Joni's Posts

Good morning my friends! It's hard to beleive i am 3 weeks and 2 days post op today. everything is going so smoothly, I truly believe I have an angel on my shoulder, guiding me through my days. I had my 1st follow up visit to the surgeon yesterday, and they were amazed at how well i am progressing, I don't look like I just had open heart surgery! I go back again next week, and they will clear me to start seeing my cardiologist. My driving priveledges (still can't spell) return march 18th- next week, if i am comfortable with that.I'm not sure, I get a little concerned about the seatbelt and the incision . Any suggestions? still on coumadin, that will go on until may. and I am eating greens everyday and having my 4 oz plum wine! Doctor approved! Can't wait to see what my bloodwork says about that next week...Thanks for all those who commented on that coumadin question last week--- Today I have cardio-rehab,and after that my sister and I are going to see the movie cinderella if we can beat the preschoolers to the door. We will definately be the tallest ones there.We will sit in the back. I know the seats are comfortable .It will be cute seeing all those little princesses running around! It feels so good just to do something normal, outside of the house, it is a big part of recovery, greeting the outside world with your little secret and your big smile! I'm so grateful! My husband Randy has been amazing, he will do absolutely anything for me, he was SO happy after doctors visit yesterday, what a lift ! My sister Susie is making plans to go home to atlanta on monday, I will miss her everyday, but Randy and my son Ian, have this covered now , thanks to susie. I continue to pray for all my heart brothers and sisters and their loved ones through their journeys. Every day in recovery is a gift , and a day closer to your re-newed Life! God bless you! love, joni

Hello everyone! Hope you are having some sunshine in your day ! I continue to move forward in recovery mode, I still tire easily, and lets just pretend I have no arms. My arms get tired so easily! I know i must be doing some "illegal" movements during the day, and I don"t always catch myself in time. My rehab will help me with that.Twinges of pain in the chest area, which I like to call healing pains, all those nerves and muscles knitting and mending themselves back to health ! I am having trouble with the groin incision , very sore and tender, these sutures have to go! My 1st follow up visit is thursday, I'll see if I can hold out until then. My sister will stay with me through this week, and probably head home to atlanta over the weekend. I am so blessed to have her! Continued prayers and positive thoughts to all my heart brothers and sisters , where ever you are in your heart journey-God Bless you ! joni

Good morning everyone! the house is quiet at this time 6:30 am. their is a gentle snow falling outside, we are only supposed to get 4 inches today, just enough for an inside snowday, which I still love, but I hope it is the last. Just to keep up with my journal...I have already noticed my 1st little miracle of the day--Above my incision I had a huge lump, like half a golfball that was really noticable. I,m not sure what it is . but this morning I noticed it has shrunk down considerably...I,m happy to see that go! Didn't need 3 boobs ! I went to my 1st cardiac rehab app'T yesterday and it was wonderful! ! will try to schedual every mon, wed, and friday...I loved their approach to recovery, I only did 5 short exercises the 1st day and wow my arms were achy! They also help with diet, wound care, depression, and medications. these 2 girls know their stuff! I am going to love it there! The coumadin lab is right next door, so i will try to co-ordinate these two thing together on mondays. I was put on a LOW SALT DIET, a real challenge, I hope this is not a lifetime thing. Also vitamin k and alcohol ( I miss my wine !) because of coumidan. Oh well, I got a brand new valve and it must be babied for awhile, this I can do! If anyone has any tips on this restricted diet I'd love to hear from you! Keep up the positive attitude you'all, it is your best friend! love, joni