Leslie's Heart Valve Journal

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Leslie that says: Massage good.
Massage therapist is a miracle worker. Helped tremendously with my neck and shoulder pains.

Cardiac rehab good.

Don't lift too much. Heavy bad.

Keep using spirometer to help with breathing. Spirometer good.

Mary Skopek posted a note for Leslie that says: Hi Leslie,
I'm 11 weeks post up today too. I only had shoulder and neck pain after surgery...by 5 weeks post op it was gone for me. I slowly stretched the muscles each day which helped a lot. I really can't complain about my recovery, I've had no bumps in the road so far and am feeling great. No soreness when driving or lifting. I can probably lift about 30lbs at this point. Praying you are back to feeling well again very soon with no more bumps!

Susan Smith posted a note for Leslie that says: Leslie, Those middle of night events are no fun, but I am glad you thought about the Community as an outlet to express what you are going through. The good, the bad and the ugly. Hope you got back to sleep and all is relatively well for you and your repaired valve. Do let us all know how you are doing as we are all wishing you a super blessed New Year with much good health.

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Leslie that says: Hi Leslie,

I hope your neck/shoulder pain has eased so you can get some sleep! I also had some shoulder pain after surgery. It wasn't too bad in the first few months, but about four months out it got pretty severe. I couldn't move my left shoulder. I finally had to have an MRI and was told my rotator cuff muscles had been "frayed" and were very inflamed. It took months of rehab and about a year to get better, but it did get better. Apparently, they put your arms in some awkward positions during surgery, and that can cause some strains and tears. I'm certainly not saying that is what i is causing your pain, but I wanted to make you aware of one of the possibilities.
Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly. Godspeed and God bless,

Lawson posted a note for Leslie that says: Hi Leslie,

This is Lawson, Rachel Shelley's partner. I wanted to take the time to write to you to offer say thanks for all of the support you've given to us all through your comments on her journal page. This is so sweet, especially given that your mood seems to be a bit down as per your last post.

Taking the time to write and offer this support when you're down is no easy thing to do which is what makes you all the more special. Even a small thing like this makes a hugely positive difference to our lives at the moment.

I wish you all the best in your continued recovery but wanted you to know that even to a stranger in the UK, you help.

Jim Jones posted a note for Leslie that says: Hey Leslie
Good report! I am Real glad you are doing so well. Good luck with the sternum. I am signing up for cardiac rehab probably for the same reasons you are thinking of it. I would encourage you to do it.
All the best and keep healing!

Susan Smith, pre-0p and waiting posted a note for Leslie that says: Good Morning! Leslie I think you have gone around the corner on the recovery road and will continue to improve. Do keep us posted on the appt. with the surgeon and as to what is going on with the incision. Probably something simple, but these things need to be checked. Keep going forward. Bless you and yours.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Leslie that says: Hey, you updated your journal! Glad to hear you are doing well. I think cardio rehab will really help you. The cardio nurses were so positive and do ask about depression. I loved talking to the people who were in rehab. With me.
Same with you, driving really bothered me unless I took a Tylenol. Now driving doesn't bother me that much. I still have to be really careful about lifting and ask the people at the grocery store not to make the bag too heavy!
Keep up the good work. You are definitely on the road to recovery.

Susan Smith, how generic can you get posted a note for Leslie that says: Take it easy and listen to the your body. You are doing great. You can always call your dr. office and ask questions, but I think you will feel better and better.

Jim Jones posted a note for Leslie that says: Leslie
I hope you feel well soon. I agree, some days are better than others. Best.

Debbie j posted a note for Leslie that says: The day they said I could drive I did. That was at my 4 week. You go when you are ready. I am always in a hurry to do everything.

Aubrey posted a note for Leslie that says: I drove prob about 4 weeks but it pulled and was slightly painful. It was tissue pain for me. I did not really drive much until about week five. Do this on your terms. No reason to push it. Keep your healing going well.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Leslie that says: They said I could drive at 4 weeks but I waited until 5 weeks. Turning the steering wheel and twisting body when backing out of parking place bothered me and still bothers me at 6 weeks.

jeff o posted a note for Leslie that says: 4 weeks after surgery my cardiologist cleared me to drive after my checkup.

Aubrey Elmo Jones posted a note for Leslie that says: I too sent lunch to the surgeons office. Find out how many are there and send accordingly. We took over two trays of sandwiched, one wraps and one regular long with a tray of brownies. I also took them by personally. I will admit I had tears in my eyes as I left. I was thing about the fact that they were greatly responsible for my ability to walk out of their office.

Richard Volpe posted a note for Leslie that says: I sent my surgeon and staff a deli tray.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Leslie that says: Leslie,
So glad to hear you are doing so well. I'm glad we finally heard from you. Here are some things I experienced.

I am now 5 1/2 weeks post op. I was in the hospital for 6 days. When I got home my husband had to go back to work. Since no one else in the family was available, we hired an RN/assistant from home health care who was wonderful and would come in from 9-3:30 everyday for 2 weeks since I couldn't open anything, needed help showering, etc. The RN/assistant was there on the 3rd week only from 9-12 and then my friends would stop by or pick me up.

When I got home from the hospital I was taking the pain pill Tramadol every 4 hours plus 2 - 500 mg Tylenol every 4-6 hours. I also used ice packs to relieve my pains. I stopped the pain pill, Tramadol after 2 days because I was getting too sick to my stomach and constipation. Ever since then, I have just been on 2-500 mg of Tylenol every 4-6 hours.
While in the hosptial they gave me Melatonin at night. when I got home I forgot about it. After the 1st 2 weeks of not sleepng very well, I decided to buy some Melatonin. I take 3 mg along with my Tylenol before bedtime and now for the last 2 weeks I've been able to sleep 8 hours through the night. Also after 2 1/2 weeks my night sweats finally stopped.

Exercise/walking. What you need to know about me is that I swam or worked out 5-6 days before surgery so I was in good shape going into the surgery. I first started just walking up and down in front of my house and 2 other houses during the first week home. Later I expanded my walk. We have very large lots in our neighborhood so I could walk around the block and also into all the cul-du-sacs which would take about 25 min. and I would do that 2-3 times a day. I started that the 2nd week I was home. I walked with my assistant, but I would also walk by myself since there were enough people in the neighborhood coming and going and many of them knew I had surgery. All along I also did my upper body exercises which the hospital told me to do. I DID NOT walk on the bike trail alone since like you, I was a little afraid to be out there alone.

They said I could drive after 4 weeks but I was afraid of the twisting, so waited until week 5(I'm glad I did!) Turning my head and and backing out still makes me sore.

The best thing was starting cardio rehab. the nurses there have given me so much confidence. One time when I was really sore before the class I was really concerned, but the nurse had me work through what I had done in the last 24 hrs to figure out why I hurt so much. It turned out it was because of twisting during driving and spreading out my Tylenol to 8 hours.

Hope this all helps. It all takes time.

Mary Skopek posted a note for Leslie that says: I have the same problem where I stopped getting a lot of exercise in once my husband returned to work. I keep wondering where I should be at 3 weeks as well. I tried driving a few days ago and managed but turning the wheel was still difficult for me. I was off pain meds on day 10. If you have any questions about anything specific I'd be happy to answer since our surgery date was the same day. Take Care!

Jim Jones posted a note for Leslie that says: Hey Leslie
I am so glad to hear how well you are doing after surgery. It sounds like you are recovering at a good rate. I am happy for you. Thanks for stopping by my site, it let me know you are well. Have a great weekend, Leslie!

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Leslie that says: Buy your heart surgeon a lap dance from his favorite stripper. My heart surgeon really appreciated it.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Leslie that says: Leslie!!

Glad you are doing well. Take it slow to heal quickly. I didn't sleep well at all the first few weeks, but now I really pound the Zzzzs. Glad you posted an update.

Continued good healing.

Mary Clare posted a note for Leslie that says: Hi Leslie, How did your surgery go? Praying you are home and healing at this point!

Carol Jackson posted a note for Leslie that says: Just wondering how Leslie is doing. I know she had surgery on Oct. 24. Prayers continue.

Susan Sevier posted a note for Leslie that says: The night before surgery I went to a very fine restaurant with dear friends and laughed and had a great time. I did sleep the night before, but not for long because my check in time was 5:30 a.m. Because I live in DC and we had the surgery done in Baltimore at Hopkins, we stayed in a nice hotel near the hospital. The best advice I have to offer...do whatever it takes to keep yourself in a positive state, focused on life after the surgery (NOT THE SURGERY). The experts will walk you through the surgery and the immediate recovery period with no effort required on your part, just a focus on getting well. Good luck and I'll watch for your updates.

Jim Jones posted a note for Leslie that says: Leslie
Love your attitude. Your waiting is almost over and your healing is just about here. Not bad at all. Keep the peace and calm in your heart. My date is 11/5. My current mantra is "positive, confident and calm". Best.

Jackie posted a note for Leslie that says: Good luck on your surgery, I know you will be fine. Mine is on the 29th, I am not nervous so far I have read Adams book and I think that is why I am ok, at least so far. Will be looking for your updates.

Carol Jackson posted a note for Leslie that says: Good questions, Leslie. My surgery is this Tues. Oct. 8. I did rent a motorized reclining chair for $95.00/month and I borrowed a stool riser and a shower chair. I kind of wonder when one can take a shower. Since your surgery is not far behind mine you will have to follow my journal. Good luck as you prepare for your surgery.

Mary Clare posted a note for Leslie that says: Hi Leslie, My surgery date is also Oct 24th. I'll be thinking of you and praying that we both have speedy recoveries!

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Leslie that says: What he said.

Aubrey Elmo Jones posted a note for Leslie that says: I can answer a few of your questions based on my experience.

You don't need much at the hospital. Phone, tablet, reading mAterials can be delivered to you 1 or 2 days after surgery. Need clothes to go home in and I used pajama pants under the gown. As a woman, some like a sports bra but not sure when you will want it. They did not cover my incision ever, and it helped it heal faster I think.

Should not need a pain meds pump, oral meds work well, just have to keep on the schedule for the first week or two to not let the pain get ahead of you. I came home on one hydro condone every three hours and it was good. Let me be active and still not hurt.

Yes, I recommend cardiac rehab, they let you exercise while one a portable heart monitor to make sure your heart rate is manageable and that the rhythm is normal and not afib or something.also shows some upper body exercises that are safe and help get the chest limbered up again.

Store blood if you can, I needed it and it was a non-issue and I did not store blood. Ask surgeons office before you do this not sure about you place but storing your blood here took more planning time than I had.

Recliner is great for most, some can go back a bed with pillows. Most really are glad to have a recliner but you should make sure you can get in and out of it without pulling with your arms, that is a non on for the first 6 weeks at least to let the breastbone knit back without being strained. Either one with and easy handle operator or one you can stradle the foot rest to stand until you can lose it later with your legs. BTW, 14 steps was easy from about the 2nd day after surgery, well before I went home.

Going up the stairs was a non- issue, I did it when I got home to go to our TV room and went up and down them once everyday for the first few weeks. Be careful to have someone with you for a while, you do not want to over exert yourself.. Space out your activities and rest in between, showers, brushing teeth, stairs, walking, etc... My bathroom upstairs is at the other end of the house from my TV room and the recliners I used there. Prob 30 to 40 steps and it was not an issue.

If yours goes like mine did, this is easier than you may imagine and if you pace yourself and do not have a complication, the walking is really a major part of the recovery. I walked in the house for 15 minutes twice a day and increased as quickly as I could to 30 minutes even though I may have been lapping the kitchen island 45 times. Then somewhere in there I graduated to the outdoors to walk on sidewalks for 30 mins at a time and then the 30 min walks got longer as I could g faster. Ended up being 1.2 miles. You will get there at your own pace so take your time.

Aubrey posted a note for Leslie that says: I am three weeks post surgery with an aortic replacement. The doctors in your case are some of the best in the world and they do it everyday. It is routine for them and you should not only not worry, but rest assured the risks are extremely low. The pain is not as bad as you think it will be and the recovery is good if you pace yourself and of slow but steady. Look forward to fixing it and getting decades of great future from this.

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Leslie that says: You are going to do great. Don't worry, think positive thoughts, and be confident in your surgeon and hospital. It's their job, this is what they do. I'm one week post surgery and traveling along pretty well on the recuperation train. You're family and friends will be invaluable.