Ann's Guestbook

Ann Smith  Hi Grace, I’m just seeing your post. I haven’t felt like writing much, but every day is getting better and better little by little.🙏🙏

Ann Smith  Thank you Grace. BTW how are you doing? Are you doing cardiac rehab? I’m waiting for my doctor to let me know when I can start. 

Grace Mason   I am doing well. I have started rehab and that is great getting some guidance during exercise. I am still working through pleural effusion on my left lung, but hopeful it will resolve in time. Today was a good day ❤️

Ann Smith  Hi Grace, How are you doing? I wanted to ask you how long after surgery did you start Cardiac rehab? I'm 4 weeks post op and I’m curious of how long it took you to get some energy back and for the pain to go away completely?

Grace Mason   Hi Ann,
I started cardiac rehab in week 7. I'm still working on getting my energy and stamina back.  I have good days and I think maybe I do too much and then have some very tired and achy days. Pain is similar, some days not feeling much pain, but on bad days I'm still really achy in my shoulders and neck. I am thinking of asking about going to a chiropractor for a neck adjustment (I'm at 11 weeks) Not sure it would be recommended but this weekend my neck is so achy and cracking and popping especially when I lay down. It makes it tough to relax and then I think it compounds.
My cardiologist told me I could have pains occasionally for the next year as everything inside heals😳. I am hoping that I feel less pains and discomfort way before then. How are things progressing with you? 

Ann Smith  I'm doing ok. I've been trying to do very light housework but after loading the dishwasher, I start to feel pain and have to sit down. It's so hard to sit around and see all the stuff that needs to be done. Also I'm going a bit stir crazy sitting in the house.

Grace Mason   I agree it is very hard to not be able to do many things around the house. Have you been able to walk every day? That is what I do mostly at rehab(on a treadmill) and home for exercise. I also use a recumbent bike in rehab.

Ann Smith  Thank you Robert so much for the support!! I had one consultation with the doctor here in Orlando but I’m going to get another opinion October 19 with a doctor Martin at Shands hospital in Gainesville. because of my age, I’m leaning more towards the pig or cow valve opposed to the mechanical valve. I really don't want to take blood thinners for the rest of my life

Robert DeVita  The Doctor who performed my surgery at Tampa General is now at Shands. Dr Erol Belli.., who are you seeing there?

Ann Smith  Thank you Robert. Did you get your issue fixed? Are you going to replace the Taver with a tissue valve?

Robert DeVita  Not yet.., two stitches around the sewing ring of the valve disconnected somehow so I am told at Cleveland Clinic that I will have to have a second Open Heart Procedure to redo/repair as my quality of life right now has me unable to do much outside of reading and television ! They don't like to do two Open Heart Surgery's in one year so we are trying to wait until January of next year. Best of luck to you though.., I will be looking here to hear of your successful procedure!!