Weekycat, how is your post surgery going?

[Ms. Ramsey]

I was so pleased to finally find someone else who has had a valve repair. It seems like there aren't many of us out there - or I just don't know where to look!

Since my surgery was in July, 2002 you're a couple of months ahead of me in the healing process. Do you (or did you) experience shortness of breath when going up an incline (stairs, ramps, etc)?

I was only on coumadin for a very short time, too. That's a huge plus for the repair surgery!!! I'm anxious to hear how you're doing. I've felt sort of alone with this whole process.

Mary

 

[weekycat]

Hi Mary!

Hi Mary!

I was surprised to see a post addressed to me! I don't come here a whole lot anymore, at least not daily, like I did when I was recovering. I guess I'm pretty well recovered. I had hoped to have more energy than I had pre-op, but really don't.

I sometimes have minor chest pains, that don't last very long, and wonder- should I call the doctor? But of course I don't, I guess I figure, as my husband always says, "If it's serious, it'll develop". And once in a while, I stil experience a "snapping" sesation in my sternmum. I suppose we all wonder from time to time, is this normal?

I'm a little dissapointed in the way my scar has healed, but I guess I wouldn't have won any Miss America contests with this body anyway ! Also, the dang thing still itches like crazy! Can any of you tell me, does this ever stop???

I went for a 3 month checkup with the cardiologist and he told me to come back in a year. I guess, I'm not sure if he meant a year from then or a year from the surgery! Oh well, he didn't seem very concerned about anything, and the surgeon told me after the 1 month check that the repair should last me a lifetime, (I'm not sure what that means, I guess if I died of a heart-attack in the near future- it still would have lasted me a lifetime, right?)

BTW, there are a few of us "repairables" on the board, maybe they'll show up and identify themselves!

 

[Creed3]

Hi Jean!

Hi Jean!

I know what you mean about the scar itching. I am 4 1/2 months post op and still itch like crazy sometimes. It does get better as time goes by, but I think it will be itching for awhile yet. I have noticed some pulling sensations at the scar. When that started, I noticed that the scar was becoming more flat and not quite as red. It is slowly healing. Bras don't seem to bother me as much as they used to.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[Ms. Ramsey]

Darn those scars!

Darn those scars!

Jean, Thanks so much for writing back. I took a quick peek at your profile and see that we're very close to the same age. I have to say I never expected to be a heart patient at 44 years old!

My scar healed pretty well. I can't say I'll wear anything low cut (or scoop necked)again. But I didn't wear much of that before so I'm not out anything there. I did a lot of massage therapy with my scar as soon as it healed. My husband contacted a plastic surgeon in Bismarck, ND (where I had my surgery) and she recommended a product called Scar Fade. It worked pretty well. I just have a few tiny areas of keloid scarring and the rest is just a red line. I'm still working on them.

Mine doesn't itch, but I'm pretty thin and have no ****s (my next surgery I'm going to ask for breast implants and a heat pump as long as they're in there - ha!) so I really feel the wires holding my sternum together. That bugs me.

The only symptoms I'm really holding on to is the shortness of breath when going up an incline and rapid heart beat. The cardiologist doesn't seem quite as concerned as I am, but he does keep switching my medication.

I laughed out loud when I read the part about dying of a heart attack in the near future. So true!

This got longer than I planned. It's just so nice to have someone who's been there to talk to. Thank you again.

Mary