Still doing great. He has increased his activity time!! Life is resuming a normalcy. I actually went back to work today for a 1/2 day--it was pretty hard to leave him and I think that I called home 4 times, but it was good to be back at work with friends!! I am working 1/2 day tomorrow too and just got the call that Kaitlyn's school is cancelled-- nothing like returning to normalcy in a BIG way! I'm happy though!!!!
Carrie
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
One Week Post Op. Update
Hey everyone, Rob here.
I came home six days after surgery and just took my first real shower since the operation. It felt good. Percocet makes me high but is necessary as I have some pain when I cough or sneeze un-expectantly. It was also nice to sleep in my own bed with the whole family home.
It is clear that I have had an awesome support system available, and apparently didn't recognize this until it was greatly needed. Family, church, friends, police, hockey community and so on. Very much appreciated. Tom Bickel for President! A special thank you to those who have supported us with food as well, I don't feel we are worthy, but it has been so helpful to be able to heat and eat.
Exercise has started and the treadmill arrives today. I really don't feel all that bad. I'm just lucky I guess. I have been warned several times over not to push things and to take my time during recovery. I feel a difference in breathing and have noticed a distinct change as I am no longer light headed. Everything makes sense now, as far as past symptoms and stamina, that a complete diagnosis was made. Maybe everyone should have a Myectomy, a Cox-Maze IV procedure, a Pericardiectomy and a Patent Foramen Ovale Repair. Just a walk in the park.
Thanks for everything,
Rob
I came home six days after surgery and just took my first real shower since the operation. It felt good. Percocet makes me high but is necessary as I have some pain when I cough or sneeze un-expectantly. It was also nice to sleep in my own bed with the whole family home.
It is clear that I have had an awesome support system available, and apparently didn't recognize this until it was greatly needed. Family, church, friends, police, hockey community and so on. Very much appreciated. Tom Bickel for President! A special thank you to those who have supported us with food as well, I don't feel we are worthy, but it has been so helpful to be able to heat and eat.
Exercise has started and the treadmill arrives today. I really don't feel all that bad. I'm just lucky I guess. I have been warned several times over not to push things and to take my time during recovery. I feel a difference in breathing and have noticed a distinct change as I am no longer light headed. Everything makes sense now, as far as past symptoms and stamina, that a complete diagnosis was made. Maybe everyone should have a Myectomy, a Cox-Maze IV procedure, a Pericardiectomy and a Patent Foramen Ovale Repair. Just a walk in the park.
Thanks for everything,
Rob
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
We are home!!
He is finally home. Its been a long, tiring, emotional day and Kaitlyn isn't even home yet!!! Looking forward to a quiet night at home!!!!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
SHout out to the Bickels!
Also, need to say a big THANKS to the Bickels for organizing the Care Calendar!!!! You guys ROCK!!!! Glad to have you as friends.
Still looking good for tomorrow!
Plan is still for home tomorrow!! Everything still looks great and I know Rob will heal better at home with his girls. So excited to think that this time tomorrow we will all be home!!!
The meals started-- I feel so spoiled!!!
My brother in law, Lee fixed some things in the kitchen for me and my dad and sister, Missy, painted it for me!! Thanks to their help and my moms babysitting, Rob is coming home to a clean house with a lot of ongoing projects already finished for him. We are so blessed with an amazing family that will do anything for us---including paint my kitchen because as a coping mechanism, I remodel!!!
Uncle Robbie got to talk to our nieces on the phone the other night so hopefully they are not as worried about him and can see him soon!! I can not tell you how excited Kaitlyn is to see her Daddy! She has been a trooper through all of this but misses Rob so much. We have tried to gently explain that Daddy's heart had to be fixed (and that she needs to take it easy on him for awhile). She has talked to him every day but has not seen him yet!!! Again thanks to my family for assisting in keeping her occupied and entertained. Also thanks to the Zlatics, especially Mike who gave up part of his birthday so Kaitlyn could have a play date with her BFF. And thanks to my cousin Val who took her to the Magic House today, when she REALLY needed the break and distraction. Those of you who know my mom and dad know how lucky I am!!!! I could never thank them enough for all they have done. One night Kaitlyn announced out of nowhere " I really love my Nana." I couldn't agree more!! I don't think that I totally grasped all that she has done/still does for me until I became a mom and I could not do my life without her.
Once again, we can never thank everyone enough for all of your ongoing support of the Wetzel's-- we have decided that in the spring we are going to have a party to celebrate Robs health and try to thank everyone!! A lot of you have been asking about visiting-- once we get a routine established at home, we will let you know and I know Rob would love to see everyone!
Hopeful to update tomorrow from home..........the three of us!!!
The meals started-- I feel so spoiled!!!
My brother in law, Lee fixed some things in the kitchen for me and my dad and sister, Missy, painted it for me!! Thanks to their help and my moms babysitting, Rob is coming home to a clean house with a lot of ongoing projects already finished for him. We are so blessed with an amazing family that will do anything for us---including paint my kitchen because as a coping mechanism, I remodel!!!
Uncle Robbie got to talk to our nieces on the phone the other night so hopefully they are not as worried about him and can see him soon!! I can not tell you how excited Kaitlyn is to see her Daddy! She has been a trooper through all of this but misses Rob so much. We have tried to gently explain that Daddy's heart had to be fixed (and that she needs to take it easy on him for awhile). She has talked to him every day but has not seen him yet!!! Again thanks to my family for assisting in keeping her occupied and entertained. Also thanks to the Zlatics, especially Mike who gave up part of his birthday so Kaitlyn could have a play date with her BFF. And thanks to my cousin Val who took her to the Magic House today, when she REALLY needed the break and distraction. Those of you who know my mom and dad know how lucky I am!!!! I could never thank them enough for all they have done. One night Kaitlyn announced out of nowhere " I really love my Nana." I couldn't agree more!! I don't think that I totally grasped all that she has done/still does for me until I became a mom and I could not do my life without her.
Once again, we can never thank everyone enough for all of your ongoing support of the Wetzel's-- we have decided that in the spring we are going to have a party to celebrate Robs health and try to thank everyone!! A lot of you have been asking about visiting-- once we get a routine established at home, we will let you know and I know Rob would love to see everyone!
Hopeful to update tomorrow from home..........the three of us!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Discharge to home is in sight!
Surgeon in today and things continue to look great!!! They are talking discharge on Wednesday!!! Nurse Carrie can take over at that point! We still have a long rehab road to go but it would be wonderful to get this stage over!!!!!! Rob's recovery has been nothing short of amazing-- I think that his poor heart must be rejoicing to be free of the straight jacket!!!!
Another good day!
He was moved last night to the step down - He is in room 7236. Physical therapy saw him today for the last time b/c they have nothing more to so for him- has done stairs, etc. Pacer wires are now out and seems like all is positive. Everyone that comes in tells us how lucky we are that this was caught and taken care of!!! Surgeon should be in this afternoon and I am hoping can tell us what else needs to happen before HOME!!!!!!!!
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