Carol Jackson posted a note for Debbie that says: Sorry to hear of the setback Debbie. Hope things go better for you.

Pain is very weird. I had 2 good days and I think I moved my right arm too much so last night I suffered in bed with my right chest and my whole upper back in pain. I am only taking 2 Tylenol for pain since the pain meds make me sick. I've decided to take a shower before I go to bed which might relax those muscles and then take another shower in the AM. I also use an ice pack on my back I hope I have a restful sleep tonight.

Jenn posted a note for Debbie that says: Sorry to hear that Debbie , thinking of u !

Jackie posted a note for Debbie that says: Sorry you are having setbacks, will pray you will start feeling better soon.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie, sorry to hear about your set backs, I can understand how frustrated you must feel. Take care.

Jim Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Hey Debbie
Just checking in to say I hope you have a good day today. I will be thinking of you. I see your fellow veterans are sharing advice. I am on the wrong side of surgery to have any tips for you. Sorry! All the best.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie J,

if you're in pain, take your pain meds. No need to suffer if you don't have to. You can ween yourself off them quick enough when the time is right.

Healing from open heart surgery is weird. Ups and downs. Good days and bad. Eat good protein and calcium, and SLEEP!

Go forth and conquer mighty warrior!!

Aubrey Elmo Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: It is a little soon to be feeling as good as you might want. There seems to be an improvement in about the 4th week. I took pain pills solid for about 2 - 3 weeks and even now, 7 1/2 weeks later, 8 still use one occasionally when I feel the activity and weights from cardiac rehab making the muscles sore or the nerves act up.

I felt many times the deep bruising pain off to the sides of the incision. That goes back to the comment of the OR team picks a spot on your chest after they have closed you up and hit you with a ball peen hammer just to make sure we remember they were there. I still feel the nerves there and a slight feeling of a bruise after working out with the weights in rehab.

If your recovery is like mine, it steadily gets better but you can not tell it everyday. I could almost all the time tell a difference every 3 days or so. The secret I found for me was to to take one pain tablet every three hours so I could function. Then it stretched to every 4 hours and then I started substituting two ibuprofen for a paint ballet and that seems to dork at about the third week. It will vary for everyone, depending upon how your chest reacts to the cutting and clamping they do to the tissues. The pain tabs I was on were the 5/325 hydrocodones. I found if I took two at a time, I was not as active. Find your maintenance level to keep the pain down and still let's you be active during the day. Then take what you need to at night to get a good nights rest. I even set my alarm to take them in the middle of the night to insure a good nights sleep. Only thing is I got used to waking up at 2 am.

One other thing is my surgeon said to also take a two ibuprofen in the mornings every day, regardless of the pain medication to reduce the inflammation. It seemed to work. Talk to your doctors office before you make any changes or additions to what you take to insure no interactions.

Tammy asks how you are doing frequently so we are checking on you regularly. Keep up the walking, good eating and mess as needed.

Cindy Wilson posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie: As everyone asked me, how come you are trying so hard to stop the pain meds? My doctor kept asking me that and I told him I feared becoming reliant on them. He (and the other cardiologists in his practice) told me that if I am in constant pain, it will hinder my recovery. I had complications that kept me on the pain meds for 6 1/2 weeks. Each time I tried to stop I suffered and finally decided to stick with them. I just recently stopped and I don't need them now. You can feel the difference when the time is right. I wish you tons of strength for the depression. Wish there was an easy cure. Hang in there. Wishing you all the very best for an easier recovery.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, I actually thought I would be back to normal in about 4 weeks. So I was very disappointed with my progress.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, I would agree if your pain meds aren't causing you other problems keep taking them. I like you, tried to stop them repeatedly and cycled into and out of pain. Not good. I did learn I improved more quickly on the pain meds. Finally just naturally tapered off of them as my pain subsided.

Carol Foster posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie,
Sorry to hear you are getting frustrated with the rate of your recovery. Every surgery is different and every body responds differently. Take it easy on yourself. It will get better, I promise! I hope you feel better soon!

Gabrielle Stinson posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie! I am offering a very shy Hi as I have not visited your site before. However, I am sooooo impressed with how you are handling yourself and your family so obviously love you so much. Pls be gentle with yourself and allow the healing to occur. Love and blessings from Gabi x

Aubrey posted a note for Debbie that says: Keep up the good work. I did not have too much depression but do experience the frustration of having to go slow and steady.

I work every hard on Mon at cardiac rehab and I think it made me very tire by Tuesday night. Even 7 weeks later you have to be smart about it. I have faith you will do well here and know that it gets better if we do it at the right pace. Good luck.

Lynn Ennis posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie,
I think you are a super star! I can't believe how you have just sailed through this. The depression is your body re- booting. If it really bothers you, get some help. It will go away. Give yourself the time it takes.Best,

Rebecca S posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, you should be able start rehab sooner than that. It would help you so much. Get the endorphins moving which helps the mood. Can you ask your cardiologist or whoever would get the rehab visits approved? I started at 3 weeks. If the surgeon doesn't want to help you with the depression, then see someone who will. Don't let them say you just have to deal with it! That makes me so angry. That's just plain heartless.
Stay on top of the pain with the pain pills. I didn't have much in the way of headaches, but ibuprofen does help them. Don't give up on seeking help!!
Didn't Adam talk about depression in his book? I read it so long ago, not sure I can find it now. Do you have it to go back and read that part? Hang in there. Praying for you.

Aubrey posted a note for Debbie that says: You are right, it takes a little patience in the first few weeks. Worst time is weeks 2 to 4 because you are feeling some better, slowly and can not do what you want yet. It gets much better and yes the headaches were part of the equation. I took care of them with ibuprofen. I took it mostly every 4 to 8 hours for a couple weeks. It reduces the inflammation per the surgeons recommendation and it helped with the headaches. I think mine were the result of sporadic use of the pain tablets. I too took them at night for a while, getting rest at night is one of the major rules to follow and taking care of the headaches with some ibuprofen I was supposed to take anyway worked easily. Keep working, it continues to improve and you will notice it every two or three days as progress.

Jim Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie
Thanks for asking. I do. November 5th in NYC at Mt. Sinai.
Tomorrow I have the cardiac cath. In Boston at Brigham and Women's Hospital. I hope it will be radial- the guy specializes in it. We will see. Keep up the good work.

Jim Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Hey Debbie
Thanks for checking in. If I am as active as you after 2 1/2 weeks I will award myself a trophy. I hope this will be a good week of healing for you. Tomorrow is my cardiac cath. So I am hoping for clean pipes for myself. All I can think about is all the work I want to get done before surgery! Best.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, I thought I'd be back to normal, including work, in 4 weeks. Wow, was that optimistic. Go slow, heal. And if you figure out how not get too overwhelmed let me know how.

Rebecca S posted a note for Debbie that says: Oh Debbie, it takes time. In the middle of it, it feels like it's going to slow. My surgeon said, "didn't I tell you it would feel like the worst case of flu?" I remember he did, but I guess maybe I thought I would be different. Ha! I worried because I couldn't do so many things in the house and I got so tired and needed a nap every day. Now I'm at almost 7 weeks and I am amazed that I am here. Over the weekend, I went to dinner and a movie and then dinner with friends and I almost forgot I was 6 weeks post op from open heart surgery. Today at rehab I worked really hard and had to have ibuprofen and and a nap!
It just takes time. But every day you will feel better and better. Like Aubrey says, things start to look brighter and clearer. And it will for you, too. Hang in there! Keep sharing so your friends here can help you!

Jenn posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie i have been following your journal, and it has been a great help with my journey. I have severe aortic stenosis and i am just waiting for a surgery date. I am so anxious and see you can relate. I hope your recovery continues to go well.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Debbie that says: You're doing well. Keep it up. As I know first hand, recovery has it's ups and downs, but at least the progression is still moving forward. Our whole society has become impatient, and I'm one of the worst. Take your time, walk,use your spirometer, eat plenty of protein and calcium for healing, and get lots of sleep.

Barb Brooks posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie... you're doing great! Everyone has ups and downs. It's only been a few short weeks. I hope mine goes as well as yours!

Jim Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie:

That is wonderful news. Connecting with fellow travelers is great medicine, so to speak. Thinking of you and wishing for continual improvement. Best.

Jackie posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, haven't been in yours shoes yet, but from what I have been reading I think you need to still be using Meds, everyone posts that they need Meds and font worry about getting off them until ugh feel better, take it easy and you will dand at the wedding.

Rebecca S posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, you need to take your pain meds, as prescribed. You are not that far out. I still take them at least once a day and I am 6 weeks out. For me it seems like getting the pain under control helps with the pain but also helps with the breathing.
Again, you are NOT that far out. It is slow going and takes patience. As you have seen I follow directions and do well then decide I just have to do more and pay for it! If you are tired and your body says rest, then do it. It's OK.
I didn't have the headaches but I had the nausea. The dr took away the amiodarone and that helped. And decreased the aspirin to one baby aspirin a day. Meds can sure tear up a stomach.
My moods have been up and down. But not down for long periods, thankfully.
Take it easy on yourself. You will see light before too long.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie I understand your frustration. I'm going on 10 weeks post surgery and still I'm not back to 100 percent. I honestly thought I would be back to work in 4 weeks and back to normal in about 8 weeks, neither happened. Many would say I wasn't normal before surgery, but you know what I mean. The bright spot is I keep making continuous progress. It has been slow and steady with occasional bad days.

Joe posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie, I know we all heal differently but what worked best for me was being pretty regular with medication for a few weeks after surgery. I did cut down the strong stuff but continued with either tylenol or ibuprofen every 6 hours and the strong stuff before I went to bed at night. It seemed to work for me. I kept being told to stay ahead of the pain and to get it under control. And I strongly suggest cardiac rehab. which I started one month after surgery.
BUT please go easy on yourself, it was Major surgery and recovery takes time. I promise yo will feel better but you have to go slow and heal that sternum.

Brian W. posted a note for Debbie that says: Your about at that time where you will feel that way. That is when my wife started pushing me to get up and start walking, doing a few things here and there. It is quite normal to have day like this just over a week after surgery. The good news is that you are doing well and you still have plenty of time till you will be dancing. Slow steady progress is all you need right now. Keep doing that fun filled breathing too, make a game out of it :) Your feelings are normal and things change quite quickly in the weeks ahead, stay strong and do feel free to vent, it helps.

Sherry stevens posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie, sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. 12 days isn't very long after this surgery so don't expect to feel "good"just yet ;-0. I did have some heads he's for several weeks that came and went. I didnt have any nausea so can't speak to that. I did very well also but I did stay on the pain meds for about 3 weeks. Too chicken to try to stop them sooner I guess. I never remember what is in Aleve but I used regular Tylenol for a few days after weaning from the pain meds and it helped me. I did stop the pain meds a little slowly, like longer times between to one a day, etc. I certainly can't know how you are feeling right now, we are all different. But, while there are ups and downs each day you heal some and all if a sudden you realize you do feel better. I am 8 weeks out now and have felt like I had my life back for a while. Try to be patient and give it a couple more weeks. Feel free to write me if you need a shoulder and hang in there, it will get better. Prayers and good thoughts for you. Sherry

Aubrey Elmo Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: I would consider my recovery to be very good. There are a few that are some faster but many that are slower. Seems like mine was above average. I say this to position my response to your question.

I came home with hyrdocodone every three hours. I could have had them 2 every 4 hours. One at a time kept the pain down and got me physically functional. The surgeons office was adamant about being relatively pain free to get the walking and activity to progress. I did not feel the need to ramp down for about 2 weeks and even then it was slow. Converted to ibuprofen when I was not taking the pain pills. Doctors office also had me taking 2 ibuprofen daily along with the pain pills to reduced the inflammation. I am now, only taking some ibuprofen and if I am really tired, I might take a pain pill. Mostly not taking anything except to sleep. Getting a good nights sleep is critical. I used a pain tablet and a Xanax to sleep to insure this.

Find the sweet spot between pain and activity to be happy. Also, it you are prone to additiveness, be careful with the meds and let caregiver monitor all of this. I am not prone to addictive ness so this is easy for me. It is not that way for most.

I saw no reason to ramp down the pain meds until it was easy. Just had to take the laxatives of dulcolax and miralax to offset the intestinal sleepiness from pain pills. Off of that now too.

If I can help, call me at 317 847-5218

Carol Foster posted a note for Debbie that says: Love the pics Debbie! What a beautiful family! Congrats on the newest addition and I'm so glad you got the smaller incision :-) Hope you are having a good day today!

Brian Walsh posted a note for Debbie that says: Any questions I would not hesitate to call your doctor. Mine told me to do what I need to do to take care of the pain and be comfortable, but told me to stick with Tylenol, no ibuprofin (Motrin). Also, with pain comes an increased HR, so it is best to keep the pain manageable. Find what works for you and when in doubt go check in with your doctor. I'm not one to ask much, but my wife was very good about it and would call since I wouldn't and they always gave full attention. Glad to hear you are progressing so well!

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie I still have chest tightness and pain so I think that is normal. The one thing you need to be careful about is the total amount of tylenol you take. Some of my pain meds had tylenol in them like my vicodin. So that is one concern. I was taking tylenol during the day and vicodin in the evening for a couple of weeks.

Carol Foster posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie,
I still have tightness in my chest on the right side where they accessed my heart. I think it's just muscular since of course they cut through those muscles in that area and would make sense. For me it's just an uncomfortable tight feeling, not overly painful, so I don't take pain meds for it. It made me nervous a few times (somewhat intense) but since it's a) only on my right side and b) eventually goes away or at least lessens with rest, I haven't done anything specifically to address it. So you are not taking over the counter pain meds on a regular schedule? I did up until just the other day and was able to keep the pain almost completely at bay. I also had the opportunity for a visiting nurse to come by but she released me after the first visit as I was doing well and had been for the last few days prior to her visit and because I have an RN who lives here anyway, so we were comfortable with that. Glad you're doing so well. Keep it up!

Barb Brooks posted a note for Debbie that says: Hey Debbie! Just read your post. I would call a pharmacist to see if that's OK.. they should know :-)

Joe K posted a note for Debbie that says: Hi Debbie,
Yes I had a visiting nurse as well. It did not cost me anything and I suspect it depends on your insurance.
It sounds like you are doing great. Keep it up.

Jim Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie
So glad you are home and seeing real progress! Keep it up. Hope you have a great next week of healing. Best.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie, 30 pound dog?! I'm 8 weeks post surgery and that still sounds scary. Glad to read you are making good progress. Keep moving it helps.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Debbie that says: You go girl!

:)

Lynn Ennis posted a note for Debbie that says: Congratultions Debbie! I cannot believe you are sleeping in your bed and going up and down so many stairs- awesome! I am having an AVR in early November- hope I do as well as you! Keep up the good work!

Carol Foster posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie!
So glad to hear of your progress! Yes I had the same experience with worry prior to, then a "sedative" to relax me and waking (or trying to) several hours later after all was said and done. What incision did you end up with after all? I also heard that those setbacks can be common. I got off the narcotics early in hospital but kept on a strict time regiment of OTC meds Tylenol and ibuprofen but I had a right mini thoracotomy too and not as invasive as some others here had. I was careful to only reduce pain meds slowly and if I had still needed them I would've taken them. I was getting worried so I'm so glad to hear you're doing well. Keep up the good work!

Carol J. posted a note for Debbie that says: How is your mom doing? Just wondered.I haven't seen any posting lately. I am right behind her .....my surgery is Oct. 8.

Carol Foster posted a note for Debbie that says: So sorry you had a few setbacks. Keep your chin up and keep looking/moving forward! Hoping to hear some good updates soon. I'm keeping you in my prayers Debbie.

Barb Brooks posted a note for Debbie that says: Oh no! I thought you would be going home today. Better to be safe than sorry. Take it slow :-)

Aubrey Elmo Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Everyone has different reactions, mine was severe nausea and low potassium so it took me longer to get out as well, not to mention a stuck PICC line. They are equiped to handle this so the outcome should still be great. Looking forward to hearing about lots of walking and good progress.

jeff o posted a note for Debbie that says: I ended up staying in the hospital for 8 days instead of the 3-5 I had hoped for. The reason for my longer stay, a collapsed lung. I think most of us had ups and downs along the way.

Ernie posted a note for Debbie that says: It's a roller coaster of a recovery. Trust me. Unless you're a machine like Aubrey.

Lynn ennis posted a note for Debbie that says: 30% of AVR patients go into A Fib the day or two after surgery- its seems normal. They treat it with meds- it doesn't sound like much can slow your mom down! I hope she feels better now.

Jim Jones posted a note for Debbie that says: Debbie
So happy to read these updates. All the best over the next few days. Keep up the good work.