It's all over

[nancym]

I had surgery 3 weeks ago, and this is the first time that I have felt up to writing on this forum. I just wanted to let everyone who was so nice to me pre-surgery that I came through okay, and to thank you all for being so kind. The surgery itself was easy, but there were lots of complications that forced me to stay in the ICU for a week, which was pretty awful. I hated that all kinds of doctors came and stood at the bottom of my bed and talked about me, without even acknowledging me with a hello. At one point, one of the doctors felt that they should do more surgery because my mitral valve regurg was worse than before surgery ( I had AVR and aortic root replacement). Luckily, another one said to wait to see if it resolved on its own, and it did. Too many doctors with too many opinions. I also had issues with low blood pressure, not getting enough oxygen and something called SAM, which I don't understand at all. Anyway, I've been home for 10 days, and finally feel pretty good today. I have very little incision pain, but I do have lots of back, shoulder and neck pain (especially right under my scapula). And something that may be the result of a shot in my arm that hit a nerve has made it hard to use my right hand. I am so glad to have this over! I'm only afraid that when I go to my cardiologist, he's going to find something wrong. That's in two weeks, so I won't be able to rest easy until then. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.

 

[aussiemember]

Welcome home Nancy!! Sorry to hear you have had a rough ride but glad that you are starting to feel better now. I sympthasise about the doctors talking about you as though you are not there - I hate it when that happens too. Glad to hear your incision pain is not too bad but the muscular pain sounds tough - rest up and take it easy!!

 

[netmiff]

welcome home, Nancy, it's the best place to be!

One of the causes of muscular pain elsewhere is the hours that you lay on the operating table, and later ICU, without moving, and the unnatural positions you were in. It will go away. My recovery was uneventful, but because of a touch of arthritis in my right shoulder, and a chronic "bad back" I had lots and lots of stiff muscles for a week or two.

All the best for a smooth and fast rfecovery from here on in

 

[Bina]

Nancy, welcome home!
I also had terrible shoulder and rib cage pain, the incision was no big deal....just ugly for a while
Get some rest, and eat well.

 

[Ross]

Nancy I was in ICU for 50 days. Complication after complication, so I know how aggravating it is.

Glad your home and it's over. Your cardiologist isn't going to find anything but a repaired human in front of him. I have said so.

 

[escargome]

Hi Nancy,
And welcome home. I was just thinking of you the other day. Glad to hear you made it. As for the pain, yea, that will be around for a little while. Just try and work through it. Maybe some Tylenol might help. I had tons of pain in the tendon that connects the neck to the right side of my head plus swelling. But eventually it resolved itself. Anyway, positive thoughts that your cardiologist will find a healthy woman with much to look forward to. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[njean]

Welcome home Nancy! So glad to know that you are feeling better --- it's all up hill from here; be patient! Rest, eat & don't try to take on more than you can. Walk a little every day to gain strength but don't push it!

Take care!

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome home, Nancy. I too am sure you will get a good report when you visit the cardio. Walk, rest and no more bumps in the road.

 

[ottagal]

Welcome home, Nancy! I am glad that you are on the 'other side of the mountain'. Sorry to read about the bumps along the way. I am sending good thoughts your way for an uneventful continued recovery from this point forward.

 

[kfay]

Nancy, I'm glad to hear that you are now home and hope that you are healing well. Sorry to hear about your bumps, but hopefully they are over. I'm sure you will get a good report from your cardio...I held my breath until I had that appt. as well.

Kim

 

[abbanabba]

Good to see you are home Nancy and I hope some of the pain you are having begins to resolve in the next few weeks.

Take it easy and be kind to yourself.


A x

 

[lisou]

Welcome home Nancy, very happy to hear you're doing o.k. Will keep you in my prayers for a good visit with the cardiologist in two weeks. Keep us posted. Take care.

 

[ctyguy]

Nice to see your post Nancy, welcome home. I think everyone will attest to shoulder and back pain post op. Doesn't change the fact that you have it and are dealing with it but at least its a normal effect. I was anxious too for that first cardio appointment after I got home, mine was also at 6 weeks.

Here hoping the doctor tells you the same thing mine told me. "Everything looks great, here is your driving priviledges back, and on your way out make your appointment for next year"

 

[geckley]

Welcome home.
I'm 3 weeks out also so I can relate to the stiffness. My back and butt are killing me. I hate sleeping on my back, YUK. All you need now is a positive attitude. My wife and I are gonna try and be mall walkers so I can have someplace warm to walk. Got you in my thoughts. You'll hear nothing but good news from here on out.

 

[cp172]

Hi Nancy,

You have gone through the hard part. Now all you need to do is walk and rest. You will have bad days but overall you are going to see improvements each week. I bet you will be fine when you go to your cardiologist. They did a lot of tests before you were out of surgery and before you were released from the hospital. Take care!

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome home! All the best for a smooth and speedy recovery.

 

[Guest]

Nancy,

WELCOME HOME!!!! Good to see you back.

Thoughts/prayers coming your way for a SUCCESSFUL recovery.



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...MidW Blast = 01/17/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"The sun is on my side and takes me for a ride" ... Natasha Bedingfield ... 'Pocket Full Of Sunshine'

 

[Eva]

Nancy, Welcome home!

I was wondering about you and I am glad to hear your news. Rest ... the worst is over and you shall continue to feel better and happier every day and the pain will fade with time. I stayed seven days in ICU and my BP was v. low .70/50 and HR 106 .

With prayers

 

[hall]

Sorry you had a bumpy road and hopefully you are done w/that. Welcome home.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

MASSAGE is the answer to those nasty Back and Shoulder Muscle Pains!

My S.O. used a Vibrating Disk Massager (2.5 inches diameter) and it provided RELIEF in a minute or so.