another surgery scheduled Jun 19th.

[shambles]

Hi everyone,
Just another update. Im STILL in the hospital 9 days post op for a bicuspid aorta. I went with the St. Judes. My heart continues to be in "heart block" so they will be implanting a permmanent pacemaker on Tuesday. I feel pretty good so far but still do more them am supposed to. Got depressed when I was told by the pacemaker surgeon that I couldn't swim for 3 months. My aortic value surgeon laughed and said I just needed to make sure the incision was healed before taking a dip. Im going with the aortic guy. LOL

I feel so lucky to have found this site BEFORE having my surgery. You guys answered most if not all my questions and since I only had a one week noticed of the surgery it help alot.

Thanks again.

 

[tommy]

Sorry to hear about the additional appliance. Hang in there. I think that it's good to look forward to activities such as swimming. Just be patient and take it one "stroke" at a time for a while.

 

[Lynlw]

I think the reason he said you couldn't swim, was i'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to lift your arm above you should for a while after getting a pacer implanted in the shoulder area.
I'm sorry you are still in the hospital and getting frustrated, i'll keep you in my prayers, lyn

 

[Doug]

Shambles,
Sorry to hear about things not going as planned, I went thru that as well. They installed an un-planned permanent pacemaker 4 days after my surgery. They took the Steri-Strips off about 2-1/2 weeks later, could shower etc. I am now 5 weeks post-op and the wound is fully closed and just a light pink line on my chest.

Outside of the bump on my left upper chest, and some mild early discomfort, I haven't really noticed the pacemaker at all. I think you can at least hold out hope for swimming (obviously listen to your doctor).

Good Luck!
Doug

 

[Mary]

Shambles,
I'm sorry to hear you're still in the hospital, but hopefully you'll be home soon.
As someone who swam a mile a day, five days a week, for 18 years, I understand your desire to get back in the pool. However I've learned not to let desire overtake practicality (at least in some areas )
The swimming pool was still be waiting once you get the ok to GO BACK IN THE WATER , so try to remain patient!
Hoping you're released soon,
Mary

 

[Georgia]

Aw, Shambles, I'm sorry. I always feel for you guys who have roadblocks (or bumps in the road) just when you're least able to deal with them. I'm sure this will help and will let you get home to start really healing. Good thoughts & prayers coming your way.

 

[Doug]

Shambles,
I saw your post earlier and since I had a 10:00 appointment with my cardiologist today, I asked him if I could swim if I wanted to. He told me from the stand point of the wound site I could swim if I wanted to. There are still the arm precautions you would have to follow, but wanted to pass along there is hope. I hope this helps and we will be rooting for your next swim.
Best wishes,
Doug

 

[PJmomrunner]

Gosh Shambles, I'm sorry you're on the bumpy trail down that mountain. Watch for the trail markers for the smooth route from here on, okay?

 

[shambles]

UPDATE June 20, another roadblock

UPDATE June 20, another roadblock

Well as some of you know I was SUPPOSED to have a pacemaker implanted yesterday due to "heart block" after my bicuspid aortic valve replacement. I was on the operating table, the Dr. was running tests on my heart when it seemed to go back to a regular sinus rhythm so the operation was cancelled.. YEAH!!!!
He left the temp pacer in and was going to observe me overnight. Then at 9:30pm last night, I suffered another heart block, this time I felt it. SCARED TO DEATH. THe Dr. came in to tell me that he wanted to observe me for several more nights before sending me home. I'm so depressed as I was to go home today. He seemed to be telling me that he'd rather not put in the pacemaker if there was a chance my heart would be ok without one. He kept telling me of the risks. Then this am after another heart block episode, he changed his mind and advised me to have the pacemaker. I am now scheduled for surgery tomorrow evening around 6pm.
I can't believe this is happening. I am crying all the time. I thought I would be here 4-5 days, it's been 12 days so far.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[Karlynn]

Shambles, you have had a rough road and it's no doubt that you are shedding tears. It's better than keeping it all in and letting the stress affect you even more. (I've shed my fair share of tears while in the hospital.)

We have several members with permanent pacemakers. Hopefully they will come along to reassure you and let you know how they have been impacted by them. If you need one, then you need one. Life is to be lived and I know that when you are finally out of the hospital and home, you will begin to feel more positive. Until then, know that so many are thinking of and praying for you.

What do you do when you've reached the end of your rope - you make a knot, hang on, and swing like crazy.

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Shambles,
You have every right to be shedding those tears of frustration! I sincerely pray you will get all this behind you very, very soon and will be able to look back shortly at how far you've come!
I know you feel like you are the end of your rope....but keep hanging tight! It's going to be getting better! I'm sending you wishes for a wonderful, uneventful (heart wise) summer!

Debbi

 

[geebee]

Shambles,
Vent away - you need it to keep your sanity. Just try to be happy that the heart block problem happened in the hospital where they could take care of you. I am sure you would be happier without a pacemaker but maybe you will be safer with one.
I wish you well.

 

[chrisgreen500]

All the very best

All the very best

Shambles,

I can see by your profile that you've had a hell of a few years. I just want to wish you the very best from over the pond. I hope you are out of there and well on your way to recovery in the very near future.

Regards
Chris

 

[adamsmom]

Shambles- You are in our thoughts and prayers. Direct your view to the other side of the mountain! You'll be there before you know it! Time does pass quicker than you expect it to. Good Luck!!!

 

[Phyllis]

Thinking of you, Shambles and hope this is the beginning of a great recovery and a homecoming, SOON!

 

[Georgia]

Shambles, lots of people have some serious depression after heart surgery. You're very fragile after this surgery - the meds and anesthetics, as well as the insult to your heart and the effort your body has to make to heal, all contribute to the emotional upheaval.

You've had so much more to deal with than most of us - I know I felt like I was surviving emotionally on a thread after surgery - and I was a poster child for ease of recovery. I think a bump in the road would have sent me over the edge.

So cry away - you're in good company. And the sun will come out and you'll go home just as soon as they can send you. It sounds like you've have great medical care. We're all thinking of you and sending prayers & good thoughts your way.