Hi Everyone. Sorry I haven’t been very active in posting anything here this week. I know everyone is wondering how I have been doing.
Since my last post, I have been outside a couple times to visit the Kearney Clinic to have my Coumadin levels tested. They have a test called a PT/INR, that checks the clotting ability (thickness) of my blood. Coumadin keeps my by blood thin enough so that it will still clot if I start to bleed, but not so thick that it will collect on my new mechanical valve in my heart. They want me to maintain a constant level between 2.5 to 3.5. Currently my doctor has me taking 5mg and 6mg of Coumadin alternating every day, 5 then 6, then 5 every day at 4:00, etc.
I am able to get up and down the stairs on my own (albeit slowly), but at least I am not feeling “trapped” in the basement any longer. I was able to sit on the deck Tuesday evening and eat dinner outside. The weather has been lovely, very “un-summer like” this week, but is expected to heat back up this weekend.
I had a terrible bout over the past weekend with constipation, but medicine helped to clear that up after a few days and some pretty intense pain. Thankfully that has passed, and not bothering me any longer.
I have another procedure this morning to check the functionality of my new valve this morning. The procedure is called a valve fluoroscopy, and will take about 90 minutes in the cath lab.
I will probably update again later today.