Naomi's Journal

Kimberly Nuttle  Naomi - I am sorry to hear that you are frustrated, and in pain. Are you pushing yourself too much? It seems to me you are doing good, so take a little time to pat yourself on the back and celebrate the good work you are doing. Everyone heals a little differently, its true. Based on the pain you describe though, have you talked with your doctors about this? Maybe it is some sort of reaction to the wires as you said. Is the pain constant? Does anything seem to help ease it? If you haven't already, I'd just let your doctor know, just make sure that you are not having some reaction. :-) Do something extra nice for yourself - you've come a long way! Maybe a foot massage or a pedicure or heck - both!

Lynne Ladd  Hi Naomi - so sorry your are in such pain and are discouraged. Recovery is a roller coaster and the first 4 weeks were VERY challenging for me. I am 7 weeks post op from Mitral Valve Repair...

I get the burning sensation in my chest wall when I have had too much activity in my upper body and arms. Today I drove my car too much and am having difficulty getting the burning to settle down. This happens every time I do too much. It doesn't seem like I am doing much at the time, but my body says I am. This could last for a few days, we will see. At 3 & 4 weeks I was taking the narcotic type pain killers. My hat is off to those who take Tylenol and it works for them. It did not for me. Have you asked your Doctor about the pain? Aside from overacticity, he might be able to address it.

At 4 weeks I got into a similar funk. My expectation of healing (or as you say, "normal) as presented by the Doctor at 4-6 weeks did not match how I felt. And I was so discouraged. Read my first Journal entry, as that was my first entry here in this community. (Note I mentioned doing some stretching with my arms). I thought I would be feeling pretty great at 4 weeks, and I wasn't... I had lots of pain and couldn't do nearly what I thought I SHOULD be able to do. That expectation set me up for disappointment. The Doctor was very pleased with my progress, and at 4 weeks I was able to do most basic daily activities, which I guess equates to "normal." And in retrospect was tremendous progress when I looked back at how much more I could do compared to previous weeks.
So be easy on yourself and check to see if your activities are beyond your healing progress of your sternum and muscles. I don't know what wires you speak of unless it's the wires they put in to hold the sternum together. I am not aware of any pain related to that for me.
And as far as the healing going slowly... It seemed like those first weeks were the longest weeks ever. I empathize with you. Hang in there. You are doing better than you think. Rest and pat yourself on the back for the progress you have made!!

Rita Savelis  There is no problem in being down. I'm sorry that the doctors told you you'd be "normal" (whatever that means) so quickly. Mine told me that it would take months to get over surgery and then more months to get to a point where one isn't tired so frequently. The pain and sensations of the chest come and go (5 months after surgery). Be careful of pushing yourself too much and let a doctor know what you are feeling.

Mary K  It makes me CRAZY that surgeons are telling people that they will be "back to normal" in such a short period of time. I do not know what their definition of normal is, certainly not completely healed, or if they are completely divorced from REALITY.

Send a message out asking who was "back to normal" in four weeks. I do not think that you will have any takers.

I hope that you can get in front of the pain. Pain tends to pull anyone down. Any pain meds that you can take?

Naomi Ivker  I really can't take any pain meds stronger than Tylenol or Advil. If I do I get pain and nausea. No fun. It's really like a bad burn. Other than that I am tired but feel more normal.

Rita Savelis  I think the feeling of "I should be back to normal" arises also because of the manypatients on this site who mention being okay after a few days, etc. I really don't think that's true but I think everyone wants to FEEL and BE "normal" and say the right thing when asked "How are you?". I feel like there is a before and an after surgery and my whole reality has shifted. Taking the max (1000 mg) of Tylenol every 4 hours might help. Hang in there.

Alma Mater  Wow, I'm sorry it's such a rough recovery. I am praying for you right now, that God blesses you with a big breakthrough and relief from the pain.

Steven A Husted  if the pain does not go away after rest and still bothers you i would have the doctor check it out but if it is a pain once in awhile in the incision i would not worry i am one year out and still get pain in my incision some times

Eleanor R  I would call the surgeon's office, or cardiologist or family physician. It might be nothing more serious than healing muscles pulling together, but it could also be some type of infection or lung thing. Let them check it out. I never had anything at all in or around the incision, but I had a lot of pain in the ICU and recovery unit, as one of the chest tubes must have been lying on a nerve, and no pain med would move it. Otherwise, doing well a year after. I wish you a speedy recovery too.

Terrie Syvertsen  Hello Naomi- Eleanor is on target with your calling the surgeon's office or cardiologist and that it might be nothing more than healing muscles. She(Eleanor and I went in close together)and I have had the same thing going on even still to date in one small section of the incision. I had gone in for advice to my cardiologist at a regularly scheduled appt. and he told me that it was the body healing and that muscles are greatly affected from the cut and stretching and have to take time to heal. The entire chest wall is affected and will take time to heal with your being gentle with how you lift, pull, stretch according to your Doctor's advice after surgery. Mostly it is you listening to what your chest is telling you if you are doing too much activity before the chest wall area(sternum) has time to mend itself back after your surgery. One of the things I did was use warm soft cotton wash cloths(advice from Eleanor and Ginger French) and lay the warm cloth across the sternum area so that the heat could gently warm up with moisture and soften up the tightness from the incision. I also took Tylenol from the time I was in recovery at the hospital to date. It seemed to help. I hope you get an answer that helps and that your healing continues with you having less pain. Still think I'd check with your Dr's. first.

Elaine Cutri  Hang in there. There will be times when it feels like a plateau, then you feel an improvement. It sounds like you've passed a big hurdle!

Mary K  So wonderful to hear from you! Hallelujah that the infection is cleared, heart sister.

We are all different, but it sounds like you are being extremely ambitious in your walking. I am nine weeks out, just started rehab and am only allowed to get barely out of breath, if at all while exercising. Only 18 minutes on the treadmill. Be kind to yourself.

I pray that the rest of your recuperation is smooth. Sending hugs.

Eddie Patton  You sound like you are right on schedule. Sounds,exactly like me. Keep up the walking try to maintain good posture while walking. Good luck.

Kathleen F.  Congratulations on getting to this point! Listen to everyone here - it does get better - have faith! I felt burning in my chest also, in the very beginning, but it stopped after the first month. I also had sweating at night; that too, went away. I think it's all part of the healing process. Remember, there's nothing wrong with taking painkillers if you feel you need them! Healing thoughts sent your way...

Cheryl Batzing  Naomi--sounds like you are recovering well! I remember my first walks for a month or so were really, really hard. I was so upset because I was a hard exerciser prior to surgery. Just be patient with yourself and you'll recover well!

Mary K  Hi Naomi. I am a patient person but OHS is teaching me a whole new level of patience. Music, Netflix, Audible are all helpful to me.

Posting the way that you are says that you are actually doing pretty well. Prayers for continued healing. :)

Ginger Marine  Yes, familiar to me! Not much pain but the constant dry cough. It continued until I jumped back on the spirometer and it has gone away. I'm in week 3 of convalescing.

Jean Raber  Naomi, yes, same thing with my mom after AVR, constant dry cough. Turned out to be mild pneumonia, and she needed antibiotics. Sounds like you have the antibiotics covered, but bug someone ASAP if you're having trouble breathing. Your sister in SOB!

Tammy Pilcher  Naomi, I'm glad your breathing is better and keep using the spirometer. It really helped me. I had a dry cough for probably the first couple of weeks and pain in my back and shoulder blades. I took extra strength Tylenol. Prayers for continued recovery.

Naomi Ivker  I'm still being faithful to my spirometer and will keep up. Thank you all so much for the encouragement.

Lynne Ladd  I relate to the back pain. That has been an ongoing issue for me in my 5th week of recovery. Actually woke me up again last night. I have a dear massage therapist who has helped me. Haven't found a solution. 😏

Jean Raber  Did your spirometer numbers go back up, Naomi? My mother's seemed to go up and down a lot with exertion. Hope you are breathing better today.

John Lyons  My back pain was all about where/how I was sleeping. I chair slept for the first 2 weeks, and still can't return to my soft pillow top bed. The firm spare mattress is where I sleep for now.

Eddie Patton  I had some of the same problems. The diarrhea is likely from antibiotics, I had a touch of pneumonia myself and was on them and had the same problem. I couldn't lay in the bed for a couple of weeks after coming home. Don't fret, 6 days out you are still on pain meds and likely still feeling some effects of anesthesia. Sounds like you are right on schedule.

Naomi Ivker  Thanks for the encouragement! I actually am not on pain meds and just took my first antibiotic an hour ago. I just hope it's residual from something at the hospital.

Eddie Patton  No pain meds six days out, that's outstanding. I tried to do away with them as soon as I could but I was still reaching for them at six days. They hit me with antibiotics in my iv in the hospital and after that I had terrible diarrhea. Good luck sound like you are doing great.

Naomi Ivker  I did have iv antibiotics at the hospital, perhaps that is it. Pain meds usually make me feel worse than the pain with nausea. I am taking Tylenol and will start ibuprofen

Arnold Pedersen  Tomorrow its off to Chicago to have a pre surgical angiogram. Surgery is scheduled for Aug 25th. Your only 6 days post op.-and our going out-wow thats encouraging. How long do you walk?

Naomi Ivker  The longest walk to date was today from the car into the office and back. Not much, but unlike some I was not in great shape prior to avr, very little exercise tolerance the last couple of years

Mary K  Hope you are feeling better soon. Once the infection is under control, you definitely will be. And for pain, Tylenol was my best friend for weeks.

Tammy Pilcher  I hope you're feeling better soon too, Naomi. It's a long recovery, but it does get better. Hang in there, heart sister. Hugs!!

John Jones  Good news Naomi. I visit this site regularly. One of the biggest things I learned here was from the many people post op talking about the recovery at your own pace. It is true. There have been times that I thought I was not doing as well as I thought I should. Now 6 weeks post op, I can attest they were right. I have not felt as good as this for several years.

Gerald Schaffer  Glad to hear your breathing is getting better. I hope your fever goes away now that your showing improvement.

Tammy Pilcher  Naomi, I'm glad you're seeing improvement. The spirometer and walking helped me alot too. Prayers for continued progress. God bless!

Jean Raber  Good to hear from you. Glad the spirometer helps. Those 8-year-olds can actually be a help sometimes, no?

Jeanette Davidson   Naomi , sounds like you are off to a good start! So glad you have your spirometer accountability partner! Patience is a tough one! Stay connected ❤️

Rita Savelis  It's scary going home. Like you, I had Hodgkin's many years ago (35 yrs!) and in April had 2 valves replaced with mechanical valves and one valve repaired, plus a pacemaker. I also had myriad other side effects through the years from my Hodgkin's radiation. So I feel for you. Home can be comforting if you can get the rest you need. It can also be scary to leave hospital. I took sleeping pills (which I hate) for at least 6 weeks before I and could comfortably sleep in another position (NOT on my back!)

Naomi Ivker  I have never taken sleeping pills before but am seriously considering it. Sounds like you have really been through a lot.

Meredith Bray  Yay for going home! Sleeping will be a tough road for the next few weeks. I got most of my rest napping in the recliner - it's where I was the most comfortable. ***About the back pain - make sure you are walking as much as you are supposed to, and that when you are walking, you are standing up so straight you could be mistaken for a flagpole :) Seriously, excellent posture will combat the back pain. Also, make sure your head, neck, and shoulders are supported while you are resting/sitting/sleeping. Roll up a t-shirt and put it behind your neck, or wedge some pillows under your upper arms to take the weight off your shoulders. Walk, breathe, sleep, eat, repeat!

Jeanette Davidson   It sounds like you really want to go home , so I am happy for you. I totally agree with what Meredith said. Sleeping can be a challenge. You and your doctors will figure out what will work best for you. Reach out to them if you have questions. Remember this is a temporary situation and this too shall pass. Meet yourself right where you are and go slow and steady. I hope the fever goes away soon. Happy recovery heart sister ❤️

Naomi Ivker  Thank you all for the suggestions. It's still good to be home all I can manage is a path around the family room kitchen living room etc. 5 times. I've done it 3 times. Never expected the lungs and fever to be the problems. Trying to stay encouraged. Thanking God for the skill of the surgeon and my wonderful family and friends. Trying not to be discouraged.

Tammy Pilcher  Naomi, congratulations on having your surgery done and getting home! You're getting great advice from our heart sisters above! Prayers for continued recovery. God bless!

Rita Savelis  One doctor told me that my body really needed sleep, which is why sleeping pills were okay. I have never taken them before or after but I certainly do feel that sleep is essential. There is so much healing to do for so many months. You are amazing to being doing as much walking as you are and to be home. Really! Sometimes I am astounded by how much and how fast most patients on this site expect life to be "back to normal". You've been through a lot and your major organ affects every other part of your body.

Rhonda Rawles  Good for you, welcome to recovery! Here's to more good news tomorrow and continued improvement so you can get home and onto the real recovery.

Sherry Nichols  God is good!!!!!! I'm so happy to hear your great news!!!!!! I will continue to pray for your speedy recovery God blessed

Janice Powell  Throw your hands up with praise and glad you made it through,so all you got to do now is take it easy so the healing can start but once you get the tubes out you will feel a lot better take care.. God Is Good!!!

Meredith Bray  The pain will be gone soon. Tube removal will alleviate a lot of it. Then it's up to you - the more excellent your posture, the better your back will feel. Also, make sure your head/neck/shoulders are getting enough support while you're in bed. A rolled up towel behind your neck will work wonders. Jam a bed pillow or two under your armpit or elbow to take the hanging weight off your shoulders. Welcome to the other side! (We have cookies, too!)

Jeanette Davidson   You made it! I still have a lot of discomfort in my neck. My favorite thing to use is a neckroll that I heat up in the microwave. The nurses even did that for me in the hospital. You made it to the other side. Best of luck heart sister💕

Mary K  Sending prayer for you, Naomi. I felt the same as you, having to take Coumadin, and listen to the clicking! was not what I wanted. My seven week old bovine valve and I are best friends now. May you sail through your surgery.

Tammy Pilcher  Naomi, my surgeon said the same thing and I'm happy I went with the mini sternotomy and a bovine valve. You'll do great! God bless!

Pat Bluemel  42 and have the trifecta. Pleased I took this course. 6 months out and feel just fine. Will deal with TAVR or whatever is new by then in 15 years I hope! Best of luck as you go through this.

Sonny Abbasi  I am four weeks post AVR and went with bovine. 2 of 3 surgeons suggested the same as did cardiologists I met with. Good choice. I am 45.

Sonny Abbasi  Just did it three weeks ago tomorrow. Email me at washingtondclawyer@yahoo.com and I will send you my phone number.