Carlos Ortiz - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3568 days ago

Hello Everyone...It's been a little over three weeks since my surgery....overall things are going we'll....I have to say the first week was tough! I mean real ...Read more

Hello Everyone...It's been a little over three weeks since my surgery....overall things are going we'll....I have to say the first week was tough! I mean real tough! If it wasn't for my Brother and Girlfriend I'm not sure how I would have faired, they were a Godsend!...since I left the Hospital I've been feeling a little better each day except for my shoulders and back! They're a mess right now. I just can't seem to get any consistent relief. You'd think it would be the sternum but that's been fine! It's my back and arms that are killing me! Any advice from anyone who experienced this?....with that said I do feel very blessed with the outcome thus far. My Surgeon was Dr. Paul Stelzer from Mt. Sinai, he's amazing!.....just one piece of advice that I would give to anyone about to go through this....be PATIENT with yourself, just because you read somewhere that this person was doing great after a week or this person is walking this much or this person is lifting this much or this person is going back to work after only this much time--DO NOT JUDGE YOURSELF BY WHAT OTHERS HAVE ACHIEVED--I've learned very quickly that each us are built differently and what you may be capable of doing is NOT what I maybe capable of doing, our bodies are different and heal at different rates so please be patient with yourself, you just had open heart surgery!!! That's it, thanks to those people who wished me well and thanks to Adam Pick for such a terrific website! God Bless You All!

Ed Smith Carlos, I'm almost 3 weeks post surgery and I've also had a stubborn pain in my neck (right side) and ... Read more

Ed Smith Carlos, I'm almost 3 weeks post surgery and I've also had a stubborn pain in my neck (right side) and right upper arm (like I'd done too much yard work yesterday). I've found the application of heat to help, as well as lying on my back with a small rolled up towel under my neck. Also, Tylenol is our friend.

Carlos Ortiz Thanks Ed! Been using Motrin, maybe I'll switch to Tylenol...the heat pad sounds good...thanks!

Tim Goff Thank you for the update and glad all is going well

Eleanor R I never had a pain in my chest, but I sure did in my shoulders and back. Fortunately, sleeping in an ... Read more

Eleanor R I never had a pain in my chest, but I sure did in my shoulders and back. Fortunately, sleeping in an electric recliner, and taking Extra Strength Tylenol every 6 to 8 hours helped me. The visiting nurse in weeks 1 and 2 told me it is due to the "positioning" they do to us in the OR to best expose the sternal area. Not a pleasant memory or thought but know that it will go away, it is your muscles and nerves getting back to normal. Soon it will just be a memory for you too, I hope. Best wishes! Eleanor

Jim Jones Hey Carlos - I think you have it exactly right. I had Dr. Adams at Mt. Sinai for MVR on 11/5/13. I fo ... Read more

Jim Jones Hey Carlos - I think you have it exactly right. I had Dr. Adams at Mt. Sinai for MVR on 11/5/13. I found I had to be "my own best friend" especially during the first weeks. No comparisons, no daily expectations. We all are experiments of one. Our bodies know how to heal.

The first month was certainly my toughest month. Some good days - some tough days. I started to try to measure my status weekly to have a better idea of progress. At 15 months out I still have great, good and tough days. I spent at least the first month in a recliner. you had a great surgeon. I'd recommend cardiac rehab when you are ready. That certainly helped me recover. All the best to you.

Wiliam Height Another Mt Sinai alum here, just a week post-op. Definitely have some crooks and kinks in the neck an ... Read more

Wiliam Height Another Mt Sinai alum here, just a week post-op. Definitely have some crooks and kinks in the neck and shoulder, mostly on my right because I think due to a combination of central line, over-compensating, and at the moment sleeping in a recliner. Interestingly, I was Dr Adams first case but had met Dr Stelzer's first case and it turns out Dr Stelzer had become ill sometime during surgery and Dr Adams had to finish up--long day in OR.

Tammi Gunwall Couldn't have said it any better! This community is great for information, support, and encouragement ... Read more

Tammi Gunwall Couldn't have said it any better! This community is great for information, support, and encouragement but it can be rough when you're hearing stories of others' surgery or recoveries going better or different than yours. Also, my neck and shoulders were horrible too. Heat helped a lot. So did a mini massage here and there from a friend or family member! Glad to hear you are doing well Carlos.

Ed Smith Carlos, since posting this morning, I made an appointment with the massage therapist I see regularly. ... Read more

Ed Smith Carlos, since posting this morning, I made an appointment with the massage therapist I see regularly. She'll be able to work on my neck & shoulders while I'm in a seated position.

Rob Wigley Eleanor above is correct, it's the position that they place us in during the procedure. I was in that ... Read more

Rob Wigley Eleanor above is correct, it's the position that they place us in during the procedure. I was in that position for close to 6.5 hours, and my wife tells me in the ICU that I never said a word about my heart, chest or anything about those main issues, instead I asked "why are my shoulders so messed up?" and "my leg is weird, what happened to it?" (answer on the leg was that's where they did the heart/lung bypass, a large incision that I didn't anticipate). The anesthesiologist asked me, just prior to surgery, if I had any concerns about the surgery. I asked him to make sure my back was supported, as I didn't want to have extreme low back pain in the weeks following the surgery. He said "we'll take care of you" which wasn't a real answer to my question! Regardless, it was all necessary. If we knew everything that the surgeons and OR staff was going to do with us, we might not decide to have it done........shoulder and back pain will pass. Mine did, though I can't remember now (14 months later) how long it lasted. Memories fade!

Carlos Ortiz Thanks everyone for all your words of encouragement!!! Means a lot to me! I'm using the heat pad like ... Read more

Carlos Ortiz Thanks everyone for all your words of encouragement!!! Means a lot to me! I'm using the heat pad like Ed recommended and some light massage...good to know I'm not the only one---God Bless You All!!"

Meredith Bray Stand up straight - very straight! Support your head, even while sitting. I found a bit of relief f ... Read more

Meredith Bray Stand up straight - very straight! Support your head, even while sitting. I found a bit of relief from cramming a pillow under each armpit/upper arm while in the recliner. Your head is heavy, and neck muscles extend a good 8" down your back. Even while sleeping in bad, make sure you have a little extra support under your neck. I hope this helps you!