Louise Llewellyn - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3524 days ago

Nearly 5 months post op and I still have a tender scar. Has anyone else found this?

Clare Auten Yes. Mine is still red and raised. If you find something to help, let me know.

Lenore Mitchell Louise - good to hear from you. I'm about 4 months post op, and yes my scar is still a bit tender. I' ... Read more

Lenore Mitchell Louise - good to hear from you. I'm about 4 months post op, and yes my scar is still a bit tender. I'm using Mederma anti-scar cream, but not sure it's doing much. Initially I had lots of discomfort lying on my left side, but that's diminishing. This is truly an up and down journey. It's raining here in Colorado - makes me think of Scotland (even though I've been lucky and had sunshine when visiting that beautiful country). My neighbors' son is at the University in Edinborough and loving it. Take care!

Terrie Syvertsen Me too! At eight months my incision is healed up well in the upper portion but from there down still ... Read more

Terrie Syvertsen Me too! At eight months my incision is healed up well in the upper portion but from there down still raised and tender for a good 2 " then healed up below that. Guess with me the center of the breast area is having a tougher
time due to activity(painting the house, gardening, etc. things that require a
bit of awkward positioning of the upper areas.........I have heard from a few
others the same area is still sore as well and the same area has a red and
raised area. Patience is key here as it does seem to be creeping to a better healed surface.

Tammy Pilcher Hey Louise! It's good to hear from you! My scar is fine, but I do still have a little soreness at t ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Hey Louise! It's good to hear from you! My scar is fine, but I do still have a little soreness at the top of my right breast. I guess it's still healing. My left one was like that too, but is better now. Best wishes!

Louise Llewellyn Thanks everyone :) Half of it is still sore (sounds similar Terrie) and not able to wear a bra yet. ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn Thanks everyone :) Half of it is still sore (sounds similar Terrie) and not able to wear a bra yet. You've reaasured me its early days. I will give Mederma cream a go, am using Bio-oil but not sure it is working. Has anyone had success with the silicon strips?

Steven A Husted yes it is still sore and worse if i reach or bend to far left or right and i am 9 months out but it w ... Read more

Steven A Husted yes it is still sore and worse if i reach or bend to far left or right and i am 9 months out but it will get better time is the healer steve (popeye)

Louise Llewellyn Hi Steve, great to hear from you. Sorry to hear you're still sore at 9 months. I guess you're right ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn Hi Steve, great to hear from you. Sorry to hear you're still sore at 9 months. I guess you're right, we just need to give everything the time it needs.

Louise Llewellyn Had an appointment with my cardiologist today and he confirmed I have a keloid scar, which is causing ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn Had an appointment with my cardiologist today and he confirmed I have a keloid scar, which is causing the soreness. He has prescribed CICA-care, a silicon gel sheet. It is meant to be up to 90% effective in the improvement of red or raised scars. This might be of interest to you Clare, Lenore and Terrie? I'll let you know how I get on with it.

Louise Llewellynposted a journal

3549 days ago

Nancy D, Joyce Shelby and 1 other reacted to this

4 months on I can honestly say that heart surgery is an emotional roller coaster. It really does change you. It's humbling. It reinforces your priorities ...Read more

4 months on I can honestly say that heart surgery is an emotional roller coaster. It really does change you. It's humbling. It reinforces your priorities and values and you treasure your loved ones more than you thought possible. You really appreciate the kindness of others and come to realise that everyone has their own story and struggles. You also don't accept petty behaviour from others anymore, as life is too short and precious to be unkind. But the best thing of all is that you become really brave! You have a new chance at life and you do everything in your power to make the most of it. I'm making a lot of life changes right now. Has anyone else experienced the same?

Nancy D yes indeed! 7 months out and it is a roller coaster- I used the same phrase in a recent journal rambl ... Read more

Nancy D yes indeed! 7 months out and it is a roller coaster- I used the same phrase in a recent journal rambling entry! But, life tends to be that, and although I am better now than I was going in, not sure I will ever be the same, it is my new normal I am realizing. Life is too short to be petty, angry or dealing with drama. I have a deeper sense of happiness in little things, and life in general. I worry less (although initially post op I worried a lot! about health). I live more in the present and less multitasking. Family and friends mean everything!

Tammy Pilcher Louise, it's good to hear you're doing well and I completely agree with your description of the emoti ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Louise, it's good to hear you're doing well and I completely agree with your description of the emotions that come with this journey! Prayers and best wishes on your continued recovery!

Lillian Mark Hi louise,that is all part of the package, but it is not tied up all neatly with a perfect little bow ... Read more

Lillian Mark Hi louise,that is all part of the package, but it is not tied up all neatly with a perfect little bow on top. It is a rough road filled with gifts. For as individual each of our experiences are,there is so much heart mates have in common. No need to ever apologize. ........you do as you need for you. But, the community is here when you come. My personal belief is that you did not become brave ,you may feel you did,but it has possibly been there all along showing itself and growing as appropriate and will be there. The Rollercoaster is a given in this life process. HEALTHY💗HEART wishes to you!

Tammi Gunwall My thoughts exactly Louise. I just posted something very similar in my journal earlier today. I love ... Read more

Tammi Gunwall My thoughts exactly Louise. I just posted something very similar in my journal earlier today. I love Lillian's comment too..."It is a rough road filled with gifts". So very true!! Change is good. I'm feeling much the same. I have no doubt you are on the right path!! God bless!

Louise Llewellyn So true Nancy, you see everything in a new light. You mentioned that you're not sure you will ever b ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn So true Nancy, you see everything in a new light. You mentioned that you're not sure you will ever be the same - I do hope you're well on the way to recovery.

Louise Llewellyn Lovely to hear from you again Tammy. I was just thinking about you and hoping you were OK. You were ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn Lovely to hear from you again Tammy. I was just thinking about you and hoping you were OK. You were such a support pre-op, thank you! It would be lovely to hear your news.

Louise Llewellyn Aww Lillian, thank you! It is great to belong to this unique community where everyone gets you. Hea ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn Aww Lillian, thank you! It is great to belong to this unique community where everyone gets you. Healthy heart wishes to you too!

Louise Llewellyn I've just read your journal Tammi, it's inspirational and I can so relate! I love that you're using ... Read more

Louise Llewellyn I've just read your journal Tammi, it's inspirational and I can so relate! I love that you're using this experience as a positive reminder to move forward in life with gratitude and purpose. It would be lovely to stay in touch. Take care.

Nancy D oh yes Louise, I am more than well on my way to recovery! Just a life experience such as this leaves ... Read more

Nancy D oh yes Louise, I am more than well on my way to recovery! Just a life experience such as this leaves you changed, in many aspects, and most all of mine are good ones!!

Louise Llewellynposted a journal

3667 days ago

Darrell Thomas and 2 others reacted to this

Thank you for all your good wishes. The operation was a success, yay! Apologies for not updating earlier but recovery has been a little tricky and only ...Read more

Thank you for all your good wishes. The operation was a success, yay! Apologies for not updating earlier but recovery has been a little tricky and only now back online. Had operation last Thursday and after a week in ICU and HDU am OK to be transferred to the general cardiac ward today for further recovery. The staff here have been amazing. Hope everyone else is doing OK. Take care, Louise x

Darrell Thomas Great news Louise. Hope your recovery continues well and your recovery time short!

Joseph Ballett Glad to here your doing well and looking forward to your update's, take care!

Joan Napier Louise, it's great to hear that your surgery was a success! Wishing you all the best for a smooth rec ... Read more

Joan Napier Louise, it's great to hear that your surgery was a success! Wishing you all the best for a smooth recovery from here on out.

Tammy Pilcher It's great to hear the surgery was a success, Louise! I hope the recovery gets better too! Take car ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher It's great to hear the surgery was a success, Louise! I hope the recovery gets better too! Take care and we'll keep you in our prayers sister. Tammy

Nancy D Great news that you are done with surgery and progressing!! Recovery can be tricky- it is fluid and ... Read more

Nancy D Great news that you are done with surgery and progressing!! Recovery can be tricky- it is fluid and individual as you are. Very few are without the occasional bump in the road, but you are in good hands there, and we are praying and pulling for you! You can and WILL be successful!! Hang tough!

Joan Napier Nancy, thanks for verbalizing what I have come to realize about recovery! Ups and downs, and bumps in ... Read more

Joan Napier Nancy, thanks for verbalizing what I have come to realize about recovery! Ups and downs, and bumps in the road are more the norm. Had a long talk with my CV NP yesterday and that is exactly what she said! We will all be stronger than ever physically and mentally when recovery is behind us :)