this is all new to me

[fcarter]

I just had a mitral valve replacement and double by-pass surgury on March 13/03. I found out last May that there was a problem with the mitral valve but was told that it would be years before it would affect me. Then in Jan/03 I had a die test done that showed that I had 2 clogged arteries and the mitral vavle was getting worse. I went to see my doctor in March 11/03 and was told that I should be at emergency right away. She made all the arrangements for me. Then the doctors were telling me that I had to have emergency surgery. Boy was I scared. I didn't even know what to say or think. After the surgery I experienced some sit backs. My body wouldn't get rid of the fluids and I had to be hooked up on life support for 8 days with a drainage tube in my side. I am only 35 yrs old and was in quite a shock when I recovered and was told what happen. I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I am 5 weeks post op but my lungs still have fluid in them. I even let the doctors tap my lung before I left the hospital because they are supposed to know what their doing . RIHGT? Anyway I am on a slow road to recovery with some discomfort in my shoulders and chest. They did the by-pass soley through the chest. If anyone could give me some insight in what to expect next I would really appreciate it. I can say that my family and prays did help me and continue to do so but they have never experienced this so they really don't understand what I'm feeling eventhough I know that they are trying. Thanks for this forum.

 

[hensylee]

Hey F, welcome to our cyber home. Grab a cuppa, sit awhile and read on.

I, too, had a surprise, tho it wasn't overnight like you. I had a few weeks to worry about it but still didn't know a thing about hearts and heart surgery. I found VR about 5-6 weeks after surgery and even tho I had 'only' quad bypass, I still have learned so much here in this site. The members are great people and will answer any question you can come up with, so don't be afraid to ask away.

First thing, hold on to your pillow til you quit sneezing. Our dear member, Janie, named it 'the evil sneeze' because a single sneeze makes you think this is the end, but it isn't so don't worry - guess you already have had a sneeze by now, tho.

It will take your sternum about a year to heal completely, so don't try rushing it. Just follow your dr orders about lifting, driving. The rest of the healing should have begun by now and it, too feels like it is slow, but every day is a bit better. Just walk as much as you can, exercise if you are able (not too hard), and do your breathing exercises. Your shoulder soreness is natural. After all, they have opened your chest and pushed your shoulders back to get to the heart, so we are bound to have much, much soreness, but it does subside.

Re the lungs, Ross had lung trouble last year when he had a valve replacement and he will address this issue with you. He will be along soon, as many others will, as well, to welcome you. God bless

 

[bvdr]

Welcome!

Welcome!

A very warm welcome to you! It must have been such a shock to find yourself in such a situation without time to educate and prepare yourself. A lot of people on this site have come through some very complicated procedures and some have had uncomplicated recoveries but others like you have had a much tougher time. I hope you are starting to get your strength back and are on your way to a complete recovery.

I am very new to most of this and have not yet gone "over the mountain" (gone through the surgery). I have however been here long enough to know that this is a place that you will find more useful and specific information than any other place I know. The people are very kind and will truly try to help any way they can.

Until you get some replies that are very specific to you, I would suggest digging in and reading information already posted. No one's case is exactly like another's but there are many many things in common. There are others like yourself who have had not only valvular surgery but bypass as well...plus other things too! Again welcome, take a deep breath and relax...you will probably be spending alot of time here and make some new friends. Betty

 

[Ross]

Hello fcarter and welcome to our home.

You've been on the worst side, now it's a matter of recovery. The fluid build up will go away in time. Try to do as much exercising, (Walking, breathing, etc) as you can tolerate. It will help get rid of the fluids. Has your Doctor put you on any diuretics? You may want some of those to help also. As far as what to expect next-Hopefully nothing more then a normal recovery.

There are a couple of us that had similar problems to yours. I was in that position for about 42 days of 60 that I ended up being in the hospital. I still had alot of swelling even then. I have an underlying lung disease that reared it's ugly head during surgery. I had a collapsed lung, blebs (2) removed, lung hemorrhaging, fluid, respiratory failure etc. I know where you've been and where you are now. Once you get passed all the setbacks, it takes a while, but you should be fine soon. Try not to worry. I know that's easier said then done when you have chest pain and fluid build up making breathing difficult.

 

[Georgia]

There are lots of things we'd rather share . . .

There are lots of things we'd rather share . . .

. . . than our open heart surgery experiences, but that's what's been dealt us. Welcome to this most informative, interesting, and occasionally, warm & fuzzy website. We've all been lost and flailing around without much knowledge and feeling isolated. Folks here won't let you feel that way for long.

I was really fortunate not to have had any lung complications after surgery, but I know that having some fluid in them is not unusual. In fact, I suspect that everyone is put on lasix immediately after surgery in order to avert fluid in the lungs.

Your breathing exercises are of utmost importance. So is walking. This combination is the most effective method of avoiding lung complications. So if you're not breathing 10 times every hour, you need to do so.

The shoulders and back pains are awful and very common. We've all found massage to be the best thing for them - several times a day. Some folks even have professional massage-types come to the house to ease the discomfort.

You'll find lots of really young folks on this website - valve disfunction seems to be the one heart problem that affects all ages. And there are a lot of us who got blind-sided by the problem - when a valve goes, you can fall apart pretty fast. I.e., I was fine at Christmas (or so I thought) and was in the hospital on Jan 20 with congestive heart failure and had my surgery on 2/3. I found it pretty shocking, too. And there are a bunch of people who participate in this website in the same boat.

So welcome, and feel free to ask all the questions you want; and take some time to peruse other threads - there's a huge amount of information available.

 

[Nancy]

Hi fcarter-

And welcome to this wonderful site. You have had some unexpected experiences that set you back a ways, but your on your way now, and should keep on that path.

My husband has had 3 valve surgeries, and two lung surgeries. He's had a thoracentesis also for fluid buildup prior to one of his lung surgeries. He also has pulmonary hypertension.

I can tell you that it is very important for you to do the deep breathing exercises they probably instructed you in while you were in the hospital. The lungs can get lazy after surgery and try to stick together, partially collapsing and trapping fluid, so if you keep them "puffed up" by breathing deeply frequently, there will be less chance of developing more fluid. If they gave you a spirometer, use it.

Joe (my husband) is also on diuretics, because he develops "rales" (fluidy sounds in his lungs) easily.

Please feel free to come here often and talk to us about things, we're all ears.

 

[Granbonny]

Hi fcarter

Hi fcarter

Welcome to our forum. We just had a member from Halifax to have surgery a few weeks ago. Look under the Members at top of page. Click on H's and find hsilvers..(Harvey) When his user page comes up..click on his last post. He will tell you all about his surgery. You might also want to get in touch by his e-mail which is listed ..helps to have a member close by.. Bonnie

 

[JimL]

Welcome fcarter!

It is normal to be on lasix for a while after surgery.

Be sure to get into cardiac rehab as soon as possible. This provides the correct measure of exercise, so that you do as much as you can, but not too much.

 

[Mb]

Hello!

And, welcome to this site.

There have been lots of good suggestions from folks here, and I won't repeat them.

You will find, upon reading the many many posts here, that a lot of people have a fairly easy recovery. Some do not. The big thing, is to listen to your body, and if you think you are having a problem, call your doctor, or go to the ER. Many of those who had tough recoveries have ended up going to the ER for one reason or another, so do not be bashful. And, please please do not get discouraged. It takes a long time for the body to recover from this surgery.

Wishing you the very best,

Marybeth

 

[fcarter]

Thank you all so much for the replies. It helps knowing that other people understand. I know with time that I will recover. It's just the wait that seems to get me down sometimes. I am very grateful that I survived the ordeal because it was a close call for me.Your words of wisdom really helped me understand a little more of what to expect. My family are great but this is new to them as well. So again thank you all so much for this wonderful website. I will be joining a support group here and hopefully that will also give me some more insight. Thanks