For all you "heart talkers" out there - especially "Seniors"

[Jewel]

You all will appreciate the advice given to me by my "adopted" grandpa this week - my AVR is on Thursday and he goes in on Friday to open his caratoid arteries (after stints in his heart 2 months ago).....

His theory- if an 88 year old guy can breeze through his surgeries, the 38-year old with the new valve out to be out jogging by next week!

He also said I better be out of CICU in time to take his call letting me know he is out of surgery.

I so appreciate the advice "across the ages" ! Thanks to this site for connecting all of us across ages, cultures, religions - even across time and space.

 

[MarkU]

I was a physically active 48 yr old when I had my AVR. I had my surgery at 8AM. They had me sitting up by 6PM and walking short distances the next morning. I spent 48hrs in the ICU, 24hrs longer than planned because there were no empty beds on the cardiac recovery floor at the time.

I tried to get up and walk as much as possible, but tired easily. All my life I had never been one to take naps, but that was something I learned to do in the weeks after my surgery.

I was out of the hospital in four days. Spent four weeks at home before going back to work (half days for the first week or so).

I continued to walk, increasing my distances up to two miles. After three months I was back at the gym, spending time on the stationary bikes and lifting very light weights. Although I was fully "functional" three months post-op, it was eight to nine months before I really felt fully recovered. (I started doing triathlons exactly three years after my surgery, so I guess I'm still doing okay...)

There is no getting around that fact that AVR is a very traumatic event for your body and it takes time to recover. Everyone is different, so listen to your body and rest when you need to.

The other thing that caught me offguard were the bouts of depression that went along with it, which made things more difficult for me and my family at times.

Good luck with your surgery. Hope all goes well for you and your friend.

Mark

 

[hensylee]

Seniors! I are one, too. Grandpa is right. YOu'll make him proud.

 

[mamsram]

attitude

attitude

Jewel, I think your adopted "grandpa is also a GEM. I had a valve replacment at age 66, and it really was a great feeling to "take the bull by the horns" and get this weight off my shoulders and GET ON WITH MY LIFE.
The 2nd day after the op, they let me have some cream of wheat for breakfast, it was so good and I was so hungry, with the last spooful, I burst out in song "Good morning America, how are ya, don't you know me, etc." the nurses came to the entrance looking in and smiling. God, I was so filled with a sense of well being. Wish you the best, and smile, and keep a good attitude.

 

[Ross]

Yeah but your generation was built with good steel, not this pot aluminum stuff of today!

 

[Jewel]

see? I knew several of you would get a chuckle out of that - okay Mark, you bring out the athlete in me - I will try to break your 4 hour and 4 day record! I do like to walk and be active so that should be easy.

Hmm..... the singing part? If I burst out in song you all will hear the repercussions.

Bouts of depression? I guess that's the other thing 38 year old women have going on the rest of you - that's just a few days of PMS for me. No problem

Ross - I gotta ask, what's up with the crazy devil photo? the real you came out or you letter hackers sneak in?

 

[Ross]

Everyone knows that I'm really the Prince of Darkness and must let true self out once in awhile.

 

[Mary]

see? I knew several of you would get a chuckle out of that - okay Mark, you bring out the athlete in me - I will try to break your 4 hour and 4 day record! I do like to walk and be active so that should be easy.

Hmm..... the singing part? If I burst out in song you all will hear the repercussions.

Bouts of depression? I guess that's the other thing 38 year old women have going on the rest of you - that's just a few days of PMS for me. No problem

Ross - I gotta ask, what's up with the crazy devil photo? the real you came out or you letter hackers sneak in?

Jewel,
Don't try to break anyone's records. We've had people try to do that and they had difficulties farther on down the road. You need to stick to what feels right for you, and not worry about whether you are faster or slower recovering than anyone else.
You don't want to make a second trip back into the hospital after your first time out!

 

[Nancy]

Agree with Mary--

This is surgery like no other, unless it's another major, major surgery. It affects every aspect of your body and you will feel wiped out and weak for a while. Some will feel a little less so and some more so, but all feel extremely tired early on. If you go into this expecting to just bounce out of your bed and start your normal routine after a couple of days, it's not going to happen. It's a slow recovery and its good that it is because your body has a lot of healing to do inside.

The first two weeks you will feel the most tired, then you will gradually feel better each day, but will also have setbacks when you overdo. After 6-8 weeks, you will be feeling pretty well, and most of the early restrictions will start to be lifted.

Your lifting restriction in the early phases is severe, and you will not be able to drive until you get clearance from the surgeon.

You are young and will do just fine, and may have an easier recovery than others. Just let your body take its time and heal properly.

 

[McCln]

Jewel

Jewel

It is not just age that makes a difference in recovery, it also health issues that a person might along with the heart problems. Here are some issues; blood pressure, CHF, tiredness, diabetes, and retaining water. But push these aside. postive outlook helps in recovery humungoiusly. I was never depressed, despite a side outlook of whatif. Sounds like he has a great outlook on life and never lets heath issues get in the way. Get positive attitude, take it from him and you will recovery in the same way. There is nothing really scary about surgery, they will take real good care of you and will make sure everything will be fine. Take care and good luck, you both are doing marvelous.

 

[Spring]

Yes, in my 80 years I have wished for a more positive outlook more than once! I will have to give myself a pat on the back for having more patience and forebearance to make up for the short supply of optimism. When it comes to surgery for anyone I know, my prayers always include the doctors and tech staff and nurses who see us through. Folks like your "Grandpa" are an inspiration to me, and I will take all the "smiles" I can find. You are both "great".