July 23, 2001
My name is Ward Meyer and live in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. I’m 41
years old, married to Anne, and have 4 kids, 27, 25, 18 and 15. Do
the math, the older 2 are my stepdaughters. I have known since I was
a teenager that I have a bicuspid aortic valve. However it never
affected my activities until lately. I had a difficult time getting
my breath while exercising. After a stress test and an
echocardiogram in June, 2001, my cardiologist said that the valve
was quite stenotic, that means narrow, and that I would need to have
the valve replaced. My surgery is scheduled for August 1st,
2001. I have decided on the St. Jude’s mechanical valve because I
would rather not have to go through the surgery again. I have heard
different views on Coumadin and I am going to learn to live with
it. As one of the members said, “Study up on it and go with your
heart.” My gut feeling is to go with the St. Jude’s. I will make a
post surgery entry in about two weeks, see you then.
Tuesday, July 31, 2001 (The night before
surgery)
By now I have read everything I can read and
talked to everyone I can talk to, any more information would be
unnecessary. I’m not really afraid any more, just a little nervous.
I have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 6:00 AM, the surgery is
scheduled for 8:30. I still have a few preparations to do yet
tonight, those of you who have had the surgery know what I mean. I
will make another entry when I get home this weekend.
August 9, 2001 (recovering at home)
I had surgery 8 days ago and I’m feeling great
but still have the occasional aches and pains in strange places. My
breastbone is making a lot of noise as it heals too. My 15-year-old
son Morgan is my daytime caregiver. He is very helpful and
cooperative, unusual for a 15 year old. Not sure when I’m going back
to work yet, I will play that by ear.
We got up very early on the day of surgery, we
had to be at the hospital at 6:00 A.M. My wife Anne and 18 year old
daughter Olivia went with me. We kept things light and funny in the
pre-op room. Then I kissed Anne and Olivia and was wheeled away. I
remember the operating room up until the gas mask. The next thing I
knew I woke up in the ICU, tubes all over, just like they told me.
It was a stormy day and I can vaguely remember the thunder and
lightning. I spent about 24 hours in the ICU, most of which was a
blur. I do recall them telling me to try to breathe on my own
because they could not take the breathing tubes out until I could do
it without the ventilator. And then finally having the tubes
pulled, unpleasant. I was almost sorry to see the bladder catheter
go, it was nice not to have to worry about going to the bathroom.
The first day in the recovery room was tough also, still had IV’s,
oxygen, drainage tube, etc. I had a great nurse though, you know
some people should be nurses and some should not. The recovery was
rapid after that; some of my worst pain in the hospital was from
headaches from lying in bed too much.
I start my cardiac rehab exercise program next
week, I am anxious to see how well I will able to perform compared
to before surgery. Hopefully this will be the last update to my
story. Thanks for the opportunity to share.
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