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17 years! Wowsers, that's amazing! You are really giving those of us with newly installed bovine valves all the feels, @johnnycake23!

So great to hear from you! Walking and breathing are the most important priorities for the first while!

You've got this, Bee! I remember having mixed feeling the day of surgery; a little nervous, of course, but more than anything, I was looking forward to feeling so much better after some recovery. That has proved to be true! Your positive attitude is going to serve you well in recovery.

Welcome to the post-op chapter in your journey, @flattop1009 ! Sleeping was challenging for the first 5-6 weeks for me too. I maxed out at 3 hours a night and just decided to go with the mantra, "this too shall pass." I was off work so there was nothing preventing me from taking a nap during the...

@Windfinder Thanks! Yes, quite active prior to surgery - running 3 x week, yoga and strength training and looking forward to getting back to all of that. For now, I'm happy to be walking on the trails in our mountain home with the dog!

Hi @Bee I'm doing really well, thank you for asking. On Wednesday it will be 8 weeks since my surgery and I feel very lucky that everything has progressed really well with no real bumps along the way. I LOVE your mantra - trust in the process is so essential. That was a big one for me (being a...

Wishing you all the best for your surgery!! Your positive mindset will serve you well!

Thanks @NorthVanJosh I won’t miss those hospital beds! Much more comfortable at home although I appreciate the amazing care I received while I was in the early days.

@Seaton, thank you for the healing thoughts! Day 2 at home and sleep continues to be a challenge, but I'm grabbing naps during the day for the first time in my life. Kinda feels luxurious to be honest. The sleep will sort itself I'm sure. The pounding of my heart when I lie down is a little...

Thank you @tom in MO!

Thanks @Dano64 Appreciate it! The pre-surgery anxiety was the toughest part of the journey. But the support I found here, coupled with meditation, breath work, yoga and lots of other supports really set me up for success. I was very aware of what was in my control and what I needed to let go...

I think I will wear this scar as a badge of honour. I'm alive, and the experience has changed me in a way I wouldn't have signed up for but am wholeheartedly embracing. This is life. Right now, it's like this. 💞

Thanks @tjay. Such amazing care at St. Paul's (though I have nothing to compare to :ROFLMAO:). The team certainly inspired confidence, which made me feel so at ease under difficult circumstances.

Thanks @Seaton My mind is officially blown it’s safe to say! Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight. Hospital is not conducive to a good night’s sleep! 😴

Thank you! Slow and steady wins the race! 🏆

Thanks @d333gs Full sternotomy but not as dramatic as I expected. Probably not entering any bikini contests but that’s OK! ’m actually retaining a bit of fluid so no weight loss 😔 and my appetite gets better every day. I’m alive and very well and could not be more pleased with how things...

I’m determined to get the walks in and have set reasonable goals to ensure I’m not overdoing it, which I know is a real thing!!

Had OHS on Wednesday at Paul’s in Vancouver to replace my bicuspid aortic valve which crossed the “severely stenotic” threshold in February! I am in utter shock at how good I feel. Pain has never been more than 3 and mostly between 1-2. Only on regular Tylenol! Wowsers. I had read that, of...

Thank you so much @Beach77 Ready to get into recovery mode!

Thank you, @Survived03! :love: