Lisa's Journal

Rose Madura  I had a pleural effusion as well. That was my 4th readmission. Glad you are feeling better. Everyone's body heals differently. I'd say I turned a corner at 8 weeks.

Joy Vera  Glad you're feeling better, Lisa. I also had a pleural effusion with my 1st surgery in 2010 & felt so much better once the fluid was fully drained. Take care.

Marie Myers  Sorry you hit a speed bump. I, too, had a small pleural effusion drained while I was still in the hospital. Hoping things go smoothly for you now.

Rita Savelis  I had 3 pleural effusions drained in hospital and then was readmitted for a 4th. Join the club! And hope things are easier from now on. I do remember how great I felt immediately after each draining when suddenly I felt so much less tired as I got my lung space back. Take care.

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Lisa good to hear that you are doing well. I am 2 months out of surgery and still trying to get my INR situated. I am in the proper range but sometimes I am really high and other times I am right on the money. It is a pain to have to go to lab weekly and give blood. As for your recovery keep it is easy and do what your body says to do. Like you I was very active before surgery and it helped a lot after surgery. In the hospital I was walking laps around the hallways and when I got out I was walking lots when I got home. I walked a mile after 3 weeks easy and just kept building on from there. I am 8 weeks on Monday and walking for the past month 5-7 miles and some days even more. The other day I walked 9 miles with no issues. Keep up the good recovery and you will be walk far in no time. Glad I did this surgery in the summer so I can walk outside a lot. Not sure what I would have done in the winter with trying to get my steps in!

Meredith Bray  Sounds great! Sleeping & INR both took my about 3 months to iron out, and I still don't sleep very long at night (maybe 6 hours?) But I do remember how nice it was to finally be able to sleep at night like everyone else for more than a few hours at a time.
Keep walking! Keep breathing!
-Meredith

Marie Myers  The whole experience is a little scary. It wakes us up to the fact that we are mortal, and prone to all kinds of things. But, it is also empowering that we can get through something so huge, and get back to our normal lives. The fact that these surgeries are done everyday is a miracle to me !! Sounds like you are progressing nicely.

Joy Vera  Hi Lisa. I managed on Tylenol as well even in the hospital right after surgery. I think sleeping is an issue for most of us & what works for one may not work at all for another. No doubt you'll get your rhythm figured out. Sounds like you are doing well on the recovery path.

Rose Madura  Sounds like you are doing well. Sleep will get better. I napped a lot and slept when I could. My taste buds were all messed up. I didn't want sweets. (It was not permanent). Smells made me nauseous. Mints made me sick. Keep doing what you are doing. I don't think it's said enough, but don't try to compare yourself to others. We are all different and heal/react/exercise differently. I learned that early on. Take good care of yourself.

Rita Savelis  It takes time to get INR stabilised. For the first 6 months I thought about INR all the time. I wish medical professionals had told me that it is normal for it to take time to stabilise and that it will go up and down. That's what it does. But at some point you figure out your regular dosage and your body gets used to this med. I test once a month now and forget about it in between. But that took awhile. I haven't changed anything in my diet or lifestyle.
I didn't want anything sweet after surgery and still really don't want sweet stuff. Taste buds are affected as is so much else in your body. OHS is traumatic to your body. But it will recover. Take care.

Frank DeGrazia  Way to go Lisa. As an athlete are you monitoring your progress(i.e. steps per day). or are you just taking it as it comes. I'm about a week behind you and so far so good

Adam Pick  Wooo-Whooo! Hoooooome! You'll get some quiet and peaceful rest soon enough in your own, comfy bed!!!

Joey Hardee  Go Lisa! Awesome! Was very excited to see this update!! Keep working. Obviously the recovery is just getting started.!! I get the feeling I won’t be worrying about you at all!

Mike Roskowinski  Awesome Lisa. So glad that you are going home. Be patient with your recovery as it can get frustrating waiting to be able to do things. Soon you will be weeks in and ready to run.

Susan Lynn  Welcome, Lisa. Glad you're here! With your level of fitness, you will likely have an easy recovery. You'll be running that marathon before you know it! ❤

Marie Myers  Welcome Lisa. You will find lots of support and info here. And being fit should help your recovery..

Tom McDonald  Welcome Lisa,
This is a great community of heart warriors! Wishing you well on your journey.
June 5th is my big day! We will get through this waiting is the hardiest part.

Adam Pick  Welcome Lisa! You are in great hands at Toronto General. Who is your surgeon? Also, I'm looking forward to hearing and sharing your future Post-Op Marathon Success Story!!! Speaking of post-op running, here's a patient story you might be able to relate to - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4w-Km5f7fsE

Lisa Purdy  Thank you for the welcome!
I will keep you updated. Yes, I have often been told that my fitness will greatly help my recovery. That has been my goal... to maintain. I just need to be sure that I don’t get impatient with my recovery.
My surgical team at TGH includes Dr Christophe Haller, who is quite new to the hospital. I have felt comfortable with him so far.

Mike Roskowinski  Welcome Lisa. Yes it definitely does help being in good shape going into surgery. I worked out 5 days a week and played sports prior to mine. Once I moved to step down and had more freedom I walked the halls constantly. All the nurses would always talk to me and comment about how much I was walking already. Once I got home I walked 3 miles and now doing between 5-7 miles a day. You will do excellent in your recovery and ready to run a marathon in a few months. Good luck and god bless.

Naomi Gray  Hi Lisa, welcome to the group! I bet you'll enjoy running even more after the valve replacement. I'm an alpine skier, and I can't wait to go back the mountain this winter with my new aortic valve.

Rhonda Williams  Hello Lisa, fellow runner and triathlete here. I'm in the age group right behind you so part of the "Grand Masters" set. I'm going to be praying for you and following your progress. My surgery was over a year ago and I was back to competing in Tris in just 6 months so don't give up on your goals! I can't wait to see you cross the finish line at your next marathon so be sure to post all about it!

Kathleen F.  Good luck! I was able to go back to running marathons after my heart surgery but, like you, am considering giving them up and focusing on shorter distances now that I turned 50 this year. Wishing you a speedy and comfortable recovery!