My second anniversary is coming up (October 27th) and I'm wondering if anyone has had my problem. I forget I've had my operation except for my right breast. ...Read more
My second anniversary is coming up (October 27th) and I'm wondering if anyone has had my problem. I forget I've had my operation except for my right breast. Cartilage was torn during my operation and my surgeon said it would take at least six months to heal. It is still very tender and I have to have an ultrasound today and am dreading it. The left side is fine as I've had a couple of echoes and no probs.
Nancy Surprenant Takahashi Lynne I was going to ask a similar question, my right breast sometime feels weird also, sometimes almost numb but not really. I figured it was they were right there cutting and maybe nerves were impacted. My left side is also fine.
I just noticed my last post was exactly one year ago at 12 weeks post op for MVR. Yes, it did take the full year to recover so thanks to everyone who said ...Read more
I just noticed my last post was exactly one year ago at 12 weeks post op for MVR. Yes, it did take the full year to recover so thanks to everyone who said this as I used to get very impatient. Now I have to face up to my aortic valve being replaced as they couldn't do this at the time because of complications. Five years ago my echo said it was moderate to severe and the results are still the same so I guess it isn't urgent yet. I told my cardiologist that at 77 I am not prepared to go thru all this again and he is going to see it if I can have a TAVR. Has anyone else been in this position? He did say that the second OHS has twice as many risks but at my age my concern is the 12 months recovery and I'm not getting any younger. I'm probably being an ostrich but I keep thinking it has been like this for so long it may never get any worse. Any advice people? Thank you Adam for this site. It has been such a great comfort knowing I'm part of a huge international group and not the only one going thru this alone.
Rita Savelis I second the fact that it can easily take a full year to recover. This is normal.
I do hope you can ... Read more
Rita Savelis I second the fact that it can easily take a full year to recover. This is normal.
I do hope you can have a TAVR and so not have to go through a long recovery again. And better yet, I hope that your valve situation remains moderate for a long time. Take care.
Lynne Nind I have read your journal and what a positive slant you have on everything! How dare I complain about ... Read more
Lynne Nind I have read your journal and what a positive slant you have on everything! How dare I complain about a second surgery when you have had to contend with so much more. What an inspiration you are and what an impressive Xray you have. Thanks so much Rita. 😇🙏
I have now reached post op 12 weeks. What an experience! It was nowhere near as bad as I expected. A cartilage was torn during the op so I had to keep on with ...Read more
I have now reached post op 12 weeks. What an experience! It was nowhere near as bad as I expected. A cartilage was torn during the op so I had to keep on with pain medication because of that. I'm down to only panadol at night to keep comfortable. What bliss to be able to lie flat and turn over with ease! My only problem now is extreme tiredness. I've had my blood, iron, and thyroid tested and all fine. I'm too tired to exercise which concerns me but I am managing living alone with only help to clean (vacuuming, washing floors and bathroom cleaning) I am able visit, go to movies and dine out but I find I crash the next day. I was to have both valves replaced but because of my age (76 years young) they thought it too risky and only replaced the mitral valve. I have a feeling the aortic valve is the cause of all this but my cardiologist said no. Guess I will have to wait another 3 months for my next echo. Has anyone else had this experience? On the plus side friends and family find it hard to believe I've had such huge surgery. I look well and walk with a spring in my step (except on my weary days) and find I can move around easily. If you are facing surgery, just think of the other side. Even in the early days I would forget I'd had surgery and wonder why I was uncomfortable at times. God bless all you brave people. We have every right to feel proud!
Sophia Ridley Lynne, 3 months is still early days. Do whatever exercise you can, walking counts and stay active, bu ... Read more
Sophia Ridley Lynne, 3 months is still early days. Do whatever exercise you can, walking counts and stay active, but if you need a rest day do. I was returning to work st 3mths and could only manage 1-2 days in the office with my commute. The practice commute before I returned wore me out.... and I'm 33 years younger with MV repair.
Your strength will improve, I'm over a year now. Every one I spoke to said it's a year to recover, and maybe more. They were right.
pam williams Hi Lynn I am 9 weeks post op and I completely understand the ups and downs the tiredness etc, I had a ... Read more
pam williams Hi Lynn I am 9 weeks post op and I completely understand the ups and downs the tiredness etc, I had an aortic valve replacement I was in hospital 5 day and when I came home I was totally unprepared for the weakness I felt I kept thinking well at 72 what do you expect,but like you I have good and not as good days, 5 yrs ago I had a total knee replacement that pain was in my opinion 10 times worse than my ohc, I wish you well in your recovery I find walking makes me feel so much stronger but only if it's one of my good days
Adam Pick Congrats Lynne!!!! Your stamina will return. Like you, I was also tired. I was anemic actually. My th ... Read more
Adam Pick Congrats Lynne!!!! Your stamina will return. Like you, I was also tired. I was anemic actually. My thoughts are with you!
Two weeks ago I was getting ready for my valve replacement. I gained so much strength from the experiences you have all shared. I wonder if you will believe ...Read more
Two weeks ago I was getting ready for my valve replacement. I gained so much strength from the experiences you have all shared. I wonder if you will believe it when I say it has been a magical experience for me. I had my mitral valve replaced but they decided it was safe to leave the aortic valve alone. All I could think of beforehand was the pain I would have to go thru. Any pain was of my own doing as their wanted me to get onto it before it became uncomfortable. My op had complications but I had the best medical team I could ever imagine. They included me in everything so I was aware of any risks they could raise. I was given the option to change my mind at any time which was reassuring, although the option was not to be here in 5 years time. I think the weakness I felt was the biggest shock but I am getting stronger by the minute. Overall if you asked my advice I would say, listen to your Physio. Mine was invaluable. To all you people facing your op I wish you well and hope you have an awesome experience too. To think I was the one who said I may have to be taken into theatre kicking and screaming!
God bless you.
Steven A Husted that reminds me of when i came out of surgery i asked the nurse when they were going to start and the ... Read more
Steven A Husted that reminds me of when i came out of surgery i asked the nurse when they were going to start and the nurse said it was all over i was in recovery praise the lord he is so good amen
Nathan Howard I'm with ya Lynne, two weeks post op today. I'd agree with you're statements..
Rita Savelis Wow! Give me whatever med you were on to make it a "magical experience"!!
I'd say it's certainly an e ... Read more
Rita Savelis Wow! Give me whatever med you were on to make it a "magical experience"!!
I'd say it's certainly an experience, and certainly different than one imagines beforehand.
The lack of "pain" for many, and tiredness that would last a very very long time I was informed of by doctors.
The discomfort (rather than pain) and shock to almost every part of my system were hard to imagine beforehand and certainly a big part of the experience.
I was told back in March I had to have OHS which was a huge shock as everyone knows and I am quite proud of myself they way I got my head around it and my whole ...Read more
I was told back in March I had to have OHS which was a huge shock as everyone knows and I am quite proud of myself they way I got my head around it and my whole attitude towards it all. Now I've been given a date (next week) I am freaking out. I'm even telling myself I don't need the op. Is this normal? Am trying so hard to get my head around this now. Thank you to everyone who has posted their experiences as it has been a great help.
Ellen Leng Freaking out and considering going against recommendations to have surgery is pretty normal. However, ... Read more
Ellen Leng Freaking out and considering going against recommendations to have surgery is pretty normal. However, it's not like doctors make a recommendation for OHS lightly. Risk is generally lower than not doing the surgery. Do the things you need to at home to prepare, share your feelings, and you can talk to your doctors about why you need the surgery now. My experience was that my sugery date was a month away and gave me more prep time (or more freak out time). Peace came with preparation and knowing that the surgical risk was less than or equal to doing nothing and would only get worse.
Darlene Smith You are totally normal. Interesting that you were given a date so soon, but you will accept it I am ... Read more
Darlene Smith You are totally normal. Interesting that you were given a date so soon, but you will accept it I am sure! I couldn't wait to have the surgery over and onto recovery. I'm sure you will be too! But don't be too hard on yourself for freaking out.
Phyllis Petersen Once I knew I needed the surgery, and waiting really wasn't an option if I wanted the best results, I ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen Once I knew I needed the surgery, and waiting really wasn't an option if I wanted the best results, I couldn't wait to get it over with. To be fair, I had years to get used to the idea instead of having it sprung on me suddenly. But when it reached severe, I still felt a bit broadsided. Then, I just wanted things done and over. I can't count the binder of times I freaked out since I was told it was probable in January. We're all with you in this!
Lynne Nind Thank you for your support. Even your few words are helping me get it all together. I am really qui ... Read more
Lynne Nind Thank you for your support. Even your few words are helping me get it all together. I am really quite healthy and hardly have any symptoms so don't see the need for the op. I keep forgetting it will gradually get worse. (But will it?) It appears I have the best surgeon (and so approachable) and hospital in West Australia and I have full confidence in them so it is just me being a wimp. I think I will be fine after I have my pre admission early next week. Knowing exactly what to expect should set me straight. Will let you know.
Corey Sines Nothing unusual in those feelings. OHS surgery is a gamble, but one with pretty darn good odds. Doct ... Read more
Corey Sines Nothing unusual in those feelings. OHS surgery is a gamble, but one with pretty darn good odds. Doctor's weight these odds on making their recommendations. It still is unnerving to think about, and wrap your head around it. Make your decision, love it, embrace it, and be at peace with it.