First Check Up

I saw my doctor for the first time since being at home today. He said the new valve looks great and that everything I have been feeling is normal. He answered a lot of my questions as well. He also stressed that I don't need to over do things and to limit my activity. This is a little different than what the surgeon said. Before I left I had a 24 hour heart monitor put on again. This will be the information that that rhythm specialist looks at in a few weeks to tell us if I need any other surgeries. I will go back in two months.

I have felt a lot better that past few days. Sleeping has still been difficult because of my back pain. I think it is now time to start getting off the pain meds.

I am now back in Waco until the second week in September. I see the rhythm specialist Sept. 10 and my surgeon Sept. 12. I hope at that point I will be release to drive and go back to work soon after.

I know there will be more good days and bad days to come. All the cards, notes and kind words everyone has sent has been so wonderful and brightens each day. I am so blessed to have such great friends. Thank you!!!

Recovery Going Well

I am now in Waco recovering here. I miss all my Allen friends and do wish I was starting back to school this week. We will be back in Allen Saturday the 23th through Tuesday the 26th because I have my first follow up appointment Tuesday.

Many people who have heart surgery need cardiac therapy afterwards, but since I am young my doctors told me I could do it on my own. I have been getting up in the mornings and walking a little and then walking a little in the evenings too. We even have a treadmill here I get to use for those rainy days.

My pain has gone up and down a lot. There were several days that I was not having any pain, but my skin was very dry and itchy from the tape. The tape has now started to fall off a little and I am back to having a some pain. I am tyring to slowly get off Tylenol, but not sure yet if I am ready. Sleeping has been hard every night because once I do finally fall asleep, I have to get up every few hours. I think I sleep the best during my daytime naps.

School starts Monday and I am very sad I am not there. I was praying for a good sub to take my class. I am so glad to have gotten such a great teacher to be there in my place. The first few weeks are always tough, so please pray for her as school starts. I know she will do a fantastic job. What an answered prayer!!!

Be careful what you eat

So I take either Tylenol or Ibuprofen every three hours. This has been alright except in the middle of the night. Yesterday my mom went to go get my ibuprofen from the kitchen and then grabbed a handful a trail mix for herself. She then came and told me how horrible the new trail mix was and not to eat it because it had gone bad. When she then looked for my medicine she had set out, it was no where to be found. We looked all over and decided that ibuprofen looks just like the brown M&Ms in the trail mix. So be careful what you eat here.

I do have lots of wonderful tasting things here to eat. I am so overwhelmed by all the sweet gifts and flowers, cards, visitors, prayers, and phone calls. I don't know how to say thank you enough.

I am still feeling great during the day. I have lots of energy and movement. By the evening I am tired and sore. Bedtime is the worst to find a comfortable spot and getting up every three hours is not much fun. Yesterday, the place where I had the chest tube stared bleeding a little bit. I am not worried because it drained for 3 days after surgery and I think this is just normal, but it is something we are watching.

Today I got to have another big outing. I was allowed to go to church fellowship meal. It was great to see all of my friends there and feel like normal. Its hard to believe that exactly one week ago I had just come out of surgery and was in ICU.

I plan to go to Waco on Friday for about a week. My first follow up appointment is Tuesday, August 26. Right now we are planning to come back to Allen the weekend before and stay for a few days.

It's me again back at the computer. Thanks so much to Katie and others for keeping everyone updated. I had no idea how many people would read this.

We got home from the hospital yesterday around 1:00pm. I was very glad to get home and it made me feel even better. Although it was great to sleep in my own bed, I woke up about every hour and had to get up every 3 hours for meds. There always seems to be more pain and discomfort at night. Today we got a lot done in the morning and then got to go to lunch with Katie. Riding in the car is a little complicated, but worth it.

If you would like to come by today, you are still welcome to come between 5:00 and 7:00.

Home at Last

I am glad to report that Lindsay is finally home. Oh and a little FYI for the dentist office and other concerned persons, Lindsay has been brushing her teeth. Lindsay should be really tired today, but we are thinking about opening the house for visitors tomorrow. We will probably have visiting hours from 5-7 (pm not am although I know a few of you would be up that early).

Heart Print Out

I just saw Lindsay's heart print out and it was normal. What a praise=)

CLEAN and Tubless

She took a bath today!!!!! Lindsay is clean and has on makeup. The doctors came in this morning and said that she was doing very well. She has gotten her drain tub removed and is currently tubless. She is ordering lunch and watching the olympics. Hopefully after lunch she will take a nap. She is going to stay one more night to make sure she has the pain under control, and will home sometime on Sunday.

Day of Rest

We are declaring today Lindsay's day of rest. She had a big day yesterday and has done well this morning, but is starting to get worn out. If you planned to visit today I would encourage waiting until we come home. She should be getting out of the hospital on Saturday or Sunday. The recovery is going very well. Also, she has recieved the most beautiful flowers and her room is looking and smelling wonderful.

We have a winner

It is now 3:34 and we have a winner. Ember was on her way from school and brought stickers and a chart. I know that she had an unfair advantage to those of you who are actually working and I apologize. She says that she worked really hard and we commend her for her efforts, she wins!! Lindsay is currently sleeping. The good news is that she is one step closer to being dressed, you guessed it she now has on underwear. YEAH!!! She is still sporting the attractive hospital gown and has brushed her hair. More news to come later.

602 building E

Lindsay has an official room. She is now in 602 Building E. We need a sticker chart made for Lindsay's breathing exercises the first one to bring it up with stickers wins. The goal is to do a set of ten every hour in a breathing machine. It is currently 1:26 and I will post the winner as soon as we have one. Snap the jobs a game.

Up and Talking

Lindsay is having a great morning. She has been for a walk and is awake and talking. Her throat is sore from the ventalation tube so it isn't much fun to talk. However we all know that isn't slowing her down much. Last night she had a little nausea from some of the medicine, but is doing fine today. She is literally being moved into her own room right now. The doctors all say she is doing really well. The funny story for today is that Lindsay called me this morning asking for a ponytail holder and a brush. She couldn't sit up as I was working on her hair so I tried to put it in pigtails. Lindsay said "Don't make me look stupid" to which I responded "What is your definition of stupid?" She replied " I don't want to look like a five get year old." How did she know thats what she looked like? Clearly she is feeling more like herself. For those of you, Alison and Chris, who would like to see pictures I am afraid I had to change her hair back immediately.

ALL DONE- WHOO HOO

The surgery is over. Everything went well and Lindsay is going to ICU in a little while. They said that the nurses will have her sitting up in a chair by tonight. Thanks for the prayers. There are a ton of people here today, so if you are planning on visiting I would recommend a later day. I think she will be out of it for a while.

Next Update

The dr. said that things are still going well. More family and friends have come. We have people from the North Texas, East Texas, and Parkland (which could still be considered Texas but is definitely a different world).

1st Update

Our first update was good news. She is opened up and the surgeons are working. They said it would take about an hour to get in and through her scare tissue, a few hours to work, and an hour to close her back up. We just had lunch and are waiting patiently.

In Surgery

Lindsay is off to a good start. They took her into surgery at 1:00 which is ahead of schedule. She was doing very well and is now enjoying a long nap. We haven't gotten any updates yet, but I will let you know as soon as I hear. We have a ton of support here. Lindsay's parents, Dulcy, myself, Becky Barker, and Sami Girl are all here. Brother Chad came by and prayed for her and Dulcy did a group prayer in the pre-op room. We are also well stocked with magazines, books, drinks, and snacks thanks to Dulcy who really knows her way around a waiting room.
More info coming later,
Katie

No Tears

Today went great. Lindsay did not cry AT ALL. Despite her fears that today would be the hardest day, she did amazingly well. She is packed, feed, and ready for tomorrow. Good news, she gets to sleep in which we all know is her favorite summer pastime. We will head to the hospital around 11:30. THANK YOU,THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of the phone calls, well wishes, and prayers. I will be updating tomorrow as soon as possible. The surgery is not until 2 and it could take 4 to 6 hours so it might be a while before you hear info. I am hoping to get Internet connection, but I'm not that good. Someone will have Lindsay's phone if you are desperate you may call, but I may not answer I'm just figuring out how to work it. For those of you who are planning on visiting, it would probably be best if you call first so that we can tell you where we are, and if it is a good time.
THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU BY KATIE THE COMMUNICATION MANAGER.