waiting............

[The Thief]

I still have a little over a month until my AVR. I'll have an On-x mechanical Valve for my BAV and dacron tube for my Ascending Aortic Aneurysm (4.6cm). I'm strangely not nervous at this point. I'm a little weary from the anticipation. I wish I scheduled my surgery sooner, but I scheduled it when I did to coincide with Thanksgiving & Winter breaks (i'm a teacher). I think about how I could have already been on my way to recovery by now. I KNOW: all will be well, doctors do this all the time, waiting room is the hardest part. AT this point it is not the anxiety of the waiting room, but the dull feeling of waiting in limbo. I have to sit on the sidelines as my rock climber friends (and girlfriend) crush. I have to ride my bike by myself at a snail's pace as my riding buddies kill it. I'm thankful that I will be able to join back in someday. I'm eager for that day to come. However, I looked at the calendar today and realized that the day will be here before i know it.

here's to Nov 25th.
-Anthony
http://robovalve.wordpress.com/

 

[Sten Osis]

I had avr in early June and I'm back on the bikes and also running for the first time in my life. Once you get all healed up and the doc lifts the restrictions, you won't believe how good you feel. I also choose mechanical and warfarin has not been a problem, although I haven't crashed the bike hard yet.

 

[The Thief]

Awesome Mike. Thanks for the reply. If I ever make it out to Mukwonago, or if you ever come out to southern california, we should go for a mt. bike ride.
-anthony

 

[T in YVR]

Hey Anthony,
As the saying goes - 'Short term pain, long term gain'. I found it hard to sacrifice some things in the time (9 mo. for me) leading up to surgery as well, but you'll be back at it in no time (and better than before).

I am 2 weeks post op with my 25mm On-X and the rehab/'return to normal' gets a bit better every day. I went from walking 1.5 kms to 4.5 kms in no time - and I feel like I could walk 2x that (but don't want to push it). It definitely true - the waiting is the hardest part of it. I also have found that I can't wait to get the first 2 or 3 weeks of recovery over with - its a feeling of both relief - that the surgery is done - as well as impatience - to just get back to life as you knew it. But it comes pretty quickly.

By the way, I saw your earlier link on the Digifit and started using it pre surgery. Will also use it post surgery once my scar heals a bit more. Its quite good. I use it with the Polar H7 (also use the H7 with my iPod Nano Nike HR app when jogging). Thanks for sharing that info.

Hang in there - the waiting is almost over!
Tony

 

[The Thief]

Thanks Tony! It is good to hear about your success and recovery.

 

[Sten Osis]

It's really important to follow the restrictions, despite how good you feel during recovery. This will be difficult because you are used to a high level of activity. Just allow yourself the time to recover properly and you will not be disappointed.

 

[mcsf]

Good luck Anthony. I too am waiting. I'll be interested to follow your recovery. I do a lot of biking and skiing and so I will be interested to see how your recovery goes. I'll be two months behind you.

MC

 

[jhc1]

Anthony-I had a very similar situation-had my AVR and aneurysm repair in June. As Sten said, pay attention to the restrictions, and be diligent about walking. I'm back on my bike now for two months, and looking back, can see the decline in performance as my valve worsened. Take heart (sorry for the pun), you'll be back killing it soon enough! Be thinking of you on the 25th...good luck

Joe

 

[big_L]

For me, where you're at was the worst time. A month is too far away to do anything (like packing a suitcase) in preparation for the trip. It got better for me when we got within a week, then all the pre-trip stuff kicked in (packing, stop the mail, set up for the pets etc). Once home, it's tough for awhile, for me mostly some stress/worry about laying flat to sleep.

The worst for me was the 5 lb weight restriction. As an active person, that's tough. Can't even help haul in groceries. But, that time passes quickly.

It's a huge burden lifted off your shoulders to get the surgery behind you. Lots of worries about the surgery and the hospitalization are behind you then. You'll be there soon. Hang in there.

 

[kimcdougc]

I am almost 5 months post AVR surgery. Now I say...what surgery. If I didn't have this 10 inch scar down my chest and taking Coumadin I wouldn't know (besides feeling way better) that I ever had surgery. Take heart but remember not to rush anything. It will come as everyone here advises you. I didn't use anything I packed for the hospital but my housecoat, slippers and shampoo. Just sayin.

AVR May 23, 2013.

 

[The Thief]

Well, I shave my head, so minus the shampoo for me! Thanks so much everyone. Your support is unparalleled. <3