pgammo
Well-known member
Hello everyone,
I received an AVR last Monday (June 4th, 2012) and I chose an On-X mechanical valve (I'm 25 years old). I wanted to write a short entry regarding my experience and hopefully encourage some of you about to go through the procedure.
The surgery went smooth and I was in ICU after a few hours. The first two days were a blur, as I don't remember much; I was heavily medicated. I had an extremely difficult time with the spirometer and nobody could figure out why; I thought I was just too weak for it. For the first four days, I suffered from EXCRUCIATING back spasms. They were so painful that I couldn't breathe; my family and friends could not stand the sight. Again, doctors didn't know why and credited to the uncomfortable operating room bed.
I developed an air pocket in my lungs, so my chest tubes stayed in two extra days.
Then, on Thursday, I choked while drinking water and went into a short coughing session, which sucked. BUT this was a major turning point.
Afterwards, an x-ray revealed that the air pocket was closing up, so the doctors decided to pull my chest tubes. Once pulled, my back spasms were gone and my lung capacity grew considerably. All the issues were credited to the chest tubes.
By Friday, the only problem I had was a resting heart rate of 130bpm, and for this, they refused to discharge me. They fed me 100mg of metropolol per day to attempt to control it; it didn't work - did not even drop my bpm by a single beat. So, by Saturday, *I* requested Atenelol (sp?) and within 30 minutes, my heart rate dropped to the mid-80's. It was amazing.
I was discharged a few hours later (Saturday).
I went to church the following day (yesterday). Yea, I might be dumb for exposing myself to illness, but I really needed the fellowship, as this week as played a huge toll on me mentally. It was pretty funny though. The entire church looked at me as if I was a zombie - 5 days post op and all.
Today, I feel GREAT. I have a lot of energy. In fact, I just finished cleaning my home and plan on running some errands later. My only advice is to listen to your body. When my body gets tired, I don't push it; rather, I just try to relax and start again when I'm able.
My experience may sound like a bad one, but I am hear to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Yea, the recovery sucks, but it's not that bad. Keep yourself busy and you will be just fine.
For me, I could not do any of this without the Lord my God. The Master Surgeon has guided me with His divine Hand, and there has been no greater comfort for me.
God bless you all and thank you for reading!
(Sorry if I'm a bit incoherent; I'm exhausted from cleaning)
I received an AVR last Monday (June 4th, 2012) and I chose an On-X mechanical valve (I'm 25 years old). I wanted to write a short entry regarding my experience and hopefully encourage some of you about to go through the procedure.
The surgery went smooth and I was in ICU after a few hours. The first two days were a blur, as I don't remember much; I was heavily medicated. I had an extremely difficult time with the spirometer and nobody could figure out why; I thought I was just too weak for it. For the first four days, I suffered from EXCRUCIATING back spasms. They were so painful that I couldn't breathe; my family and friends could not stand the sight. Again, doctors didn't know why and credited to the uncomfortable operating room bed.
I developed an air pocket in my lungs, so my chest tubes stayed in two extra days.
Then, on Thursday, I choked while drinking water and went into a short coughing session, which sucked. BUT this was a major turning point.
Afterwards, an x-ray revealed that the air pocket was closing up, so the doctors decided to pull my chest tubes. Once pulled, my back spasms were gone and my lung capacity grew considerably. All the issues were credited to the chest tubes.
By Friday, the only problem I had was a resting heart rate of 130bpm, and for this, they refused to discharge me. They fed me 100mg of metropolol per day to attempt to control it; it didn't work - did not even drop my bpm by a single beat. So, by Saturday, *I* requested Atenelol (sp?) and within 30 minutes, my heart rate dropped to the mid-80's. It was amazing.
I was discharged a few hours later (Saturday).
I went to church the following day (yesterday). Yea, I might be dumb for exposing myself to illness, but I really needed the fellowship, as this week as played a huge toll on me mentally. It was pretty funny though. The entire church looked at me as if I was a zombie - 5 days post op and all.
Today, I feel GREAT. I have a lot of energy. In fact, I just finished cleaning my home and plan on running some errands later. My only advice is to listen to your body. When my body gets tired, I don't push it; rather, I just try to relax and start again when I'm able.
My experience may sound like a bad one, but I am hear to tell you that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Yea, the recovery sucks, but it's not that bad. Keep yourself busy and you will be just fine.
For me, I could not do any of this without the Lord my God. The Master Surgeon has guided me with His divine Hand, and there has been no greater comfort for me.
God bless you all and thank you for reading!
(Sorry if I'm a bit incoherent; I'm exhausted from cleaning)
