This has been an interesting week......

The local paper here in our county, Press Enterprise, interviewed Russ yesterday about what he has gone through regarding his heart condition.  Started with him being born with a heart condition all the way up to the transplant and how he is doing today.  Gonna have a celebrity on my hands.  The interview went good, and the story should be coming out soon.  We will be sharing with everyone just as soon has we can.

Also, Russ got a phone call today from the hospital social worker....the donor family sent a message wanting to know how he is doing, if he had kids, what hobbies he had.  We were both really thrilled that they made some kind of contact.  This is going to help us with trying to contact them.

Well, Russ is doing good still, he will be 6 weeks post transplant as of friday 2/24.  More updates to come next week after his appointments.

2012 Temecula Valley Heart Walk

Hi ya'll

Here I am again, I am going doing another heart walk for the American Heart Association. I am doing this in honor of my hubby Russ who has is now a heart survivor. 

On January 13th of this year he received the greatest gift, a new heart. We have had a rough road for about 2 years now but the roughest part started back in September 2011. We were told he needed a new heart and was being placed on a device that would help him wait until a transplant was available. Thankfully, he did not need to wait that long.

So, with all of what has happened, I am doing this walk along with one in October. I would like to see if I can raise money to donate to this cause that has helped so many people. Please visit my site and every $5 or $10 donation adds up. My personal goal is small but it is a goal $200. Any size donation is appreciated.

Thank you and if you want to join me in the walk itself please register and show up for some fun :)

http://temeculaheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?msource=Gigya&ievent=481878&supId=323222213

Awesome appointment today...

We went for Russ' heart biopsy today, we will know the results tomorrow. We also met with Dr Razzouk for the first time since Russ was discharged from hospital. I have never met a greater doctor/surgeon. This man is so caring. He said such great things about Russ to the med student and the doctor that saw Russ the first weekend after his surgery ( they had joined him in our appt). He says that Russ is a special patient ( I am sure he says that about all his patients). But it made us feel good.

We also received a report that goes into detail about the removal of the pacemaker and also the details about the transplant along with Russ' condition prior to the transplant, from us meeting Dr Razzouk up until day of transplant. Very interesting to read, but hard to read. Seems more real reading the diagnosis than it was hearing it.

Anyway, Russ is doing good. Still need to take it easy but all in all he is heading in the right direction. All we can say is, Thank you Dr Razzouk.

Improving with every visit.....

We had the second of many visits to the heart clinic today.  As normal, Russ gave up some blood, which turned out to have nothing wrong.  His numbers that go along with one of his meds are improving each time, so hopefully he will be able to lesson the amount he takes.  He also had an echo done, they told us that it looked really good.  There was improvement in the heart/lung pressures (though the right heart cath test shows the results better).  His heart is pumping 75%, he asked why it is not 100%, Maria (heart transplant coordinator) said no one is 100%.  But the normal is 65% plus or minus 10%.  So Russ is at 75% which is great.

Tomorrow, he has a heart biopsy and we get to see Dr Razzouk (the surgeon that did the transplant).  More updates tomorrow after the appointments.

Thanks for all the support with thoughts and prayers, they have worked.

Good news......

We went in this week for Russ to have a heart biopsy and a right heart cath done.  The right heart cath showed the pressures in his heart/lungs to be a little high.  The doctors seem to think it is because he is retaining some extra fluid.  The heart biopsy came back negative so woohoo the heart is not being rejected.

Next week are the same tests again and we are hoping for the same good news or better.

We are just taking one day at a time.  Overall, Russ is doing good.

Thanks,
AuraLee

Starting the home recovery

Three days home from the hospital and doing great.  We are both learning how to handle all his meds.  Because of the surgery, he came home on insulin so this is a learning experience for the both of us. It will be temporary though. We are learning how to eat a low sugar diet along with a low sodium diet.  Basically, its a cardboard diet, (hahaha).

Today, while at Loma Linda giving up some blood, we returned all the LVAD equipment.  For me it was kinda weird but a good feeling.  I was just getting used to Russ being on all the equipment and now he is all on his own.  WOW, is all I can say.  This has been a very unique experience.

We both looking forward to sharing with you all our experience with this new heart.  There will be alot going on for the first 6-12 months.  Hope you join us.....

Thanks,
AuraLee

Feeling Good

Hello all it's Russ, just wanted to say hello. All is well with the recovery so far.