December 19 my life changed

[Mazaduh]

Wednesday 19 2012 I stood and had pain to my head back and stomache was rushed to the hospital and the pain increased to the point they life flighed me to pen state cardio in Philly when straite in to the OR I was not told much about time or a lot of details just that they preformed a acute type A dissection with aortic valve repair ascending aortic graft replacesment, Hemiarch reconstruction. I was not given a new valve they used my valve.

While I was in icu had one issue. My blood air level was to low do to the pain of the 2 tubes next to my lungs I was only taken short bretheths. At one time they had 5 nurse and 3 surgeons in my room given me all shorts of pain killers to my heart IV. They almost gave me the tube down the mouth... I got my oxygen level up. Then was transferred the next day to the none icu bed. The next Saturday my wires where removed ( nothing prep airs you for that feeling) then an hour later my tubes where removed.... Best feeling in the world to have them out of you that's when you know things are going to be ok. I came home Christmas Eve.. Now I have been reading up on as much as I can about how I should feel being that I had major surgery and am a smoker and a soda-holic lol
Wow is all I have to say! I am worried about all this and still have no idea what is going on. But recovery is the first step.

So any and all info is welcome or if I can answer anything let me know I am a 36 year old male. I know my age is a big factor on my recovery.

 

[traveler]

I agree - wow!

 

[katm]

\I just recently became a member of this honorable club so Im afraid that I too am learning about recovery. I think that age is a factor but just one of many Good luck to you

 

[Jkm7]

Sounds like you a very lucky young man and got prompt and excellent emergency care.
I am no expert but it sounds like you had an aortic anuerysm that dissected.
There are few more urgent emergencies.

If I may suggest, it seems you need answers and explanations of what happened to you and what was done to make you well again in order for you to come to grips with it, process it mentally and move along.

You need a cardiologist, surgeon or your PCP to explain it all to you as pertains specifically to YOUR case, IMO
You surely have follow up appointments scheduled and that would be a good time to ask one of your doctors to explain the details of your case to you. The more reading you do here in advance of medical appointments the more you are apt to understand when your doctors speak with you.

All in all, it sounds like you are doing great and have a full, long healthy life ahead of you.
If I have understood correctly, you are very fortunate.

Wishing you the very best.

 

[AgilityDog]

Sounds like you are still in shock. Yes, your life has changed, but hopefully for the better! Read as much as you can, here and elsewhere. Reading up on people's post surgical recoveries will help. It's hard when this hits you out of the blue, and you are likely to go through a bit of psychological trauma, as well as the physicial.
Hang in there. We are always here to talk if you need to.

 

[escargome]

Well, first...Welcome to the best heart forum as far as I am concerned.
Next, you sure had one heck of a roller coaster ride. But, you were well taken care of and you should now look forward.
You have a whole new lease on life. I'm sure you are still wondering what the license plate number of the truck that hit you is....
The first place for answers can be with us, but as we say "we are not doctors" and the next saying is "when in doubt, check it out with your surgeon or cardiologist".
If possible and one of your doctors agrees, send email questions so they can put your mind at ease. If the doctor cannot answer directly maybe they have a physician's assistant who can.
Your recovery will take a little time, but try to eat well, walk, walk, walk as your body permits and get proper rest. Naps are not a bad thing.
Keep us posted on your recovery. Best Wishes

 

[Kim54]

Wow.. you are truly fortunate to have had this happened and received excellent medical care from someone that really knew what they were doing !! It is a miracle to have survived a dissection.
Take recovery 1 day at time- rest, eat and WALK. You body will require more calories than normal for the healing process. I ate a lot more than usual during my recovery an did not gain weight. This was the first 2-3 weeks. The walking will help speed your healing so walk an walk. Good luck to you and if ever you have a question, post it on this thread because there is a wealth of experience and knowledge from the wonderful people on this forum that are eager to help !

Good luck to you and keep us posted !

 

[Mazaduh]

Thank you all for the kind words. As per my recovery I am closely watching my diet to meet the 2400 mg of sodium allowed and as for the walking I do about a mile to 2 a day. I am not taken this lightly but in the same breath I am trying to not let it rule my life ha. Hard balance. I have all my question as does my lovely wife who has been there every step. I just want my follow up apt to happen ASAP. But I understand for my ex ray they need time to see that everything is hold up correctly.