Possible for an uneventful life after surgery?

[Ovie]

Is it possible to live just a normal life after surgery, without things constantly happening? (high blood pressure, high pulse, etc) I love this site, it's helped me tremendously, however I feel as if I read about more things going wrong than right, I could be incorrect, just my opinion. I'm almost a month out of my AVR surgery, and I realize the healing is a process and takes time, but I felt much better before my surgery, I don't feel like I'm making improvements, I have yet to wake up and think to myself, thank goodness I had that surgery done. I've been a little down as of late and try to keep my spirits high. I apologize if this sounds like a poor me rant, not my intentions, but do I have a chance at living my life without constant worry? Are there a good amount of people post op that go on to live without issues?

Any insight would be great.

 

[JimL]

Yes, all you say is quite normal. Yes, there is always the possibility of complications, some very serious. But I am ten years out, and am as normal as ever, which was always on the abnormal side, oh well. It is always much better on this side of the surgery, rather than in the cemetery. Things do get better, although how long it takes to get better is up for debate. One year, two years, somewhere in that range. I feel so normal that sometimes I forget to take my coumadin, which isn't a good thing either. The path of improvement after surgery is rarely straight up; rather, it is a zigzag path, a little up, a little down, a little more up, a little more down, generally tending upward. My avatar is me dancing with my daughter at her wedding, nearly three years ago. A couple months ago, she gave birth to her firstborn, a whole new thrill, all of which I would have missed out on without the surgery.

 

[Jkm7]

Depression post heart surgery is not unusual. Perhaps you have a 'touch' of it. You might wish to speak with your doctors if you think you're more 'blue' than you should be.

Be patient.... healing takes time.

 

[Eva]

Yes

Yes

Is it possible to live just a normal life after surgery, without things constantly happening? (high blood pressure, high pulse, etc) I love this site, it's helped me tremendously, however I feel as if I read about more things going wrong than right, I could be incorrect, just my opinion. I'm almost a month out of my AVR surgery, and I realize the healing is a process and takes time, but I felt much better before my surgery, I don't feel like I'm making improvements, I have yet to wake up and think to myself, thank goodness I had that surgery done. I've been a little down as of late and try to keep my spirits high. I apologize if this sounds like a poor me rant, not my intentions, but do I have a chance at living my life without constant worry? Are there a good amount of people post op that go on to live without issues?

Any insight would be great.

Ovie,

If you are looking for a brief and a quick answer, it is YES! to all of your questions.

Do not let the posts about things going wrong discourage you! It is NATURAL and NORMAL to see such posts. This is exactly where they belong, as this is exactly the purpose of this wonderful help forum...to post one's questions and fears and seek answers from those who went through a similar or the same experience. Of course, members' answers are based on the knowledge they learnt through their own surgey journey or through their own researches, etc.

You should be encouraged when you realize that such posts are so minimal in number, compared to the number of the 2760 members, among whom the vast majority are catching up with their lives after their recovery, and others dedicate as much as they can of their time to be around.

 

[ElectLive]

Yes, it is very possible to live a normal life after surgery. I am back to normal, no doubt. But, I'm not foolish either, so I call it a 95% normal, which is pretty good I think, it would be a little crazy to expect 100% normal, wouldn't it? So, I'm on a low dose beta blocker now, but no big deal. So, I have some extra check-ups now for my pacemaker, but no big deal. So, every now and then I get a split second funny heartbeat feeling and my mind can't just ignore it, but no big deal. So, I know I will need another surgery some day too, but until that happens, no big deal either. Those are some of the things that are my 5%.

You do read more wrong than right, here, it's the nature of a help forum. A big percentage of folks disappear when they no longer need help because - guess what - they are back to normal. Many stick around too, though, even those without any big problems, thankfully. Tough recovery and worry go hand in hand and will certainly lessen over time. I wasn't close to normal at 1 month either, but you know what, how could anyone be, what with all the various issues usually in play: abnormal sleep, the constant struggle to restore physical capacity, frustration with mandatory restrictions, and most of all, the vivid memories of the worst moments of the surgical stay still fresh in our brains.

But a year and a half later, I hardly remember any of that, and generally never think about it. It didn't take that long either. I had a few "Aha!" moments along the way, when it hit me how much better I was doing. The first was at six weeks when I saw the surgeon for the first time since leaving the hospital. He told me everything looked good and that I should - guess what - resume doing everything normal again, no restrictions. It was amazing how much better I felt just hearing those words, even though absolutely nothing had changed physically.

I had another "Aha!" moment around 3 months or so, running around, full speed for the first time, in the back yard with my kids. Then, the final one, at 6 months, when I really did feel completely back to normal - perhaps a new normal, yes, but at least from my perspective, it feels just as good, if not better, than the old pre-surgery normal. For you, only time will tell. It may be a year, it may be two. Even after you get there, you will always probably be a little more sensitive to things than you were before. A weird heartbeat before you knew you needed surgery you would have instinctively ignored, but now, you may instinctively have those split-second (or longer) worries. Sure, it still happens to me too, but that I file again in my 5% category, and quickly forget about it.

Finally, I hope some of the athletes among us will chime in here, those out running marathons, etc. If that's not normal, I don't know what is. So, best wishes to you. I know it's not easy, and you've definitely had more than your fair share of issues so far, more than I had I know. It will get better, though, it will.

 

[dick0236]

One my bigger regrets is that I allowed my "artificia valve" to play a dominant role in my life for much too long.....but, unfortunately, I now realize that only thru "hindsite". You have come thru a major medical event and it is natural to have a "meltdown"....OK, but keep it in the corrective perspective. You are now "fixed" and other than a few minor adjustents, you can live a normal life. There are a LOT of success stories on VR.org, and these new "survivors" can help you get thru the post surgery trauma.

 

[Lionheart]

Hey Ovie,
Think about it. This site is here to help us and others get through when things are going wrong. So you're more likely to read negative stuff than positive, because people usually have something to say or a question to ask when things are not normal. Most of my days are going pretty dang good and I feel pretty normal and strong, but I bet you guys would think I was a kook if I logged in and said- "Hey I had another great day and never even thought about my repaired heart." We probably should do that more often. I guess we do when people post in the anniversary forum.

You're not even a month out of surgery, so you are still healing and still reeling from the assault of surgery. Those first several months were tough for me. I felt weak, and had several bumps, and my feelings were pretty vulnerable and all over the place. Hang in there it will get better and you will feel stronger and more "normal". Eventually things will become uneventful. For you I hope that your heart settles down and becomes uneventful and that the only eventful things are the cool and exciting events that you create with this new post surgery adventure.
Best
John

 

[TheGymGuy]

Ovie,

Things will get better. Ignore the title of the book I am about to recommend. The title has word depression, but the book is more about things that are of much interest to us.
I recently finished reading "Coping with Heart Surgery and Bypassing Depression: A Family's Guide to the Medical, Emotional and Practical Issues [Paperback]", and I think you would really like some of the things they talk about there. It has helped me tremendously and like this site made me more ready for things after the surgery. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1887841075/ref=oh_o06_s00_i00_details

I bought the pre-read book for under $1 + shipping, so my total cost was under $5. After subscription fee to this site, those extra $5 were best $5 spent.

Recovery is a slow process, stay strong brother.


Vadim

 

[Ovie]

Thanks for all your responses, I may have a touch of the post-op blues, but I really don't feel depressed, more just lost. I may check out that book Gymguy, sounds intriguing.

I should also realize that this is a help forum, and I'll see more worse than good, I'm ashamed I didn't put the 2 together, seeing as I came to this site specifically for help. I just need to be patient, and take life as it is.

Thanks!

 

[haggis basher]

Thanks for all your responses, I may have a touch of the post-op blues, but I really don't feel depressed, more just lost. I may check out that book Gymguy, sounds intriguing.

I should also realize that this is a help forum, and I'll see more worse than good, I'm ashamed I didn't put the 2 together, seeing as I came to this site specifically for help. I just need to be patient, and take life as it is.

Thanks!

Hi Ovie
I had an Aortic valve replaced on 12th August 2011. I went through everything that you have mentioned.
I had no family to help me, so there was many up/downs. (I am 72 age in July) I used to be a 'champion' master runner, and began to think I was finished! This website was very helpful, and only yesterday, I ran approx 4km of a 5km 'tough' x-country race in 30mins 53 secs.
I ran bare-chested,(hot weather) and many people remarked how good my 'scar' looked (ha ha). Being honest, I hadn't even given it a thought.
I am thinking of going back to college in a few months, and run in the Pan Pacific Masters Games in 4 events in November. This has nothing to do with ego, but to show you that anything is possible with patience and time.
Good Luck Pal
Brian

 

[dcc617]

Ovie
I'm assuming that this is your first major surgery. I felt the same way after my gall bladder, 12" incision, cut through abdominal wall surgery. Recovery was slow, pain never seemed to go away. I was pissed. I wanted to be back to normal NOW! After a few weeks, I remembered how I couldn't get out of bed without grabbing a chair and a pillow, how the stairs were a challenge, how I was really helpless at the beginning. Then the lightbulb came on. I was moving around the house and standing straighter instead of hunched over, wasn't taking as many (if any pain pills) and while I wasn't back to work, I was able to do a lot of things for myself. It's baby steps. That surgery was in April 98. And while I have a few memories of the hospital, it's pretty much a blurr. You will make it.

A suggestion - you could probably benefit from some counseling. Is there a Valve Surgery support group in your area? (mendedhearts.org) or does your company's benefit plan offer an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) Those plans offer confidential, free counseling services. Ask your HR department for the number.

Dave

PS - I'm 6 weeks post-AVR and feeling 'land locked at the moment. I should have been cleared to drive this past Thurs but the appointment got moved to this coming Thurs, the same day as my Cardiologist who should release me to full-time'. While I'm working part-time, I'm bored and need my freedom. ARGH! Hang in there, man.

Dave

 

[Bill B]

Since I was asymptomatic before surgery, I definitely felt far worse after surgery. It knocked me way back. It concerned me too. I was expecting to have some kind of renaissance right away from the relief of the restriction, but unless you were debilitated prior to surgery, it would be expected that you are not going to feel as good as you did for perhaps many months or longer while you heart remodels. But the main thing to understand is that damage was taking place prior to surgery, and without the surgery you probably had a few years at most before you would be gone. Despite my complete lack of symptoms, with my aneuryms and ridiculously small valve and tremendous stress going on inside my heart, I know I was a walking time bomb with maybe a few months before I would have keeled over. So, I have NOTHING to complain about. As it says in my sig, I'm a VERY happy man. You should be too. Maybe you will be if you can put this in a broader perspective than how you feel only 1 month out.

For me, cardiac rehab was KEY to feeling better. I went into cardiac rehab at 6 weeks. You aren't even there yet. It was relatively slow progress for about 6 weeks of that, but the last 6 weeks of rehab were much better and I tripled my exercise capacity. You need to give this more time. Maybe a LOT more time. At least you have a lot more time now that your valve has been fixed.

 

[SusQ]

This board is just like other support boards I've been on; people come here with questions and problems more than they come here to tell positive stories. That's typical, it's for support. Most do not post when things are going fabulous.

That book everyone talks about is fantastic. I got it used off Amazon for about $4 and it has some great information in it, including little tips/stories from others who have already been there done that and maybe didn't handle it quite so well or handled it beautifully.

 

[escargome]

Thanks for all your responses, I may have a touch of the post-op blues, but I really don't feel depressed, more just lost. I may check out that book Gymguy, sounds intriguing.

I should also realize that this is a help forum, and I'll see more worse than good, I'm ashamed I didn't put the 2 together, seeing as I came to this site specifically for help. I just need to be patient, and take life as it is.

Thanks!

Ovie,
I'm glad that the light bulb came on for you a little. Yes all you seem to see on this site is bumps in the road of our lives, but you will be better. I can't say if it will happen for you in 3 months, 1 year or longer. But I will say this, if you just keep saying to yourself, I am a tiny bit stronger today that I was yesterday then in time those good days will out number the bad. I was lucky that I didn't have a hard time after surgery, but today almost 4 years later, I still have funny little skips in my heartbeat, but I don't pay much attention to them. So just keep in mind that you are better today than yesterday and guess what you will be even better tomorrow than you are today. Just give it a little bit of time. You are only a month out and the tire treads from the truck that hit you haven't gone away yet. Hang in my friend.

 

[epstns]

Ovie,

We all like to have a place to vent when things don't go as we dreamed. This is that place -- the others here understand when we just have to speak out about what isn't right. It is true, though, that most of us simply get quiet and lurk when nothing bad is going on. Partly because that's human nature - most of us only speak up when there's something wrong. Also partly, I'd bet, out of consideration for others. When we are having a marvellous time and everything is going far better than we ever dreamed it could, we keep it to ourselves so as not to make others feel worse when they are having some problems. Maybe we shouldn't do this. Maybe we should make more of an effort to let the world know when things are going well so that more of the new folks can see that it really can get back to a regular life. I chose not to use the "normal" word because what is normal may change over time, but our perception of what an ordinary day should be may not change.

In my case, my recovery from valve, bypass and pacemaker surgery is back to about as normal as I have any right to expect. I'm back to full-time work, hobbies, exercise and about all that a guy my age should be able to do. I had to give up running (I power walk, instead) because my knees hurt too much. I think my heart would be fine running, even with the pacemaker. I do have a couple of recent medical issues, but they have nothing to do with my heart, only to do with getting older and heredity.

So, do I think we can get back to normal? By all means, YES! Just take the time your body needs to heal, and be prepared to work a bit at it in rehab. You should be able to do anything you want to do, in its time.

 

[yotphix]

Hi Ovie,

There are only two ways in which my life is not normal (two that have anything to do with my valve replacement any way) and they are insignificant. One, I take a pill in the evening, and poke my finger once a week. (That's only one, since it's all part of ACT). Two, I see the doctor once a year.

It took me more than a year to get back to 'normal' after my surgery, and like you, I wasn't feeling all that abnormal prior to it. There is no question that in the first months I felt significantly worse than I had going in, but that is absolutely to be expected, given the brutal treatment your delicate little bag of bones and it's key pump have been subjected to! Ditto the advice about seeking assistance with any depression you might suffer. If you can, try to make a point of enjoying this pause in things, and appreciate the process. It's hard to be a patient patient I know, but you really do need to this one time.

Keep up all your hard work on recovery, you're getting there.

Paul

 

[Boston Tiger]

Ovie,

I think your post reflects the frustration most of us felt at four weeks post-surgery, when your mind is telling you that you should be feeling a lot better but your body is still protesting the things it went through. You asked before surgery what "bumps in the road" meant, and hitting the wall about a month after surgery is one of those. Most people still have restrictions at this point, and that's for a reason. After all, all my other broken bones have taken a good 6-8 weeks to heal, and the sternum takes just as long.

You can vent away on here. Just know that you will feel better in time. You'll feel a bit better at two months, a lot better at six months, but it can still take a year or two to really feel better than you did before surgery. I just came back from my first real vacation after my surgery, and the only time I thought about it was when I walked by a guy on the beach who had a similar scar to mine. I was out kayaking for a couple of hours with my daughter (plus some dolphins and manatees) and didn't feel anything in my chest that reminded me about what I had been through less than two years before.

 

[Ovie]

So much advice, and perspective..thank you!

In all reality, with the help of this site, I knew what I was in for after the surgery. Boston as you mentioned I was curious what "bumps in the road" we're, I'm shocked you remembered that off the top of your head! I don't want to say I'm out of line to say there are more bad than good on this site. You're right, this is a support group, I guess I felt as if I should of been seeing more success stories than I do. But as mentioned by epst, those who go on after surgery probably just browse and chime in with some advice here and there. With as many heart patients there are, I'm sure there is a large amount that go on like nothing happened.

I know this is a process, did I think things would of been a little better than alot worse, sure..but I knew that going into surgery. I may have a tad bit of the PO blues, but when asking this question, it wasn't because I was feeling depressed, I just really wanted to know if there was such a thing as life after OHS, a life that didn't have you worried more so than not, a life where anything is possible had you never had a heart issue in the first place. That's what I was aiming at, not really "I'm sad, give me hope" just straight up curiousity on how one can go about life after surgery.

I know there are those that say just live your life, enjoy the little things, but for some of us, that including me its more difficult to do those things and to see life that way. I was watching a hockey game the other night and it was a blow to the chest to know that the thing I love most in life, I can't do anymore. My friends that were in visiting who I hadn't talked to in years asked to go out, throw some beers back and watch the basketball games. These are only a couple of things that were my life. I know in time things will be better, and this surgery kept me alive. But my "normal" will seize to exist. I just pray that in time they come out with something that won't require me to be on coumadine, or as I've heard it called, " The Devils juice"..actually I'm just joking, I've never heard it called that. But boy does it put a damper on things.

On a side note, Brian! Running marathons, going to school all at age 72. Thats incredible, can't even put into words how awesome that is. Good job, and keep it up.

 

[epstns]

Bumps in the road? Heck, I thought I was a train wreck. At 4 weeks post-op, I was on my way back to the ER to be admitted for evaulation to see if I had endocarditis. Turned out to be massive digestive mayhem caused by the meds I had. Took a few more hospital days to work that out, and I still have repeats now and then. But I still think I'm doing FINE! I'm still way ahead of the rest of the kids in my class - I can do things most people my age only dream about. Sure, others can do more, but I really do feel that I came out of this ahead of the game. At your age, you will get to a point where you don't even think about it. Life has a way of doing that for us.

 

[Fundy]

Ovie, are you saying you think you have to give up hockey and beer. The beer scenario you described sounds like it should be OK to me. As far as hockey goes, there are plenty of gentlemen's rules hockey leagues. They should be fairly low risk when using warfarin. Goon League is probably too high risk for most people's risk level when using warfarin. But then again its too high risk for most people in first place.

Its probably best to avoid goon league hockey, but if your personal risk level accepted those risks before. Maybe your personal risk assessment would accept a slightly higher risk. Its not that you can't or shouldn't do those things, just take into account the higher risk involved and decide if you're Ok with it.