Cindy Williams - Heart Valve Journal

2297 days ago

Kim Shuba, Rosemary Creutz, Rose Madura and reacted to this

Hello everyone, my last update was a little vague, I was withholding details so not to add concern to anyone still scheduled for surgery. But I have been ...Read more

Hello everyone, my last update was a little vague, I was withholding details so not to add concern to anyone still scheduled for surgery. But I have been back to 100% and feel amazing! I will try to be short and precise. - I wanted to have minimally invasive but my surgeon explained OHS is the best for access and especially if there are any surprises. - My surgeon said my repair was more complicated than expected but he repaired it 100%! (thank goodness I had OHS!) - I was on by-pass for 1 hour - My blood would not clot, it took quite a bit of transfusions and 5 meds including fresh frozen plasm to clot and then it was normal after every test - Once home I saw a hematologist 3 times and all continued to be normal - I remember the breathing tube being removed, I did not like that. - Because I was in surgery so long I retained fluid so I was put on Lasix for 2 days then had the last bit removed by needle. - when the PT nurse came in to check me out, she asked me to lift my legs, my right leg moved up just fine, but I couldn't lift my left leg! I thought I was paralyzed! But my leg was stuck under the leg massaging tube, lol! - I had a lot pain, I was told because of my small frame (115 lbs) my body would be more sensitive to the surgery. - I was in ICU 3 days and was released 7 days after surgery - 1.5 weeks after I was home I went to the ER with pain like no other, after a CT and echo it was determined i had pericarditis, i was put on prednisone for a week - The 4th day after i finished the prednisone i was back in the hospital, pericarditis was not gone. My cardiologist put me on a prednisone for 2.5 months. He said we need to get rid of this once and for all or it could return. It worked and it never returned! - I began cardio rehab 5.5 weeks after surgery, I loved this program: it's a gym filled with 12 nurses, cardio PT's, flat screen tvs, you wear a halter and are monitored every second you are there. They communicate with your cardiologist. I went 3 days a week for 10 weeks, it was so nice to be with other patients, share stories and make friends and exercise knowing I was being monitored every second. I highly recommend cardio rehab! - I am so happy I had the surgery, the rest of my heart is healthy, no medications to take (baby aspirin) - I went back to tennis (slowly) 3.5 months after surgery :) fyi- i slept in a recliner for the first few days I was home - my surgeon did a mini-sternontomy, I can wear low V-neck tops :) For those who have upcoming surgeries, i wish you a successful surgery and recovery!