Patrick Ahern - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1403 days ago

Joseph Heinzmann, Rose Madura reacted to this

Hi all. I'm 11 weeks out from my MVR surgery. Covod has affected the local Cardiac Unit rehab programme, but I am exercising away, 4-5km walks a day. and pushing ...Read more

Hi all. I'm 11 weeks out from my MVR surgery. Covod has affected the local Cardiac Unit rehab programme, but I am exercising away, 4-5km walks a day. and pushing the intensity this week, without any pushback from my body. I've had the occasional step backwards, mainly because I pushed my body (specifically my sternum, and the muscles and ligaments) by stretching or lifting too much, but you get over that, and move on again. I've also successfully slowed down (I say get lazy, until I remember my surgeon's words - you've had serious heart surgery....), which is a change for me. Building up up my stamina for my forthcoming return to work is my task for now. Again on doctor's advice, I'm phasing my return to work over a few weeks - I'm (usually, pre-op) a busy lawyer, and although it's a sedentary job, it is stressful and tiring - or 'you'll crash, I was told. But, I do feel that recovery by and large was straightforward, was relaxing, and a chance to 'catch up with myself. The break from the day to day was good for my life, not just my cardiac health. After the return to work, and the retention of low stress levels, my target will be a return to my 5 a side Monday night soccer match (a pick up game)..! Then I will know that I'm back!!! Thanks to all.

Patrick, so glad you have overcome pushing your body so hard and come to your rhythm. Glad you are do ... Read more

Patrick, so glad you have overcome pushing your body so hard and come to your rhythm. Glad you are doing well. Continued good health and be well. God bless you

Patrick Ahern 🙂👍🙏 many thanks....

Patrick Ahernposted a journal

1477 days ago

Shannon Gray, Rose Madura, Steven Methot and 1 other reacted to this

Good morning from Cork, Ireland. I had my MV Repair op (full sawing through the sternum procedure) in Cork University Hospital (CUH), Ireland on Monday 23 November. ...Read more

Good morning from Cork, Ireland. I had my MV Repair op (full sawing through the sternum procedure) in Cork University Hospital (CUH), Ireland on Monday 23 November. An annular ring was fitted. Surgeon Tara Ni Dhonnchu. All went well. I was moved from the Cardiac ITU to the Cardiac surgical ward next day (day 1). On day 2 I started basic post op physio. Tubes were also taken out that day. Central line out by day 5 and I was discharged on day 6. My smartwatch only went on hours before I was discharged and I saw that evening that I had walked 870 metres that day. That's a high, of course. I do have considerable chest soreness, and coughing is very very uncomfortable, but I am relieved and surprised that I am.walking around the house easily, although of course slowly. My medical care was great, and although I have the equivalent of a small pharmacy on the table in front of me, I'm looking forward to full recovery early in the new year. 2021 will be such a different and better world for some many people, please God. Pat

Marie Myers Welcome to recovery, Pat! Be patient with yourself through the healing phase, and every day you will ... Read more

Marie Myers Welcome to recovery, Pat! Be patient with yourself through the healing phase, and every day you will make a little progress.

Congratulations Patrick, so glad to hear you are in recovery! Keep up the good work and listen to you ... Read more

Congratulations Patrick, so glad to hear you are in recovery! Keep up the good work and listen to your body and don’t try to overdo anything. If you have any questions in your recovery ask away. Remember we are here to answer them if we can and to encourage one another. God bless you

Patrick Ahernposted a journal

1488 days ago

Susan Lynn reacted to this

Hi. Covid test tomorrow before being admitted Sunday for the op on Monday..Its the full.sternum sawing procedure. What painkillers do people think I should ...Read more

Hi. Covid test tomorrow before being admitted Sunday for the op on Monday..Its the full.sternum sawing procedure. What painkillers do people think I should be looking for when I leave hospital? I've no intention of being in more discomfort than necessary..Thanks for any thoughts amd ideas, Pat

Marie Myers Even though I was nervous about post op pain, I found it not to be as awful as I had imagined. I took ... Read more

Marie Myers Even though I was nervous about post op pain, I found it not to be as awful as I had imagined. I took 1/2 doses of narcotics while in the hospital, and mostly used Tylenol .( I am a person who gets nauseated with too much narcotics.) . I was sent home with 10 Percocet, and I only used 3 of them. I would describe the experience as uncomfortable, but not overly painful.

I had almost the same experience as Marie and we had the same surgery. We are all different and just ... Read more

I had almost the same experience as Marie and we had the same surgery. We are all different and just follow your medical team’s directions.

Patrick Ahern Marie and Ana. Thanks for your advices and time in replying Yes, I trust the medical team. Its inspi ... Read more

Patrick Ahern Marie and Ana. Thanks for your advices and time in replying Yes, I trust the medical team. Its inspiring to read the community posts, and the honesty of all.

Lenore Mitchell Patrick - It often helps to elevate the head of your bed (generally with a foam wedge) - easier to mo ... Read more

Lenore Mitchell Patrick - It often helps to elevate the head of your bed (generally with a foam wedge) - easier to move around, arise from bed for the first few weeks. And taking slow deep breaths really helps relieve both discomfort and anxiety, too.

Patrick Ahern Lenore- that sounds v helpful. Thanks!

Barbara Wood I second the wedge - I used an 11" memory foam one that I got on Amazon, that with a few pillows for ... Read more

Barbara Wood I second the wedge - I used an 11" memory foam one that I got on Amazon, that with a few pillows for sleeping - it hurts to lay flat. I was one of the lucky ones - sternotomy with no pain, just an occasional Tylenol. Best wishes:)!

Marie Myers I should also mention that I rented an electric recliner for a month post op. I loved it, because it ... Read more

Marie Myers I should also mention that I rented an electric recliner for a month post op. I loved it, because it was comfy enough to sleep in, and I could get up and down myself. It was an extremely helpful thing for me.

Patrick Ahern some good ideas there, thanks for your kindness.All.ahead of me. I think the nurses went overboard wi ... Read more

Patrick Ahern some good ideas there, thanks for your kindness.All.ahead of me. I think the nurses went overboard with the shaving tonight, a lifetime's growth gone, but the least of anyone's worries.

Rita Savelis In fact having your sternum sawed is not necessarily painful. This is what the anasthesiologist told ... Read more

Rita Savelis In fact having your sternum sawed is not necessarily painful. This is what the anasthesiologist told me. And it was true. I had a lot of discomfort and it was hard to sleep and there was much exhaustion. But no pain meds were required. You'll find many who describe OHS this way. Take care. Wishing you a smooth recovery.