Danielle's Journal

Surgery was a complete success. I have a lovely repaired Mitral Valve complements of the fantastic Mr Francis Wells @ Papworth, UK. Surgery was slightly rushed on the day. We had been asked to arrive at 8am with the expectation that surgery would be around lunch time. Papworth had failed to manage to contact me the night before to get me in earlier as I was now first on the list. I was in theatre by 9am after arriving at 8 as planned. The last I remember was being in the anaesthetics room next the theatre then waking up in the critical care ward so time later. I was not keen on being intubated and prior to surgery requested they remove it ASAP. The removal didn't happen as quickly as I'd have liked and my partner had to stop me from trying to remove it myself. The medical staff were concerned I was not able to breathe on my own. The surgeon intervened after seeing how distressed I was and it was removed. While in critical care all I can remember is being very uncomfortable with a thirst like I've never experienced before. I was, according to my family, a bit of a diva. My father thought I'd had a complete personality transplant. I'm blaming the drugs. Day two I was moved from critical care to a normal ward at 9am. The first day on the normal ward was very uncomfortable - I had tremendous aching pain in my right elbow and shoulder. I suspect this is where I was strapped to the table during surgery. My partner and Mum did a fantastic job in massaging the area to try to relive the pain. I was also placed on the most uncomfortable bed known to man. I did not support my spine (and rods that I have bolted to it). Day 4 was the first turning point for me. I had a brilliant nurse on the day shift who removed both drainage tubes and helped move me to a move suitable bed. Day 4 was the first day I felt like I was somewhat alert and not sleeping all day. Day 5 they finally removed the catheter. I cannot describe how amazing it was to have it removed - it helped with my mobility no end. I managed my first proper walk. They also finally let me drink unrestricted after trying to removed the 2.5 litres of water that accumulated during surgery. Day 6 was trying to get my INR to a suitable level to remove the pacing wires. Unfortunately it wasn't playing ball and they withheld the warfarin to get it to a suitable level. I did however finally get some appetite back. Day 7 mypacing wires were removed after my INR was at a suitable level. My none disolvable stitches were also removed. I was released from hospital to the cabaret of my family in the early evening I am still staying with my parents recovering. Getting stronger, doing more, napping less each day. I have appointments to check my INR every few days and adjust my warfarin accordingly. I have also weaned my dose down of aniodarone (I had an episode of a fib in hospital. I don't remember it). My only set back has been that one of the sites of my drainage tube has reopened and started to weep. I have been put on a preventitive course of antibiotics and am having the dressing changed regularly. I have been walking regularly - out to the shops (no trolley pushing), out to drs apointments etc and generally managing 1-2 miles a day. I am in a little pain, especially in my right collar bone and shoulder where the sternum is healing. I am only taking paracetamol (Tylenol for my US friends) for this. Generally though after the first few days I haven't found this to be a particularly painful recovery - it's more just uncomfortable and awkward. Will keep all posted on progress x