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Jim Christman
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
United States
My Diagnosis
Aortic Regurgitation
Over 35,000 Patients
& Caregivers HaveRead This Book
To Heart Valve Surgery
My Journal
1 year update
It was just over a year ago that Jim had surgery to replace his aortic valve. And the way he was body surfing in Ocean City MD, you'd never know how sick he was last year.He gets his blood taken for INR levels every 3 weeks now. He joined a gym to continue rehabilitation. He still has range of motion issues with his left leg, knee and ankle being stiff. But it hasn't stopped him from hunting, fishing, camping, yardwork, house renovation and battling the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
He recently told a family member he felt he was at 95% of his old self, so that's pretty good!
I hope these updates have helped people going through this (I know I read through many many updates with what to expect at different points of recovery). Good luck if you are facing this surgery, I hope things go well for you!
6 month update
Today is 6 months post surgery. Jim has been back to work for 4 months now, getting back in the swing of things, and even getting some overtime hours. He finished up cardiac rehab in December (insurance limits), but only at 6.3 METS, so there are still some limits as to what he can do. He has been bowling and hunting with his sons (13 yr old got his his 1st buck!), but he does tire more easily. His INR levels have been stable, and he gets his blood drawn every 3 weeks now. He said he doesn't quite feel normal yet. He saw his surgeon last month who said he is looking pretty good and his next follow up will be at the one year mark.He is still having a lot of issues with his left leg and ankle, the original site of his strep G infection. The ankle is swollen and stiff and he has pains in his knee. Hopefully these will resolve with more physical therapy so we can be ready for the fun of summer. (Last summer wasn't so fun).
2 months - Back to Work
Exactly 2 months post surgery (and 5 months off on disability), Jim returned to his job with Verizon on "light duty". He said it was more tiring than he remembered, with walking and carrying things. He does well at cardiac rehab 3 times a week (says he's the young guy there, haha) and physical therapy 2 times a week (he is still having issues with tendonitis in his ankle from the original infection, and his shoulders are also locked up). This causes him a lot of pain and stiffness at night and upon wakening.He has occasional high bp readings and has been given a med for that (as needed). His recent echo was good, and his INR levels have been stable. He hasn't had as much dizziness as before.
Things are looking pretty good!
6 Weeks Post Op
Its 6 weeks after Jim's heart valve replacement surgery. Jim's recently had trouble with shortness of breath and dizziness and just feeling "off", He sees his cardiologist tomorrow, so we'll discuss it with him. He also started cardiac rehab yesterday which he said actually made him feel a lot better. His scar looks remarkably good, fading into a thin line. He's been sleeping comfortably in bed, but hasn't returned to work yet. The good days are outnumbering the bad days!
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