DAYS 101-108 Recovery

I didn't expect to suffer some hearing loss as a result of heart surgery, but surprise, surprise.  I'm blaming the heart surgery, perhaps it was the medications or the anesthesia or whatever.  Or maybe it was just time for another part on my seventy-year old body to start wearing out.  I first noticed a difference in my hearing back in March.  The evening before I was due to be released from the hospital all sounds and voices, especially those coming from outside my hospital room, suddenly became extremely loud as if they were being amplified.  The next day when my husband came to pick me up, I was wondering why he was speaking so softly.  Being the adapter that I am, and to a fault, I caught myself trying to read his lips.  I then realized my ears weren't working to full capacity.  Being optimistic, I figured my hearing would eventually return to normal.  It's been 3 1/2 months, but it doesn't seem to be improving.  I no longer hear vehicles coming up our road, the washing machine thrashing away in the mudroom when I'm in the other part of the cabin, and other sounds that those around me notice.  When out in the pasture playing shepherd with the goats, they will often spook to a sound I am totally unaware of.   It's a strange feeling because I don't know what I'm not hearing.  I'd say it's only a mild hearing loss so maybe it's not totally a bad thing.   

Meds:   Coumadin, Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, Lutein, Hawthorne, Garlic, B-12 

DAYS 92-100 Recovery

While wearing the heart monitor 24/7 for 30 days was irritating and sometimes a nuisance, I can think of far more worse things that some folks need to wear and for far longer, for example a poop bag or artificial limbs. 

It feels good to no longer have electrodes stuck to my chest with gooey stuff, no more dangling and tangled wires hanging from my body, no more carrying around the sensor and the designated cell phone that transmitted constantly and needed to be recharged several times during the day.  It also feels good to be off the heart drugs and not have to fight side effects caused by the medications. 

The most frustrating part of the whole heart monitor ordeal was that I was monitored for less than half of the 30 days that I wore it.  The cardio-surgeon specified a 30-day monitoring, but when the cardiologist's technician set up the enrollment he mistakenly ordered it for only 14 days.  

The heart monitoring gods in Chicago left me a message this week saying that since I had already sent back their equipment, they'll send me another set so I can finish my 30 days.  First of all, I have not returned their original equipment since I was waiting for the cardiologist to determine if he had gotten enough info, and secondly, there's no way I'm wearing and dealing with that gear for an additional two weeks.  My heart is being monitored three days a week while I'm at cardio-rehab, so if it does go back into atrial fibrillation, surely they'll detect it there.

Not wanting to be overcharged for this monitoring since I received only 14 of the 30 days of service, I contacted Life Watch and was told the cost was the same. Believing they were scamming me I checked with a couple of other sources and was told the same thing.  This makes no sense at all.  I'll never understand medical billing.  Though I probably wouldn't be too wrong in thinking they charge whatever they can get away with.  

Meds:   Coumadin, Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, Lutein, Hawthorne, Garlic, B-12 

DAY 91 - Recovery

With yoga this morning and working out at cardio rehab this afternoon, I feel I'm on a roll.  It's beyond bedtime and I'm still loaded with energy.   The best news is that my blood pressure dropped down to an acceptable level this evening.  

Meds:   Coumadin, Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, Lutein, Hawthorne  

DAYS 89-90 Recovery

Huge increase in energy and stamina this past week.  If I continue at this rate I'll be able to get back to my "normal" in the near future.  I received a couple of good suggestions for natural means to lower blood pressure.  I'm returning to yoga classes starting tomorrow. 

Meds:   Coumadin, Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, Lutein, Hawthorne    

DAY 88 - Recovery

Blood pressure scary high today.  It's been creeping up there since I've been off the beta blocker and diuretic.  Rehab nurses also concerned about my heart rate.  They'll send a report to my cardiologist.  Natural methods to lower blood pressure and heart rate didn't work before but I'm going to give it another try.  Anyone have any suggestions or advice?  I do not want to go back on meds.  I can't handle the side effects. 

Meds:   Coumadin, Vayacog, L-Carnitine, Vitamin D, I-Caps, Flax seed oil, Multivitamin, Lutein, Hawthorne