(Okay, so it's a little cold today!)
It has been 185 days since I had the aorta valve replacement operation and 185 days since I last smoked a cigarette!!! What surprises me most is that I have had a very easy time with the
latter after 60 years of smoking. Oh, once in awhile I have a craving
but it doesn't even last for a minute plus I can blame it on the 10
pound weight gain that I have/had!!! It is very disappointing that none
of the great things I had heard about giving up smoking--food will
taste better, breathing will be easier, etc.--haven't happened YET!
The best thing is that I have not had an anxiety attack for over 6
weeks and have but slowly weaning myself off the lorazepem
(tranquillizer) long enough that tonight I will not take any at all.
I, also, went on a mini doctor strike not seeing ANY doctors during
the month of December and, as I told my primary, have felt great! I have been having trouble with my eyes--red, feeling gritty, etc.--and
the ophthalmologist gave me eye drops but they haven't helped at all.
Went to my Nose, Ear and Throat doctor last Thursday--I mentioned
before that, unguarded, she said that the problem I have been having
with my ears and throat may have been caused by neurological damage
when I was put 'under' for the operation. This time she gave me a long
explanation of what was wrong but I didn't take any notes so I really
can't explain it.  She did say there was no cure for it.
I had, also, told her I was having a lot of problems with getting
phlegm out of my throat and getting rid of it--she said DON'T and to
drink water when I feel it gathering in my throat. Once again I wish I
had taken notes as when she explained it , it was logical. She did
prescribe a nasal spray for me and a saline nasal spray to take when I
am showering. Last but not least she is very much against using cue
tips to clean ears out and told me to get an over the counter ear wax
removal kit!!!
Sorry, three sprays when none will cure what's wrong with me is too
much plus I think it was the prescribed nasal spray that caused me
other problems so I stopped taking it--will try it again next week to
see if I have the same reaction.
Not being a worrier by nature though, I don't plan' to worry about
the next three items, I know I will have to face them and make
decisions.
The first is that I am aware I will have to have an operation on my
legs because of P.A.D.--one will involve a stent the other, (I forget
what you call it but,) it involves a balloon being inserted into the
leg--I am not worried about the operation itself (I had a stent put
into one of legs in 2000) but the 'going under'--I keep on hearing how
dangerous it is, that many strokes happen, plus having the ear and
throat problem from going under for the aorta operation. As I said this
is not immediate--will see vascular surgeon in May as he figured he
should be recovered enough to do this.
I do have a very loose tooth and much to my embarrassment when my
dentist wanted to pull it last week when I was in his office I did
panic and said no, which has never happened before as I just don't have
problems with my dentist--I told him I needed time to psych myself up
for it--both he, my primary and Allen say I think too much!!!--and we scheduled it for March 3rd. Though I was anxious it was far from an anxiety attack.
Last, but not least, and this has been bothering me--I have been
having moments of 'strange' breathing. Sometimes it is shallow,
sometimes it is heavy like I have been exercising--it doesn't last long
but it is uncomfortable. I will be seeing a new heart doctor--I just
didn't/don't like my present cardiologist--on February 3rd. I am
disturbed that I really haven't been checked out by my current
cardiologist--no X-ray, no stress tests, no nothing!!!--which is one of
the reasons I am going to a new heart doctor (plus the old one is too
busy telling jokes that aren't funny!!!)
Though the new appointment is 12 days away if I feel the breathing
problem is getting worse I will call him to move the appointment up.
The bottom line is that after six months since I had the operation I
feel on the recovery chart I am at a 5 out of a score of 10 but, most
important, I haven't had any anxiety attacks!!!
Hopefully, last night was the last time I took (or had to take) any
part of a tranquillizer though I might take one for the tooth pulling!!

posted on Jan 21, 2009 4:15 PM ()

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