Jennifer's Journal

So everyone, I have been absent since my full recovery 3.5 years ago from my aortic valve replacement and aortic aneurysm repair. It’s been a great 3 years. Sadly this year I got infective endocarditis. It was a terrible time. Night sweats, chills, fevers, no appetite. Ended up in Hospital for a month. Another open heart surgery to clean up infection, drain abscess and replace destroyed aortic valve. It has been a journey. I am now several months post op and almost feel normal. Starting cardiac rehab in a week. Not my first time at the rodeo but hopefully my last. God Bless all you heart warriors- stay strong!

Hello everyone. Here I am at 3.5 years post surgery. I feel great and tissue valve is holding up well. I still get short of breath in the cold Canadian winter but other than that all is well. My husband has OHS last week for a quadruple bypass. What are the odds but I have been able to help him a lot with my experience. When he coughed with his pillow, all the memories came rushing back. For those in recovery it gets better every day. Give yourself time. For those waiting, the wait is the worst part.

Oh my goodness time flies. It has been about 16 months since my surgery. I feel better than I have for years. Friends and family can't believe the difference and truthfully neither can I. I am now on 1 aspirin a day and bisoprolol for my blood pressure. Its been quite a journey but so worth it. For those of you in the pre-op stage, the waiting is horrible and there is no way to sugar coat it. You just need to get through it whatever way you can. For those post op, be patient, it gets better over time and everyone heals differently. It still hurts when I sneeze or cough and there is no real reason for it other than open heart surgery, possibly scar tissue. Its a small price to pay. For me personally, I didn't realize how awful I was feeling until I got the surgery and went through recovery. Just know if I can do it so can you. I am trying to eat healthier but not 100% successfully. Its a challenge! I am definitely more active and my post op anxiety has gone I am happy to say. Good luck everyone and Happy Heart Day

Four months out and feeling great until a few days ago. Hmmm, pain has returned to sternum on left side. Clearly I’m imagining this. Turning over in bed is hurting again. WHAT? Are you kidding? A displaced rib? Is that even a thing? Apparently, yes, it is. Have not been swinging from trapezes or practicing to be a contortionist. However, it does hurt and it does happen. Kinesiologist has given me exercise to do to try and move it back into position. Stay tuned!

❤️ Happy Heart Day to one and all. Very grateful for this site as it has helped me through my pre and post surgery days. I am feeling great, and I’m four months post surgery. What a difference! I’m excited and looking forward to new adventures.

Hey everybody, 🥳 Happy New Year! Took vacation from cardiac rehab last week but back to the grind today. I lifted weights for first time today. I was a little anxious but it worked out well. I should sleep well tonight. I am now doing 30mins on treadmill, 15 mins on bike, 20 mins on walking track , 12 repeats on rowing and back press machine. I’m amazed at the progress made in only a few weeks. 12 weeks ago today I was being wheeled into surgery. What an adventure. Not one I would have picked but it had definitely been a gift. To all those waiting - you can do this, the best is yet to come. For all those in recovery , you are amazing heart warriors! God bless you all.

Day 1 of rehab. Walking on track, treadmill for 10 minutes, bike for 10 minutes, treadmill for 10 minutes then another two rounds of the track. Mission accomplished. It felt so good to be exercising again without being tired or short of breath. I love my new valve. I go back again on Thursday for session two.

Time for an update! I am eight weeks out. I feel pretty good and for first time in years I can go upstairs without being short of breath or stopping partway. My chest is still a little sore when I stretch or move funny, sneeze or cough but not where I need painkillers. INR is still unstable so I go for weekly bloodwork, which is a pain. I figure by the time it is stabilized they will be weaning me off it. Drs. Have agreed I had a TIA, a small clot went through the retina of my right eye. Fortunately vision returned and haven’t had the issue since them. I’m restricted from shoveling snow (what a shame). Not sure that restriction is even legal in Canada but I have a husband who loves that chore so all is well. I am having some anxiety issues which I’m hoping cardiac rehab will help settle down. Never had the issue before so it’s a little weird having it now. If anyone has any questions about my journey, don’t hesitate to ask them. I have asked many and so many kind and generous folks on this site have answered them. Keep ticking wherever you are in your “heart” journey.👍🏻

Went up the stairs for first time today. I’m amazed! For first time in at least a year I wasn’t out of breath and I didn’t have to stop halfway. This AVR surgery is truly life changing and quite miraculous.

I feel like a million bucks and I am only six weeks out of surgery. I saw the surgeon today and he discharged me from his care. I can drive and do anything else I want. I thanked him for the skills he used to help me. Forward and onward to cardiac rehab. I have great energy,my breathing is better and a regular heartbeat. I thought I was asymptomatic but now I know I wasn’t. Thank you to everyone for the encouragement and support. For those in the waiting room, believe me I know it’s tough but the wait is so worth it. For those recovering, the worst is over and literally the best is yet to come.

Saw my Cardiologist today and everything is fine except there is suspicion I have thrown a small clot which affected the sight in one eye. Just plain weird! Off for more bloodwork to check INR levels as it appears they are slightly low. Just waiting for results and then we can re-jig the meds. This is definitely a game of patience and Im in it for the long run. Hope everyone is well and wishing everyone all the best.

I just got my referral for cardiac rehab. November 26 is the date. I’m a little nervous but looking forward to starting. I walk everyday, usually about 10 - 15 minutes and then I’m done. Reading about others hikes is definitely making me feel like an under achiever. I’m hoping my recovery will start improving with the rehab program.

Thank you to everyone on the site. You have helped far more than you know. I am three weeks post surgery and I am definitely turning the corner. I wake up with great energy which rapidly dissipates by lunchtime but I know it will stay longer as my recovery continues. For those in the waiting room, it’s a tough wait but many of us have been there. Read the advice and do what works for you. I spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation. Remember your team knows what they are doing! I can tell you. None of my fears happened, pain was way less than I thought and recovery has been slower than I thought but thankfully uneventful. Good luck to those having surgery and patience to those waiting. God Bless

What joy! I was finally able to sleep on my side in my marital bed. It’s taken almost three weeks. I’m so excited! It truly is the little things that give me joy now.

Woke up at 2 a.m, all fever and chills. Called Dr at 8:30 and I am now on antibiotics for a UTI. Fairly common after having a catheter. It has screwed up my INR and I feel pretty horrid. Should take 36 hours to resolve. “If anybody ever needed a girlie 🍹 drink”. Just saying!

Just having a morning reflection. I feel so very blessed to live in Canada where we have universal healthcare. My longest wait was to see the Surgeon, six weeks, and he is one of the top guys. Within a few weeks my surgery was over and done in a Hospital that is considered a Cardiac Centre of Excellence and I wasn’t even considered critical. Canadians are humble and quick to downplay “canadianisms”, complain about taxes etc. Although we do think our beer is better but overall as I look at our Fall colours , the lake, the local vineyards, I’m glad to be Canadian.

So this is a true Mars/Venus moment. A little humour from Canada. So Dr. Sits my husband down and goes through restrictions. All is well until the last one “no sex for six weeks”. Yup, that’s what I want to do when I get home from Ohs. It’s about the last thing on my mind. However, my husband perks up and says”Seriously, six weeks, wow, that’s a pretty long time”. Seriously, are you smoking something, did you suddenly lose your mind? It’s a Mars/Venus thing!!! And that your honour, is why I killed him!!!

I was so excited to be home, looking for a first night of uninterrupted sleep. Could I sleep more than a few hours at a time, no I could not. I Am so disappointed with my zombie like demeanour this morning and I officially hate my husband who is quietly snoring the hours away. If I could manage it, he would have a pillow over his face right now. My sleep deprivation aggression is a little scary. Anyone else have this? Did it resolve? Did you require sleep meds?

It’s Happy Thanksgiving here in Canada today. We have so much to be thankful for it’s hard to know where to begin. Here I go; Thankful for the highly skilled folks who do this heart stuff every day, and make it look easy Thankful for family and friends that support us as we go through this experience Thankful that I will live long enough to drink champagne, see my new grand baby due on Boxing Day, watch my grandchildren grow and aggravate my children, travel to a beach in the middle of winter, love my incredible husband for many more years and drive my children crazy with my new adventures. Go north to the cottage and hear the lions. Happy Turkey day my fellow Canadians, wear your stretch pants with pride. Laugh often and Love much!!!