This post is dedicated to my granddad who recently passed. He was an amazing man who sat by me through my first heart illness and surgery 12 years ago. He helped ...Read more
This post is dedicated to my granddad who recently passed. He was an amazing man who sat by me through my first heart illness and surgery 12 years ago. He helped me through it and I will never forget.
Sleep well Granddad, you will be missed.
R x
Hello...
I'm in hospital again! Although to be honest, I don't mind, as they are going to be fixing my incisional hernia today!
For those who don't know. ...Read more
Hello...
I'm in hospital again! Although to be honest, I don't mind, as they are going to be fixing my incisional hernia today!
For those who don't know. I had my second AVR last year, and the base of my scar didn't seem to heal very well. It resulted in an incisional hernia. I am lucky as it's my heart surgeon and team that are fixing it! I'm in hospital now, and due to have surgery in a few hours.
I will keep you updated, I'll write a couple more posts before I go to theatre, to keep me from thinking about it all.
Speak soon
Xxx
Well I have an incision hernia, at the base of my heart surgery zipper! As it was my second heart op, it made it a little more difficult for the scar to heal. ...Read more
Well I have an incision hernia, at the base of my heart surgery zipper! As it was my second heart op, it made it a little more difficult for the scar to heal.
It turns out I will have to have surgery to fix the incision hernia. I know it's nothing compared to the heart surgery I had, but it's a set back.
Has anyone else had one?
I guess it's another thing to put down to experience and at least I'll be able to answer questions after!
Speak soon,
Rachel
Well I've not been here for a few months! So much has happened! I've finished my phase three cardiac rehabilitation and I'm now on phase four!
I'm back to ...Read more
Well I've not been here for a few months! So much has happened! I've finished my phase three cardiac rehabilitation and I'm now on phase four!
I'm back to work full time, I took a trip to America ( I live in the UK) and things heart wise have been great!
However, I've recently noticed I had a soft lump at the base of my incision site. I went to have it checked out! It turns out I have a hole! It's classed as an incision hernia! Great! It looks like I may have to have more surgery. I'm really unhappy about it. Obviously I didn't heal as well as I had thought!
I'll keep you all posted! I'd love to hear from anyone else who might have had this problem?
Rachel x
Tomorrow it will be 9 weeks since my second aortic valve replacement and I start cardiac rehabilitation...I\'m a little nervous, but looking forward to it at ...Read more
Tomorrow it will be 9 weeks since my second aortic valve replacement and I start cardiac rehabilitation...I\'m a little nervous, but looking forward to it at the same time! 3 hours or cardiac rehabilitation!
So I\'ll let you know how it goes!
Speak soon!
R x
So boys and girls, I hope you're all well. I'm feeling rather happy today. I had a successful return visit to the hospital and the cardiologist was happy with ...Read more
So boys and girls, I hope you're all well. I'm feeling rather happy today. I had a successful return visit to the hospital and the cardiologist was happy with my progress. All seems fine.
I'm now 8 weeks to the day since my surgery and to look at me and see me move around you would never know. Ok the scars give it away, but my mobility is top notch. I'm still a little sore when lying on my side and I have a tight feeling around my scar, but nothing I can't cope with. I'm still tired from time to time, but that's all part of the healing process.
If there are any questions anyone would like to ask, please do. I love helping people feel at ease, I've been through this twice now and battled endocarditis, so if your in need of being put a little at ease, please feel free to message me! I do reply!
R xx
Well it's now been 6 weeks since my surgery, and I will tell you straight, I feel great!
I still get tired in the day especially if I've been really active, ...Read more
Well it's now been 6 weeks since my surgery, and I will tell you straight, I feel great!
I still get tired in the day especially if I've been really active, but the point it, I was able to be really active!
Sleeping is great, I can now lie completely flat. I couldn't since my surgery, or intact for a number of months prior to, as I had water on my lungs and it would crackle if I lay down. Well that's all gone!
I still ache a little, especially in the mornings, but I stretch steadily and it soon goes.
I'm walking all the time, I actually love it so much, I go for an extra evening walk just because!
I know you can drive at this point, however, I do not feel ok with this yet. I don't want to put pressure or strain on my chest yet...but this is a personal decision.
I won't be returning to work for a while yet, as it's the stress I don't need. My doctors advised to wait three months...that seems like an age, as I'm half way. I think I will return on a basic part time basis. It's my own company, but my staff are running it for me, which allows me to return slowly and when I'm ready.
I still have a small part of my scar at the very bottom that isn't completely healed. The bottom part, a finger width, came apart a little due to the stitch underneath trying to push it's way out. It's now healing, but still has a little way to go. Does anyone else have this problem?
I'm due for my meeting with my surgeon next week, I can't wait. The guy is my hero. I'll have to ensure I get a photo this time. Yes he was the same surgeon I had last time, ten years ago!
I also start my rehabilitation next week, it will be good to see what I can do while the medical team are there, so I know what I'm capable of on my own and don't worry that I can't do certain things!
Ok, enough for now...I'm off shopping to celebrate my 6 week born again birthday!
Catch you all later xx
Most sites I visit talk about the physical healing side to heart valve surgery. But what about the emotional side?
Many people don\'t realise there is an emotional ...Read more
Most sites I visit talk about the physical healing side to heart valve surgery. But what about the emotional side?
Many people don\'t realise there is an emotional healing that needs to take place too.
After two AV replacements, both have been very different experiences for me, both physically and emotionally.
For both the patient and and carers, be prepared and allow for the fact that there will be times of irritability. You will be frustrated, annoyed, wound up, angry or experience anxious moments.. These are all normal feelings. Not everyone will experience them, some will experience a few, some all of them. The key is to accept that you will feel this way from time to time.
You just need to realise you\'re not alone. There are fabulous sites like this, where people like me will be able to guide you through. The best thing you can do is rest. Take time to chill, take time to relax and ensure you sleep well. You will feel better and be in a better frame of mind to cope with the moments where you feel emotion. However, on the other hand exercise is very important. It will help you handle any depressed feelings you may be experiencing. I suggest walking, easy and done at your own speed.
I am four weeks post operation on my second heart surgery and I am still having good and bad days, today is a down day for me, so I looked online and came across this site. I then realised that I should focus on helping others and that way I won\'t have time to feel down, but will feel happy to have come through my surgery well for the second time and use these experiences in the best way I can.
R xx I\'ll keep writing, if there is any topic you would like me to talk about, please do just ask xx
I\'m new here, I wish I\'d found it earlier. I\'m just over four weeks post op. I just had my aortic valve replaced for the second time.
I\'m recovering well, ...Read more
I\'m new here, I wish I\'d found it earlier. I\'m just over four weeks post op. I just had my aortic valve replaced for the second time.
I\'m recovering well, but there are more difficult days. The emotional side sometimes affects me just as much as the physical.
I\'m taking it a day at a time.
I hope to be able to blog often and help anyone with any questions.
Speak soon
R xx