Milestones

[Michelle D]

I'm very excited today, I am getting used to the Sotalol and have a sudden burst of energy. My cardio told me I can drive at 4 weeks and that is tomorrow, I'm so happy to have a little more freedom. What are your upcoming milestones?

 

[Debbrn]

congratulations. I would have done a cartwheel if I could when i was able to drive. I'm glad you are feeling better.

Debbie

 

[buncle]

It is amazing how fast you feel better after your heart settles down.I am glad your doing good!

 

[Michelle D]

Thanks, I'm having some pains but I think my iron levels are becoming closer to what they should be, I feel way less fatigued and I only slept 4 hours last night. I'm not going to over do it though. I still get pains and if I get moving too fast I get dizzy. Even if I feel like crap for the next few days it is nice to have a break, I needed some hope and this helps lift my spirits.

 

[Robb Wilder]

Ive been driving for a week now. I was allowed back in the pool which was good. I was able to babysit my son while the wife went out instead of my being the baby sat one. All my help has gone home now and it just me the wife and the kid. I have one week more off from work then I start part time back for a few weeks or so.

 

[Michelle D]

Lucky you! I live in south Florida, not being able to swim is like torture, especially this time if year. I think from the looks of my incisions I've got a week or so. That would be great exercise for me, it's too hot to walk out there.

 

[nngbwh]

Glad you are doing better.

 

[Robb Wilder]

Michelle.. Look at my location.

 

[Lily]

Glad to read that you are feeling better Michelle

 

[Michelle D]

I drove, not very far. I am not quite ready. I'm not sure if it's the meds but my eyes focus on the windshield and then the road then the windshield and so on. So I then end up slightly dizzy. But it felt good to feel a little more normal. And it seems too early in the day but I felt good today as well. I guess 4 weeks is that magic time I was looking forward to.

 

[NealR]

First of all, congrats on your recovery. You had an excellent surgeon, he was my 2nd choice.

I was given the clearance to drive at 3 weeks, but didn't want to. I returned to work at 5 weeks, but got all my energy back at 6 weeks, especially after I was finally able to get a full nights sleep.

Sounds like you are well ahead of the game. How is your appetite? Mine came back quickly.

You have tons to look forward to, and with each passing week, you will feel even better, and better, and better.....

 

[Michelle D]

My appetite is a force to reckon with but it I eat until I'm full I feel my heart beating in my stomach. It's hard with the sodium restriction. I'm still sore, mostly my back and I get a pain in my heart where the pacer wire was yanked out of but I'm so much better than I was a week ago.

I see my cardiologist again on Wednesday, I'm going to ask about steroid for my effusion and perhaps cut down on the sotalol. I can't wait until I'm down to taking just a multi-vitamin and a baby aspirin.

 

[Robb Wilder]

I am almost 6 weeks post op and the surgeon explained it to me on my check up. He said basically he sprained my neck and back but all the angles he moved the bones. It stretches out the ligaments and the tendons.. My Neck is the worse. My spine feels like it still needs to pop. Not like I can goto a chiropractor and get my back popped...

 

[Penny]

I too am almost 6 weeks post op and off to see the cardiologist tomorrow. I am doing so much better since they lowered my metoprolol back to 12.5 mg. I still tire out pretty easily but can't wait to get enough energy to start back at the gym. Hopefully they will tell me I am ok to drive again.. getting pretty tired of feeling like a hostage in my home..
Anyone having sternum discomfort at 6 weeks?

 

[Michelle D]

I just reached too far and my sternum is pissed at me, I put my surgical bra back on and it helps. I get over confident when I have these good days.

 

[Robb Wilder]

Yes Penny Sternum and Muscles and Nerves still feel like an Alien is trying to pop through but NOT as bad as it was. Its getting better a little each day. My Biggest complaints are Neck/Back and Overall Energy.

 

[AgilityDog]

Michelle, I'm glad to see you are doing so well already!
I'm still a little achy, but only using tylenol during the day.
My first goal is to get theraputic on my warfarin, and off the lovenox.
Next goal is to get rid of the sticky residue on my skin. I haven't sent hubby on yet another errand to pick up the recommended solvent.
I can't wear a bra until my incision stops being aggravated by it - last time I got a keloid in that area, so I'm waiting a few weeks on that. Fortunately I'm tiny up top.
I'm not going to drive until my eyes stop bouncing, even after I get the OK in a few weeks. I think it's the drugs, but car rides still make me queasy, as of Saturday.

 

[swim mom]

I found driving was one of the harder things because you use so many muscles you don't think about and stretch in ways you don't otherwise. I couldn't drive comfortably or probably safely at 4 weeks either, I still had to ride with my teenagers! We have 3 cars a newer minivan, prius , and an old stick shift Honda Civic. I still have some discomfort at 3 months driving the Honda and the Prius isn't exactly comfortable to drive. But at about 6 weeks I could drive the van without problems except the seat belt. I have to say the feeling of freedom was great but then I would walk outside and realize I could drive but all the vehicles were gone!

 

[pat45750]

Michelle Glad to hear you are doing well. I am a few weeks behind you. Still very tired and sore at times. I know it will get better. Glad you are improving. Pat

 

[Michelle D]

Even with my trip to the ER last night after panicking over what was just PVCs things get better each day. Sleeping is my only problem, I've been having horrible nightmares everynight since surgery, waking up confused and freaked out, and having trouble falling asleep due to the pounding PVCs and my gurgling lungs. When I can sleep a full night again I will be the happiest person ever. Tonight I'm trying ambien, my cardio gave me the ok, it didn't work well for me in the past but maybe this time, I can only hope.