I stopped posting after one year, but in case anyone was concerned, I'm still alive and recovering. It's been over two years since my surgery, and I generally feel great. Some days, I don't even think about the fact that I had open heart surgery.
If anyone stumbles across this blog, and needs, or knows anyone who needs valve replacement, and you have questions as to what to expect, please contact me. I'm happy to talk about what I went through, and what recovery has been like. chris.lukesic@gmail.com
Chris
Monday, October 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
One year ago
It's been a year since I discovered that I needed to have open heart surgery. Monday, March 2nd. It's hard to believe everything that's gone on over the past 52 weeks. It's not a long time, but it seems like a lifetime...
It's funny, as I don't really have much to say today. I'm not where I want to be physically, but I'm one hell of a lot better than where I was.
It's funny, as I don't really have much to say today. I'm not where I want to be physically, but I'm one hell of a lot better than where I was.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Stress Test
Wow...it's been a while since I've posted anything. I guess that no news is good news!
I went in this a.m. for my first Stress Test Echocardiogram. You're basically wired up to an EKG and blood pressure cuff, and then put on a treadmill to get your heart rate up.
I have to admit that I was slighly groggy, as I consumed a little too much wine the previous night, but in general, things seemed to go well.
They do an echo of the heart, make you run, and then redo the echo to see how the heart (and valve) are functioning.
I was kind of worried about this test, cause you never know...but was pleasantly surprised to hear all is well. Seems that I'm recovering nicely, and don't need to see the cardiologist for another year.
So that's about it. The doctor said that I probably shouldn't compete in athletic events yet (to win...I can certainly participate), but otherwise there shouldn't really be any restrictions.
Hope everyone is doing well.
chris
I went in this a.m. for my first Stress Test Echocardiogram. You're basically wired up to an EKG and blood pressure cuff, and then put on a treadmill to get your heart rate up.
I have to admit that I was slighly groggy, as I consumed a little too much wine the previous night, but in general, things seemed to go well.
They do an echo of the heart, make you run, and then redo the echo to see how the heart (and valve) are functioning.
I was kind of worried about this test, cause you never know...but was pleasantly surprised to hear all is well. Seems that I'm recovering nicely, and don't need to see the cardiologist for another year.
So that's about it. The doctor said that I probably shouldn't compete in athletic events yet (to win...I can certainly participate), but otherwise there shouldn't really be any restrictions.
Hope everyone is doing well.
chris
Thursday, November 12, 2009
check up
I went to the Cardiologist on Tuesday for my 6 mos. check up. Everything thing is sounding and looking good. I'm supposed to be back in 30 days for a stress test - where they put you on a treadmill and maybe do an echo. So I'm looking forward to that.
Otherwise, been working and trying to ride as much as possible.
Hope all is well with everyone.
chris
Otherwise, been working and trying to ride as much as possible.
Hope all is well with everyone.
chris
Monday, November 9, 2009
262,800 minutes...
It will be 25 weeks tomorrow. 175 days...since I went in to have my heart valve replaced. I have a six month check up with a new cardiologist tomorrow morning. I'm hoping for the best, but don't really know what to expect. My previous cardiologist came across as rather pompous, so I'm hopeful that this guy will be better. Who knows...maybe cardiologists are all pompous assholes? Either way, at least the new guy is local. I can pretty much walk to the appointment - which is a hell of a lot better than driving to Denver.
I'm not sure how I'm doing at this point, so I'm anxious to find out what an expert thinks. It's not like I'm not doing anything, I'm riding, hiking and running. But it seems that my resting heart rate should be lower. I have both a heart rate monitor and a blood pressure monitor, so I'm rather obsessive about checking these two measurements. And, since that's all I have to go on, any fluctuation in any measurement freaks me out a bit.
But, as I'm writing this, I just checked my BP and HR and it was 132/80 and 76 bpm. So, not a bad morning. A few cups of coffee and I should be able to jet that right up.
chris
I'm not sure how I'm doing at this point, so I'm anxious to find out what an expert thinks. It's not like I'm not doing anything, I'm riding, hiking and running. But it seems that my resting heart rate should be lower. I have both a heart rate monitor and a blood pressure monitor, so I'm rather obsessive about checking these two measurements. And, since that's all I have to go on, any fluctuation in any measurement freaks me out a bit.
But, as I'm writing this, I just checked my BP and HR and it was 132/80 and 76 bpm. So, not a bad morning. A few cups of coffee and I should be able to jet that right up.
chris
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
It's raining in Frisco
Well...it had to end. We've been getting some of the nicest weather the past 4 -5 days - sunny and warm. A lot different from what I hear the Front Range has been experiencing. But now, it's cold and raining.
Not much new on the heart valve side of things. It seems as if the pain that I've been experiencing on the left side of my chest is subsiding. So that should be good.
My friend Ryan just had shoulder surgery, and it looks like he'll be out of action for longer than I was! I was riding my bike just shy of a month after surgery...he'll be out for at least 6 weeks and it'll be 3+ months before he's back in action.
So, maybe heart surgery isn't so bad after all.
IN THE NEWS: This is interesting to me, and I think it will greatly affect my future. Seems that two companies are competing to be the first one to release a new type of heart valve. You can read it here, if you're interested. Basically, it's a valve that is inserted through the femoral artery, and no open heart surgery is needed. Sweet!
Not much new on the heart valve side of things. It seems as if the pain that I've been experiencing on the left side of my chest is subsiding. So that should be good.
My friend Ryan just had shoulder surgery, and it looks like he'll be out of action for longer than I was! I was riding my bike just shy of a month after surgery...he'll be out for at least 6 weeks and it'll be 3+ months before he's back in action.
So, maybe heart surgery isn't so bad after all.
IN THE NEWS: This is interesting to me, and I think it will greatly affect my future. Seems that two companies are competing to be the first one to release a new type of heart valve. You can read it here, if you're interested. Basically, it's a valve that is inserted through the femoral artery, and no open heart surgery is needed. Sweet!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The Jerusalem Cricket
Thanks to Rich Young for help in identifying the crazy ant-like creature. It is most definitely the Jerusalem Cricket, or "Niño de la Tierra." Which I kind of like better. Child of the Earth.
Melissa and I went to Cirque du Soleil last night down in Denver. Here is something interesting about that...
(AGI) - Moscow, 2 Oct. The Soyuz capsule with the founder of "Cirque du Soleil", Guy Laliberte', on board, has docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The docking took place at 10.35 Italian time. This is the 7th visit to space for the 50-year-old Canadian billionaire, depicted in an unauthorised biography as being addicted to sex, drugs and various other excesses.
Anyway, sex additiction aside, the show was really amazing and fun. Quite the spectacle. It was nice to be out doing something a little different than usual.
chris
Melissa and I went to Cirque du Soleil last night down in Denver. Here is something interesting about that...
(AGI) - Moscow, 2 Oct. The Soyuz capsule with the founder of "Cirque du Soleil", Guy Laliberte', on board, has docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The docking took place at 10.35 Italian time. This is the 7th visit to space for the 50-year-old Canadian billionaire, depicted in an unauthorised biography as being addicted to sex, drugs and various other excesses.
Anyway, sex additiction aside, the show was really amazing and fun. Quite the spectacle. It was nice to be out doing something a little different than usual.
chris
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