Kerry's Heart Valve Journal

Ten weeks and counting

August 28, 2012

I saw my surgeon last week. He says my recovery is going well and the sounds of my heart are normal although more pronounced than average. Sleeping doesn't seem to be much of a problem any more. It's interesting that the "pounding" sensation in my chest is much less pronounced when I lie down on my right side. I'm getting back into a normal routine and starting rehab next week. Will likely return to work mid September.

Eight and half weeks post op

August 14, 2012

Not much to report. I'm definately improving each week. Sleeping is becoming easier and I can tolerate some sleeping on my side. Some nights I find it more difficult as the sound of my heart beating keeps me awake. I've been taking tylenol and ativan again to try and dull all the sensations and kick off a good sleep. I feel much better in the mornings. My INR levels were low this week so getting tested a bit more often to find out whether my current warfarin doses are adequate. I start rehab in september and I'm looking forward to a fully healed sternum and opportunity to exercise.

Seven weeks post op

August 3, 2012

I saw my cardiologist this week. good news that I seem to be recovering nicely without any complications. He didn't raise any concerns over my most recent echo though he warned me about trying to be more active than I am ready for. I had a long list of questions for him that I got answers for. My biggest concern was the feeling of my heart beating. It pounds and it clicks. The clicking is the sound of the valve and will always be with me. The pounding, he says, is a result of inflammation within my chest cavity that will take time to heal. My assumption is that the Bentall procedure is especially invasive and takes longer to repair. I've backed off the walking a bit this past few days. I'm still not driving. Taking lots of knaps. Dr. took me off plavix and wondered why I was ever put on it in the first place. I may not need to be on aspirin and that really only leaves Warfarin and 1mg of Metroprelol per day. I figure that's pretty good, best that I could have hoped I suppose.

I'm realizing that the rate of improvement has dramatically slowed. My sternum still feels weak but is much stronger than a couple of weeks ago. I haven't tried sleeping on my front and I can only tolerate a few minutes on my side. In fact falling to sleep on my side is deadly because I eventually will roll onto my back with painful consequence.

On the upside, the weather is beautiful and I couldn't have picked a better time of year to go through this. in fact we're venturing off next week to a B&B near Sproat Lk. and I'm looking forward to a change of scenary - perhaps a different ceiling to stare at while I'm drifting off for an afternoon knap.

July 27

July 27, 2012

It's been six weeks since my surgery. I've been improving steadily and enjoying frequent outlings. I'm looking forward to increasing my exercise regime. Currently I walk several times a day. Still I get tired and often find myself knapping in the afternoon. I had a few more tests this week. My INR is in the correct range although it did drop over the past two weeks. I'm taking 7.5mgs and hoping I won't need to increase my dose. They also tested my hemoglobin. That's still lower than it should be but recovered from extremely low levels a few weeks ago. I had an echo test the other day and won't know the results of that until I see my cadiologist next week. The Echo was somewhat uncomfortable but I am more capable of lying on my side. Sleeping is gettng easier and I've been experimenting sleeping on my side. All in all I am pleased with my recovery so far and adjusting life to the new reality.