Matt, I haven't checked this site in a while but doing so now. You wrote me a note a while back prior to your surgery. How are things doing for you? I hope ...Read more
Matt, I haven't checked this site in a while but doing so now. You wrote me a note a while back prior to your surgery. How are things doing for you? I hope well.
you are a big help matt thanks i am scared and very nervous you have calmed my fear a little bit about the surgery and the aftercare i hope it is not as bad ...Read more
you are a big help matt thanks i am scared and very nervous you have calmed my fear a little bit about the surgery and the aftercare i hope it is not as bad as i think it will be thank you for your post steve
Hi Matt
I just read your Journal and found it very helpful, my aortic valve replacement is scheduled for next Monday 7/21, the date was changed from 7/16 by ...Read more
Hi Matt
I just read your Journal and found it very helpful, my aortic valve replacement is scheduled for next Monday 7/21, the date was changed from 7/16 by the surgeon, guess he had too many emergencies to tend to
I especially liked your story of recovery and the pain as manageable, you are younger than my sons so it is surprising the large number of young people undergoing this surgery
you have a great selection of hospitals in the Boston area, which one did you select
Hope my recovery will go as well as yours, and this was the first time reading your journal I learned about the pain meds causing problems, good to know, maybe I will take half the amount as I do usually with other meds
thanks for sharing your thoughts and Thank God you are in good recovery mode
Matt,
So glad you're doing well! I bet everyday gets a little better. You'll be out on that boat before you know it.
Sounds like you're doing lots of walking, ...Read more
Matt,
So glad you're doing well! I bet everyday gets a little better. You'll be out on that boat before you know it.
Sounds like you're doing lots of walking, which is great. How are you feeling about your upcoming soccer marathon? I bet you'll do great as long as you have a comfy chair on the sidelines. I went to a college volleyball game and sat on bleachers for a while and that wasn't the most comfortable.
I bet you'll really begin feeling back to normal once you start rehab. I really like it, even when they push me. They say I will be able to run a 5K on August 23, and that I can do 15 minute miles. I'm at 17 minutes right now.
Keep posting - it's good to hear about your progress!
Hi Matt,
Glad to read you are doing well. Did you get a recliner? No biggie, just makes sleeping easier for the first week or so at home. When you get to week ...Read more
Hi Matt,
Glad to read you are doing well. Did you get a recliner? No biggie, just makes sleeping easier for the first week or so at home. When you get to week four, You will be doing well and most likely not on any pain killers and hopefully driving at the point. Freedom to get out! You may want to pick up an incision guard if your incision bothers you when wearing clothes or when driving. It really helps keeping the seat belt pressure off the site. It was worth the cost by that alone.
Take care and rest my friend. Accept help and go slowly, you do not want a redo by doing too much too soon. (it will be tempting - I know!, just chill and accept it. It just takes time. I am in week 9 now and still have major restrictions. Being alive and well is worth it.
Matt O. I actually did rent a recliner, and it kind of worked the first night, but never after that. But I a ... Read more
Matt O. I actually did rent a recliner, and it kind of worked the first night, but never after that. But I actually slept well last night. Dr. told me to get some OTC of Melatolin (?), and I got a solid 7 hours last night!! Felt like a million bucks today!
I have been taking it pretty easy and have been careful not to push myself. Every day is getting easier and easier. And I've been saying the same thing to friends... while I wouldn't want to do this again, it sure beats the alternative. Being alive is definitely worth it.
Mary (Dan's other half) posted a note for Matt that says:
Hello Matt, my husband, Dan, just posted his 6 month anniversary celebration with a 10 mile walk. You will get through the recovery. Dan had a few bouts of ...Read more
Hello Matt, my husband, Dan, just posted his 6 month anniversary celebration with a 10 mile walk. You will get through the recovery. Dan had a few bouts of pericarditis following surgery. It was discouraging since he did so well in the first few days following surgery. Then we came home from Cleveland and he felt worse! The doc wasn't too concerned, said it was normal, prescribed meds and he was right. Ernie will keep you in stitches and the rest of them will give you insight and support. This site was the best thing that happened to both of us during our time of worry and need for knowledge. Hang in there!
My surgery was 4 months ago today. I feel really good for the most part. I am sure you will start feeling better soon...the first two weeks are definitely the ...Read more
My surgery was 4 months ago today. I feel really good for the most part. I am sure you will start feeling better soon...the first two weeks are definitely the hardest.
I agree. I quit taking the pain meds after 5 days, I was throwing them up anyway so they weren't actually helping. Since I gave them up my recovery has been ...Read more
I agree. I quit taking the pain meds after 5 days, I was throwing them up anyway so they weren't actually helping. Since I gave them up my recovery has been pretty quick.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm down to 1/2 a percoset a day right before bed to try to sleep. Other than that I don't go near them because they just make me feel lousy.
I got a chance to read your journal. Sounds like you had a rough go of it, considering you had absolutely no time to mentally prepare for it. I've had 25 years to get ready for a valve replacement. But it sounds like you;ve turned a corner and are feeling better about it all. Everyone tells me that sooner or later it's like it never happened, so I keep looking towards that day. Good luck
I quit taking the pain meds about 10 days after surgery and switched to tylonal. The pain meds made me feel worse.
Sleeping is tough. I found watching preschool ...Read more
I quit taking the pain meds about 10 days after surgery and switched to tylonal. The pain meds made me feel worse.
Sleeping is tough. I found watching preschool programming with my 4 year old was a great way to get a nap. There is only so much Cailou an adult can watch.
Good luck to you.
Matt O. I remember Caillou from when my daughter was younger. It's absolutely terrible from what I remember, ... Read more
Matt O. I remember Caillou from when my daughter was younger. It's absolutely terrible from what I remember, so I guess that can knock you out no problem. Maybe I'll try it tonight
I am 7 days out of surgery, and I'm going to stop taking pain meds because they've been making me feel terrible. I'm trying to find ways to sleep comfortably, but Tylenol doesn't seem to keep me out long enough. I guess its a matter or everyday being a little less sore, and then having some rest will make me feel better.
I haven't given you your full due. I appreciated you responding back to my posts and offering support, but I had been kind of worried and wrapped up in myself, I never really read through your whole journal, just your diagnosis....
so tonight as I try to relax and fall asleep, I decided to do some light reading You are one funny dude!!! I guess you need to have a sense of humor to deal with all the crap that we are dealing with.
So thanks for making me smile tonight and relax. HOpefully I will get some sleep. Keep on being funny, and I'll keep on reading
Hi Matt. Frustrating as it is baby steps!! We live such a crazy fast paced life that when it comes to being immobile we get frustrated. Enjoy the time. The ...Read more
Hi Matt. Frustrating as it is baby steps!! We live such a crazy fast paced life that when it comes to being immobile we get frustrated. Enjoy the time. The rat race will be there waiting. Jen
Christopher T. Connelly posted a note for Matt that says:
Hi Matt, congrats on the successful surgery!! I am a fellow "young" patient. i just turned 39 and had surgery last year at Brigham and Women's in Boston. ...Read more
Hi Matt, congrats on the successful surgery!! I am a fellow "young" patient. i just turned 39 and had surgery last year at Brigham and Women's in Boston. Get you're rest and do you're walking and you will be back to normal in no time! I hit 9 months post op a few days ago and i'm feeling great and running 4 days a week. Please let me know if you have any questions and take care!
thanks for the comments... I'm on my 3rd day home for the hospital. Yesterday was so good, felt awesome all day, but probably napped too long, so I didnt sleep at all last night and feel like crap today. Any advice from things you can remember that first couple weeks being home?
Matt congrats on your "independence milestone" yesterday morning. I don't have the experience of being post op from OHS yet my surgery is next Monday. I have ...Read more
Matt congrats on your "independence milestone" yesterday morning. I don't have the experience of being post op from OHS yet my surgery is next Monday. I have had 4 knee surgeries and have the experience of the little, "independence milestone" from those surgeries. But from all I've read on the subject as far as recovery from OHS we need to give ourselves little pats on the back figuratively speaking for each of the little milestones no matter how small. They all eventually add up to full recovery. Sending positive thoughts and healing energy your way, keep up the good work small steps add up to full recovery.
Hey Matt,
I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm going to anyway. I kept my surgery a little on the "down low" as the kids say, and told everyone who already ...Read more
Hey Matt,
I probably shouldn't say this, but I'm going to anyway. I kept my surgery a little on the "down low" as the kids say, and told everyone who already knew NOT TO VISIT ME IN THE HOSPITAL! I had never been in the hospital before, but I knew that I only wanted my closest family there. I only had 4 family members who came in my room, several others stayed out in the waiting room. This is yet another debt I owe my family, so put my feelings and desire above theirs and to let me rest. It wasn't so much for cosmetic purposes, though I knew I would look fairly rough, but more just to get some REST! The hospital staff is in and out of the room all day and night, doing their jobs, and oh yes, the breathing specialist is in there torturing us.......I just wanted to have some relative peace and quiet. I don't think I hurt anyone's feelings, at least I hope I didn't. This was important to me.......I'm glad you're doing better, hope that you're home soon!
HI Matt,glad to hear you came trough ok. Im going in tomorrowm double heart valve replacement, no more 3rd stage CHF for me. Am not nervous, will update.
I had a train wreck on my chest! I remember that feeling. Walking and the infernal incentive spirometer will help. And, guess what? You made it! It gets better ...Read more
I had a train wreck on my chest! I remember that feeling. Walking and the infernal incentive spirometer will help. And, guess what? You made it! It gets better every day from now on.
Matt
It does get better day by day. Wires come out, the extra fluid is removed from your body and your appetite returns. I encourage you to walk as you are ...Read more
Matt
It does get better day by day. Wires come out, the extra fluid is removed from your body and your appetite returns. I encourage you to walk as you are able as it does help. Keep it up - it does get better. Feel free to read my journal- I described my hospital stay and return home to illustrate what I experienced as a "heads up". It is work but it is manageable for sure. Best.
Matt:
It's wonderful to hear that your surgery went well. I know you have great confidence in your surgeon and hospital. That all helps a great deal during ...Read more
Matt:
It's wonderful to hear that your surgery went well. I know you have great confidence in your surgeon and hospital. That all helps a great deal during your initial recovery. Each day in the hospital gets a bit easier.
All the best to you from a fellow MA HVS member.
I am from: Boston, Massachusetts
