April's Guestbook

Hi April, just stoping by to check on you. Hope each day is getting better for you. Walk, walk, walk. Boring, but it does help. Did you go with the buzz cut? LOL! All the best, -Mitch Friedman

hi april! i had, and continue to have, a pain like you are describing. i am 8 weeks out...it will actually be 9 in a few days!!! wow! anyway, i started having that pain about 3 wks post op. i actually went back to my doctor because i was afraid it was pneumonia or something. like you, i had a chest x-ray and everything was fine. he reminded me that when the sternotomy is done, that affects things not just in our sternum but in our back, etc. when i started cardiac rehab last week and let them know about the pain, they nodded and said, \"oh, that\'s common\". and told me the same thing...that everything (muscle, nerves) is healing from being \"pulled apart\", and some people say it takes 6 months to a year to feel completely better. i\'m not happy you have the pain, but it is nice to hear of someone describing something so similar. it is usually when i take a breath or deep breath, when i bend over, and especially when i lay down at night! it\'s not every day, though... i hope it gets better for you. best of luck to you. what a journey, huh? sarah harnett

Hi April, So glad you found the site and are posting. It sounds like you are doing well. Yes, the shower & hair are tiring. I wore a ponytail for the first few weeks. You are beautiful so anyway you do your hair will be awesome!! You will do great, you are young and recovery will come. Each week gets easier. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Keep us updated. Hugs, Janis Kielbasa

April I had some problems with extreme pain on my left side a few day\'s after surgery. My Cardiologist said that is was the paracardium sac being imflamed and rubbing on something. It was very hard to take deep breaths or even move. He said it was a very common thing that happened after heart surgery, especially in younger people. He prescribed me a pain medication that was specifically for the inflamation, called Tramadol. It helped alot and eventually after about 2 weeks the pain went away. Jamie McGuire

Hi April, my first time visiting your HVJ. Welcome!!!!! Sounds like you are doing great. Yes, going from being very active, to 90 years old overnight is a tough one. But, I assure you, you will be back before you know it. I am not quite at 3 weeks post op and already walking a mile at a decent pace. Take it slow, listen to your body, and you will be amazed at how quickly you progress. Measure your progress in weeks, not days, because you will be all over the map. Great one day, tired the next. Just try to do something everyday and improve a little daily. Now as to the hair and the shower, I have a buzz cut, not sure that would be a good look for you, unless you dye it a fun color. But again, I don\'t know you, so not sure that is your look either. LOL! So, deal with your beautiful hair and it will get easier. Until then, take nice long hot showers, then nap! Again, a la 90 year olds. I wish you all the best for continued success in your recovery. Be well. - Mitch Friedman

April, Good to meet another Atlantan. I\'m just north of you in Cumming. I\'m really glad to hear you\'re healing well overall. I hope your lung heals up soon. If you\'d like a target for getting back to activity, my sister has talked me in to trying for a spot in the Peachtree Road Race in July, just a little more than 3 months out from my upcoming surgery. It would be great to have you join us - and I can tell you, we won\'t be a speedy group. Everyone of us will have scars from some type of surgery. Glad you\'re calling your doctor in the morning. Heal well and if you are interested, you are welcome to register under our group. If you\'d like, let me know and we\'ll get it coordinated. Chuck Holmgreen AVR 3/20

You\'re too sweet April. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I sometimes feel like the \"mom\" of the HVJ site, I am amazed at how young so many \"valvers\" are. And the majority are otherwise healthy and in very good shape. Hope you are feeling better, but please check with your doctor anyway, just in case. You\'ve come too far to let something get ahead of you. Take care, Linda Dixon

Hello. I also had pain in my left side with gurgling in my chest. The surgeon said it is wall chest pain. It has been 7 months since my procedures. The pain has been gone along time (about 5 months), the gurgle is still there. It does get better.

April, My surgery is March 5th. I was having bad pain in my leg after a heart cath. The cardiologists nurse heard my symptoms but said that all was normal. I knew in my mind that something wasn\'t right. A week later, I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot. If I were in your position, I would ask for a chest ex-ray just to be sure. Tae care. Jan Beale

Hi April, I am sorry to hear your having some trouble, I have not experienced anything like that so I can\'t be of much help. I can tell you I have been through a lot, especially with my last surgery in 2002 where I experienced complications and was in a coma for three months following the surgery. So if you ever need anyone to talk to come visit my guestbook! I hope you start feeling better soon:) I am also new to HV, I\'m so happy to have found this website, for the longest time I didn\'t think anyone understood what I was going through! Anyway, I wish the best. You will be in my prayers. Bethany Longenecker Las Vegas, NV