Oct 2: Questions answered for new & old readers

Hi there! Gee, I didn't realize just how long since the last posting. I often compose things in my head before actually writing them, so sometimes I lose track of what is and isn't written.

I'm hoping for increased readership here, for a couple of reasons. Tomorrow will be the first day back at work and then there will be returning to the hospitals. Obviously, I will be seeing people for the first time in months and expect many questions regarding what has been happening. (Not everyone has been as devoted as you wonderful regular readers!) While the concern is appreciated, I find that I can no longer keep telling the story over and over. It's like ripping off a scab repeatedly and rubbing salt into it. And let's face it: it's a pretty painful story for me literally and figuratively. So, I will be refering everyone to reading this.

So, here is something new. Below are several questions that are the most commonly asked. This should make it quicker for those not familiar with recent events to catch up.

1) What happened with this third heart surgery? Replacing the mitral valve with a mechanical one and repairing the tricuspid valve.

2) What are the major problems now? Having a metal valve at a young age, being on coumadin for life (increases all bleeding but keeps clots from forming on valve and causing strokes) and having the mitral valve opening of an 8 year old supporting an adult heart and body.

3) Am I in pain? Yes, unfortunately, nearly constantly. The sternum hurts a lot, the right back which was cut open for the thoracotomy when I do too much and the right lung with the mesh inside. Some improvement but suspect will always be problems.

4) Why is it taking so long for you to recover from this surgery? Because I've had three open heart surgeries and a thoracotomy in less than three years, which is almost undeard of. My muscles are atrophied, I'm weak and without much stamina.

5) Why didn't they just replace the valve right away? Because repair of your own tissue is better than replacing, especially in the heart. The metal valve will shear blood cells and cause a mild anemia, the blood thinner can cause major problems and the metal valve can cause destruction of the remaining heart muscle over time.

6) How is your brain? About 80% and I seem recovered to most people. But my memory is bad with things that I don't think of regularly, word finding can be a problem and I have problems multi-tasking, which was one of my strong points. I'm forgetful. This is to be expected: I've been on heart bypass with my heart has been stopped for over 10 hours total from the three heart surgeries.

7) Are you glad you moved? Incredibly. It was a horrid several months selling the Ambler house, renovating this one and physically moving. But this place is so much easier for me to handle and the cost is so much lower with the upstairs apartment rented out.

8) Are you ever going to be totally better? No. Small valve opening will always cause fatigue and limit my activities. The sternum being split repeatedly will always be a problem. The thoracotomy will always cause my right arm to be weaker, and chances are will always be somewhat painful. My right lung will always feel uncomfortable because of the repair. But I am much better than I have been over the past three years. I'm no longer dying, which few people wanted to face but was the truth of what was happening.

9) What are you hoping to do when you are better? My first major goal is to climb the mountain in NH that my family goes up every year. I struggled up in 2004 just before I got really severe and that was the last time. It's become very symbolic for me--it's my Mount Everest, my Holy Grail, what will show that I have taken back my life. That attempt will be in late June/early July 2008. After that I want to go back to traveling in other countries again.

10) How have you coped with all this? Some days better than others! I get very depressed sometimes, but at my core I'm very optimistic and that always wins out. Being realistic. And always being aware that there are so many people all over the world who are much sicker than I am and without health insurance. Praying a lot. Depending on my two closest friends Brenda and Joanne, who have been my rocks. Being supported by other friends and family.

Further medical details can be found in the July 28 2007 posting, for those that wish. If I've missed anything that you have as a burning question then leave it in comments.

I'm now up to 1 full mile of walking!! Takes a little over 30 minutes.

Thanks for checking. Laurie