-lighting gas water heaters all my life, but this one has an igniter built
into the gas control valve. No need for a long match or wire holding a
match to get it lit. It’s obviously an improved safety feature.
The only problem was I apparently could not fully understand
all of the lighting instructions written on the side of the tank. So when
I turned the dial all the way back to ‘Ignite’ and turned and pressed the pilot
light gas release, followed by pressing the igniter, I could not hear or see if
the pilot light was lit. I simply could not bend over that far to look
into the glassed-over window into where the pilot light was. Nor could I
hear a ‘poof’ or ‘swish’ or small ‘boom’ saying it was lit.
By then I concluded that the valve was not working properly
and I should call a plumber.
But Judy decided to ask Neighbor Scott to come see.
Next thing I know he and Neighbor Ron came walking up the driveway. I
told them what I had tried and they promptly started to pull down the
ladder. I told them they both could ride up the elevator. So up
they went. They liked it.
A couple of minutes later they came down saying it was
fixed. That the pilot light was lit but that I had not turned the pilot
light gas release and temperature control knob back into place. I could
have sworn I did those steps but suddenly I could not for the life of me
recollect doing them.
Apparently, I knew what and how to finish the task at hand,
but didn’t. I’m a bit worried about that.
And, of course, I was a tad baffled as to why the pilot
light would go out in the first place. But since it was working, I let it
go. Pilot lights go out. That’s why they have instructions for
re-lighting them on the side. End of story.
But then Judy had been complaining as to why her new gas
stove that otherwise worked fine, had a small ‘simmer burner’ that would go out
after a few minutes of simmering. Turning the knob ‘up’ a skosh changed
it from ‘simmer’ mode and into ‘low cook’ mode that was too hot for simmer.
She told me that it seemed as if there wasn’t enough gas
pressure to keep the flame burning at the ‘simmer’ setting. My
reply was that the pressure is controlled by the gas company’s regulator
outside each house and there was no way I could fix it.
So she first called for a warranty repair of the
stove. The GE guy came yesterday afternoon. It was the first time
he had seen this particular model of stove in use. He was also baffled as
to how to fix it. But he suggested that it might be more of a problem with
the natural gas pressure coming into the house. BINGO! He thought
the same as Judy. But it was something he could not fix. We thanked
him and he left.
Judy promptly called the gas company and soon there was a
really nice, very professional gas company rep there to check it out, including
Judy’s suggestion that the gas pressure could be too low, thereby not being
able to remain at the simmer level when another burner, oven or perhaps the gas
water heater turned on.
His conclusion a few minutes later was that sure enough the
gas regulator on the outside of the house was only allowing something under 4
psi when it should have been 4 psi, the industry standard. He adjusted it
to the 4 psi and now all seems fixed. But he also said that if it
happened again they would just change out the entire regulator for a new
one. Just call them and they would be happy to do it.
We could not ask for better service from our gas
company. And even the GE technician was knowledgeable enough to suggest
that the problem could be a ‘pressure regulator’ issue. Here’s what
Google says about it:
“A common
operating pressure for natural gas appliances is around 7
inches of water column (WC) or re-stating this in
equivalent measure, that's 14.9
millibars or 1743 Pascals or Pa, or about 0.25 psi (pounds per square inch) or
about 4 ounces of pressure per square inch.”
We now have 4 ounces of pressure per square inch.
More than anything, I’m proud of Judy for being savvy and
persistent enough to understand the mechanics of a stove’s gas regulator, and
to call someone who could fix it. We’ll see how it works as we continue
to cook, but for now, we believe both the stove and the water heater may have
been ‘gas-starved’ just enough for a brief moment that the safety mechanisms simply
turned the gas off to the burners due to lack of gas. How many
women would have even attempted to figure that out? But my Sweetie did,
and she was right on.
Now you know how things get done around here.
She also took the time to itemize my list of current pills
into an understandable chart as to when I’m to take what. A lot of these
pills will not be required in a few weeks at the most, but for right now, it is
important that the medications be taken properly and timely.
What a woman!
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Great Post-Surgery and Dental Check-Ups
Today's schedule started out with a 'first thing' visit to my cardiologist's office for a fasting full blood workup by the in-house LabCorps technician, followed by a quick 'look-see' of my leg wounds by my cardiologist's nurse practitioner, Jeff, to make sure there was no more infection.
I did both without a hitch and was through in 20 minutes. I like having this kind of prompt service.
The lab results should be ready by Monday.
Meanwhile, I gave the okay to set me up for cardio rehab at Lakeview Memorial Healthcare, the same hospital where my open heart surgery was done. Not only are all my records close at hand, I already know some of the people who work in rehab. They will be in touch with me to set up a schedule.
Thirty minutes later I was in my dentist's office for my first dental visit since visiting my dentist in Spring Texas back in June 2017.
Dr. 'Rocky' St. Pierre, not only did the most thorough first-visit exam I've ever had, he found no problems at all with my teeth. I still have all of my teeth, including wisdom teeth, so there was a lot that could have needed attention. That's one less worry to deal with.
He said I must come from good genes to have such good teeth. But he noted that I must grind my teeth because there is ample evidence of it. I try not to grind, but Judy says I do it constantly while driving. At least I have an excuse for grinding them - traffic.
All that is needed is a cleaning visit, but he wants to check with my cardiologist first before setting it up. It seems that any dental work too soon after surgery can result in some serious medical problems for me, including infection. I'm good with that caution.
Also, Dr. Rocky, wants to review my previous dental records and will contact my dentist in Spring, Texas for copies of my file. I like that he is thorough enough to do that extra step.
Judy and I came bearing gifts and Dr. Rocky, a fellow Egghead, was beside himself thrilled. We gave him a bottle of Franklin BBQ sauce, and an assortment of Dizzy Pig sample pouches.
Then brunch at Mattina Bella Restaurant near downtown Covington. They are known for their breakfasts and brunches. We ate more than we should but it was very good.
And now we're home and I'm thinking 'nap' before anything else is scheduled.
Some days just start out good and get better. This was one of them.
I did both without a hitch and was through in 20 minutes. I like having this kind of prompt service.
The lab results should be ready by Monday.
Meanwhile, I gave the okay to set me up for cardio rehab at Lakeview Memorial Healthcare, the same hospital where my open heart surgery was done. Not only are all my records close at hand, I already know some of the people who work in rehab. They will be in touch with me to set up a schedule.
Thirty minutes later I was in my dentist's office for my first dental visit since visiting my dentist in Spring Texas back in June 2017.
Dr. 'Rocky' St. Pierre, not only did the most thorough first-visit exam I've ever had, he found no problems at all with my teeth. I still have all of my teeth, including wisdom teeth, so there was a lot that could have needed attention. That's one less worry to deal with.
He said I must come from good genes to have such good teeth. But he noted that I must grind my teeth because there is ample evidence of it. I try not to grind, but Judy says I do it constantly while driving. At least I have an excuse for grinding them - traffic.
All that is needed is a cleaning visit, but he wants to check with my cardiologist first before setting it up. It seems that any dental work too soon after surgery can result in some serious medical problems for me, including infection. I'm good with that caution.
Also, Dr. Rocky, wants to review my previous dental records and will contact my dentist in Spring, Texas for copies of my file. I like that he is thorough enough to do that extra step.
Judy and I came bearing gifts and Dr. Rocky, a fellow Egghead, was beside himself thrilled. We gave him a bottle of Franklin BBQ sauce, and an assortment of Dizzy Pig sample pouches.
Then brunch at Mattina Bella Restaurant near downtown Covington. They are known for their breakfasts and brunches. We ate more than we should but it was very good.
And now we're home and I'm thinking 'nap' before anything else is scheduled.
Some days just start out good and get better. This was one of them.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
My Chevy Avalanche
After almost seventeen years I sold my 2002 Chevy Avalanche Z66. It was a sad moment because I really loved that truck.
I was still working when I bought it new back in 2002, and put 30,000 miles on it the first year before being laid off work. Almost all of those miles were commuting to and from work in Houston. I retired shortly after that and decided to keep the truck,
Over the years we drove it to a few Eggfests around the country and used it to haul large and heavy loads of lumber and stone for occasional construction projects, or to landscape the lawn. But not much else over those years.
As of yesterday it only had just over 103,000 miles on it. And I had all of the service records on it.
And except for a few very minor scratches and bruises, it looked brand new. It was a rare moment when it was not parked in our garage overnight during those years.
It was by far more comfortable to drive or ride in than any of the other cars we've had. We even pulled a rental RV trailer or two with it and it performed the task easily. But RVing wasn't our thing and we never pulled another trailer with it.
The guy who bought it had been asking me if I wanted to sell it ever since we moved here. He already had one Chevy Avalanche that he used in his lawn mowing and landscaping business. So we gave him first crack at buying it as well as a comfortable discount. Within hours the deal was done and he was one proud new owner.
That being said, I'm sure I will miss it, but truth is we no longer need a truck or even a second vehicle. And even if we did we could rent one for what we needed it to do.
But we will always appreciate the years that truck gave us. It was good for us.
I was still working when I bought it new back in 2002, and put 30,000 miles on it the first year before being laid off work. Almost all of those miles were commuting to and from work in Houston. I retired shortly after that and decided to keep the truck,
Over the years we drove it to a few Eggfests around the country and used it to haul large and heavy loads of lumber and stone for occasional construction projects, or to landscape the lawn. But not much else over those years.
As of yesterday it only had just over 103,000 miles on it. And I had all of the service records on it.
And except for a few very minor scratches and bruises, it looked brand new. It was a rare moment when it was not parked in our garage overnight during those years.
It was by far more comfortable to drive or ride in than any of the other cars we've had. We even pulled a rental RV trailer or two with it and it performed the task easily. But RVing wasn't our thing and we never pulled another trailer with it.
The guy who bought it had been asking me if I wanted to sell it ever since we moved here. He already had one Chevy Avalanche that he used in his lawn mowing and landscaping business. So we gave him first crack at buying it as well as a comfortable discount. Within hours the deal was done and he was one proud new owner.
That being said, I'm sure I will miss it, but truth is we no longer need a truck or even a second vehicle. And even if we did we could rent one for what we needed it to do.
But we will always appreciate the years that truck gave us. It was good for us.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Another Update
I know this is starting to sound like a broken record, but I like to keep track of how far I've come toward recovery from my open heart surgery on May 14, 2019. Yesterday was the one month anniversary of the surgery, and I'm still "recovering."
My recovery has been plagued by problems with my leg. The wounds from the vein harvesting are having a hard time healing. Especially one of them which extends into the back of the knee joint of my leg. The movement there from simple walking tends to re-open the wound slightly, thereby resulting in a new scab which becomes hard and dry. My doctors want the wound to be exposed to the open air rather than be bandaged. No medicines or lotions of any kind are to be applied to the wound. Antibiotics keep the risk of infection down.
The wound opens frequently and the scab partially dissolves during showers. Once the wound dries it tends to pull on the skin as it dries making for considerable discomfort, often mixed with serious pain. It is made worse if the leg is swollen with fluids left over from surgery. Occasional naps in my recliner or bed with my feet on pillows helps the fluid re-distribute from my legs
Compression stockings tend to help somewhat but they too eventually result in discomfort and pain. Plus, installing the very tight stockings is both a challenge at best, and impossible at worst, depending on how swollen my leg is.
Meanwhile, I have been walking a controlled route through the house that allows me to accumulate one or more miles per day. Some days, like yesterday, have to be skipped due to the pain from the healing of the leg. The pain and the antibiotic's side effects makes any thought of walking any distance at all an impossible task. Plus, I just feel like crap from the nausea and the feeling of pending diarrhea all the time. Plus, my body temperature swings from warm/hot to cold/chilled due to the anemia from the lack of blood.
My weight loss is back to normal and blood pressure is excellent. That alone is suggestive of success. As does a daily log I've maintained from just after surgery.
Yet, in spite of the negatives mentioned above, I see and feel daily progress is being made. It's just slow and fraught with difficulties.
My recovery has been plagued by problems with my leg. The wounds from the vein harvesting are having a hard time healing. Especially one of them which extends into the back of the knee joint of my leg. The movement there from simple walking tends to re-open the wound slightly, thereby resulting in a new scab which becomes hard and dry. My doctors want the wound to be exposed to the open air rather than be bandaged. No medicines or lotions of any kind are to be applied to the wound. Antibiotics keep the risk of infection down.
The wound opens frequently and the scab partially dissolves during showers. Once the wound dries it tends to pull on the skin as it dries making for considerable discomfort, often mixed with serious pain. It is made worse if the leg is swollen with fluids left over from surgery. Occasional naps in my recliner or bed with my feet on pillows helps the fluid re-distribute from my legs
Compression stockings tend to help somewhat but they too eventually result in discomfort and pain. Plus, installing the very tight stockings is both a challenge at best, and impossible at worst, depending on how swollen my leg is.
Meanwhile, I have been walking a controlled route through the house that allows me to accumulate one or more miles per day. Some days, like yesterday, have to be skipped due to the pain from the healing of the leg. The pain and the antibiotic's side effects makes any thought of walking any distance at all an impossible task. Plus, I just feel like crap from the nausea and the feeling of pending diarrhea all the time. Plus, my body temperature swings from warm/hot to cold/chilled due to the anemia from the lack of blood.
My weight loss is back to normal and blood pressure is excellent. That alone is suggestive of success. As does a daily log I've maintained from just after surgery.
Yet, in spite of the negatives mentioned above, I see and feel daily progress is being made. It's just slow and fraught with difficulties.
Sunday, June 09, 2019
Another Update on Recovery
Today starts the 26th day of recovery from my quintuple open heart bypass surgery. I'm still recovering, and apparently I will be for a while.
My left leg, the 'vein harvest' leg, is still giving me a problem. Add to that the swelling in both legs. It just won't go away. And it makes for some some serious discomfort, and at times, pain to the point of disabling me from doing much.
But I'm trying hard to get in at least one mile a day of walking. So far the walking has been inside the house. Yes, I mapped out a route from the front bedroom to the back bedroom, with a loop around the living room to give me 110 steps of 2 1/4' long. All I had to do was make 11 complete round trips to get my 2,000 steps of 2 1/4' each to equal a mile. That was enough to get me started without having to go outside to do it.
I gradually increased my stride and I can now do the same course with less steps while traveling the same distance.
But I've also increased my round trips to 15 and in doing so I increased my distance by half again. Today I traveled 1.4 miles. And I felt good afterward.
But soon afterward the swelling in both legs increased, as did the pain.
And I've even managed to cook a few times on my Big Green Eggs. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Last Friday I visited my cardiologist and his nurse practitioner. After exchanging thoughts about what to do next, they settled on prescribing more antibiotics and to perform another ultrasound of both legs to see if perhaps there was a blood clot lurking.
Apparently, there is no blood clot and the antibiotics are just now starting to work. I go back next week, hopefully to display my considerable progress.
Meanwhile, I'm starting to eat full meals again and enjoy the flavors. I'm also sleeping better and thinking better. Yes, 'thinking clearly' was also a casualty from all of this.
Mind you, I'm not complaining as much as just expressing frustration. The legs are what's holding me back. And each day seems to bring me a little closer to the end of this adventure.
And through it all, my Sweetie continues to carry on with my duties added to hers, along with helping me to stay focused on recovery. I doubt I could do it without her. She even gave up her cherished 3rd row seats to see Gene Watson in Biloxi because she knew I would not be well enough in time. I owe her big time.
If you are even remotely interested in seeing what open heart bypass surgery looks like, this video is pretty much dead on what I went through. It's not for the squeamish.
https://youtu.be/gmZJgMMC2i8
My left leg, the 'vein harvest' leg, is still giving me a problem. Add to that the swelling in both legs. It just won't go away. And it makes for some some serious discomfort, and at times, pain to the point of disabling me from doing much.
But I'm trying hard to get in at least one mile a day of walking. So far the walking has been inside the house. Yes, I mapped out a route from the front bedroom to the back bedroom, with a loop around the living room to give me 110 steps of 2 1/4' long. All I had to do was make 11 complete round trips to get my 2,000 steps of 2 1/4' each to equal a mile. That was enough to get me started without having to go outside to do it.
I gradually increased my stride and I can now do the same course with less steps while traveling the same distance.
But I've also increased my round trips to 15 and in doing so I increased my distance by half again. Today I traveled 1.4 miles. And I felt good afterward.
But soon afterward the swelling in both legs increased, as did the pain.
And I've even managed to cook a few times on my Big Green Eggs. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Last Friday I visited my cardiologist and his nurse practitioner. After exchanging thoughts about what to do next, they settled on prescribing more antibiotics and to perform another ultrasound of both legs to see if perhaps there was a blood clot lurking.
Apparently, there is no blood clot and the antibiotics are just now starting to work. I go back next week, hopefully to display my considerable progress.
Meanwhile, I'm starting to eat full meals again and enjoy the flavors. I'm also sleeping better and thinking better. Yes, 'thinking clearly' was also a casualty from all of this.
Mind you, I'm not complaining as much as just expressing frustration. The legs are what's holding me back. And each day seems to bring me a little closer to the end of this adventure.
And through it all, my Sweetie continues to carry on with my duties added to hers, along with helping me to stay focused on recovery. I doubt I could do it without her. She even gave up her cherished 3rd row seats to see Gene Watson in Biloxi because she knew I would not be well enough in time. I owe her big time.
If you are even remotely interested in seeing what open heart bypass surgery looks like, this video is pretty much dead on what I went through. It's not for the squeamish.
https://youtu.be/gmZJgMMC2i8
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