I can’t fully explain my feelings at this time. There are a lot. I’m full of gratitude that I have my Mitral Valve Repair and ASD repair surgery behind ...Read more
I can’t fully explain my feelings at this time. There are a lot. I’m full of gratitude that I have my Mitral Valve Repair and ASD repair surgery behind me, amazement at myself when I think of what each day held post surgery, and now, how I can see ahead to continued recovery.
I was in ICU a day and 1/2, then moved to a cardiac patient floor for 3 1/2 days. I got to go home after 5 days. It was so great to get home, take a shower every morning and settle in to my lazy boy chair to rest or nap during the day. It was my bed at night for a couple of weeks. My biggest pain besides the incision and chest muscles, was my neck and back. That’s still a challenge but pain level is much less now that I am moving around so much more, that helps.
I have now completed my 3rd week of cardiac rehab. This is a good thing, they monitor my activity and give me parameters of where my heart rate and effort should be. Although I was physically fit before surgery, I did not have the confidence or understanding of how much I should exert myself after my OHS. I was afraid-I did not want to mess up my heart after all that effort! Pre-surgery, I would push to the max in physical activities. Now 30 minutes of walking twice a day is big, but is helping. Patience is required, even though I would like to be running or biking, or taking longer walks, I’m reminded that for now, it’s all good. Greater Strength and endurance will come. I feel good enough to do light laundry, and cook a meal. I’m getting closer to feeling normal, short of needing more rest each day. I see my surgeon next week. I look forward to hearing his input as to how I’m doing.
My gratitude comes from the skills of my surgeon who performed my valve repair, the nurses and assistants who all helped me in the hospital and prior for testing, my cardiologist who treated me and watched me carefully the last 10 years, and now to all the people who supported me, prayed for me, and gave encouraging words, many of you here on Heart Valve Surgery, Thanks Adam Pick for this meeting place to gather our thoughts. It’s so gratifying to find out that people reach out when you go through something like this. My husband has been great, along with friends and family too, (bringing food, short visits, walks with me, many kind gestures). I continue to heal, and at times, I look back and think about how worried I was to do this surgery. Now, I can see it is worth it, that with God's grace, I’ll get better, and can go forward, hopefully with a strong heart for many years. I see my Surgeon tomorrow. I await hearing his thoughts about my progress!
For those of you with upcoming surgeries, you can do this. Yes the unknown is frightening, but information is empowering. Schedule things you enjoy up to your surgery date if you can, be good to yourself to prepare. Realize how experienced and skilled the doctors are, and the medical advances that make heart valve surgery a successful procedure today. We have a chance at better health and a longer life.
I wish you all well, and will check in to learn about your progress. God Bless, and thank you all for encouraging me. I hope I can do the same.
Tracy Simmons Way to go and impressive walking 30 minutes twice a day. I'm on my 4th week of cardio rehab and am d ... Read more
Tracy Simmons Way to go and impressive walking 30 minutes twice a day. I'm on my 4th week of cardio rehab and am doing about 35 minutes of cardio. each session and then walk on my own when I don't attend the rehab. Today was my first day of lifting "weights" at rehab - they're cute, pink 1 pound weights :)
Bob Fessler I agree. Great Post! It was both informative and encouraging. Thanks for writing.
Mary Wagner We share a surgery date! Hoping to start cardiac rehab next week. Walking is difficult so I really ... Read more
Mary Wagner We share a surgery date! Hoping to start cardiac rehab next week. Walking is difficult so I really need to get going. Also looking forward to getting back in the pool but I guess I need to find something to cover the scar. You're off to a great start with the walking. Hoping to go back to teaching on May 2!
Janette Rehua oh what an inspiring lady you are ! Thank you for your awesome sharing and its wonderful to hear how ... Read more
Janette Rehua oh what an inspiring lady you are ! Thank you for your awesome sharing and its wonderful to hear how well you are doing. Im unclear when my surgery will be and I fluctuate between feeling blissfully confident and grateful and being terrified !
I am busy making lists, getting some food ready to freeze. I have not slowed down much since about Feb 6th, when my family called me, to return to his nursing ...Read more
I am busy making lists, getting some food ready to freeze. I have not slowed down much since about Feb 6th, when my family called me, to return to his nursing home, my (mentally sharp) 94 1/2 year old Dad was declining. We were in Florida for a 2 month stay, intending to return Feb 20th to prepare for my surgery March 3rd, but this changed my planning and focus. I was praying I could get back in time to see my Dad. We made it, as a family we had many special moments before he passed on Feb. 10th. Since then, the business and focus on family and friends surrounding us on Dad’s behalf has made the wait for surgery seem unimportant. Now, I am trying to regroup to get through the surgery and recover to the best of my ability. I meet with the cardiology team tomorrow, and have my angiogram on Friday, and go from there, anticipating surgery March 3rd if all goes as planned. Thankfully, I have my husband by my side, and lots of good support from family and friends. I’m working out a little each day, meditating, trying to get some rest, and of course, praying. My Dad was a great role model on how to live your life with love and courage, I want to make him proud, and be healthy for my family and grandkids. I'm so thankful for all of your stories you have shared about heart surgery. Helps so much!
Wow, sounds like you have had a tough month. I am sorry you lost your father. Best wishes to you, Lyn ... Read more
Wow, sounds like you have had a tough month. I am sorry you lost your father. Best wishes to you, Lynne. Now you have a guardian angel.
Kate Watson I am so sorry that you lost your dad during all of this but am glad you were able to see him first. ... Read more
Kate Watson I am so sorry that you lost your dad during all of this but am glad you were able to see him first. I agree with you both that he'll be your guardian angel and I'm sure he'll be watching over you tomorrow. Sending you good thoughts and hoping all goes well with your surgery and recovery!
I think it is really hard to understand the implications of our heart disease/problems because they come upon us slowly at first, (at least for me). Then, when ...Read more
I think it is really hard to understand the implications of our heart disease/problems because they come upon us slowly at first, (at least for me). Then, when our cardiologists point out the problems, it is easier to understand that well, maybe we don't feel as good as we thought. The biggest obstacle, (still a little hard to fathom) is the need for heart surgery, when I'm walking, biking. plodding/running, doing normal things, and thinking that my fatigue and breathing is just, well, the way it is. We must trust and listen to our doctors, and today they can help us in even better techniques. That's encouraging! That's what I will focus on, how fortunate I am to have a chance to improve my health.
Nicola Laker That's exactly how I felt. Having been born with my defective valve I hadn't really noticed the dete ... Read more
Nicola Laker That's exactly how I felt. Having been born with my defective valve I hadn't really noticed the deterioration until recently. The yearly check ups have always been much the same with the suggestion I would need intervention soon but it had never happened. ...until now. And although I am really feeling the symptoms I can't wait for this to be done and the waiting seems forever. Pre op assessment done on 8th February and now all I can do is sit and wait :-(
Kate Watson I hear you. I saw the surgeon just a few days ago, and was surprised to learn how bad my valves are- ... Read more
Kate Watson I hear you. I saw the surgeon just a few days ago, and was surprised to learn how bad my valves are- but at the same time, I wasn't because it explained why I've been feeling the way I do. I am trying to get excited about the idea of feeling really good again someday after surgery, but it is hard to get there.
Wanda Mroz Once you have surgery you will realize a difference. I never realized how many palpitations I had un ... Read more
Wanda Mroz Once you have surgery you will realize a difference. I never realized how many palpitations I had until my heart was fixed. It's so quiet now I realize it was worse than I thought and I was active too.
Well, I am now 30 days out from having mitral valve surgery, hopefully repair, and repair of an ASD. I have known since October this was needed, so I better ...Read more
Well, I am now 30 days out from having mitral valve surgery, hopefully repair, and repair of an ASD. I have known since October this was needed, so I better get it done. Thank you all for keeping us strong by sharing your stories. So many great people! and of course thanks Adam. I read your book awhile ago, now will go back and reread. So many have said, knowledge is power.
Wanda Mroz Best of luck to you Lynee... It will all go well!
Kelly, Anita, Natalie, Roberta,
We are thinking of you guys, and praying for successful surgeries, and strong recoveries. Hope to hear how you are doing post ...Read more
Kelly, Anita, Natalie, Roberta,
We are thinking of you guys, and praying for successful surgeries, and strong recoveries. Hope to hear how you are doing post surgery, and be your cheering section as you go forward.
It is a comfort to see the many voices of heart valve surgery veterans remind us that the surgery, recovery, and reflections of going through such a major life ...Read more
It is a comfort to see the many voices of heart valve surgery veterans remind us that the surgery, recovery, and reflections of going through such a major life happening make us better people too. I check the news feed often, and share from time to time. (I am a fairly private person, so this is a leap for me to open up. I'm hoping to learn and visit with others about having mitral valve surgery repair and an ASD repair March 3rd) thanks to all who are open and candid about their experiences. It is amazing, that often I see my own thoughts and concerns expressed by others here too. I'm sending support to those having surgery soon!
Steven A Husted it is hard to believe i was so scared of ohs and now i am over one year out and it was not all that b ... Read more
Steven A Husted it is hard to believe i was so scared of ohs and now i am over one year out and it was not all that bad i could do it again if i had to with out being scared but i hope i will not have to for a long time it was a lot more easy than my kidney operations but that was 45 years ago and medicine has come a long way in 45 years do keep reading the more you read the better you will feel about ohs
I joined this community to network with others regarding my upcoming heart surgery. I have a mitral valve repair scheduled for March 3rd, 2016. Any suggestions ...Read more
I joined this community to network with others regarding my upcoming heart surgery. I have a mitral valve repair scheduled for March 3rd, 2016. Any suggestions to stay focused, positive and avoid great worries is appreciated!
Steven A Husted welcome and you will do just fine just read adams book and the many posts on this site they will info ... Read more
Steven A Husted welcome and you will do just fine just read adams book and the many posts on this site they will inform you and give you some peace about heart surgery they did me and i am one year out doing great you will be in my prayers your heart brother
David Augustus Educate yourself on the procedure and understand you're not alone. Trust in your surgeon, support f ... Read more
David Augustus Educate yourself on the procedure and understand you're not alone. Trust in your surgeon, support from this great community and you will do great.
Doran Herritt Great advice on education above. Knowledge is power, maybe better said "confidence". I am finding tr ... Read more
Doran Herritt Great advice on education above. Knowledge is power, maybe better said "confidence". I am finding trying to exercise leading up to surgery (if your doctor allows) has helped me the first week of recovery. Know that heart surgery has come along way since our parents went through it. Valve work has almost become routine. I know you will do fine. Take care, doran
Lynee Casper Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I am definitely getting Adam's book, and I already feel ... Read more
Lynee Casper Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I am definitely getting Adam's book, and I already feel encouraged by all your words too.It sure is true, I've been researching to learn more, and exercise has always been my mediation, and Doctor says I can, so that is good. Thanks again, I'll get more acquainted with you all and stay a part of this community.
Tammy Pilcher Welcome Lynee! Nice to meet you! If I can answer any questions, I will be happy to. You will do gre ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Welcome Lynee! Nice to meet you! If I can answer any questions, I will be happy to. You will do great! God bless!
Lynee Casper Thanks I'm sure I will have some questions and thoughts as I get closer to surgery. I appreciate it!