Ed's Journal

Today marks 1 year since my aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair. I feel great! I walk 35-40 miles/week. The best walk was down the aisle with my daughter this summer!!
I'm grateful to this community for all the support as I went through this experience.

I'm now 6 months post-op from a Bentall procedure ohs. I finished cardiac rehab last week and found it to be hugely helpful. I have no physical restrictions and exercise frequently with increasing intensity. Life is pretty normal, just in time for spring yard work and some golf! My only remaining issues are reduced stamina from pre-op, I'm probably at 80% of where I was a year ago, and moderate remaining fluid on my left lung. The fluid doesn't affect my life but I'm on daily Lasix and see a pulmonary specialist next week. All-in-all I'm feeling great and am humbly grateful to all the care team that saw me through this successful surgery.

Post-op week 6: I'm grateful that my recovery from the OHS Bentall procedure has continued to go well. I am now cleared to drive short distances and I start cardiac rehab next week. I saw my pcp this week and he said heart, lungs and incision all look and sound great. bp ~110/65, hr 75-85. I still get blood tested weekly to fine tune the Warfarin level. That's not too hard to deal with. My only big issue at this point is not overdoing the lifting and pulling. I'm sleeping well using a combination of Melatonin 10mg and Trazodone 50mg. I still wear the chest binder during the day as a reminder to limit myself. No pain anymore from coughing and sneezing!

Post-op week 3: Still no complications from the surgery.  In the last week my exhaustion has lifted. I rarely need a mid-day nap anymore and I'm sleeping well at night with the help of some Melatonin and Trazadone.  I'm not in any pain except when sneezing which I try really hard to avoid. I still carry my chest pillow everywhere I go. I take a Tylenol when needed. I also wear my chest binder most of the day, including to sleep, which I find comforting.

I'm walking 1+ miles per day, broken up into 3-4 walks, without any issue. No shortness of breath. I'm able to help with cooking as long as someone moves heavy pots for me. I should be starting rehab in early December.

I have not heard any ticking from my On-x mechanical valve. I can't tell that any part of my heart feels or sounds different from pre-surgery. My INR is still being zeroed in but blood draws go from 2x/week to 1x/week starting next week and then hopefully 1/mo after that.

My incision and drainage ports are healing very well. No issues except a bit of itching.

I feel blessed.

I'm now at Post Bentall procedure day 10 and have been home for 6 days. My biggest issue has been exhaustion and lack of good sleep at night. I started taking Melatonin and that helped a bit. My PCP also prescribed Tazadone but I'd prefer to avoid that unless things get worse. I'm able to get around enough for basic needs, like food and bathroom, but tire quickly. I have home nurse care 2x per week and they say that I am healing well. I feel blessed in so many ways! I hope others who are reading this and going through the healing process heal well too!!!

I was discharged to home yesterday, post op day 4. The PT said I was was ready from his pov to go a day earlier but I hadn't had a BM so no they kept me until that box was checked. turns out that peeing and pooping were my biggest post op issues. I gained 18# in 2 days after surgery but am now +4# from pre surgery.

First night back in my own shower and then bed was wonderful! I slept a full 6 hours then moved to a recliner. I'm still mostly exhausted but I know what I need to do to keep healing.

I had a Bentall procedure (aortic valve + aortic root graft) with an On-x mechanical valve. I don't notice any clicking from the valve so far but I do notice my heart beats more than before and my heart rate is 90ish now compared to low 60's before.

I'm baaack! 2 days post op and the pacing wires are out. The drain tubes come out a little later today . The pain comes and goes but is manageable with the meds.

All systems are go for tomorrow! Arrive at hospital at 5:30am for 7:30am surgery. I feel well prepared and I've been pretty calm about this until today. I woke up with incredible adrenaline and vacuumed the house, did laundry, cooked breakfast for me and my wife. Then crashed for awhile. Now I'm jittery and trying to take deep breaths. I even did extra incentive spirometer breaths today. I'm looking forward to posting again in a few days!