8 weeks and all is returning to normal

Thanks once again to everyone for their well wishes and support!

It seems that everyone is noticing that I'm looking better...and it's true! I have a much better colour now that my heart is working well again.

After the latest cardiologist visit, I found out that my heart is basically normal; the "zipper" scar is the only clue that something was wrong before.

Sharon is also doing better, getting around much easier on crutches -- but 4 more weeks yet. All the same, Gramma Susie has already made an appearance with more to come in the next few weeks.

For those of you not in Whitehorse...we had our first snow of the year last night!

5 weeks and counting

I want to start by thanking everyone for all their help and support!

Sharon and I would have had a tough time indeed without full time help from family and tons of TLC from friends. Rides, groceries, help in and outside the home, and home-cooked meals made recovery a lot easier to handle.

My biggest challenge now is the lifting restriction... no more than 5 lbs for 7 more weeks. I've just been cleared for driving, so I can run most errands, but buying milk, fruit, potatoes, and canned stuff is a challenge. In any case, I'm very grateful for the freedom driving allows us again.

Sharon is doing a lot better 2 weeks out of her foot surgery but will still be in an aircast boot for 2 more months. I'm really proud of her for getting around as well as she does -- it's been a tough struggle to gain mobility back.

The biggest thing I'm learning is that we take so many things for granted so when they're taken away, it's a huge shock. It's really helped me focus on enjoying each present moment as it comes, because who knows what the future will bring?

Also the word "patient" has a whole new meaning....I pray that I can continue being patient while being a patient a while longer, knowing that soon I'll really have my life back.

Sharon's now recovering as well...

Sharon had a successful foot surgery and now please keep her in your thoughts as she recovers.... it will be about 10 weeks before she can walk without the aircast boot on her right leg, and so is on crutches in the meantime.

Two weeks out and counting

Tuesday brings me to 14 days out of the hospital and a transition into another period of recovery. The pain behind my chest has really starting to diminish and the incision is already starting to knit back together. And best of all, I'm starting to sleep through the night, so I'm finding more energy to get out and enjoy all the sunny weather we've been having the last few days.

Throughout this recovery period I've really been going through each day moment to moment, and I've discovered that sleep comes to me before I'm able to start reflecting. I'm really happy that I can feel myself healing, but I'm still finding it hard to answer questions like: "How has life changed now that you've been through surgery?" because I haven't had time to think this kind of "big question" through. Let's see what the days and weeks ahead bring and I will have had time to think about my life, now that I've got it back again.

Hey Derek, can I call or come by and visit?

Hi there everyone,

I've been hearing this question since I'm now back home, so I thought I post some thoughts on visiting.

If you happen to be sick, please call my cell 334-5751 and we'll chat for now. I can't risk catching anything right now.

Please call my cell and we'll schedule a time to meet. I find that I can only handle one visit a day for the time being, but this will change soon and I'll post when my energy level is getting better.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks always for all the support and well wishes. My recovery is going very well because I feel really well supported. Thanks again!

Now in recovery from surgery, and it's harder than I thought!

So here's the timeline for surgery

July 29 -- Surgery
30 -- ICU
31 -- Cardiac Ward
August 2 -- Release from hospital

I can't believe that it all happened so quickly, and my head is still spinning as a consequence. But I'm happy that I'm in full recovery mode now, and am so grateful that everything went so smoothly.

I see people on the street and they can't believe that a week from surgery, I'm up and about! And I can't agree more with them... it feels truly miraculous.

I'm starting to get more energy to have people visit, so call me on my cell at 334-5751 and we'll make plans.

The hardest lesson for me has been that although I'm getting better, I've left surgery in a little less health than when I was waiting for surgery. So the patience part of the word "patient" has taken on a whole new dimension for me.

So I alternate activity with rest and try hard not to lift anything very heavy so that my wired up sterum doesn't complain too much.

And last and best, it's great to be back home!

Surgery is tomorrow!

This morning I checked in with the surgeon's office and got the date...tomorrow. So today we changed plans and I go in first thing the 29th, 5 months to the day I first saw the surgeon.

Thanks to everyone, and especially my wife and our families for the support, prayers and positive thoughts. The wait was made tolerable because of all the power of this support.

Thanks ever so much, and here's to a quick and uneventful recovery.

Disappointment!

My surgery got cancelled and I'm very disappointed. Further updates will come from the heart surgeon's office in Vancouver, as usual. This has been a really hard change of events after hearing the initial news Monday, so please keep me and everyone in our families close in your thoughts as we continue to wait.

Many people have been asking for my email. Please check out my profile page through the link at the top of this blog for this information.

Thanks to everyone who has called and emailed and stopped me in between appointments to lend support and strength -- know it's greatly appreciated.

I have a date for surgery!!! It's July 7th.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note that I found out my surgery date is Monday, July 7th. I'm so grateful and so overwhelmed that surgery is going to happen after the long 5-6 month wait.

Thanks for all your support during this time and into the future....it has been a lot easier knowing so many people are behind me on this.

Best,
Derek

Summer's here and I'm still waiting

Well, 1st day of summer and I'm still waiting. I thought, back in February, that I would be in recovery now, with nice weather and sunny skies to cheer me. Well, indeed there are sunny skies (when it's not raining) but I feel pretty gloomy sometimes as we grind it out waiting.

But, I do have a really good surgeon. So I can wait, for now, as I remain stable, and remain grateful that the medication I'm taking is working well. But I continue to tire easily.

Nevertheless, please call and email and comment on this blog, or message me on Facebook, because it really helps my spirits and I feel connected. Thanks again for all your support!

June and in Vancouver overnight

It has been cloudy, cool, and Whitehorse-like here at my parent's place in Langley. But it was great to see my aunt and uncle from Edmonton and my aunt from Malaysia, along with my grandma. Also it was the best to see my sister and my nieces...so cute!!

Aside from family, I went to the opthalmologist yesterday to check my retinas...once again. But there was really good news. My eyes are stable! The risk of detachment is very low and I don't need to see him again for some months to come.

Of course, still no date on my heart surgery. The waiting is hard, but I am persevering mostly because I have so much support from family and friends. Thanks again!

Victoria Day weekend

Well, it's the middle of May, and the sun is shining and the BBQ is on, and I have a mosquito bite.

Spring is here!

I may hear word on dates this week. Will update the blog when I hear something.
My trip to Ottawa to be with Sharon turned out well. I saw the sights, relatives and friends, and had a relaxing time.

I'm stable right now with the medication but have to be careful that I don't throw my body out of whack. So I'm watching my diet, activity level, medications, stress level, fluids. My doctor is also watching closely so appointments continue regularly.

In the meantime, I'll try to spend a little time outdoors now that it's warming up.

All is stable in this "New Normal" life

The New Normal. This phrase, although a little trite and overused, explains well this stage of waiting for surgery. I keep being reminded that I am really sick, first from looking at the dark and darkening circles around my eyes in my pale face in the mirror; and the fatigue, dizziness, fluid retention, shortness of breath, diet change and a medication count that seems to increase with every doctor's visit. But outside of the sleeping, eating, resting / doctor, hospital, pharmacy circles, time passes much as it did before I found out about my condition. And why should that be all that surprising? And so the time passes and I'm told to rest. So I try. But resting isn't always very restful.

And I continue to wait. I'm told that many check this blog every day, and it encourages me.

And I give thanks that so many people are there to care and watch over me so that the waiting-time might be calm. So I'm grateful, and truly rest easy, and continue to wait.

Congrats to the Women's Centre!

Congratulations to the Victoria Faulkner Women's Centre on their spectacular fundraiser at the new Starbucks downtown. It was good chatting with all of you in line, even though the press of the crowd was a bit much. I've heard that people are checking on my blog daily, so I will post a little more often, I guess.

I called the surgeon's office and again, no date has been set. The staffing shortage continues at St. Paul's and I will be called a week in advance when a date is set. Same news. So the wait continues.

Mitral valve surgery in detail

While waiting, I am reading up on the surgery I am going to have and found a great article on WebMD that goes into very great detail about the procedure.

Thanks again to all who have contacted me; it's great hearing from you.

PS I've fixed the link and changed the site so no registration page comes up; also, the new article I linked to is written in a much more friendly way

The waiting game

"Do you have a date yet?" The answer is No. I will hear from the surgeon's office one week before surgery, and will let everyone know when this happens.

I heard from the surgeon's office that I will have surgery in May earliest. A specialist staffing shortage is forcing delays in heart surgeries across the whole hospital.

It's upsetting to be told April and then to hear May, but I also know that there are very, very sick people who will still have surgery because their lives are in immediate danger; they should have surgery first. In Canada, urgency is determined by medical necessity; not deep pockets.

My condition seems stable for now, so I just need to be patient.

Your thoughts and prayers for patience continue to be gratefully accepted, and please call if you want to visit; I'm up for a cup of tea.

Thanks again ever so much for all your support.

Questions and answers about Derek

Hi there. Sharon and I have had to field a lot of the same questions, so I've decided to put everything in one place. I'll post the questions and answers here on the blog.

1) Why were you in the hospital this time?

I was having problems with my heart and was taking on a lot of water, so I went to the hospital for tests and monitoring. I'm back home now that I'm stable again, being put on new medication.

2) When is your surgery? Where is your surgery?

I do not have a date for surgery at this time. I'm booked to have surgery at St. Paul's hospital in Vancouver. Wait time is listed as a median of 7 1/2 weeks, so that means that 1/2 the patients wait less than this time, and 1/2 wait more than this time. I will probably have surgery this month. But having said that, there is no set date yet, and it will be posted when we hear.

3) When are you and Sharon going south?

Sharon and I will also post when we are going South. This date has not been set yet, because it depends on when I have surgery. Again, we will post this information.

4) Why can't you go down faster?

Basically, I have to be in a lot of heart trouble to be considered for emergency surgery. I would really prefer to go in a scheduled slot because it will be a lot smoother. We will have about a week's notice before my surgery date.

5) What can I bring you?

Right now, nothing in particular, but it would be welcome to bring a prepared meal for us after I get back to Whitehorse. We might ask for help around our house as well since I will severely limited in the amount of stuff I can do and what I can lift.

6) Can we visit?

Please call my cell at (867)334-5751 or us at home. I will get back to you if you don't reach me right away. In any case, I'll be happy to see you around resting times.


Thanks for all your concern and support. All we can do is make sure I remain stable and comfortable until we hear about a firm date for surgery.

Going back home to wait some more

Well my doctor came in to see me and since I've had a couple of quiet days and especially a quiet night, I'm being sent home noon Sunday.

Feel free to call me and Sharon to wish us well at home as the wait continues. We will post dates as soon as we know what's happening.

Thanks to everyone who visited! I appreciated the cheer and thoughtfulness you all brought.

Life changes quickly

I've gone to the doctor a bit sooner than usual because I have been short of breath and sleeping even more than usual. He decided that I should be at hospital for more tests and monitoring, so all of a sudden here I am at Whitehorse General.

Sharon and I ask that no flowers be brought, and please wait until you're better if you're not feeling well. Also don't feel obligated to visit --- I'm still sleeping a lot.
I can be reached at 393 8860 and am in rm 2123A.

Thanks!

The wait continues

As the warm Yukon sun is shining on me and spring draws closer, I continue to wait. I called the surgeons office and found out that this should be the month I get surgery. I'm hoping to go next week, so any good vibes you can send would be appreciated! According the the BC waitlist site, median times for surgery are around 7-8 weeks. Again, I'm hoping I'm on the shorter end of the wait time.

Planning for recovery

So I understand that I'm supposed to be planning for recovery from surgery while waiting for it to happen. So after surgery in Vancouver, back to Whitehorse. It is supposed to be 9-12 weeks for the initial stages and then 6 months in for a full recovery. People have told me that some can still feel the wires that rebind the chest together just under the skin...I'll just have to wait and see if I'll be able to do that. :-)

The nurse educator shared a story where someone (I'm willing to bet a Yukoner) had to return for surgery after chopping wood a scant 10 days out from surgery....don't worry, no worries on that score for me. I'll be taking it easy.

Waiting for surgery

Hi everyone and Happy Easter!

I've decided to post developments about my upcoming heart surgery on my blog so that everyone can keep track of what's happening.

In January, I went to the doctor because I was feeling tired and short of breath, and getting dizzy spells, especially when walking distances or climbing stairs.

In February, I found out that I needed to go to St. Paul's for an echocardiogram and consult with a cardiologist. At the end of the month it was discovered that I had severe mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation (Medicinenet.com MedlinePlus eMedicine.com Wikipedia CNN/MayoClinic) leading to congestive heart failure (MedlinePlus MayoClinic). I've been treated with medication until I can get surgery for my heart valve (Society of Thoracic Surgeons
MayoClinic). Because of my age and good health, I'm going in for open heart surgery to get my heart valve repaired or replaced.

I'm on medication to keep me going until I have surgery, which will happen as early as April or as late as May, and I will have about a week's notice so I can keep you posted. In the meantime, I'm waiting quietly at home, and resting a lot and taking it easy.

I would like to end by thanking family and friends for all their support over the last few weeks. The transition from being "healthy" to being "candidate for open heart surgery" has given me pause to think, and it has been a challenging time.

In any case, I am very optimistic about life after surgery, and very thankful that I got diagnosed and set up for medical treatment so quickly.

Updates will be posted here as they arrive.