First Day of Rehab

Okay so today was my forst day of rehab and it went well. I am not sure it is going to be good for my ego though because they continue to tell me how great I am doing. The old Adam is kind of coming back and sometimes I just wanna say of course I am do you know who I am lol. Body feels great and sleeping is getting longer every night. The only thing I really need to get a hold on now is my INR numbers. For those who don't speak doctor nerd that number is the one that has to do with how thin my blood is. I am currently at a 1.5 and they want me at a 3. So we are kind of perplexed about why this is happening. Other than that the ticker is doing good and I loved watching Tiger get housed yesterday in the open. I have been able to catch up with some old friends with all the downtime and that has been really nice. My playstation is getting a serious workout now because I just had to go and get the new Madden. I feel kind of old when I think about how far the graphics and gameplay have come on video games. It is kinda scary hopw much I get into them still, but at least it keeps me occupied. Well offer is still open for those who want to come and see me. When at rehab today I saw a packet for the heart walk on Spetember 19. I am going to ask tomorrow if I would be able to participate. Even though it is a fast lofy goal I think it is an important cause and would love to try and be part of it somehow. Well hope all is well with everyone and thanks for reading the blog today.



Adam

Saturday update

So its now Saturday and I have been home five days. I am starting to finally adjust and slowly be able to talk on the phone for longer than five minutes. I found out yesterday that I have about another week and a half or so of only being able to sleep for two to three hours at a time. This is sometimes frustrating but I am finding out that is almost perfect because the percocet makes me sweat at night. I think I can now recite almost the whole Michael Vick press conference or give anyone the views of both parties on the new health care reform. I am walking about a quarter mile a day now and very anxious for rehab to turn me loose a little more so that I can stretch it out. Dizziness is subsiding and pain is still in my chest but overall I am feeling so much better than even a few days ago. I talked to a lady today at my IV treatment who had surgery six weeks ago and she was very positive and told me to not get discouraged. It is funny how god puts your heart at a place where people you would normally brush off or not listen to you suddenly hang on their words and appreciate the support. I am going to try and setup or work with an organization for better child and young adult physicals and am currently thinking of ideas and ways to go about it. This experience has taught me so much not only about the heart but about myself and I really want to share that knowledge with everyone. I am figuring I should take it all one week at a time though and concentrate on my rehab and start doing something about it starting in a few weeks. If any of you know organizations that already advocate this it would be a great help if you shared them with me. Mom has been so great through all of this and I think she is happy to help, but if any of you have time to come relieve her or help her out I think she could use the free time. Even though I am the center of her world I sometimes think it can get to be a bit much. Again, I am sure I sound like a broken record, but I am so thankful for all of your support and prayers and look forward to being able to repay you all for your help. I think this whole experience has mad me more self aware and I just want to make an indelible impression (that is for you Cory) on the world so that everybody does not have to experience the nightmare I have had to go through. Well I hope to get to the store soon so that I can visit some co-workers and be proud to walk through the door under my own power. Until tomorrow thank you all and god bless.



Adam

Friday morn

Hi All!
We oops 'ed yesterday..I thought Adam posted and he thought I did.
All is still progressing well.
Our day starts with a trip to the infectious disease office.
He gets his antibiotics.
I used the time yesterday to run to the grocery.
It turns out he can't be alone for a few more weeks.
I guess its in case of potential falls, etc.
Needless to say, it's a challenge to keep up with the outside world.
Praise God! for folks who have come and 'spelled me.'
Uncle Dave and Friend Doris helped out this week.
Not only do I get to run to the store, Adam gets someone else to talk to.
He is pretty bored.
After the MD visit we usually take a quick walk.
He is supposed to walk 4 times a day- but not in over 80 degree weather.
It's August,find me a 70 degree day!
And, no public places..too many germs.
Adam trys to get a shower in somewhere.
He has to have me in the same room for another week.
Water on back only, antibacterial soap, scrub front- but no direct water on incision.. well you get the drift.
It's a lot to keep straight.
The website Friend Kathleen started has been an answer to prayer.
It's at www.whatfriendsdo.com, under Adam Hensley.
It allows friends to schedule dinners to be brought to the house.
It's kind of fun to see what we get.
It really helps me, as I am doing a lot of running up and down stairs right now.
Praises for friends, continued prayer support and continued healing..he gets stronger every day!
Continued prayers for patience, strength and restful sleep.
Neither of us are getting much sleep right now.
In the grand scheme, these are small things.
Thanks for the continued posts, prayers and support!
Val

New routine on day 2

So I have now been home for a day and am getting used to my new routine. The food is certainly much better and mom is pretty attentive sometimes maybe too much, but that is to be expected. This morning had a appointment to get my IV and sat next to a lady that hacked up a dew lungs. It was kind of interesting because they don't want me an many public places in fear of me getting sick. Hmmm but in an infectious disease clinic is cool. Still trying to get my bearings and sometimes it feels a little like jail. I know it is all for the best but it can still get old. Sleeping was an adventure last night because it is new to try and lay flat. Hoping that sometime soon I can get a release and maybe be able to go into public again. The cubs are great and all but after 20 food network shows and the cubs blowing another lead it gets really boring. Have yet to master the new football game yet though so maybe I will try that later today. Sorry again I have not called any of you but sometimes talking a lot gets tiring. Visitors are welcome over at the house now as long as you make an appointment with mom. lol I will try and post some more hospital pics as I get them. Here is one of me and my morphine pump. Strange how you don't feel pain when you get that every 6 minutes.

I am back in the real world

Hello all
I am finally back home and so stoked about it that I can't even put it into words. I have so far enjoyed an exciting day of watching ESPN and taking a nap. (Onyx was by my side) I am so thankful for all of you and your prayers through all of this. I am just starting my recovery and am very excited about that too. It seems wild that a little over a week ago we were all worried if I was going to be here and now in a few days I will be walking on a treadmill. My only real explanation can be god. I also want to let you all know how great school has been. I spoke with Renee early this week and they have credited me my classes and are granting me a leave while I get back on my feet. So as you can tell I am starting off this new chapter on a great foot. I will, in time, be able to call most of you back but it is a lot just to get up and down stairs for now. So thank you for your continued support and patience and I can't wait until I get back to me again. Until next time thanks again for the support and keep the prayers coming. P.S this pic is pre surgery when I was starting to feel my feet.




Adam

Tues

Adam is going home!
They are giving his last dose of antibiotic right now.
He is so psyched..so am I.
This begins his next phase of recovery.
He will do daily IV meds at Dr Bouchan office.
He will do 3 times a week cardiac rehab starting Monday.
His showers have to be on the back only- no direct water to the chest.
He can't lift more than 10 lbs.
To be honest, its a pretty long list.
But, at least it will be at home.
It has been a long, but blessed, road so far.
It's been amazing to watch Adam's impact on others.
I was just stopped in the cafeteria by a tech that saw him on admittance.
He wondered how he was doing and made some suggestions about home care.
It had been 2 weeks and probably 50 patients since he saw Adam!
This blog has made it easy to update folks far away.
Trying to maintain the phones was impossible.
I can't thank you enough for keeping an eye on his progress, and praying every day.
I will continue to post for a while.
They will still be limiting his visitors to a few day.
Apparently the risk of infection is a biggie over the next few weeks.
The blog is probably the easiest way to keep friends and family posted on progress.
God is Good!
Val

Mon morn

It's the beginning of a new week.
I slept at home last night.
I kept thinking, 'Why don't the nurses fix Adam's IV?'
It was my alarm clock.
My, how our world has changed!.
Adam had a rough night.
His BP was up and the nurses were concerned.
They came in to monitor him every 2 hours.
That started a cycle that probably helped drive it higher.
By this morning, he was wound pretty tight.
The MD came in.
He is feeling fine about everything.
Adam continues to progress.
His blood levels are starting to rise.
His appetite and activity levels are good.
He is gaining weight.
His night sweats are greatly reduced.
Th main reason for caution is the blood thinner.
They want to make sure it exactly where it should be for home maintenance.
The MD says a valve replacement is one of their most complex surgeries.
Two valves is incredibly complicated.
They want to be very cautious with Adam.
So, we wait.
He said probably Tues or Wed.
We continue to feel the prayer blanket surrounding us.
It is greatly appreciated.
Praise today for the blood levels finally coming up and for the gifted doctors that care for Adam.
The list of blessings is truly endless.
God is Good!
Val