Colin Michaels

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Recovery & Medical Planning Resources

Personal recovery notes, emergency planning resources, and practical lessons from open-heart surgery recovery.

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Personal recovery notes, emergency planning resources, and practical lessons from open-heart surgery recovery.

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Recovery Update #9: Keeping the Momentum

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A weekly recovery update covering cardiac rehab, work, sleep improvements, flying drones again, Father's Day reflections, weight maintenance, and the ongoing journey back to normal life after open-heart surgery.

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Returning to Pine Glades Natural Area after heart surgery, walking an entire trail with my mom, and realizing how much progress can happen in just two weeks.

Recovery Update: Finish Line in Sight

The finish line is finally coming into view: my last antibiotic dose is scheduled for Sunday, my PICC line is hopefully coming out Tuesday, and I’m officially done with water pills and potassium supplements now that the swelling is gone. The healing process is still doing its dramatic little post...

Recovery And Emergency Planning Checklist

A patient-perspective organizer for practical details that become hard to find when appointments, recovery limits, and paperwork all collide.

  1. Centralize emergency contacts, pharmacy details, insurance contacts, and backup contacts.
  2. Maintain medication, allergy, discharge instruction, restriction, and follow-up question notes.
  3. Prepare appointment questions and bring someone who can help listen and take notes.
  4. Track symptoms, activity limits, sleep, milestones, and care-team watch points.
  5. Confirm medical, legal, insurance, and medication choices with qualified professionals.

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