jds
Well-known member
Had MVR surgery on 5/23 and returned home on 5/30. Surgeon hoped for a repair but said the MV was a mess with tears/holes in both leaflets so he did a replacement instead using a Carptentier-Edwards Pericardial valve so I can avoid coumadin long-term and resume rock-climbing sometime - Oct? Nov? for easy stuff.
Recovery in the hospital was a couple of days more than expected slow because I had a lot of fluid onin the right side of my chest so we let it drain for an extra two days. Felt like s*** for the first three days post-surgery in the hospital with no appetite, serious gas and nausea when I took pain pills, a horrible and painful case of hiccups, etc. By 5/28, though, I had weaned back to just Tylenol-3 and appetite had returned. Moved bowels once and walked in the halls (slowly lurching from wall to wall) and climbed some stairs, then went home with my wife on 5/30. I had been at Mass General Hospital in Boston with Dr. Gus Vlahakes - a terrific surgeon, staff, and hospital.
First evening at home was weak as a kitten but had an appetite, no nausea, and not much pain. Walked a little but with support from Amy. Day after return (5/31) was better but still very weak. Today (6/1) is incredibly different. Felt stronger and really alive. Weather is good so I spent much of the day outdoors feeling good. I'm just on one Tylenol-3 a day at night time. Chest is a little sore but not a problem. Working on my Frankenstein scar.
I'm limited to walking for 4-6 weeks and will be on coumadin for 4-8 weeks then start a rehab program with Spaulding Rehab hospital in Boston to build back some muscle for hiking, climbing, paddling, biking, etc.
On the whole, I would rather not have gone through this but feel I am on the mend at the moment.
Love and best wishes to the community -
Recovery in the hospital was a couple of days more than expected slow because I had a lot of fluid onin the right side of my chest so we let it drain for an extra two days. Felt like s*** for the first three days post-surgery in the hospital with no appetite, serious gas and nausea when I took pain pills, a horrible and painful case of hiccups, etc. By 5/28, though, I had weaned back to just Tylenol-3 and appetite had returned. Moved bowels once and walked in the halls (slowly lurching from wall to wall) and climbed some stairs, then went home with my wife on 5/30. I had been at Mass General Hospital in Boston with Dr. Gus Vlahakes - a terrific surgeon, staff, and hospital.
First evening at home was weak as a kitten but had an appetite, no nausea, and not much pain. Walked a little but with support from Amy. Day after return (5/31) was better but still very weak. Today (6/1) is incredibly different. Felt stronger and really alive. Weather is good so I spent much of the day outdoors feeling good. I'm just on one Tylenol-3 a day at night time. Chest is a little sore but not a problem. Working on my Frankenstein scar.
I'm limited to walking for 4-6 weeks and will be on coumadin for 4-8 weeks then start a rehab program with Spaulding Rehab hospital in Boston to build back some muscle for hiking, climbing, paddling, biking, etc.
On the whole, I would rather not have gone through this but feel I am on the mend at the moment.
Love and best wishes to the community -
.
