Robert's Guestbook

Robert Bach  Thanks Phyllis! This is a great website. I had my procedure on July 30. I had my first post-op meeting with my surgeons last week, and they say I'm doing great. I know full recovery will take several months, and that's just the way it is. Onward and upward.

Phyllis Petersen  From your story, I take it you had a sternotomy. Were they able to do a partial? I had side-entry, robotically-assisted mitral valve repair in October 2016. Will you be doing cardiac rehab? I found it to be extremely helpful, since I was able to push harder knowing there was a crash cart nearby.

Robert Bach  They did a full sternotomy. The bandage hasn't fallen off yet, but it looks like the incision is about six or seven inches long. I start cardiac rehab a week from Friday, and I'm looking forward to it. Northwestern's cardiac rehab program is located in the health club I belong to, so I should feel somewhat at home. I've been walking a mile or two every day. i'm regaining my strength. It's a slow process, I'm finding out. I've asked a lot of patients, nurses, etc. how soon they feel back to "normal," and the most common answer I've heard is six months. I realize it's a long haul, but knowing that makes it easier. So long as I know I'm about where I'm supposed to be in the recovery process, I feel okay mentally.

Phyllis Petersen  It's good to hear you can walk that much. I had a hard time in the first few weeks getting my walking time up past a mile. Then, I needed to put my legs up and rest. It was hard finding the balance between pushing myself enough and doing too much. It definitely will get better.