Michelle's Journal

Two weeks after my mitral valve repair, open heart surgery (thru the sternum) I was able to celebrate my wedding anniversary with my husband "Amazing" didn't think that was possible.

3 weeks after my Mitral Valve Repair at Providence St. Vincent in Portland Oregon and I can't thank the team at the hospital for the excellent care I received. I was scared and riddled with anxiety going into this, but the whole experience from Surgeon Consult, to Pre-Op and ICU and Hospital stay of 5 day's was very impressive. I was walking by the 2nd day - 1/2 mile, 4th day 1 mile (laps on the 8th floor) and 5th day 2miles (laps on the 8th floor), 1st week I was walking 2-3 miles daily, 2nd week 3-4miles daily and 3rd week, I just walked my first 3mile segment and now walk 6miles daily. Being active and relatively healthy (Exception my heart) going into this helped me in my recovery. Don't get me wrong I have my issues: insomnia, AFib Medication side affects (dizziness and blurred vision), and pain management, or i should say discomfort. I was off Oxy by day 3 in hospital and since then have only been taking Tylenol. Each day is better than the next, taking naps 2-3 times daily really has helped me keep my energy and focus on walking and keeping my heart and blood moving. The big bolder on my chest has loosened its grip and I'm finally in week 3 breathing without too much discomfort... For those going into surgery - if your not walking daily, start and get into some good practices before going in for surgery. That I believe was my savings grace in my recovery.. I was walking already and had some good memory muscle to rely on post op.

9 days till surgery, this whole process is very stressful. Waiting 6 weeks for surgery to take place feel like a year. Luckily I have a guide who's been assigned to me and I've got so many questions about Post Op Recovery, what to expect and how quickly I can resume normal life activities, like walking daily 5 miles +? I put a goal our there for myself to walk 10miles on my 60th birthday on October 9th (just shy of 3 months), but friends are telling me to not aim for so many miles. I've been known to walk 8-12 miles 2 times a week but I've recently cut back (listening to my heart and symptoms) I have no idea what is normal and how quickly your heart heals, don't want the repair breakdown... Anyone out there who's really active and has guidance on how they recovered, what was the regime to getting back to a normal exercise routine would be appreciated.