Sunday, 12th October 2025 - Day 10
Day 10 was a very quiet day, two days after the pacemaker surgery. The focus was on waiting for news about the next stage of my recovery journey, though the delay in transferring to Kirchberg felt frustrating as it meant another day before ultimately getting home.
Waiting for Transfer News
The doctors did their rounds at about 10:30. Unfortunately, they confirmed what I feared - Kirchberg didn't have a bed available today. However, my move to Kirchberg is confirmed for tomorrow, so at least I have the certainty now that I will be transferred. Knowing the plan, even if delayed by a day, provides peace of mind.
The doctor did tell me that if I have visitors today, I am permitted to go to the café with them downstairs, which would be the first time I have been out of the ward, apart from for tests, since I entered the hospital 11 days ago. After so long confined to the ward, the prospect of simply sitting in a café felt like a significant milestone.
An Afternoon of Freedom
At 15:00 some friends came to visit, and I was allowed out! I had a frothy coffee, a cold sparkling water and very pleasant catch-up. It was wonderful to have a change of scenery and to spend time with friends outside the clinical environment of the ward. These small moments of normalcy are incredibly valuable during a long hospital stay.
Day 10 Summary
Key developments on Day 10:
- ✅ Transfer to Kirchberg confirmed for Monday (Day 11)
- ✅ First permission to leave the ward for social visits
- ✅ Successful café visit with friends - first time out in 11 days
- ✅ Quiet day allowing continued recovery from pacemaker surgery
Whilst the delay was frustrating as it meant spending another day in hospital and delaying my eventual return home, the confirmation of tomorrow's transfer at least provided certainty about the next step. The café visit offered a welcome break from the ward environment.
Monday, 13th October 2025 - Day 11
As expected today, I moved from INCCI to Kirchberg after I had eaten my breakfast and had clean dressings put on.
The Last Walk and Sudden Departure
The physio arrived for a last walk, but just as I said I think I have time, the transport arrived so we had to skip the walk. My belongings were stuffed into my bags and I was wheeled out of INCCI and into a luxambulance for my transfer to Kirchberg.
Transfer to Kirchberg
Traffic wasn't terrible - 20 minutes later I was wheeled into the cardiology ward in Kirchberg hospital, a somewhat calmer vibe than INCCI. My vital stats were checked and tested to the mobile heart monitor. Today is for monitoring and continuation of the care from INCCI. Tomorrow morning I will meet my cardiologist, after which there should be a clearer plan for my stay and hopefully a confirmed day for returning home - please let it be Wednesday.
Day 11 Summary
Key developments on Day 11:
- ✅ Final breakfast and dressing change at INCCI
- ✅ Planned physio walk cancelled due to early transport arrival
- ✅ Successfully transferred to Kirchberg hospital via luxambulance (20 minutes)
- ✅ Settled into cardiology ward with calmer atmosphere
- ✅ Vital signs monitoring and mobile heart monitor setup
- ✅ Awaiting cardiologist consultation on Day 12
Tuesday, 14th October 2025 - Day 12
Day 12 started early - very early. The nurse was in to take blood to get an INR at 4:50, followed by another nurse to do an ECG. I soon dropped off until 7:15, which felt like a better hour to wake up.
INR Results and Doctor's Rounds
My INR was 1.4 - that is slightly higher than a normal person but lower than the 2-3 I am looking for to ensure there are no blood clots as a result of the mechanical aorta.
The doctor did his rounds around 11:00 and the news was not what I wanted to hear. With the INR being low, he said I could be home by the end of the week. If the INR is better tomorrow, it could be Thursday.
First Physio Session at Kirchberg
The physio introduced me to the 8-week rehabilitation course which will start a week or 2 after I return home, depending on a new group starting with a space. I will rehabilitate together with the same people for the 8 weeks.
I did my first physio session which, like at INCCI, involved a walk on the ward and a flight of stairs, but then went on to various standing exercises like heel raises, toe raises and leg raises to the side and behind.
Planning Ahead
I'll have some time to pass while I wait for my INR to come good, so it seems like a good opportunity to try out spec-kit to do spec-driven development of an app to remind me to take my blood medicine in the evening and do a blood test and log my INR in the morning, imaginatively titled [blood_thinner_INR_tracker] (https://GitHub.com/MarkZither/blood_thinner_INR_tracker).
Day 12 Summary
Key developments on Day 12:
- ✅ Early morning blood draw (4:50 AM) for INR test
- ✅ INR result: 1.4 (below target range of 2-3)
- ✅ Discharge delayed - potentially end of week, Thursday if INR improves
- ✅ Introduction to 8-week rehabilitation programme
- ✅ First comprehensive physio session with exercises
- ✅ Planning medication tracking app development
The lower than expected INR means a few more days at Kirchberg, which is frustrating but necessary to ensure the blood is at the right consistency to prevent clots with the mechanical valve.
Progress Summary
Days 10-12 represent a crucial transition phase in my recovery - from the frustrating delay after pacemaker surgery, through the transfer from acute care at INCCI to specialist cardiac monitoring at Kirchberg, where my cardiologist will finalise the plan for discharge and return to normal life.
The café visit on Day 10 was a poignant reminder that recovery isn't just about medical milestones, but also about reconnecting with normal life, one small step at a time. The transfer on Day 11 moved me to the next stage of care.