Once we got checked in Sam got a chest x-ray, EKG and INR reading for his coumadin level. Naturally his coumadin level was finally within the range they have been striving for the past four weeks (2.8) and he was taken off of this today. His chest x-ray shows his sternum is healing nicely and his EKG looked very good.
Dr. Bolling was running over an hour late today so we had time to hang out or in Sam's case take a cat nap on the couch in the waiting room. We were greeted by Marguerite and she took Sam's EKG and INR results to show Dr. Bolling. A few minutes later the man himself walked in and greeted us with a large grin (I love seeing these grins)!
Dr. Bolling shook Sam's hand and said he looks great! He listened to his heart, checked his incision site/chest tube holes, and looked over his EKG. He was very pleased with how everything looks and sounds. We went over a few questions Sam had and discussed his medications and the new regimen. Dr. Bolling said he should walk until he feels winded...the more walking the more his heart will go back down in size and faster. He also told Sam his sternum will let him know how much he can do and to listen to his body. It will take 10 weeks for the bone to fully heal.
Marguerite came back in to remove a stitch at the top of Sam's incision that was poking out. She is putting him on an antibiotic for a week to ensure no infection gets under his incision since its still draining some days. She also gave us a print out of his medication changes so I can keep track of them and went over a few more concerns/questions. She is working on his paperwork for Cardiac Rehab and we should get a call on that to set everything up within the week. Sam will need to do at least 6 weeks of cardiac rehab three times a week.
It was a good appointment and its all progress in the right direction. We are very happy and blessed! Thank you all for your continued support, well wishes and visits... we appreciate it all so much!!!
Now Sam just needs to rest and mend...
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