Video's showing my recovery

[Hockey Heart]

Below I will post some links to some videos I put on You Tube documenting my recovery process. FYI, I am a 36 year old male who was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and was experiencing severe regurgitation when the doctors decided it was time. I had the surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago and it was done by Pat McCarthy.

Day One - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xinNz9WhG0A
Day Two - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpZPkIXkKP8
Day Three part one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bc3NDfh3DY
Day Three part two - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DFzSi7Mnvw
Day Four - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVRTo3Of7Ig
Day Five part one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKCEr1lbc2M
Day Five part two - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgss_bl2SYc
Day Six - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqQk65YmlhE
Day Seven - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh2vk2kf6E8

 

[nngbwh]

That is pretty cool !. Thanks for sharing your video with us.

 

[Allisoninoz]

Very interesting! I'm 10 weeks post-op today so it's fascinating seeing you going through exactly where I was. Although you look better than I felt in day 1 and 2! I hated ICU and recall feeling very uncomfortable and having such a sore neck/back in there. You must be tougher than me! I wanted to get out of the gown once I was on the ward as it helped me feel a bit more lively. Also put on a bit of make-up - you probably wouldn't want to do that
Keep up the good work but don't overdo things.
Cheers, Alli

 

[Bean Counter]

Thanks for sharing. I had my wife take lots of pictures, but wish I would have suggested a video. Next time.

 

[Allisoninoz]

Oooh! Just realised my post sounds like I took off my gown once I was on the ward and didn't put other clothes on! I did!
I wasn't streaking around the ward (they would have pretty slow streaks!!! LOL)

 

[Greg a]

Scott , Great job but I disagree with Allison and think makeup might help ..........

 

[Jeff Edmonton]

Party at Allison's place!!! Cloths are optional!!!

Looks like you are recovering well HH! You will be drinking a beer when Vancouver wins the Cup this year, mark my words. Take it easy and spend some quality time at home.
Good video clips, nice to have for future reference. Be sure to take some of your wife as she gives birth...lol
Cheers!

 

[Hockey Heart]

Allison - what kind of hospitals do they have there down under???
Jeff - Vancouver just had their best chance at winning the cup, but considering I woke-up and seem to be doing pretty good, they don't stand a chance. Nashville in 6. Vigneault gets fired. Bobby Lu cries his way out of the league. Carrie Underwood featured on Coach's Corner on hockey night in canada.

 

[sweetmarie]

Hockey Heart: Great stuff. Should be a moral booster for those in pre-op stage.

 

[Hockey Heart]

Thanks, Sweetmarie. Anyone can do it. The first day of the surgery is kind of rough but I really don't remember a whole lot from that day. They had me on Morphine which knocks you out and makes you forget. The second day was also challenging because I just felt really weak but at no time did I ever feel like this was going bad or it was going to get worse. I could tell that my body had just been through a rough ordeal but was fixing itself and that I was going to keep getting gradually better each day.

 

[Jen]

Great job!! I have my appointement with the surgeon on the 18th.

 

[TheGymGuy]

These videos are AMAZING!!!!! You looked awesome every day. Thank you so much for posting this. Hope your recovery is progressing well.

Also, if you want to post more videos we'd love to see how you are doing daily. I, for one, appreciate daily blog or vlog updates. Thanks man.

 

[Natina13]

Awesome ....thanks for sharing !!!! Glad to see your doing so well......may your recovery continue on a positive note.
I have to admit.......this was a rare time in my life, when I could have cared less about having my make-up on, very unusual for me, as even as a teen, I wore make-up to go get the mail, out of the mailbox. I was very happy when they allowed me a shower on the 6th day....the hot water did wonders for my muscles and it was rather nice to finally get all the blood out of my long, thick hair.
My first post-op visit was today...and my surgeon is very pleased ( and surprised), I think, I am doing even better than he expected. ( he underestimated me and my strengths)
Caring hugs all around......
Renee

 

[sweetmarie]

Thanks, Sweetmarie. Anyone can do it. The first day of the surgery is kind of rough but I really don't remember a whole lot from that day. They had me on Morphine which knocks you out and makes you forget. The second day was also challenging because I just felt really weak but at no time did I ever feel like this was going bad or it was going to get worse. I could tell that my body had just been through a rough ordeal but was fixing itself and that I was going to keep getting gradually better each day.

You're words and outlook are exactly the same as mine were a few months ago. You just gotta get'er done. I feel a hell of a lot better today than the last time I can remember. My symptoms were so minimal that I didn't think I had any but now I know I have more energy, I felt better only after 3 days.

 

[paige]

Nice to see your recovery via video! You appear to be progressing well!

Continued prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

[Chris M]

^^ Ditto what paige said above! ^^

Your recovery over just a few days is very encouraging! I speak as someone who will be having surgery in less than two weeks - the first day or so looked hard but by day 3 or 4 you were clearly a different man - good for you, and I hope I get on as well as you when my turn comes!

Wishing you a continued good recovery and no speed bumps along the way! :thumbup:

 

[Hockey Heart]

You'll do great, Chris! Half the reason I didn't look so great the first couple days was because of the Morphine. That stuff is no joke and makes it so hard to stay awake or concentrate. Once I was off the morphine I felt much more like a human being. I'm going to post some more videos now.

 

[Hockey Heart]

I edited the first post and added some more videos

 

[Dash]

Thanks a ton for the vid's. I was very encouraged watching your progression each day and gaining the confidence that things DO get better day by day. My wife thanks you as well for giving her a "visual" of what to expect. My big day is this coming monday...

I'll post some video's as well.

Jake

 

[sweetmarie]

kick some butt!!

kick some butt!!

Thanks a ton for the vid's. I was very encouraged watching your progression each day and gaining the confidence that things DO get better day by day. My wife thanks you as well for giving her a "visual" of what to expect. My big day is this coming monday...

I'll post some video's as well.

Jake

I've got you on my calendar Jake, anxious to hear from you afterwards.
Andre