About Me (In My Own Words)
Currently waiting for surgery. Have been totally asymptomatic. I am anxious but find this site reassuring. I have full confidence in my surgeon. My surgery will be at Piedmont Heart Institute in Atlanta on May 15.
It’s Sunday May 14 and I’m ready to go and get on the other side of this.
Successful surgery May 15. Aortic valve opening was about the size of the writing point of a ball pen. New valve is about the size of a quarter. Major improvement plus repaired enlarged aorta. So thankful to Dr. Brown.
May 16 ( one day post op) walked twice in hallway 110 feet then 225 feet. More to come. Hoping to be out of ICU today May 17. Pain is manageable and heart pillow is a God send.
May 19: Discharged from hospital 4 days post op. Great to be home. Amazing how the little things get me winded very quickly. So nice to sleep in my own bed. I. Bought a wedge shaped pillow. Put it at head of bed and then my pillow on top of it. Very comfortable. No chest pain but I do have a dull back ache that’s constant but not too much to bear.
May 20-24. Recovery continues. I have been able to take short walks of slightly increasing distance twice daily. I feel good afterwards and am not winded. Back pain continues especially at night. Some nights it’s been harder to get comfortable and get good sleep than others. While last night (May 23) was tough back pain today is much reduced and easily tolerated. My only pain med at this point is Tylenol. I feel good about my progress yet realize I still have quite a ways to go. I need to keep remknd8ng myself that today (May24) I am one week and two days post op. I am blessed.
May 26-27 Still have back pain that makes it difficult to sleep. It’s tolerable but annoying. Walking further each day which feels super. One day at a time. I’ll get there!
May 28-29. Back pain is greatly reduced during the day but seems to increase at night. Sleep quality is getting slowly better. Increasing walking distance every day. Chest is pain free. Am now 2 weeks post op and feel good about where I am. More work to do and am committed to doing it. Wishing all a very Happy Memorial Day!
May 30-June 1. Sleeping has been a challenge because of the back pain. Last night slept in a recliner rather than bed and slept very well. Will continue to do this until the back pain is greatly reduced. Big improvement.
June 1-14. I am now 4 weeks post op. Had a follow up with my surgeon yesterday June 13. Got cleared to drive. All very good. Still have some on and off back pain between my left shoulder blade and back bone. No longer a continuous pain. Tylenol helps. No chest pain. Been walking 2 miles a day and feeling very good. Gonna keep at it. I feel very fortunate and blessed.
It’s July 3 and today I am 7 weeks post op. I feel great. Walking 2 miles a day. The only restrictions I still have are lifting and swinging a golf club. These will be gone in 5 weeks. My chest incision is healed (minimal scar) on the outside but sternum will require another 5 weeks for full healing. Only pain is in my back when I twist my shoulders but it’s minimal. All is good and I am blessed. Keep a positive attitude all!
It’s July 15 and I am exactly 2 months post op. Feeling great with only remaining restrictions being swinging a golf club and heavy lifting. One more month until no restrictions. Virtually no residual pain. Do get a twinge in my upper back with certain shoulder twists but this is a non issue. Just had a 6 month check up with my internist who did extensive blood work. Every tested item was within acceptable range— every one. In the past I had one or two items slightly out of range. This is the best blood work ever. I want to attribute this to my new aortic valve but not sure.
I’m pretty much back. If you are or will be facing heart valve surgery or recovery start with and maintain a positive attitude. Will make a huge difference! Good luck to all!
Adam’s blog has been a source of reassurance. I’ll continue to update. Thank you Adam.
1/15/2024. I am 8 months post op today. I feel great and have no restrictions. I’m thankful for a great cardiologist who did the work up and a world class surgeon who replaced my aortic valve with a biological valve and repaired my aorta. If you’re facing valve replacement surgery know that pre-op anxiety is normal but be positive every day, have confidence in your surgeon and team and you’ll feel better soon. A positive attitude makes a huge difference.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Greensboro, Georgia
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My surgery date is:
May 15, 2023
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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