Ellen's Guestbook

Ellen, this is just a stab, but my son experienced something like this and it turned out to be gouty arthritis. I know this can often accompay use of diuretics. When I was on Lasix before my surgery, I had a high uric acid and the doctor asked if I had had attacks of gout. I did not. I was taken off Lasix after surgery (four months ago) so it will be interesting to see if the uric acid level went down. I hope you have a short recovery and are soon back to your active life. Mary Ann Marko

Hello, Ellen, thanks for the compliment, but I don\'t feel like the bionic man; this experience has really brought humility into my life, which i believe is good. I do know it\'s important to get moving and like you wrote, really follow the recovery protocols. Thanks for sharing your experience with everyone in our community. I wish you a God speed recovery. Daniel

Hi Ellen I see all have given you encouragement on the HR, Ditto, 8 wks still 90-100 suprising the 1st 2 days in rehab HR only increased to 120 highest. That is so true about reading took me weeks, TV, still I get sooo tired yesterday after 2nd day rehab 2/1/2 hr nap, out cold, but better today. Listen to your body, don\'t get discouraged we all know what it feels like. Hang in there Susan V

Dear Ellen, I\'m so sorry you had to go through this surgery at such a young age. However, my 19 year old son had the same surgery just 3 months ago. I was TERRIFIED for him and it seemed so unfair and I wished it was me. In answer to one of your questions, will I be afraid to do all the things I did prior to surgery; I can tell you that my son, Danny, is back to playing 4 to 5 hours of basketball (high intensity) DAILY. He is ONLY 3 months post op (and has been doing so for nearly a month and a half). Additionally, he does push ups and sit ups and is VERY active. He was only in the hospital 3 days after his surgery. You are so young, too, and I\'m SURE that is in your favor. Danny had bad pain in his shoulders shortly after his surgery, too. This seemed to be alleviated fairly quick. I will pray for you and your QUICK recovery. I am sure that you will do fine. I think it is the NOT knowing truly what to expect that makes you anxious. I was a basket case worrying about my son. I hope you have good support people to help you during this early stage of your recovery. I can\'t wait to read about your continued SPEEDY recovery. Sincerely Mary James

Hi Ellen, My Heart Rate was in the high 90s and 80s for the first 6 or 7 months following surgery, so try not to worry too much about it. It\'s only been in the 8th month that it has dropped down to the mid 70\'s. I have been active in cardiac rehab, but my HR only just started to decline. I\'m sure you\'ll be fine...just be patient. xoxo Lori

Hi Ellen. My heart rate is still high nearly 10 weeks after surgery - consistently over 100. So, I\'m still on the beta blocker & probably will be for some time. I\'m taking Metoprolol. My understanding is pretty much what your doctor said - it\'s not uncommon after valve replacement surgery & should settle down when it\'s good & ready. I also had difficulty with reading in the early days after surgery. I just couldn\'t keep my mind on it. Too bad because I had a bunch of books I figured on reading while I recuperated. Netflix vs what TV has to offer is a good idea. Same tube but at least you have some control over what\'s there to watch. The only advice I have regarding the boredom is that you should know that you will be feeling better & able to do more as time goes by. Sandy who has a journal here too described it as \"putting in time\". He was 100% right - there\'s just a period when you can\'t do much, but it will pass. Hang in there & keep getting better - Joy Vera

Hi Ellen glad to hear you\'re back home. Just about everyone I know who\'s had heart surgery has some form of back/shoulder pain The only thing that I found to ease the pain was TIME, and exercising/stretching at Cardiac Rehab. If you had a sternotomy like I did, I was explained that it puts pressure on your spine when they spread your chest. Plus if you\'ve seen videos, they don\'t exactly do it very gently! Good Luck, Kyle in Montana - 4 months post surgery!

Hey Ellen glad to hear you are home, so glad you came though this. I to had BAD back pain. Honestly worse then the chest pain. I used a muscle rub and got one of those homemedics back massagers. Honestly besides a muscle relaxer and pain meds it just takes about 10-14 days before it eased off. Also walking helped to loosen up the knots. Hope it helps. Jerry H

Hi Ellen Glad you are home. Most likely back and shoulder pain from the anesthesia, heating pad and pain Rx is about all that you can do until your body works it out. Try not to let your mind overrule your body as in doing too much activity. All too often we find that \"I can do that\" and boom we\'re exhausted. I found yesterday even after 8 wks and my 1st rehab session, that group exercise, warm up, treadmill, bike and aeroboike that I was fine. Awakened 5 am today hardly able to move and really sore but as the day progressed it improved. It seems that every few days I have a day where I am exhausted and can\'t do anything I want to. Let everyone that is near you help you until you know you are able to do the activity without any ramifications. I know I am a whole lot older than you but when I was your age and had my first surgery 2 days after being home I thought I could wash the bathroom floor on my hands and knees since I couldn\'t push a mop, I was in bed for 3 days afterward my chest was really hurting. Take Care Susan V

Hi Ellen Isn\'t it a great feeling to be out of the hospital!! Glad to hear all went well for you. Continued good luck as you are on your path to full recovery. Each day, and especially each week will get better for you. Keep up your walking. Mark Keller, TX