Hello Alexander. I was headed out for my morning walk. Been out of Hospital since Aug. 25th. and the walk right now is the highlight of my days! Was going over ...Read more
Hello Alexander. I was headed out for my morning walk. Been out of Hospital since Aug. 25th. and the walk right now is the highlight of my days! Was going over the journals and realized we haven't seen a recent post for you and wondered how your healing time has progressed. How are you doing? You gave me some advice about the full sternotomy which I took to heart and you were right it is not as big a deal as it sounds nor looks if you treat yourself correctly. I am amazed at our bodies ability to heal so quickly and how little pain meds were needed. Only on Tylenol as I left the hospital and now have reduced that to only taken at night. This recovery time is going to be a special time as everything just has a good chance to readjust, isn't it!? Well hope you are doing well and your dog and yourself are continuing your walks on the beach. Take care and update us if you have a moment or two. Terrie
Wow, you are doing great Alex. I, too, am at 3 going into 4 weeks and I don't think I could keep us with a Lab. I do walk our Lucy, but at 9 lbs. she cannot ...Read more
Wow, you are doing great Alex. I, too, am at 3 going into 4 weeks and I don't think I could keep us with a Lab. I do walk our Lucy, but at 9 lbs. she cannot pull me too much, just makes sure I keep us with her small, fast, Havanese steps. I wish you continued healing and good health.
Ah, and there was the infamous "Hall Family" who left there to bring the first Fig Trees to Sacramento, ca. in America in 1794! I am 8th generation to the Thomas ...Read more
Ah, and there was the infamous "Hall Family" who left there to bring the first Fig Trees to Sacramento, ca. in America in 1794! I am 8th generation to the Thomas Hall Family suggested to be a descendant of "Lord Blaney of Castleberry Monoghan County, Ireland.
More like "Lord Blarney" if it is from my family! Ha! Ha! As for Boxing!! Just a lot of handed down hot Irish tempers between my Dand and 3 Brothers!!! I think I am going to have to conspire with "Lynn" now that I know She wants to go to Ireland too and maybe get our Families to make a trip. Always been a dream of mine and one of the things my husband and I decided to plan on for some day after this surgery! I have also met some folks from the UK through our site who also just started their recover. It surely is a small world, isn't it?
I would like to know what has been the hardest part of your recovery process so far? I am going to have the full sternum "Zipper" so that scares me a little as I have a tendancy to move about too fast and know that isn't going to be possible for a bit. I am hearing from quite a few recent from surgery that you are really limited with reaching and arm movements can be tough.
Anyway, have to go let Hunter the Spaniel out to chase Kat. Continued progress with your recovery and thanks for letting Steven in on how you came up with your decision on your "valve" as He is having a tough time. You might have just gotten through to him in helping him make that important decision. Good job! Take care!
ALEXANDER WEBSTER Interesting story. Had school friends named HALL in Dublin back in the 60s.
To answer your question; ... Read more
ALEXANDER WEBSTER Interesting story. Had school friends named HALL in Dublin back in the 60s.
To answer your question; hardest part of recovery? Well, trying to stop myself from taking on too much. One tends to forget that pretty major stuff has been conducted and takes time to heal. Also the breast bone (sternum) although not painful it is quite sore and one can almost feel the healing process.
I also had two coronary arteries replaced so I also have a lengthy incision the full length of my left inner leg from ankle to upper thigh from where the donor vein (artery) was removed. That has been a bit of a drag and actually has caused more discomfort than the chest wound.
All in all I must not complain as I am not even 3 weeks post op yet.
No need to be scared about the ‘’Zipper’’ as you referred to it. Yes, in day one and two post op one will need assistance to sit up in bed and it is going to be a bit of a struggle to cough and clear any accumulated flem if any from the chest. Apart from that there will be a tendency to sleep and snooze for at least 3-4 days which is not a bad thing. In fact I was mostly very comfortable post operatively and received great care and attention in ICU and later in the High Dependency unit.
Hope the above is of some solace and support for you.
Hello Alexander
Welcome to the "Community". It seems you have already completed the "Hard work" (Surgery) and are now on the mend. Congratulations on coming ...Read more
Hello Alexander
Welcome to the "Community". It seems you have already completed the "Hard work" (Surgery) and are now on the mend. Congratulations on coming this far and best wishes for continued progress in recovering. Being on a beach with your best friend is a great place to work on re-hab.
I am sure by reading the stories and journals here you would have a lot to contribute. Looking forward to more posts. Take care. By the way, my people date back to a place called "Coothill, Ireland! Good Evening!
ALEXANDER WEBSTER Thank you so much for your kind words.
Yes, Coothill, I know this town well, in County Cavan. Just 40 ... Read more
ALEXANDER WEBSTER Thank you so much for your kind words.
Yes, Coothill, I know this town well, in County Cavan. Just 40/50 miles from where I currently live.
We have a famous world champ boxer from this border town, His name: Barry McGuigan.
Wonderful!!! Ahhh the beach!! Great place to recuperate ! Glad your recovery is moving along smoothly! Have always wanted to visit Ireland ! Well I'm not dead ...Read more
Wonderful!!! Ahhh the beach!! Great place to recuperate ! Glad your recovery is moving along smoothly! Have always wanted to visit Ireland ! Well I'm not dead yet :) so you never know!! It's definitely on my "bucket list" . Wishing continued smooth recovery for you!!
steven a husted posted a note for ALEXANDER that says:
hi alex what made you decide on a bio valve was it a pig or cow or did you have a choice thanks steve i am really on the fence about which one first i was pretty ...Read more
hi alex what made you decide on a bio valve was it a pig or cow or did you have a choice thanks steve i am really on the fence about which one first i was pretty sure mech. because of longivity then i was pretty sure of tissue because of coumadin now i am not sure again which i wish you a speedy recovery
Thank you for your message. Re: Tissue –v- Mechanical
Well, having discussed the matter with my surgeon he felt that a biological/tissue valve would be best suited but left the decision to me.
He told me had I been of more mature years, say mid 70s or older the choice would be mechanical only. Knowing that the tissue valve would need seeing to in perhaps 10-15 years from now he assured me that this would be performed through key hole surgery, so thankfully no open chest sternum (TG) or major trauma at more advanced years.
The other factor was the avoidance of Warferin anticoagulant medication which would be necessary with a mechanical valve. I also had 2 coronary arteries repaired during the procedure. I understand my valve is from Miss Piggy.
I hope the above is of some help to you. I’m feeling fine but cannot wait for chest to fully heal in approximately 3-4 more weeks along with the vein removal from my left leg, ankle to upper thigh. All best, Alex.
I am from: Dublin, Ireland
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