2-weeks

[CharlieBrown21]

almost 2 weeks since my surgery, finally have enough strenght to let everybody know how i am doing. it has been the most horrible 2 weeks of my life, but getting better, i have been in so much pain. they had to repair my aorta before changing my valve, (said I had a anyerysm 4-8 years ago and was lucky to survive it. My leg is killing me where they took a vein out to use for the repair. Medication is getting me sick, I keep trying to slow down on it but the pain comes back to strong. Yesterday I had my chest cavity drained out and that was horrible. my back hurts alot, believe it or not my chest incision does not hurt that bad. seems like things are getting better every day. got to go for know i am having a hard time concentrating, thanks for all the help and advice

Ron
St. Jude Mechanical 3/28/03

 

[Les]

Ron,
Things will get better every day. After both my AVR surgeries, my dad would say to me in ICU, "Think how good you'll feel when this quits hurtin'." He's right. Keep your good spirits and keep us posted on your recovery. Best wishes.
__________________
Les AVR '93 / '95

 

[terry40]

Ron

Ron

I was the same way, there was no pain in my chest it was all back, shoulders and neck.

The medication was a killer for me too, I've always had a hard time adjusting to any meds, but when they sent me home on 10 different meds, I went crying to my Doc to get me off of them!

The potassium, pain meds, and coumadin were the main culprits, and the heavy duty laxative too. I was able to stop all but the coumadin and beta blocker, the diurectic I had to take for at least a month and had to make sure I ate a potassuim rich diet.

Vomiting is far worst than sneezing, once they controled the meds I was able to progress physically.I used several pillows and heating pads for the pain and would only take 1/2 doses of pain meds or a tylenol reg strength, as needed.

Best of luck in regaining your strength, let you doctor know how your feeling they can help,

Terry40

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Ron

Hi Ron

I think you did good posting. 2 weeks ..I couldn't talk on phone I remember a neighbor came over and message my back for an hour one night. Oh, boy..did it feel good. Good lotion and one of those little wood rolling pins. DO NOT reach out or pick anything up. Makes the arms and shoulder ache more. Let everyone else wait on you. Bonnie

 

[Nancy]

Hi Ron-

It's good to see you posting. I'm sorry that you have had so much pain. But the worst is behind you, and you should see some real progress in a week or so, if not sooner.

Make sure you contact the surgeon about serious pain. They want you to be as pain-free as possible, so you will want to breathe deeply and be able to do some walking around.

Take care,

 

[pegne]

Ron

Ron

I'm so sorry to hear you are having a hard time healing. Just remember that every day is one day closer to feeling normal (and you WILL feel normal again). My prayers are with you. Peggy

 

[ccrawford]

Welcome back

Welcome back

Ron - good to hear from you. Sorry you are with all the pain. Try to get though it one day at a time. Each day will be a little better than the last one. Be sure and do all those things they are telling you to do. Try to get someone to give you a neck and shoulder massage at least once a day- that will go a long way to helping that pain go south. You probably don't feel much like walking, but do it anyway. Your body has been thru a bunch, so give it a little time to heal up. Keep us informed. Chris

 

[Georgia]

I sure wish you felt better

I sure wish you felt better

Hi Ron: I'm so sorry you're having such a rough time. Just two suggestions: I'm with Nancy - call your doc & get a different pain killer. There are plenty and it can make a huge difference. I couldn't get walking in the hospital until they got me off morphine.

And I'm with Bonnie for the massage - the shoulder and neck pain used to break through the painkillers I took when I came home. You need to have it done several times a day.

Please keep in touch.

 

[Creed3]

Ron,
I'm sorry to hear that you are having so much pain and nausea. Things will get better in a week or so and continue to do so for the weeks to come. I know right now that is hard to believe, but really, it is true. I send you my thoughts and prayers for a speedy and uneventful recovery.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[plb]

good thoughts to you!

good thoughts to you!

Ron,
I am sorry that your pain and nausea are so bad! I think the pain in my neck and shoulders contributed to my nausea. I was lucky that my sister was with me for nine days and I got massages every day. One person I know had so much pain in that area that his cardio wrote a script for professional massages and his insurance actually paid part of it!

Good thoughts and prayers to you.