Hi everyone - the surgery is OVER

[Barbara]

Hi
I tried to post before but don't know if it worked - wasn't my computer -
I got a mechanical valve - (wanted a tissue,but the surgeon said it wouldn't work for me - too small or something - will find out later)- but other than that - everthing went great - I got the valve Tuesday afternoon - spend wed in ICU - Thursday morn to a room on the floor - up and walking that day - and it was downhill from there - I consider myself very very fortunate - all went well - And I wanted to thank everone for their thoughts and prayers and suggestions- they helped so much - and the info I got on this site helped me to know what was going to happen etc. which was a great help also -
I took a quick look and it seems my date mates are also doing well - YES!!!
I came home on Mon - so by that time, I was in pretty good shape - fairly independent - but still appreciated the help I had at home - family really rallied around - like I said, I consider myself very very fortunate -
that's it for now - and the next phase begins got to srart reading up on that -
barbara

 

[nadi]

great news

great news

I am glad you had a smooth trip over the mountain!
It's great to be home, isn't it? Let your family pamper you for a while. Remember the Motto breathe, walk, nap

Remember things get even better with time.

Take care,

 

[Ross]

I was about to release the hounds and start looking for you. Glad to hear that all is well and your back with us. Don't scare me like that no more! Bad Barbara, bad.

I'm sure you'll have many more questions as the time passes. You know where to get the answers, so onward with recovery!

 

[Nancy]

Wonderful, Barbara! You sound terrific, are you sure you had surgery??

Seriously, hope everything goes as planned from now on.

 

[pillarpaul]

Congrats, Barbara. I was amazed how well I started feeling after three weeks post-op, so as Tony Bennett sings, "The Best is Yet to Come" ("and won't it be fine"). Sorry about that singing - be glad we don't have sound on this site!

Paul

 

[bvdr]

Great news!

Great news!

Hi Barbara,

I'm so glad for you. Take it easy and keep us up to date on how your recovery is going. I bet it feels wonderful to have it behind you.!

Betty(bvdr)

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Barbara, sounds like you are doing Great! Just remember to take it easy and you will do fine. Lots of naps and walking. Take Care.


Dave
___________________________________
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic Valve Replacement with a St. Jude with graft sleeve.
Poudre Valley Hospital, Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[ccrawford]

Congratulations Barbara, You'll start feeling a little better every day and a little stronger too. Now's the time to baby yourself for awhile. Forget about that lifting business for about two months, but try to walk a little more each day, enjoy those naps, and keep up the breathing excercise. Chris

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Barbara

Hi Barbara

So glad to see you posting...Sounds like you have a clear head already..to type..I, too, have a mechanical valve at age 63. Did you say you were age 65..I think you will be glad..now, no worry about having it replaced in the future. Let us know how your INR ranges and dosage are doing. It takes a few weeks to get everything correct..Then maybe you can start thinking about a home unit. I have the Protime. Wonderful, to be able to do it in less than 5 min. Know your INR ..No labs and arm draws. ..Hassle of driving to clinic..waiting, ect.. but, now, just take 1 day at a time..Take pain meds..walk a little..nap a lot..And let family take care of you..Around the 3 week mark you will feel like going out..but remember. you will have 1 great day and the next day may feel down..but this is common.Watch lifting anything heavy. Wet clothes out of washer, ect. Those muscles take a long time to heal. Don't feel bad about using a motor wheelchair at grocery store or Wal-mart. Don't want anyone bumping into you.. This is woman-to- woman. Our male valvers tend to get a little more macho This is why, women are the stronger sex. Bonnie

 

[Barbara]

thank you good people - for your concerns and advice - I will be checking in and checking up on whats going on -
I need to do some aftercare research -
My INR is all over the place as you have all indicated it would be - so I am not too concerned - (what a comfort this site has been)
I went for a blood test last Wed and it was 1.5 - and I go for a blood test tommorrow - definitely interested in home unit -
I have coughed a few times and sneezed only once - I told you I am very very fortunate - b/c that has got to be the worst - how long before it stops hurting???? - Even as I write that, I feel greedy!!!
I am so thankful -
Hope you all have a pleasant day - and I am going to try to log on a bit tonight for the 5pm chat if I can -
Take care -
Barbara

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi barbara!
i'm so glad to see you are doing well. just try and rest/nap a lot as needed, walk, and breathe.
try not to do too much from the start. the pain will lessen in time as you recover and get stronger.
please try and be patient and pamper yourself a bit.
you must be so happy that the worst is behind you.
wishing you a continued smooth recovery.
be well, sylvia

 

[ccrawford]

Barbara - Its really hard to predict how soon the chest will stop hurting because everybody is different. I gradually tapered off my pain pills and was through with them by about the third week, but would occasionally need one after that because I would over do it. Tomorrow is my two month anniversary and while I'm still tender, there is no ongoing pain - unless Bonnie tells a bad joke !
Hope this helps - trty to be patient and enjoy those sunrises. Chris

 

[Granbonny]

Barbara

Barbara

What type of pain meds?..I just looked at my old bottle.Darvocet..There were 60 pills and 10 left..with 2 refills which have expired because I didn't need them Directions were to take 1-2 every 4-6 hours.. I'm like Chris..think I remember not needing them after 3 weeks. The male valver who was in waiting room with me at 3 week checkup..same as me..had used ALL refills.. The next day for 3 week Cardiologist checkup..son told him..Mom wants off all her meds. He scratched off all but coumadin. Gosh, did I start feeling better. Now, only take Tylenol (for old folk's aches) Massage are wonderful. Have someone to put lotion on your back and rub you for a long time. Bonnie

 

[McCln]

Welcome back Barbara

Welcome back Barbara

Glad that everything turned out so well. Your stay in the jail was short. You just take it one day at a time. Don't push yourself in getting things done around the house. Make other do the heavy lifting. Just do as you are told, and walk everyday. Take care and be good.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[WADE W]

Hey Barbara,

Great to hear from you and glad to hear you are doing well...Was starting to get a little worried. June 10th was indeed a very good day! Really happy to hear that everything went smooth and that you are feeling well...let the recovery commence!!!! keep in touch and happy recovering..Wade

 

[Jan]

Your Surgery

Your Surgery

Hi Barbara

great to see you back on the boards,

Best wishes for a speedy recovery

Jan

 

[Georgia]

Congrats, Barbara

Congrats, Barbara

Sorry I'm slow on the uptake. I've had this whole work thing that interferes with my forum-cruising. And house guests.

Congrats on being over the worst of it. Be very careful and take care and DON'T expect too much. The only thing you should be really pushing yourself on is the breathing thing. And walking. And push hard on the naps .

So glad to have you back.