Smiley is back!

[Smiley2000]

Hi there to you all. I am back

Went in for Surgery, last Monday (31st) feels so much longer ago and sometimes it feels like it was yesterday! I am so fortunate: my Surgeon managed to REPAIR my valve (Annuloplasty). It turns out that my own valve-ring had 2 holes in it - congenital?. It also turned out that the "timing" for my surgery was perfect as the TEE done just before surgery revealed a 5-6 leak and I had congestive heart failure (water in die pericardium, etc) without anyone really realizing it. I have lost 7kg's within 3 days of just drinking a Deuretic. I hardly recognize my own face and body! For the first time in almost 2 years I don't have PAC's, PV's! turns out that my slightly enlarged Atrium caused the PAC's.

Ghee, no one can really prepare you for it huh... while they have you on Morphine you think you are okay and you only start mobilizing after day 5 when they remove the pipes and catheter, etc. in anyway... but then they take your strong meds away from you and I was given "Stopane" by my Surgeon as pain relief for the rest of the time. Even if you are young and otherwise healthy you are soooooo weak and the pain is really terrible. I had a 5-day stay in Cardiac ICU and was only discharged yesterday. They removed the Ventilator a few hours after the op. Even though my lungs are in perfect condition, never smoked before, no prior-lung infections - I had a low Sat. level and was on oxygen for about 7 days. It was just to painful for me to walk a lot or to really breath properly. My Cardio thought that I was in good hands and he only popped in on Saturday and when he heard what my pain-meds was (Stopane is like smarties!) he prescribed Voltaren and stronger pain meds. Just getting dressed or walking to the loo or brushing teeth is a very tiring experience at this stage, but at least I am not in so much pain anymore.

I tried bathing yesterday when I got home and what a mission! hubby had to pick my out of the bath - you can not push yourself up or anything. So, as from now on, I'll only take showers. I am going in tomorrow to get my stitches removed. The "zip" doesn't look that bad. Will only leave a thin scar. I am just sooooooooooooo weak and it frustrates me that I can not do things for myself - my hospital-bags ares till unpacked and house untidy, but I have discovered that my feet can kick things closer

I am alone during the day. Kids are at creche and hubby working. but it is okay. I am so tired I just want to sleep and don't feel like having people over at this stage. My mom will come stay with us next week and I have a wonderful friend that comes in at night to help hubby with dinner, kids, etc.

I really had a horrible experience and I am sooooooooo thankful that it is over. According to the Cardio there is a zero leak now and this valve should last me a lifetime and I should feel brand new, soon and I don't have to drink Warfarin or any other kind of meds! just the Deuretic and Betablocker for a while and then I am home free Always something to be glad about.

Thank you for each and every thought, post, prayer. I feel really blessed

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Glad to have you back and pleased your surgery was less invasive than expected.
Don't get frustrated by your tiredness and inability to fend for yourself. Sounds to me like you have a major general annaesthetic hangover. Give it a few days to get out of your system. Regarding pain, tough it out, time is the healer, it will improve rapidly.

 

[Susan BAV]

Glad you're doing well and recovering at home now. The way you explained things was very much like how I felt. Some members here are up and walking the same day as their surgery but I had some sluggish kidneys and was kept in the ICU for three days. For every day any person is sick in bed, I've read it can take a week to recover--and I suppose that's even more true following a major surgery.

Did they give you a plastic instrument to do breathing exercises with, an incentive spirometer? If they did, be sure and do them as you've been directed, because it can help your recovery tremendously.

Don't hesitate to post and ask any questions, okay? Take care .

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome home! Be good to yourself and let the family wait on you for a while.

 

[Ross]

Welcome home and welcome back!

So your saying that you wouldn't want to do this again in 15 or 20 years?

This is what we meant when we say you feel like you've been hit by a truck. It really knocks the wind out of your sails doesn't it?

 

[Cooker]

Welcome to the other side.....now rest, walk, eat and have a piece of cake every chance you get

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to this side of the mountain. Best wishes for a smooth and speedy recovery. Pace yourself and listen to your body and you'll do fine.

 

[marie]

Welcome back. Sorry you had problems but it will get better. Tiredness is a given. I am 11 weeks AVR and I still have lots of tiredness not much pain though. The days I overdo it I pay for it. It will get a little better every day. I took showers but I still had help from my husband. Take really good care of yourself and let others help.
Earline

 

[Adrienne]

Welcome home Smiley2000! I just want to say that you should NOT be taking baths at this point - only showers. You can use a plastic lawn chair in the shower to sit on. That's what I did the first week home because I was so weak right at the beginning.

 

[Resqrn]

Smiley,
Welcome, to the road of recovery, I was hit by that same train/tree. It will get better and the help from your family will be a great asset. My wife had to shower me for about the first week or two, had the shower chair and everything, that was an undertaking. Good luck and wishing you well and feel better.

 

[Dawn-Marie]

Hi Smiley -

Welcome home!!! I'm SO glad you just had to have a repair done. Yes, i'm sure it hurts, but it will get better day by day. Thank goodness you have a wonderful husband and friends to help you!! I hope you feel better soon. Dawn-Marie