two weeks post-op

[bvdr]

Hi,

I just think I'll take a minute and let you know my progress. Especially for the new ones here.

Two weeks ago today I had a Mitral valve replacement with a St. Jude Mechanical. The surgery went very well and my immediate post-op period was complicated only by atrial fib, some congestive heart failure, some very low blood pressure, and some nasty muscle spasms in my right chest. With medications the blood pressure, heart failure and muscle spasms never became serious issues and did not delay my discharge. I have had some problems with atrial fib both in the hospital and since I've been home but I eventually go back in a regular rhythm and stay there most of the time now.

My surgery was done by way of a heart port and although it still hurts to take a real deep breath and aches some, I have to say that the pain has been much less than expected. Yawns still hurt but I haven't sneezed yet. I have run some temperature elevations but not above the 101.5 so that is all still within normal post-op range.

I am up and about and walking nearly daily in our local Walmart. I also take short walks now in our neighborhood. I am sure I could resume cooking but my wonderful daughter-in-laws stocked me up on home made heart healthy meals all ready to heat or pop in the oven so I haven't had to.

My PCP is going to write the prescription for my home pro-time unit and I'm looking forward to that. Michele at QAS is working on the paperwork. I left the hospital with an INR of 2.0. I have had three INRs since then. 3.0, 2.6, and today 3.9. My dose has not been adjusted.

I drove myself to my cardiologist (5 minutes away) today and had a good check-up. Everyone says I look so much better post-op than I did pre-op. I had gotten where my complexion was very purplish and now it is normal. I had too much blood and I hope that now my mitral valve is fixed my body won't be stimulated to keep making more blood cells. My EKG still shows some heart block but it is improved from what it was. My resting heart rate is just a little fast....about 100.

I go Wednesday for a treadmill so I can get into cardiac rehab so I hope to start that next week. At that time he should also increase what activities I am allowed to do.

Over-all, I have had no major problems and do feel better than I did pre-op. I can walk further without getting out of breath and most days I don't need a nap anymore.

I hope this is encouraging to others who may still be in the waiting room. I feel like my life is again going forward and it is only two weeks since surgery. I'm sure my recovery is going faster because of the heart port and I am glad that he was able to use that method. I was a little pump-headed at first but I think that has cleared for the most part.

Sorry this got a little long but the details are still pretty fresh in my mind.

My best to all of you especially those whose surgeries are right around the corner.

 

[Christina L]

thanks

thanks

Thanks Betty for letting us know how you are doing postop. You sound wonderful - physically and mentally. I can only imagine what it must feel like to be on the other side of that mountain.

Although my cardiologist thinks it is time for my surgery, I was informed this morning by him that Dr. Cosgrove may still decline to do the surgery because he does't think I need it yet. My EF went down to 66 from 70 in four months and that is why my cardiologist thinks surgery is indicated. I have severe mitral regurgitation and although I don't think I am symptomatic, it is just so hard to tell, because as you know we get so used to feeling the way we do - we are tired for years and short of breath. However, I am not majorly short of breath yet.

Anyway this is a rollercoaster ride already - just last week I was crying my eyes out because my cardiologist told me the surgery needed to be done by the end of the year. Now he is telling me that Dr. Cosgrove in Cleveland may not want to do my surgery yet. I have a two-week wait to find out what the verdict will be.

Of course I don't want to have the surgery NOW but it is going to have to be done eventually and better sooner than later - I am afraid of going into a-fib, heart damage, etc. etc.

Your story inspires me a lot, Betty. I am so happy for you that you were fixed up and are going on to live a long, productive life, feeling great!

Chris

 

[Peggy in Alaska]

Post-op. Progress

Post-op. Progress

Betty:

Thank you so much, from one of us in the waiting room. I will be anxious to hear from everyone that goes under the knife before I do. I am already jealous that you had the heart port - I don't think I am a candidate for that. You are driving already and walking every day, and you sound so much happier, or is it relief that surgery is finally over?

So anyway, just wanted to let you know I appreciate hearing what it is like.

Thanks again.

 

[rcatalano]

Betty,

Sounds amazing! I thought I was doing great after my AVR 2 weeks ago.

When I saw you were driving I did a double take - the heart port is a real 'sternum' saver.

Glad to see your're doing better than before the surgery, that's pretty much the whole point of it all!

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Betty,
You sound GREAT! I am glad that everything is going your way so far. You will notice still more improvement when you start rehab. That walking really makes a big difference doesn't it? Your are a Great example for those in the waiting room. I look forward to meeting you at the reunion.
Take Care

Dave
______________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Ross]

Your one TOUGH customer. I shall name you Timex.

 

[MelissaM]

Betty,

So glad to hear about your progress (and jealous that you can drive already!). Thanks for keeping us posted! You are my surgery sister!

Melissa

 

[Paula]

Betty, I am so glad to hear you are doing so well. Keep us posted. Maybe I'll run into you at Walmart one day! Congratulations!!!

 

[Gisele]

Betty

Betty

Sounds as though you are doing wonderful--driving and all! You are an inspiration to me as I really do believe that the cardiac world has improved tremendously over the past 21 years. That makes me hopeful that when and if my turn comes around that I can do as well as you and Melissa.

Chris, I certainly understand where you are coming from right now. I know it is tough, but you have to stick it out one day at a time. I have to wait until Oct 2nd for my neurological clearance before we start discussing cardiac options. Guess we are sitting in the back of the waiting room just waiting our turn to exit.

I'm here if you need to talk to anyone.

Betty, keep up the good work!

 

[Anne-Marie]

Wow, Betty it sounds like you're on the mend. Driving already! I'd like to read more about the heart port procedure, do you have any online links about it? Thanks!

Don't apologize about the length of your post. When I was researching and wanting as much information as possible, it was the nice long detailed posts that I appreciated more than anything!

A-M

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi betty!
you sound terrific!!! i'm so thrilled to see that you are doing so well.
please keep us posted and let us know how wednesday goes.
wishing you a continued smooth recovery,
sylvia

 

[bvdr]

Thanks everyone for your kind replies.

Caitlin, The first thing I remember after surgery was about nine o'clock that night and some male nurse was yelling at me to keep my hands down if I wanted to get the tube out. It somehow registered that I did want that tube out so I stayed still while I was extubated. I don't have real good memories of CCU but I was out of there before noon the next day. By then I was lucid and I think pretty co-operative. I guess I gave them a hard time before I was extubated but I have no recollection of that so all their scolding was for naught.

 

[Phil]

Sounds like your going just as fine a frog hair. And BTW, our family loves Wal-mart too.

Phil

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Betty,

Your amazing! So happy to hear you bounced back so quickly!

Greatly looking forward to meeting you next month!

Keep walking!
Ps. Bet your walking a "Super WalMart" to boot! I miss mine from down south. The Wal Mart stores up here are old and not well maintained. Target or K-Mart for me.

 

[Susan Allen]

Hi Betty,
I talked to you in a different forum and did not realize you are fresh from surgery. Your attitude and road to speedy recovery are a great inspiration to me. Thiry four days and counting to my big event. Keep up the good work and keep us posted - I need your inspiration.

Thanks
Susan

 

[bvdr]

Hi Susan,

I am still doing very well. I entertained my 3 year old grandson today for about 3 hours and we had a wonderful time painting with water colors, playing computer games and some of our other usual things. It felt wonderful to still have some energy left even after taking him home.

I am still very sore and by the end of the day I do have to splint my right side when I have to cough but that is to be expected. I am sure the heartport has helped me return to activities sooner than I would have had with a sternum approach. My heartrate is still too fast but at least it is nice and regular.

Gina, you are right. Ours is a super-walmart. Our K-mart was closed when they downsized. It is by far our biggest store for many many miles. I am waiting to hear from re-hab as to when I can go for my orientation. It will be on M-W-F mornings for about an hour and a half for 12 weeks. The nurse in charge of cardiac rehab and I used to work together in CCU many many years ago and a good friend who is a woman ER doc here is going to be one of the stand-by physicians for the next several weeks. I feel like they will probably be on a mission to get me in good shape as quickly as possible.

I am thinking about returning to work next week but I haven't yet told my husband. I am a little concerned with that hurricane out in the Atlantic and that could affect my schedule next week depending on what it does.

Anyway Susan, the wait certainly was the hardest part for me so far and I hope it goes the same way for you.

 

[MelissaM]

Betty -

What is this about returning to work next week??? I was sooo surprised to read that! What do you do?

I putz around on my computer and do some work, but can take as many breaks as needed. I hope you are in a similar situation.

So glad to hear that you are feeling well and your recovery continues successfully!

Melissa

 

[Harrybaby666]

Betty, can you give me some insight?

Betty, can you give me some insight?

Hi Betty,

I wanted to write to you to ask you about your mitral valve as it is the same valve that is going bad on me...Could you give me some idea as to if a valve is at the mild stage, does it typically progress to a more serious stage? I have been having Alot (AND I DO MEAN ALOT) of chest pain lately, and the doc started me on Coreg which has helped, but I still get pain from time to time, and wonder if my valve could be getting worse. I understand that only a doc can really establish this for me, but I would also like the opinion of someone who has already gone through this...any advice would be great. Thanks so much, and I am glad that you are doing well. Harrybaby666

 

[bvdr]

Hi Melissa,

My husband and I own our own business so my work schedule is very very flexible....most of the time anyway. We have a manufactured housing retail center and specialize in the larger, more complex homes. The models are my responsibility. We have about 60 or so furnished and decorated models between our two locations. I have a great assistant who has been working in my absense but I haven't been in yet to see how everything looks. I don't feel up to re-arranging furniture or other heavy work but I feel I should check all my houses to make sure they look up to par. The nice part is if I get too tired I don't have to stay.

I don't feel as chipper today and have run a bit of a fever (100.5) so it doesn't seem like quite as good of an idea as it did yesterday. Its been like that though it seems. A real good day then an Ok day then another real good day. Are you still progressing well? When will you hear the call to "go west young lady, go west"?

Harry, I just don't know how to answer you. The night before I left the hospital my surgeon sat down and said that even with rheumatic heart valves, many people never require surgery and that I was just unfortunate in that department. Sometimes things just reach a point and seem to stay there without any significant worsening.

My mom has had MVP most of her life and sometimes she has a bit of sharp chest pain but it goes right away and other than being pre-medicated for dental and medical procedures hasn't required anything else. She is now 81. I think you are going to just have to trust your cardiologist on this one. I do hope you start feeling better though and soon too.

 

[nadi]

I'm jealous! Driving so soon! I wasn't allowed to drive until July 15th also feeling like going back to work already! Remember to take it easy when you do go back. I pushed to hard at first and it knocked me back a few pegs!

I am glad you don't have a 9-5 job you were going to go back to! ha ha I remember being self employed years ago I worked harder and longer for less pay!

I hope you are not in the path of the hurricane. It looks really nasty.

Have a great weekend!