Ross
Well-known member
God I love those slippers you had on youtube! Gotta get me some. 
from the frontline
- Thread starter danb1983
- Start date
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Phyllis
So glad to see you home- walk, rest and breathe, but most of all enjoy!
Welcome home, Dan! I'll be looking for your videos.
JIm
JIm
danb1983
Well-known member
I've had a nap now, and am still very tired, in some ways I can do a lot more than I expected, and had read about - the chest / sternum pain is mild enough - I can put t-shirts on and reach above my head quite easily, but I get out of breath easily - I've climbed the stairs at home twice so far and can't be bothered doing it again I think I'm also a bit spaced out from the meds, I still feel a little fuzzy - especially reading text
As good as this sounds there were some moments of intense pain.... which I was hoping not to have.... for obvious reasons but also to show people that its not that big a deal, and the recovery process is fine.... I will however report what pain I experienced, and "keep it real", and as someone said below - those painful memories are nothing compared to how good I feel to have gone through it and to be "over the mountain" - I would totally do it all again, even knowing the pain I would experience at times.
I think I'm also a bit spaced out from the meds, I still feel a little fuzzy - especially reading text As good as this sounds there were some moments of intense pain.... which I was hoping not to have.... for obvious reasons
but also to show people that its not that big a deal, and the recovery process is fine.... I will however report what pain I experienced, and "keep it real", and as someone said below - those painful memories are nothing compared to how good I feel to have gone through it and to be "over the mountain" - I would totally do it all again, even knowing the pain I would experience at times.
In hospital I didn't have any pain memories....oh, until I went poo....very scary at first.
Anyway, Dan, you are young and strong and will probably enjoy your recovery process.
Pace yourself, cuz it catches up a day later.
Anyway, Dan, you are young and strong and will probably enjoy your recovery process.
Pace yourself, cuz it catches up a day later.
johnfreeman62
Well-known member
Another just back from the front
Another just back from the front
Aortic valve replacement Thursday, November 13, went home morning of November 16.
Probably feeling better than I should and worried I will over do it and get in trouble before my 3 week follow up. I think I understand the sternum healing timeline pretty well but have no idea when I can begin to stress my heart...
Great weight loss program...
Another just back from the front
Aortic valve replacement Thursday, November 13, went home morning of November 16.
Probably feeling better than I should and worried I will over do it and get in trouble before my 3 week follow up. I think I understand the sternum healing timeline pretty well but have no idea when I can begin to stress my heart...
Great weight loss program...
Herburban1
Well-known member
Wow! I can't believe you are home already.Most people that know me think the hard part for me will be being home and not doing anything. I have been known to take out windows, rip up carpet, paint rooms ,etc. Now just take it easy and keep us posted...
cp172
Well-known member
Hi Dan,
Glad to hear that you are doing well. Its all down hill from this point. Take care of yourself and enjoy the pain killers. That is what they are for.
Glad to hear that you are doing well. Its all down hill from this point. Take care of yourself and enjoy the pain killers. That is what they are for.
RobinH
Active member
Dan...you are such a cutie (I'm a sucker for a British accent). Love your video blog. Thanks for sharing your journey with us! So glad you are doing so well so soon.
M
Mary
Hi Dan!
I hope you don't start coughing. That was the only real pain I had and it about dropped me to my knees. Good thing was it only lasted a day!
Take care!
I hope you don't start coughing. That was the only real pain I had and it about dropped me to my knees. Good thing was it only lasted a day!
Take care!
Beha
Well-known member
It's awesome that you're home! Keep up the quick healing!
Nancy
Well-known member
Glad you made it home. The best place to be. It sounds like you are doing a little better than some. I hope it stays that way for you. Wishing you an uneventful recovery.
Jkm7
Well-known member
What good news to hear you are home. Sorry you experienced pain but happy it is behind you.
Sounds like you are doing great. DON'T overdo it. The price is high.
Best wishes for an uneventful, speedy recovery.
Sounds like you are doing great. DON'T overdo it. The price is high.
Best wishes for an uneventful, speedy recovery.
hensylee
Well-known member
you are home already??? wow, that was quick. You sound great. shortness of breath will pass, given time. after all, yu have had your chest ripped open and somebody played around with your heart - making it into MAJOR surgery. Take a long time to get over major surgery so don't rush it. leave the stairs - probly isn't anything you need up there anyhow. later when you feel stronger, you can use the stairs for exercise. know you are happy to be at home.
netmiff
Well-known member
God I love those slippers you had on youtube! Gotta get me some.
looks like you shouold ask your avatar where to get them
danb1983
Well-known member
I can't really avoid the stairs, the toilet is up there as well as my bedroom, and office Its not a big issue, I will just stagger my stair walking and try and stay either upstairs or down for extended periods.
Its a new day now, I slept alright, but since midday yesterday I had my last dose of meds and only took some paracetamol until bedtime when I took 1 codeine and more paracetamol - Was getting ahead of myself as I woke up in some pain during the night, and had to get up early to get some painkillers... But nothing too bad... I am starting to update my blog and will record some further videos about my experiences in hospital.
The coughing is not so bad actually, I hold a pillow to my chest and cough a little regularly, but they are not big coughs, and most of the "wet" coughs seem to be over... hope I'm not speaking too soon again
Oh, yeh, I did lose a few lbs, but heart surgery is not a weight loss option I'd recommend, just eat more apples and take more walks
I do have hopefully minor complications - I have a fast heart rate, and I have a TINY amount of fluid around my heart - the doctors were still more than happy to send me home - they said the fluid round the heart was a tiny amount, it is normal, and should reabsorb into the body. I have to come back and see them in a week, but if I experience tightening of the chest and difficulty breathing (instead of getting better) then I have to give them a call. I was worried about the heart rate, it is or was aprox 110 when resting and 130 when moving, I've been told this is also quite common and should slowly go back to normal, it is in a normal rhythm and its good that it moves around with exercise...
Its not a big issue, I will just stagger my stair walking and try and stay either upstairs or down for extended periods.Its a new day now, I slept alright, but since midday yesterday I had my last dose of meds and only took some paracetamol until bedtime when I took 1 codeine and more paracetamol - Was getting ahead of myself as I woke up in some pain during the night, and had to get up early to get some painkillers... But nothing too bad... I am starting to update my blog and will record some further videos about my experiences in hospital.
The coughing is not so bad actually, I hold a pillow to my chest and cough a little regularly, but they are not big coughs, and most of the "wet" coughs seem to be over... hope I'm not speaking too soon again
Oh, yeh, I did lose a few lbs, but heart surgery is not a weight loss option I'd recommend, just eat more apples and take more walks
I do have hopefully minor complications - I have a fast heart rate, and I have a TINY amount of fluid around my heart - the doctors were still more than happy to send me home - they said the fluid round the heart was a tiny amount, it is normal, and should reabsorb into the body. I have to come back and see them in a week, but if I experience tightening of the chest and difficulty breathing (instead of getting better) then I have to give them a call. I was worried about the heart rate, it is or was aprox 110 when resting and 130 when moving, I've been told this is also quite common and should slowly go back to normal, it is in a normal rhythm and its good that it moves around with exercise...
You're sounding better and better all the time, Dan. What a remarkable bounce back from major surgery! Gives me hope even though I don't have the advantage of your youth. Thanks for posting about your experiences. Those of us who have yet to travel down the road can really benefit from detailed accounts of other people's experiences with OHS. Keep up the good recovery!
Jim
Jim
danb1983
Well-known member
I don't think you need youth, one thing that comforted me was seeing the recovery and speaking to some of the older patients before my op - I thought "bugger me, if these guys can survive it, then I'm going to be fine"
But seriously, I met all sorts in there - one guy in particular who made my jaw drop was a 68 year old who had underwent a 5x (5x!!!) bypass 3 days earlier and walked into the day room, chatted to us, and called his son to put some bets on the horses for him! It's amazing what they can do! The doctors and nurses all act like its just routine.... it sorta is... the waiting was definitely worse!
But seriously, I met all sorts in there - one guy in particular who made my jaw drop was a 68 year old who had underwent a 5x (5x!!!) bypass 3 days earlier and walked into the day room, chatted to us, and called his son to put some bets on the horses for him! It's amazing what they can do! The doctors and nurses all act like its just routine.... it sorta is... the waiting was definitely worse!
Thanks for that story, Dan...good one! I suppose it largely comes down to mental attitude...after you get over the fright, after you get over the waiting anxiety...
Cheers,
Jim
