And six days later I've finally been discharged! Well, I'll update you all now...

[Greenie93]

Hey, guys! My name is David, I'm eighteen years old, and I just had my aortic root replacement/aneurysm repair and biological valve replacement at Emory University Hospital last Tuesday, and although I still feel like Hell, especially when I miss my timing on my pain meds, I'm able to finally post and whatnot to let you all know what happened.
So, my operation was performed by Dr. Brian Kogon at Emory University Hospital at 7:30 AM, and from what I understand, it lasted maybe five hours, give or take a little more?
Basically, since my aneurysm was so high up, they had to replace the aortic root and reattach the some other arteries back to the main aorta along with my biological valve replacement. To my understanding, there was a twenty minute duration of the operation where the only organ of mine that was kept on blood was my brain, which was a little nerve racking to hear when I woke up, but nonetheless, I'm alive, it was successful, and I'm beginning my path to recovery.

First off, I hope I'm not the only one who thought that the first couple of days had moments that seemed almost nightmarish? Lots of pain, discomfort, and I was out of it from a lot of my medications, so I couldn't quite rationalize all of the time (which I absolutely dread that feeling from drugs). I even had some points where I hated myself for picking the biological replacement, knowing I'll have to do this again sometime in the future when it wears out, though I'm still happy with my decision now. I was more rationalizing in, "I feel like crap and I wish I was dead", which wouldn't be my normal thought process, but hey- I was miserable and my head wasn't quite on straight. I'm finally at the point where I can do a few normal things while under control of my pain meds- I still feel like crap, but I can deal with it a bit more.
OH- one thing I have to note- it seems like my sternum protrudes quite a bit? I mean, I understand that swelling and whatnot may play a huge role since I'm so early in the recovery process, but I was a little worried about if that could become a permanent thing? I wasn't sure how much it should/would end up protruding in the end.

Well, yeah. I'll try to keep you all updated every now and again. Thanks!

- David

 

[Greg a]

Nice to read a clear conscise report so soon WELL DONE

 

[Jkm7]

Happy to hear you are on the road to recovery. Yes, those first few days are rough.... rougher on some of us than others. Actually, we've read here before that younger people seem to have more pain than older folks. Maybe I'm mistaken about that but I'm sure I read it.

Take it slow; follow your doctor's orders and be patient. Walk, Walk,Walk....... IMO, it is the best thing you can do to help your recovery.

Keep in touch with us and let us know how you are doing.
The worst is behind you....... concentrate on healing now.

 

[Bina]

Yup, the first 2 or 3 days are crap, then they pull the wires and tubes which makes things alot easier.
You will be fine !

 

[Guyswell]

David,

Glad to hear you're home. The first week is the hardest. It's difficult to get enough rest in the hospital. There's always somebody waking you up in the middle of the night (right after you finally fell asleep) to draw blood or to weigh you.

Don't worry about the second surgery. It will be a much simpler operation. My first surgery and recovery was a lot like yours. However, the recovery from my second AVR surgery nine weeks ago was much easier than the first time around. My theory is that since the surgeon opened me up through the old scars, there were a lot fewer nerve endings traumatized this time around. Also, a straight forward aortic valve replacement is much simpler than what you just went through. I can say with confidence that the worst is behind you.

The swelling along your sternum will go down and it will look the same as before (except for the scar of course).

I agree with Jkm7. It's very important to be as active as you can tolerate. You'll probably feel like laying in bed all day but that's not what's best for you. Of course you should rest a lot but the walking will help the healing process and will help to clear your lungs. Do yourself a big favor and don't skimp on the breathing exercises. Even though it hurts, those deep breaths will help to fully expand your lungs again and avoid atelectasis. I was lazy about the breathing exercises and paid the price. The atelectasis caused low-grade fevers and kept me feeling crummy longer than otherwise.

Once your pain begins to subside and you start to wean yourself off the narcotic pain killers, you'll start to feel more like yourself.

Keep us posted.

 

[Jimjam]

Really good to read this post - thanks for sharing, I go in for AVR and ascending aorta on Friday 7th, little nervous but ready to get it going. The waiting is the worst thing.

 

[Guyswell]

Jimjam

Plenty of people on this website have had the same surgery. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns we can help with.

Good luck!

 

[Jimjam]

Thanks very much - I've been reading the blog since I found out in May (I'm 37) I was BAV it's been a tremendous help for me I hope I can help others going thought the same afterwoulds.
Cheers Jim

 

[epstns]

Hi, David, and welcome back to the real world! It sounds like you're pretty much on track toward recovery. As we've said, everyone recovers differently, but as long as you're making progress, you'll get the job done.

Since nobody else has mentioned sternum protrusion, I'll mention that mine was a bit mis-shapen for a number of weeks post-op. Over the past year or so, it has pretty much gone back to normal except for a small protrusion at the very top of the bone, right where my neck meets my chest. Nothing big, hardly noticeable, but since I've been seeing the same body in the mirror for a long time, I notice it. I can also feel and sort of see the lumps my sternum wires make. Just think of them as badges of courage.

Keep up the good work!

 

[Laggard]

I never had much pain and only felt mildly icky the first couple days.

Expect setbacks. My recovery was amazing fast. Six weeks later I was back to work. Then I had a couple setbacks, one requiering minor surgery. I think it was the cosmos telling me "not so quick buddy!"

I guess that is what I would tell you. You will face setbacks AND your emotions will be just under your skin. I cried over a puppy chow commercial!

Good luck.

 

[Mom2izzy]

I know that the first few days were super tough for me, but today (6 months later) I feel like it was all part of a dream. I know there was pain, but I don't remember it. Once you have bounced back, I think you will feel better about a future surgery. You will know that the worst part will be over relatively quickly.

 

[Greenie93]

Okay, so I am now seventeen days out from my operation. However, I have run into a couple of obstacles.
1. A small portion of my incision opened back up. Thankfully, it isn't infected, so we're trying to make sure that doesn't happen as it closes back up.
2. It turns out that the left half of my diaphragm is paralyzed! My doctors seem confident that I SHOULD hopefully regain function in that side, but it could take days, weeks, months, etc. if it does happen. Nobody knows, but at the moment, it is pressing against part of my stomach and left lung.
I'm really hoping everything goes well with these two and that I don't run into any more complications.

 

[TomG]

Just hang in there as I just had my OHS for miral valve repair 19 days ago and I had a few minor set backs however I kind of expected and I am slowing getting back to my normal. Before you know you this will all be a memory for both of us.

TomG