Had to open me back up!

[AaronB]

I just got out of the hospital after 9 days because for some reason my body built up fluids. They removed about 2 liters from the sack around my heart and about 1500 cc from around my lungs anyone else have that happen? Now I have a line in my arm and give myself 2 types of antibiotics twice a day. No one ever said what happened but that my valve has healed very well. I am basically starting my recovery over again.

 

[Gnusgal]

Wow! Sorry to hear it. I didn't have a problem with my valve surgery, but I am currently giving myself IV antibiotics 2 times a day due to an infection from ICD surgery. So I can relate somewhat. Hope you get better quickly!

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Aaron. Sorry to hear of your experience. I too had a bad pericardial effusion right after surgery and had to be opened back up. They put me on a short round of steroids when I returned home the second time, and it eventually cleared up. It wasn't a pleasant thing though; I agree. Several other members have had them, and I'm sure will be along shortly to share their experiences.

 

[csutherland]

pericardial window

pericardial window

You might look at my posts from around Mar-Apr, 2002 concerning Jerry's experience with fluid around the heart after AVR. He thought the 2nd recovery was worse than the first. He was hospitalized for 13 days, as I recall, walking the halls carrying his little plastic container that gathered the draining fluid/blood.

 

[Abbanabba]

Sorry to hear about the setback Aaron, but at least the valve is OK. Hopefully the antibiotics will have you feeling better again soon.

Best wishes,
Anna : )

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Aaron,

So sorry you had this experience. I was in the same boat. They went back in for the window 3 weeks post op. Prior to..... I was given frozen plasma because my INR was 14! The over the the top INR must have had something to do with the lessened function and extra work load on the heart.

Did you find your INR to be extremely high?

Hope your recovery continues to improve!

Take care.

 

[Karlynn]

Aaron, so sorry to hear of your troubles. I hope that you are well on the road to healing now.

 

[KimC]

Aaron,

We're pulling for your FULL recovery, one day at a time.

Blessings,

 

[geebee]

Aaron,
Sorry to hear of your setback. I am happy that, if it had to happen at all, it did so fairly early on in your recovery before you had a chance to fully heal.
I am sure you will make it over this hump even quicker and feel normal very soon.
Take care and try to keep smiling.