External Sites
Online Video
- Heart Surgery – Dr Oz.
- Mitral Valve Incompetence
- Mitral Valve Prolapse – Echo
- Mitral Valve Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Repair – Baptist
- Mitral Valve Repair Video – Dr. David Adams
- Video of Mitral Valve Surgery – eMedTV
- YouTube: Heart Valve Surgery Channel
- YouTube: Mitral Valve Repair Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital
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Monthly Archives: December 2011
Day 33
This is the last day of 2011. Becky and I went out this afternoon and did a fairly brisk walk around our block. The sky was clear and the temperature was about 3 degrees C. It felt good to walk … Continue reading
Posted in Blessings, Recovery
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Day 23
As I approach the 4 week mark (next Monday) I am beginning to wonder about a rehab exercise program. All the literature I have read suggests that a heart surgery patient should enroll in some sort of formal cardiac rehabilitation. … Continue reading
Posted in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Exercise, Recovery
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Day 21
Surgery – three weeks ago today! Today marks three weeks since I underwent open-heart surgery to repair my mitral valve which was prolapsed and had severe regurgitation. These three weeks have had their share of ups and downs but as … Continue reading
Posted in Recovery, Sleep
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Day 20
Well, I made it out to church today – in Chilliwack. My grandson Ben was playing the part of a sheep in their church children’s Christmas program and of course I did not want to miss that. The 45 minute … Continue reading
Posted in Blessings, Meditation, Recovery
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“Mender of Hearts” – an open letter to the doctors, nurses and all other staff at RCH
To all of my friends in the Royal Columbian Hospital cardiac unit (surgery, CSICU and wards – 2 South particularly). I cannot even begin to thank each of you for your role in giving me another opportunity to enjoy Christmas … Continue reading
Posted in Royal Columbian Hospital
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Day 18
Lab day today – to keep track of how the Warfarin is doing in my system. My INR seems to be stable at the level the doctor wants it. I am very thankful for a dear wife who is willing … Continue reading
Posted in Blessings, Recovery
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Day 17
Today started out well enough with me working through my breathing exercises and stretching exercises. I did several round-trips up and down our staircase (14 steps) and was feeling quite good about my physical progress. Then at lunch I choked … Continue reading
Posted in Setbacks
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Days 13 to 16
I have not posted much these past few days as my progress has been a bit discouraging. I have had a number of ups and downs and may have pushed myself too hard that first week home. One of the … Continue reading
Posted in Blessings, CareGroup, Recovery, Setbacks
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Day 12
Well, the steri-strips came off today. They were holding my incision together since all the staples were removed on day 4 (my release day). They actually came off quite easily. So now I am left with a distinctive 20 cm … Continue reading
Posted in Blessings, Recovery, Setbacks
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Day 11
Surgery day plus 11 Now I know why they taught us to “hug ourselves” (or hug a cushion) when ever we were getting into or out of a chair and not to try to push off or set yourself down … Continue reading
Posted in Recovery
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Day 10
Surgery day plus 10 I started the day a bit more tired than I had been. I wonder if I pushed things too hard yesterday? More naps today seem to be indicated… However the sun was shining this morning here … Continue reading
Posted in Recovery
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Day 9 (sorry, I have been messing with different themes for this blog)
Surgery day plus 9 This has been the best day so far. I have kept myself reasonably busy with phone calls, Skype calls, exercises and a 2 hour nap right after breakfast – hmmm…. I wonder if I could get … Continue reading
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Day 8 (ok..boredom is becoming serious…)
Surgery day plus 8 For the most part this was a good day for me. I was able to bring Bec her morning hot tea in bed as has been my custom for many years. I also made contact with … Continue reading
Meditations on the heart
Since being at home it has been difficult to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time. I don’t know why that may be but tonight I decided to use the wakefulness to do a little meditation … Continue reading
Posted in Meditation
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Day 7
Surgery day plus 7 This has been my busiest day yet. Bec and I were up at 6:00 in order to be at the medical lab by 7:30 so that my INR (Warfarin levels?) could be checked. After that Bec … Continue reading
Day 6
Surgery day plus 6 (Sunday) A lovely quiet day spent at home. A delightful surprise and definite reassurance was to receive a phone call from Susan at the hospital checking up on my progress. She encouraged me to get out … Continue reading
Day 5
Surgery day plus 5 My first full day at home. It has been delightful but also challenging. Last night I had a bit of a panic attack. I was sleeping in the bedroom while Bec and Esther were out in … Continue reading
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Day 4 – I’m home!
Surgery day plus 4 I’m actually home! I was discharged from the hospital at around 4:00 pm. Overall it was a great day despite the fact that I don’t think I slept a wink last night due to disruptions in … Continue reading
Posted in Recovery, Royal Columbian Hospital, Sleep
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Day 3 (ouch day)
Surgery day plus 3 I still needed some morphine at least once today – but I think that may be the last. I am definitely noticing a reduction in the intensity of pain levels. I was able to get around … Continue reading
Posted in Recovery, Royal Columbian Hospital
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