Heather Anne
Well-known member
Today is the three week anniversary of my new heart valve. Everything is going so well that I almost didn't post this update, but then I remembered that positive, event-free recovery stories were incredibly encouraging to me when I was in the waiting room, so here goes:
(1) I saw my surgeon for my post-op checkup on Friday, and he said I was doing great and took me off ALL meds, including amiodorone. He also said that my old valve was in truly wretched shape, and that by the end of the calendar year I would look back at how I felt this summer (when I considered myself only mildly symptomatic) and be stunned at how much better I would feel in comparison. So, looking forward to that.
(2) I am now walking 4.5 miles a day, in two walks of 2.25 miles each, and plan to increase that every day until I'm up to 5 miles a day by the end of this week. But don't let that impress you too much -- I think that's pretty standard, compared to others on this board, and I am still moving at what can most generously be called a "stroll." Still, the improvement has been gratifying, to say the least.
(3) I went out to dinner with my family on Saturday night, and it was fabulous. Pre-op people: plan to do that as soon as you can. There is nothing like doing normal stuff -- going to a movie or out to dinner -- to make you feel like you're on the upside of things.
(4) On the down side, I'm still having stiffness and soreness in my neck, upper back and shoulders from the ridiculously unnatural position I was in during the surgery. I'm taking ibuprofin at night for the pain, but still having trouble getting comfortable in bed. I know this will pass, though, so I adapt by going to bed early and napping whenever I darned well feel like it.
(5) Not being able to drive is, like, the best thing ever. No running errands! No schlepping kids all over town! I've got three more weeks of this and man, I am going to miss it when it's over!!!!
So that's it. Carry on, my fellow heart-people: whether you're pre- or post-op, you are on a positive trajectory, with a new lease on life. The small miseries of recuperation, though they may be numerous, are worth it, in my opinion, for the brand new day that awaits.
(1) I saw my surgeon for my post-op checkup on Friday, and he said I was doing great and took me off ALL meds, including amiodorone. He also said that my old valve was in truly wretched shape, and that by the end of the calendar year I would look back at how I felt this summer (when I considered myself only mildly symptomatic) and be stunned at how much better I would feel in comparison. So, looking forward to that.
(2) I am now walking 4.5 miles a day, in two walks of 2.25 miles each, and plan to increase that every day until I'm up to 5 miles a day by the end of this week. But don't let that impress you too much -- I think that's pretty standard, compared to others on this board, and I am still moving at what can most generously be called a "stroll." Still, the improvement has been gratifying, to say the least.
(3) I went out to dinner with my family on Saturday night, and it was fabulous. Pre-op people: plan to do that as soon as you can. There is nothing like doing normal stuff -- going to a movie or out to dinner -- to make you feel like you're on the upside of things.
(4) On the down side, I'm still having stiffness and soreness in my neck, upper back and shoulders from the ridiculously unnatural position I was in during the surgery. I'm taking ibuprofin at night for the pain, but still having trouble getting comfortable in bed. I know this will pass, though, so I adapt by going to bed early and napping whenever I darned well feel like it.
(5) Not being able to drive is, like, the best thing ever. No running errands! No schlepping kids all over town! I've got three more weeks of this and man, I am going to miss it when it's over!!!!
So that's it. Carry on, my fellow heart-people: whether you're pre- or post-op, you are on a positive trajectory, with a new lease on life. The small miseries of recuperation, though they may be numerous, are worth it, in my opinion, for the brand new day that awaits.
