Nancy's Posts

Today is my 11th month anniversary of my- new to me; but slightly used prior, Bovine Mitral valve replacement. "Flossie" is settled in nicely after a wee process of getting back to the job of beating again, this time in my chest. This journey has been one I never imagined I would need, and I am still trying to put to words all I have been realized since this life altering surgery. I plan to try to write a journal worth reading next month at my year mark, when I begin counting this annually, like birthdays. No longer going to count this accomplishment in weeks or months. ;-) I am not a good journaller, this community being my first attempt ever, and I admit to being initially, a reluctant participant in this wonderful family of valve patients in varied stages of our walk through this experience. Not reluctant to answer questions, or participate, just reluctant as this isn't a group I would have ever guessed I would need. But need you I did! And you were all wonderful and supportive in ways this old nurse could never have imagined. Each of you understood what I was facing and going to go through. Yes, our experiences are uniquely ours, yet we share so many of the same worries, dreams and dread in regard to what was brought to us. Thank you for supporting me and being there, even if you never knew I had read your accounts, your journals, your questions. It in turn helped me, and because of that, I hope some where down the line I pass along a word or two that helped someone else. I ramble, and wish I could be more to the point, and less wordy. But, I can't. My health is good, my 'asthma' is gone, I feel almost as good as I look on the papers that make up my medical record. Great EKG, no return of the post of A-fib except for the short lived episode caused by a decrease in dosage early on in the recovery phase. I have been dismissed by the Electrophyisologist Cardiologist AKA the A-Fib doctor. I had no idea that there was such a specialty, but thankful my case was quite easy for him and I do not need him any more. My cardiologist now sees me only Annually and IF needed. Nothing personal but I hope I don't need him except annually from here on out! My heart rate and B/P are what my pre op was for years, and I am back on my cholesterol medication and one Aspirin a day and that is all the meds I take! The blessing of this has not escaped me. I am now in my 3rd month of a new job, a very active, busy on my feet kind of job- hired for Relief, or maybe part time but have worked full time almost since day one. I was concerned about my stamina, so turned down a full time position at the same place doing the same job but find myself doing just that. Come August , I hope to be back to less hours a week, but the minimum 2 miles per day at work, at a fast paced job I am doing well with it. Thanks to Flossie! Life isn't perfect, but I know I know have a great chance at a longer life than had nothing been diagnosed or replaced. The fact that we live in a time where great options are available is a wonderful thing! I have so much I still want to do...... Keep moving forward, keep breathing deep, walking and taking time to smell the flowers and notice the wonders of nature as you walk strongly though your life! Life is good and I do believe it is getting better....... NancyD