Chip's Journal

Feeling great now 12wks post-op. It's truly hard to imagine looking back, particularly reflecting on the first few days and weeks and the thought of the uphill climb I was embarking on. Now I'm using my home treadmill and stationary bike daily with duration and exertion levels nearly what they were before surgery. Sternal discomfort was an issue until I began applying what I learned about being very deliberate with upper body movements. Very thankful for all the support I've received, especially from those who can relate with the challenges associated with heart valve surgery. All the best to my fellow heart warriors nearing their surgery dates.

Now 2 weeks removed from redo AVR with a bioprosthetic. Sleep deprivation is my biggest complaint. No pain meds other than acetaminophen 325 prn. My experience suggests that 2 variables impact surgical outcome: health status coming to the OR and where and under whose care one has the procedure. Blessed to be located an hour from The Cleveland Clinic. I'll add that because these surgeons do some 4000 procedures each year direct contact with them is minimal. They're on to the next, in many cases, complex surgery.

Amazing what has transpired here at the Cleveland Clinic in just 5 days. There was no need to add CABG to the already somewhat, for some heart centers, complicated AVR redo. That was a blessing. I have very little sternal pain, though CCF still uses wires to close. Apparently, the number of wires and the surgical skills remain the important variables, at least for Douglas Johnston and his cardio-thoracic fellows. At present I'm doing laps in the unit, tubes have been removed, and the only limitation is that I experienced a few episodes of post-surgical AFib, a common thing, so I'm wearing a monitor for that. I came to the OR in very good physical shape, but this recovery is exceeding expectations. I expected to be discharged to a Rehab Hospital for up to 2 weeks because I live alone, but now the plan is to leave for home this Sunday. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that possible. Despite this procedure happening 12 years after the first one, I expect to be nearly full-go working out and playing pickel ball inside 8 weeks. The '09 surgery was more involved and done at Ohio State. Recovery took nearly 6 months. Thanks for the well wishes. I also posted to CaringBridge.org to update family and close friends. I recommend it.

Pre-surg screening including Cardiac Cath were done at the Cleveland Clinic Monday and Tuesday, 10/18-19. I was very happy to learn that the 3 by-pass grafts installed in '09 are holding. Therefore, just(!) an AVR open redo with Dr. Douglas Johnston. He and his colleagues at CCF have done many redo valve replacements. Surgery is on for Monday, 10/25. I'll be at the right place, under the care of the right surgeon and his team.