Procedure

(Page 3)

The Farewell

I arrived at LGH on August 16th, 2010 and left VGH on September 2nd, 2010. After seventeen days in the hospital I was ready for home. Before my discharge, I met with Dr. Vicki Bernstein, a cardiologist, who walked me through the medications I would continue with after my departure. Most would eventually be discontinued, but Warfarin would remain my nemesis for the rest of my life. Checking my INR regularly was a small price to pay for a new lease on life.

Upon my release from the hospital, there were a few rules I had to follow — partially because of medications, but mostly because my sternum needed time to heal: no driving for the next couple of months, no lifting more than 10 pounds, and lots of rest, which I was more than happy to oblige with.

My Medications:

  1. Pain Pill: Extra Strength Tylenol (650mg - 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours when needed)
  2. Pain Pill: Oxycodone Hydrochloride (20mg - 1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours when needed)
  3. Heart/Blood Pressure Pill: Atenolol (25mg - 1 tablet once daily in the morning)
  4. Blood Thinner (Anticoagulant): Warfarin Sodium (2mg - as directed and based on INR reading)
  5. Anti-Platelet Pill: ASA (Aceylsalicylic Acid) (81mg - 1 tablet once daily in the morning)
  6. Water Pill: Furosemide (generic Lasix) (40mg - 1 tablet once daily in the morning)
  7. Water Pill: Potassium Chloride (8meq - 2 tablets once daily in the morning)
  8. Sleeping Pill: Oxazepam (30mg - 1 tablet once daily at bedtime)
  9. Cholesterol Lowering Pill: Simvastatin (20mg - 1 tablet once daily at bedtime)
  10. Anti-acid Pill: Ranitidine HCI (150mg - 1 tablet twice daily: in the morning and at bedtime)

Although I was back home, my clinical support didn’t stop there. There were weekly follow-up visits from Jennifer Krzychkowski, a cardiac clinician, and Min van Velzen, a Cardio Rehab and Cardio Metabolic Program specialist who made sure I was recovering as quickly as possible. Jennifer also passed me on to Dr. Marck Hudon, a General Practice physician, who eventually took over my medicine needs. Between my follow-up appointments with the support staff, my GP, my cardiologist, and my surgeon, it felt like I was well taken care of and my newly acquired 'Cyberdyne T1000' replacement parts were going to last a lifetime...

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