Hugo A.
Hardt
I am a white male, half German
and the rest half Irish,
originally from Elizabethton,
Tennessee and will be 69 on
September 23, 2002. I started
college in pre-dentistry at
East Tennessee State College,
but ended up majoring in
Physics at Notre Dame. Spent
20 years as a Naval Officer,
also getting a MS, Physics,
and the next 25 supporting the
military as a contractor. I
am now mostly retired, doing
volunteer efforts, most in
youth ministry. Teenagers
keep one young. I have a
wonderful wife, 2 daughters, 2
grand daughters and 1
grandson. My hobbies are
golf, choir and barbershop
singing.
During my Navy career, I knew
I had a heart murmur, but had
no real symptoms. Diagnosed
with the gout in 1965. Had
emergency appendicitis with
gangrene and all the other
busted appendix problems in
1998. Had my gall bladder
removed in 1992. Diagnosed
with partial RBBB (right
bundle branch block) that
became complete in the 80s.
Had several stress tests, one
with a false reading. Had a
catheterization just prior to
the 90s with no real finding
except for slight
calcification of the aortic
valve. Was told to get
medication prior to any tooth
procedures. Was not concerned
because I got full term (10
years) life insurance with no
conditions in 1995.
Developed prostate problems in
1999 and had a rotor-rooter
procedure that January.
Walked so much recovering I
had to have arthroscopic
surgery on my leg that March.
I live on a golf course and
played every other day until
my shoulder slowly developed
rotator cuff problems. I was
scheduled for orthoscopic
surgery in February 2001 and
started the pre-op stuff with
Crestwood Hospital. Their
cardiologist did EKG, etc.,
and said he would not agree to
anesthesia until I got a
cardiologist OK. I was
getting tired, slightly dizzy,
etc. just prior to this but
had rationalized that to
getting old and my prostate
operation. Except for tiring
easily, I led a normal life
until the morning of the AVR
operation.
Did all the heart tests and
found a great heart surgeon.
I am firmly convinced mine was
the best for a number of
reasons. The best is that he
made my wife feel comfortable
about him and the process we
were about to undertake.
After consultation with my
surgeon, we selected a bovine
valve. My AVR operation was
March 21, 2001 at Huntsville
Hospital in Huntsville,
Alabama. I bled a lot and
required 5 units replaced.
One from my wife, one my
daughter’s, one from her
friend, and 2 from the bank.
I do not know how long I was
on the “machine” but my memory
is slowly going south. I went
through all the recovery
processes already well
described by others. The
first thing I remember was
after all the stuff had been
removed. I was “denied” the
pleasures of those other
delightful things already
described elsewhere. I do
remember that my one and only
goal that first day in my room
was to keep my throat damp so
I would not have to cough.
The heart pillow from the
Mended Hearts folks became my
best friend and common
companion. I would not leave
home without it. I had to
have a pacemaker inserted on
March 26th. I
finally went home March 31st,
after 10 days. The nurses
gave me a very long list of
prescriptive medications to
have filled. Got them filled
that day and found out I would
have been eligible for the
Tricare for Life discounts if
we had waited until April 1st.
My pill count was over a dozen
different prescriptions. I
could not read the fine print
and quickly developed my
resolution to this issue. I
simply numbered each type
(1-12) and wrote the number on
the top of each bottle. I
made a list on my computer
showing which was due when.
Then I simply opened that
numbered bottle, etc. The
visiting nurse borrowed my
idea and apparently it is used
by many now.
I left the hospital with
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and
thus was required to also be
on coumadin. I developed
uneven heart beats, including
ventricle variations and ended
up in the ER in early May.
Was put back on amiodarone.
The ventricle beats
stabilized, but the AF
continued. Had cardioversion
in June, 2001, and have had no
problems since. My medication
has returned to that being
used before the AVR.
Migraines, gout, HBP and
slight thyroid medication. I
am taking beta and calcium
channel blockers.
My experiences at the hospital
were as expected. The nurses
made sure I understood the
only way I could leave was to
get my walking total to a set
goal of so many laps a day.
Since I wanted out, I made
it. Food was not interesting
for me even at home. Since my
tubes were clear, there is no
diet, but still no appetite.
I guess we all slowly
re-develop our taste and
finally enjoy good food
again. BBQ tastes great now,
especially with a beer.
However, it is still not the
same.
My first few days at home were
noteworthy. I could not lie
down, not set up, and so
forth. I would wake up with a
jerk, not know where I was,
could not catch my breath,
etc. This slowly also
returned to normal. My
exercise program is hindered
because I also have peripheral
neuropathy. I was able to do
the walking at first but now
only do occasional spurts on
the stationary bicycle. I
ride a cart when playing golf
(every other day) but get
plenty of exercise at least
around each green.
I can not end without
commenting on the most
important aspect of my
experience. There is no
adequate way I can ever
express my appreciation for
and to my wife for the many
hours, understanding attitude,
etc. and so forth, she devoted
to me. Without her I would
not have made my recovery.
She was always there when
things went wrong and always
found ways to make them
better. She also helped me to
endure those things one could
not change and to understand
the difference. Her patience
with me and the process is
truly amazing. This continues
to this day.
This year I finally had my two
rotator cuff operations,
survived therapy, and am now
playing golf again. The score
is not great, but just playing
golf the last 2 months really
great.
My advice to AVR patients is
to find people you can trust,
trust them, and pray a lot.
Learn all you can, plan your
life and live your plan.
Remember always each day –
Today is the first day of the
rest of your life.
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