I drove for the first time today!

[ponygirlmom]

I was going to wait to go on a "test drive" this weekend with my husband, but he is making me mad and I really had to get to the bank, so I took a drive today.

The only thing that worried about being able to drive was backing out of the driveway, and it turns out that wasn't a problem at all. It didn't hurt at all to turn and look backwards.

I don't feel ready for the freeway yet, but driving the regular streets to the bank was fine. I even went through the pharmacy drive-through to get a prescription for my husband, NOT that he deserves it! That was the hardest part of the trip -- reaching for the little pnumatic tube.

 

[RobinH]

Congratulations! My surgery was 12 days before yours and I've been driving for about 2 1/2 weeks now with no problems at all. Driving again has really given me back my independence and I don't feel like a "patient" any more. Like you, I was reluctant to get on the freeway at first; however, now I'm driving on the freeway and it feels great! Keep up the good work!

Robin

 

[Stan Parris]

I'm 78, 9 weeks post-op, recovering well from aortic valve replacement with 2 by-passes.
Doing phys therapy, but feeling restrained because cardiologist says 12 weeks post-op before I can drive. Suggestions?

 

[Phyllis]

I'm 78, 9 weeks post-op, recovering well from aortic valve replacement with 2 by-passes.
Doing phys therapy, but feeling restrained because cardiologist says 12 weeks post-op before I can drive. Suggestions?

Welcome, Stan. Most here have been told 6 weeks for the sternum to heal before driving, but maybe your doctor has other reasons for the 12 weeks- why not ask? I'm glad you joined us and hope you will start another thread telling us more about yourself.

 

[bvdr]

Congratulations! I remember how good it felt to drive for the first time post MVR. It helps to make OHS actually feel over and relegated to the PAST.

Stan, 12 weeks seems a bit excessive to me but your doc may have reasons. Ask him/her why it is being suggested to you to stay in the passenger seat. I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Welcome to this site.

 

[Stan Parris]

CARDIOLOGIST SAYS IF have a front end collision may crush your chest, etc.
My answer: if we have a nuclear bomb attack it will mess up a whole lot more than my chest and it wont matter whether my sternum is healed or not.
Get real.
It's an abundance of caution.

 

[hall]

Driving sure does give you your independence. CONGRATS!

 

[ricks399]

Woo hoo

Woo hoo

What a milestone! Actually when I read the title to the thread I got excited. My surgeon says 3 weeks after release from the hospital for driving. That will be one week from Friday. Were you nervous?

 

[ponygirlmom]

What a milestone! Actually when I read the title to the thread I got excited. My surgeon says 3 weeks after release from the hospital for driving. That will be one week from Friday. Were you nervous?

I guess you could say paranoid, because before surgery I started to have a serious driving problem: sometimes my blood pressure would fall rapidly, especially at traffic lights. Shortly before surgery I was not driving at all.

So you can imagine that I was paranoid when approaching stoplights! But my blood pressure seems to stay just fine now.

 

[MNmom]

Awesome, I know- I started driving at 4 weeks, and I too felt as though I was free to do anything- the first thing I did that night, as soon as the kids went to bed, was drive myself to Target- just because I could!
Have fun with your new freedom!
Ingrid

 

[njean]

Driving for the first time after OHS is a GREAT feeling! I'm glad for you & hope you continue to do well!

 

[Dina]

I guess you could say paranoid, because before surgery I started to have a serious driving problem: sometimes my blood pressure would fall rapidly, especially at traffic lights. Shortly before surgery I was not driving at all.

So you can imagine that I was paranoid when approaching stoplights! But my blood pressure seems to stay just fine now.

I had a similar problem a couple years ago , though mine was anxiety
related and occurred when on approach to any bridge--I would become
SOB from hyperventilation, kinda like a panic attack. It also happened
when I was driving thru the Poconos in Pennsylvania, I think it was
the heights and the size(grandiosity) of it. Very strange since I had
been driving for over 15 years before this with no problems like this.
Since I'm in NY ,I didn't get a new car last year when mine 'died', but
I do miss driving in the country--I mean who wants to drive in NYC
What craziness! Well, glad that you are driving again AND asserting
your independence...aren't husbands fun?!
Dina