Not all heroes wear capes — some take six weeks of IV antibiotics.
This update feels like a big one. After everything that has happened with endocarditis, open-heart surgery, valve repair, IV antibiotics, swelling, lab work, and the general weirdness of recovery, I can finally see another finish line getting closer.
The short version: I should be done with antibiotics this Sunday, and because Monday is a holiday, I’m hopefully getting my PICC line removed Tuesday.
That sentence alone deserves a standing ovation from my veins.
Mission Status
Current objective: finish antibiotics, get the PICC line removed, and keep healing one smart step at a time.
This whole experience has turned into a crash course in medical terminology that I never signed up for, but here we are. Endocarditis crashed the party, infected my heart valves, and made life way more interesting than it needed to be. Surgery fixed the damage. Antibiotics have been kicking the germs out. Now the job is healing, rebuilding, and giving my body time to recover.
The overall vibe right now:
Still here. Still fighting. Still awesome.
Big Wins This Week
Antibiotics: Finish Line in Sight
My last dose of antibiotics is scheduled for this Sunday.
After weeks of IV antibiotics, that feels huge. The PICC line has done its job, but I am very ready to part ways with it. If all goes according to plan, it should hopefully come out Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday.
Goodbye germs. Don’t let the door hit ya.
Water Pills: All Done
Another major update: I’m now done with the water pills.
The swelling is gone, which is a big relief. No more fluid overload drama. No more feeling like my body is running a suspicious side hustle as a water balloon.
I’m feeling lighter in every way.
Potassium Supplements: Mission Complete
I’m also done with potassium supplements.
My levels are holding their own now, which means the potassium party is officially over. No more extra supplements needed — my body is keeping things steady on its own.
That feels like another quiet but important win.
How I’m Feeling
The body is healing, but it is not exactly doing it quietly.
Current symptoms still hanging around:
- elbow and arm pain around the PICC area
- pinky numbness, probably the ulnar nerve saying “ouch”
- cold fingers
- general post-surgery weirdness
The nerve stuff is frustrating because nerves heal slowly. Very slowly. But slow nerves do not mean slow recovery.
I’m getting things checked, staying monitored, and trying not to let every weird sensation turn into a full detective investigation — although, let’s be honest, I am basically Sherlock Holmes with a pulse oximeter at this point.
Lab Highlights
The latest labs had some encouraging signs:
- Kidneys: looking good
- Liver: looking great
- White blood cells: normal, with no obvious “infection party” going on
Some things are still being watched:
- ESR: still high, which means inflammation is still hanging around
- Mild anemia: healing in progress
- Platelets: a little high, likely still excited from the surgery/inflammation chaos
- Proteins/globulins: up from all the immune system hustle
- Sodium/chloride: a tad low, but not throwing a fit
As always, the trend matters more than one single number. My care team is still watching the big-picture recovery pattern.
Recovery Stats
AreaCurrent StatusAntibioticsLast dose scheduled for SundayPICC lineHopefully removed TuesdaySwellingGoneWater pillsFinishedPotassium supplementsFinishedKidneysLooking goodLiverLooking goodWhite blood cellsNormalESRStill elevated and being watchedMain goalZero infection, 100% healing
What We’re Still Watching
The medical dream team is still keeping an eye on:
- CRP and ESR trends
- blood cultures
- symptoms
- echocardiograms
- any signs of lingering infection
The big goal remains simple:
Zero infection. Full healing. Keep moving forward.
Reality Check
This has been a long road. Recovery from open-heart surgery and endocarditis is not a straight line. It is more like a weird maze where every room has a new symptom, a new lab result, and someone asking, “On a scale from 1 to 10…”
But this update feels like progress. Real progress.
Less swelling. Fewer meds. Antibiotics almost done. PICC line hopefully coming out. Body still healing.
That’s worth celebrating.
Recovery Game Plan
The plan from here is simple:
- rest
- eat well
- move smart
- stay positive
- keep laughing
- keep healing
Weekly Mantra
Thankful. Persistent. And just getting started.
This heart has bigger plans.
