Daryl's Guestbook

Congrats on going through surgery! i went through it nov 16th so i know what you went through! the cough might just be from intubation. Also i am getting the same pains from sleeping and moving wrong, it wakes me and then i move and it goes away, i was told it could be like this for a bit.

Hi Daryl I had my surgery just over 10 weeks ago and I still suffer episodes of back and shoulder pain and stiffness. That pain is more constant than my sternum pain. I find if I sleep or move the wrong way, it will flare up quickly. I am told it will eventually go away. Glad to see you will be home with your family for Christmas. Good luck. Cheryl, Ontario

Hi, My husband, Ken had surgery 5 1/2 weeks ago and he had two episodes of neck and shoulder/upper back pain in his second week of recovery...it does not sound like it is the same, but we have friends that are cardiac surgery nurses and they have told us that because they have you "opened up" for so long and in ways probably not naturally intended that sometimes that can cause pain during recovery....in muscles and nerves you never knew you had...Keep letting them know about it though. Make sure to keep your strength, I couldn't leave Ken's side either but here I am almost at the six week mark and I can tell you ...It doesn't really stop just because you are home so make sure to carve out a little time for you for sanity sake! Here's to good sleep and healthy hearts! Tara

Hi Daryl and Sheryle, You asked about back pain: I also have experienced more pain in my back than in my chest. The pain from the incision has been mostly just an annoyance, but the back pain has been much stronger. It never goes completely away, so it's just something I've tried to learn to "manage". I expect that in the long therm it will decline until I don't notice it anymore. Joel Bryan, Iowa

Daryl and Sheryle, Congrats! You're on the other side! Now, take it one day, one hour, one minute at a time. No need to "Rush" anything (pun intended). Your body will help guide you through the recovery. Listen to it if you can. My thoughts and prayers remain with you, Adam Pick

Hi Daryl, Great to hear about your confidence in your surgeon. That is critical. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Keep on tickin! Adam

Hi Daryl I'm 60 and am 9 weeks post-op mitral valve regurgitation and annuloplasty and I sailed through. So will you. I couldn't sleep very well either so I read myself to sleep every night and believe me, some nights I read entire books but it was a way for me to keep my mind off what was coming. James Patterson writes great murder mysteries - grab one. Be confident in your doctor, then let him do the worrying for you. As most of us on this site will agree, once surgery is over, you will see advances in your recovery every single day. You will be dancing at your daughter's wedding someday. Believe in yourself. Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Daryl, Remember we are here for you, Sheryle and the kids. Please do not hesitate to ask Gary or myself for anything. You are all in our thoughts and prayers everyday. Your family is very speical to us. Gary & Carol

Dad, I hope you know how much you mean to me. You have been such an amazing father and I'm expecting that for years to come. I can't wait for you to dance with me at my wedding, spoil my children and make me suffer when they return home with loud toys cause that's the kind of Dad you are. I can always count on you to make me smile and feel like my world is going to be okay. I hope I can do that for you during your recovery, I promise to be here for you and wait on you hand and foot (maybe I'll leave the feet for mom)! Love you always and forever! - Your "Angel"