How different is your life after surgery?

[Guest]

To answer your question, I feel much better after surgery, despite complications since.

That written, however, some of your comments struck me ... because I've been frustrated with the very same thing (among other issues) recently....

although I work fulltime I can spend a lot of my weekend resting so I am able to face the coming week ahead. I have been annoyed at myself when I have had to leave a social function very early in the evening as I am so exhausted.

I _hate_ (yes, I know...we do not "hate" anything...we "strongly dislike"...however, in this case, "hate" is the word) going to work 5 days a week...accomplishing various tasks/responsibilities there...and then coming home in the evenings and over the weekends...and feeling like doing absolutely nothing. I "hate" this because it drives me crazy/pisses me off/frustrates the helk out of me...that I can't seem to get anything done at home or do anything I want to do.

Unfortunately, despite my efforts with "theme nights" and other tricks to get me more motivated to do the stuff I want to do (other than my famous road trips, that is)...I still have the nagging issue of not as much energy as I need to do those things. Course, other underlying things (besides my heart issues) are causing some of this...but, I won't bore you with that...he he he.

Again...I DO feel MUCH better after my surgery...and have felt better after each of my surgeries.

Point is...don't be so frustrated with yourself (pointing to myself, here, too) ... our bodies can only do so much ... and then they need rest.


Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 31swm/pig valve/pacemaker
'72,6,9/'81,7.hobbies.chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
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[gadgetman]

I tell everyone that ask (and many do) that I feel 200 per cent better since my surgery. During most of December and into January I couldn't take more than 5 or 6 steps without stoping to get my breath. Along with that my energy level has also gone up. I can now work out in the yard more than I was able to do before. I am enrolled in a physical therapy program and they have been amazed at my improvements based on past tests.

But as you can see from other posts, each and every one of us react differently. I guess it depends on your quality of life before surgery. Hope the answers you get here help you in some way. As Ross is so fond of pointing out, the lack of surgery is really not an option we want to consider.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[inlaguna]

My energy level is better.....my exercise tolerance is MUCH better and I walk up stairs and hills without having to take a nap after. So I am extremely greatful that my problem could be fixed. Some don't get that option. Also had the anuerysm repaired while they were in there which makes me feel a little more secure when I exercise and get the heart rate up.

Dan

 

[BionicBob]

Bionic Bob - very good attitude to have. Life is the greatest gift of all and second is love. I am sure the people who love you are glad you had the surgery and are around. Pace yourself - good idea.... you want to have energy when you need it

Thanks, Kristi. Let's hear it for having energy in the clutch!

 

[Marguerite53]

Thanks, Scottie.

Thanks, Scottie.

This has been a very interesting discussion! I really appreciate your having started this thread. It was a question I was pondering as well. My waiting is beginning to wear on me, especially as I tire so much more readily, I'm now experiencing arythmmias half my waking hours and yet all my echo values remain constant. I don't wish for a downhill spiral, and yet, well, for the most part, so far, it does sound pretty good on the other side!!

I hope we will continue to hear from others.

Thanks, Scottie! Wishing you better days!

Marguerite

 

[epstns]

I'll have to chime in from the waiting room, too. As one who is on the list of future surgeries, I am experiencing that "declining enery" syndrome. It is not at a point yet where my cardio feels that surgery may be near (he still says "2 to 4 years"), but I feel really frustrated that my energy level has dropped so much. I still work 45-50 hours a week in a fast-paced professional job, and I try to get to the health club 4 or 5 days a week, but have little energy left at the end of the day for anything. . . and trust me, life suffers for that. I have, on occasion, considered gong to the cardio and telling him that ". . . I'm tired of being tired, let's just do it." and see what he advises.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I have, on occasion, considered gong to the cardio and telling him that ". . . I'm tired of being tired, let's just do it." and see what he advises.

Steve,

You know the routine - Cardio's like to WAIT,
Surgeons like to OPERATE (BEFORE permanent damage sets in). Maybe you should be talking to a SURGEON. Let him make the call.


Scottie - when was your surgery? I know it took me a LONG time (1.5 years) to feel like I had realized my 'full surgical benefit' after my AVR, BUT this was my second OHS (had bypass before, and had a 'small' heart attack years before that) and now my mitral valve is deteriorating. My case is somewhat unique in that most of my heart issues probably stem from (excessive) radiation therapy for Hodgkins disease MANY years ago.

Bottom Line: For me, recovery seemed to come in stages, with each stage allowing me to do more and last longer than the previous stage. I learned to just 'pace myself'. When I was tired (and that could come on SUDDENLY), I knew I needed to STOP and REST. When I had the energy, I knew I needed 'get up and about'. Eventually things get better, just give it time.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Wise]

Mental issues

Mental issues

I've noticed some of you mention doing better post-surgery with the exception of mental issues. My brother, who has since passed away, was a nervous wreck especially after his second aortic valve replacement surgery (also had part of aortic root replaced?). I am presurgery and have a perfectly functioning bicuspid valve (as of one year ago). I do however have to pace myself and deal with nervousness/irritability, especially if I do too much.

If you feel comfortable talking about it, I'd like to ask what types of mental issues have you faced after surgery? Did any of you have them pre-surgery? I am asking because I've received so much hope here. I found out I have a bicuspid aortic valve after my brother had died. He had two surgeries for the same condition. I really had a lot of mental issues to deal with and still do. I believe that if some of you can share about this aspect it will be of great help to people like me. Thanks so much.

 

[JimL]

Re: mental issues, some would say I had them before surgery too.
But from my perspective, especially over three years after surgery, the only remaining issue is memory. My memory is unreliable.
However, for a while after surgery there is often unexplained anger, which I certainly felt. Maybe these are just parts of the general pumpheadedness.

 

[Wise]

Re: mental issues, some would say I had them before surgery too.
But from my perspective, especially over three years after surgery, the only remaining issue is memory. My memory is unreliable.
However, for a while after surgery there is often unexplained anger, which I certainly felt. Maybe these are just parts of the general pumpheadedness.

Thanks Jim. My brother couldn't remember diddlysquat either. He had lots of anger also, I think in association with feeling lousy/tired/fatigued. He could be rather mean to his wife. Not violent, but just not nice. "Pumpheadedness?" I'm curious about that one!!?

 

[RCB]

The whole range

The whole range

I think there is no way to predict how one is going to feel after heart valve surgery with two big exception:
1. The younger you are-the better you do.
2. The less complications you bring with you to surgery- the less you have after surgery and thus the better you feel.

Most people do feel better after they heal. Some don't and very rarely some don't make it at all.

In my own case, after the first two I went on to play varsity sports in high school and lettered in three sports. My third, I felt about the same.
My fourth- I had a lot of problems going in which they fixed, but still they could not fix everything.

There is a real difference in the way people feel about reop. Some say
it was "easy", other "don't mind doing several". Others feel they won't survive another. While this refects the full range of thought here, the latter represents experience and the former is the height of ignorance.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Um...how come you're "presurgery" if you have a "perfectly functioning bicuspid valve"?

I've noticed some of you mention doing better post-surgery with the exception of mental issues. My brother, who has since passed away, was a nervous wreck especially after his second aortic valve replacement surgery (also had part of aortic root replaced?). I am presurgery and have a perfectly functioning bicuspid valve (as of one year ago). I do however have to pace myself and deal with nervousness/irritability, especially if I do too much.

If you feel comfortable talking about it, I'd like to ask what types of mental issues have you faced after surgery? Did any of you have them pre-surgery? I am asking because I've received so much hope here. I found out I have a bicuspid aortic valve after my brother had died. He had two surgeries for the same condition. I really had a lot of mental issues to deal with and still do. I believe that if some of you can share about this aspect it will be of great help to people like me. Thanks so much.

 

[Wise]

Um...how come you're "presurgery" if you have a "perfectly functioning bicuspid valve"?

Maybe I'm not using correct lingo. What I mean is that I have a bicuspid valve which so far functions normally. I have a family history of heart problems. Lost my father to heart failure, youngest brother to heart attack, other brother died after two AVR surgeries (seven years apart). My cardiologist is closely monitoring me. I had a mildly leaking mitral valve in addition to the biscuspid aortic valve plus a fast heartbeat corrected by an ablation. My cardiologist told me that I'd most likely have my aortic valve replaced sometime in my 40s or 50s. I'm 45 now. So, maybe technically I'm not "presurgery" or maybe I'm as a "pre" as you can get. I'm having another echo and stress test next month to see where I stand now. I'm just on here trying to learn all I can now. Sorry if I misrepresented my condition. Certainly wasn't aware of it. I'm learning slowly but surely. Thanks!

 

[Scottie]

Thanks Folks !

Thanks Folks !

Thanks everyone for your replies ...they certainly cover the range and prove ..if we need proof that we are all different ...to be fair ..I should point out that I was born with a heart condition and have never been able to do all the "normal " activites that my peers were doing ...sport was always a no no for me ..apart from Swimming ...and although I had a social life I always sufferered due to tiredness the next day ...my own GP has pointed out that although I've had my valve renewed I still have defects which are irrepairable and my tiredness is due to this ....I am actually quite happy though ...and like many here I do appreciate being alive ...in the future when we stop paying the kids through school and Uni I will consider working part time ..however in the meantime I know that as financially I need to work I will just have to accept the limitations my body puts on me ...
Thanks for replying everyone.
As to the mental issues that were asked about ...I had great difficulty in coming to terms with the fact I needed surgery , it didn't help in although I was suffering some symptoms I had just accepted them as normal. It was everyone else after surgery telling me that my colour had changed and the surgeon in the hospital telling me that I may have lasted only three months more that finally persuaded me that the surgery had been worth while .
Talk about denial eh ?LOL
Immmediately after surgery I was estatic to have survived but after a while did suffer with the "Poor me" depression.
Anyway today was the first day back at school for the summer term ..so onward and upward ..
Take care all and thanks again
Scottie

 

[BionicBob]

And Thanks to You, Scottie...

And Thanks to You, Scottie...

... For starting such a thought-provoking thread. I know it has helped me appreciate my blessings and take stock of my current situation as well as consider what I can do to improve further. And I've learned from the varied responses your question has brought. Cheers and best wishes to you....

 

[JimL]

Pumpheadedness refers to being on the heart-lung machine, the pump. It turns the brain into Swiss cheese -- at least it seems that way to me. I can remember some things in great detail, and draw a blank on other things.

 

[Wise]

Pumpheadedness refers to being on the heart-lung machine, the pump. It turns the brain into Swiss cheese -- at least it seems that way to me. I can remember some things in great detail, and draw a blank on other things.

LOL! Sorry for my ignorance. I'll never forget what pumpheadedness is now...that's funny (atleast on this side). Thanks Jim.

 

[Barry]

Ross, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not doing well and that it's going to get worse. Hang in there - you're a good guy, the world is better having you here.

To answer the question at hand...

Short version is that my memory, energy-level, and mood aren't as good as they used to be. Hard to figure out how much is from the surgery and its aftermath v/s from the meds. But sure doing a lot better than I would have been doing without the surgery: Had severe mitral valve prolapse, which killed my dad through congestive heart failure.

 

[coryp]

For me there doesn't seem to be much difference. I never knew I had a problem in the first place. I didn't seem to have any symptoms. Now, since having surgery, I believe around the time you did, I am back to normal, the only thing is that I am more aware of things when they happen. Such as when I get sick or a bacterial infection. Of course the coumadin issue. Also the visual disturbances from time to time. Physically I feel the same as I did before surgery but mentally I think I am more aware of my body, so I guess I do worry more about my health than I did before my surgery.

Take Care!
Gail

Just like to know how long you stayed in Clev? Weren't many follow up visits with the surgeon required?

thx

 

[KathyH]

I had my surgery done 1 year ago and I feel better than I have in 5 years. Before the surgery I didn't think I have feeling so bad, but it comes on gradually and you relate the being tired and lack of energy to other things. I know some have problems with depression post op. I remember being depressed on my 3 post op day when I needed a thoracenthesis, but after that it was all good. I have a new appreciation for life and take time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. My grandson was born 2 weeks after my surgery and when I look at him I think how lucky I am to be able to see him and enjoy him.
You are going to be nervous preop, but keep upbeat and focus on the positive and you should do fine. Best wishes.
Kathy H