Laura Hansen posted a note for Misti Blu that says:
So sorry to hear that you have to go back in for another surgery. I'm four weeks post-op today and I don't know if I could do it. They have minimally invasive ...Read more
So sorry to hear that you have to go back in for another surgery. I'm four weeks post-op today and I don't know if I could do it. They have minimally invasive surgery in some locations and that might be an option for you? Northwestern Medical Center in greater Fort Lauderdale does a lot of minimally invasive procedures.
Thx misti. Will keep your phone number. I\'m only 3 weeks post so don\'t wanna screw anything up yet. But will keep it in mind. Especially when I go bald ...Read more
Thx misti. Will keep your phone number. I\'m only 3 weeks post so don\'t wanna screw anything up yet. But will keep it in mind. Especially when I go bald to the gym
Glad it was ap easy for you. Best wishes. Nancy friedman. Stlouis.
Hello Misti:
I had oprn heart durgery 4 months ago still on disability. Can you tell me more about having the wires out.
if yiu have a chance call me 909-732-5719 ...Read more
Hello Misti:
I had oprn heart durgery 4 months ago still on disability. Can you tell me more about having the wires out.
if yiu have a chance call me 909-732-5719
My name is Marina..
thank you
Misti Blu Day They keep the wires in but occasionally some people do not respond well to them. I have sensitive ski ... Read more
Misti Blu Day They keep the wires in but occasionally some people do not respond well to them. I have sensitive skin and when I had my C-sections they used staples and my body was not happy. I imagine it wasn't very happy with the wires either! I was doing great but the last few weeks I was in pain and could feel something. I had calcification/keloids growing around the wire which is not common for me. Usually I heal nicely and scars are very light. Luckily I have a great surgeon and he took them out for me! Usually you are out the same day or kept overnight. Compared to open heart, it was nothing! I am just a little sore but not a big deal. Good luck! I hope that helps! If not, 321-208-5812 is my number.
Yes. If you can share the downtime on the revoval of the wire that would be super. Did they hv to recut you open again ? Detail please ! Thx
Nancy Friedman. ...Read more
Yes. If you can share the downtime on the revoval of the wire that would be super. Did they hv to recut you open again ? Detail please ! Thx
Nancy Friedman. St Louis mo.
Misti Blu Day Hey Nancy! I went in in the morning and it was about a half hour procedure. They did cut me open agai ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Hey Nancy! I went in in the morning and it was about a half hour procedure. They did cut me open again but it was also to fix my scar. I recommend wearing a bra for the entire recovery because I took mine off too early and it stretched my scar. The surgeon made my scar pretty and removed the wires. It was not too bad and if you have had your sternum cracked then you will realize this is nothing compared! Just a slight soreness.
Hi Misti, thanks for posting again. It is really helpful for those of us new to recovery (I will be 4 weeks post op, on Thrusday). Glad you are doing well. ...Read more
Hi Misti, thanks for posting again. It is really helpful for those of us new to recovery (I will be 4 weeks post op, on Thrusday). Glad you are doing well. Sorry to hear you had pain, hopefully with the wires out things will be better now. Best of luck to you. - Mitch Friedman
Misti Blu Day Congrats on your successful surgery! I hope recovery is smooth for you! I am 7 months post op and fe ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Congrats on your successful surgery! I hope recovery is smooth for you! I am 7 months post op and feeling great! I have been walking weekly and never could before! It's a whole new world. I hope you feel the same soon! Best of luck to you as well.
Hi Misti Blu....good to hear your progress and that you are good. My sternum wires pinch me too. I did not know there was an option to get them removed. How ...Read more
Hi Misti Blu....good to hear your progress and that you are good. My sternum wires pinch me too. I did not know there was an option to get them removed. How long do you think your downtime will be after this procedure? Let\'s chat about this.
Misti Blu Day Hey! Talk to your surgeon and you could get yours removed too if they're bothersome. You are in and o ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Hey! Talk to your surgeon and you could get yours removed too if they're bothersome. You are in and out that same day or the next morning. I am a little sore but it is nothing compared to the real deal! Hope that helps!
Wow. Interesting to know we can even have that done. Very interesting Thx a lot. Not sure where in fla you are. I\'m 3 weeks post op & recuperating in ...Read more
Wow. Interesting to know we can even have that done. Very interesting Thx a lot. Not sure where in fla you are. I\'m 3 weeks post op & recuperating in fla keys. Nice here
Thx again for good info ! Nancy Friedman st Louis mo. 2/9/12. AVR& 1 bypass
Misti Blu Day Hey Nancy! I am from Springfield, Missouri but now in Cocoa Beach area in Florida. Hope you enjoy the ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Hey Nancy! I am from Springfield, Missouri but now in Cocoa Beach area in Florida. Hope you enjoy the weather here. 3 weeks post op! Awesome. Each day that goes by you will feel better. :)
Hi Misti,
I\'m glad your palpitations resolved. I hear from many patients that they experience back pain and stiffness after this surgery. Yours sounds a ...Read more
Hi Misti,
I\'m glad your palpitations resolved. I hear from many patients that they experience back pain and stiffness after this surgery. Yours sounds a little more severe than most, however. If you are out of surgery 8 weeks; you can always try massage (if laying on your stomach is something you can do comfortably.) Hang in there!
Sandy
Hi Misti,
It sounds like you are doing well - I am happy to hear that! You might try a couple of Ibuprofen (Advil) at bedtime to help you get comfortable. ...Read more
Hi Misti,
It sounds like you are doing well - I am happy to hear that! You might try a couple of Ibuprofen (Advil) at bedtime to help you get comfortable. The vitamin E and cocoa butter are a good idea and you can also get some of the scar therapy over-the-counter medications, like Mederma, at the pharmacy. Cardiac rehab is a good idea for many patients who want to step up their exercise safely in a monitored environment; but it\'s not free :0(. Not everyone does it, but it can be beneficial and make you feel more secure about what you are doing. If your palpitations continue, you will want to make an appointment to see your cardiologist.
We sincerely hope you continue your terrific progress!
Sandy (Dr. Accola\'s ARNP)
Misti Blu Day Thanks! I am doing well! I can't wait to start doing yoga. I am really going to start looking in to c ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Thanks! I am doing well! I can't wait to start doing yoga. I am really going to start looking in to cardiac rehab because it will be great to finally exercise.... as long as I don't have any supraventricular tachycardia episodes. The palpitations went away. Just had them for a few days. I have been trying ibuprofen but still having a hard time sleeping. For some reason my back is so sore and my back muscles are so tense and hard as a rock since the surgery. Is that normal? I've been trying a heating bad and some cream. If I wake up too many times I will sleep in the recliner and then back to the bed, etc.
Hi Misti,
About Cardio-rehab, I am sure everyone needs it but it probably depends for most people on whether or not it is covered by insurance. I was fortunate ...Read more
Hi Misti,
About Cardio-rehab, I am sure everyone needs it but it probably depends for most people on whether or not it is covered by insurance. I was fortunate to get 36 or 38 sessions.
What it provided was a knowledge of what being physically fit means. My cardiologist thought that I recovered so rapidly that I didn\'t need it. But I knew I wasn\'t where I should be in terms of my cardio fitness. I completed the course as provided by my insurance, and felt there was a definite benefit to exercising while being hooked up to monitors. It gives you the security to know what you can safely do.
On the other hand, it is pretty expensive if you are paying for yourself. BUT, I would investigate to see if there is some type of help for people wishing to attend.
Just my opinion!
Anne Shannon
Misti Blu Day Thanks! I am working on it. I should find out next week if I can do cardiac rehab! Looking forward to ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Thanks! I am working on it. I should find out next week if I can do cardiac rehab! Looking forward to it.
Misti,
What type of valuve did you get? I didn\'t see that in your journal.
Hope you continue to feel better each day.
Julie
Misti Blu Day Thanks Julie! I was lucky enough to get just a repair! There was a hole in my valve so he put in this ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Thanks Julie! I was lucky enough to get just a repair! There was a hole in my valve so he put in this mesh thing (don't know what it is called) and used part of my own heart tissue and it will grow together and patch up the hole. So, no blood thinners!
Hi Misti,
You might try using your spirometer again - and often - to alleviate the back pain. It worked for me and several other people on the list.
Anne ...Read more
Hi Misti,
You might try using your spirometer again - and often - to alleviate the back pain. It worked for me and several other people on the list.
Anne Shannon
Misti,
The horrible back pain is from the way they position you for surgery. It was really the only pain I had after surgery and it was bad. It does ease ...Read more
Misti,
The horrible back pain is from the way they position you for surgery. It was really the only pain I had after surgery and it was bad. It does ease but it didn\'t go away completely for me for about a month. Massage helps a lot and some people have found flexeril (muscle relaxant) helps too.
As for that crackling in your lower back - it\'s your lungs and the fluid in your lungs or in the pleural sac (mine was a pleural sac problem). I had that for about 6 months. Sometimes it hurt and sometimes I barely noticed it. The only thing that helped me with that was Advil. (If it\'s in your lungs and it gets bad enough, they can drain the fluid.)
As you can tell, there are lots of things to bother you after surgery. If you read through people\'s journal, you\'ll find there\'s a plethora of problems that can occur. But focus on the fact your valve has been fixed and most of these symptoms are temporary and soon enough you\'ll feel great!
Take care.
Ricki
Misti Blu Day Thanks Ricki! The fluid in my lungs went away and then it came back, and so on. It's not too botherso ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Thanks Ricki! The fluid in my lungs went away and then it came back, and so on. It's not too bothersome just annoying. As for back pain.... I am having the worst time sleeping and my back aches throughout the day.
Misti, I\'m 5 weeks out from surgery. Sleeping is still somewhat uncomfortable for me. I take a pain pill (Lortab) right before bedtime. I try to stick with ...Read more
Misti, I\'m 5 weeks out from surgery. Sleeping is still somewhat uncomfortable for me. I take a pain pill (Lortab) right before bedtime. I try to stick with tylenol during the day, if needed.
I tend to over do it sometimes. When needed I take a pain pill. I try to stay pretty active until my coumadin count gets regulated. I figure that I\'m at less of a chance of clots, if I\'m more active. I don\'t know...
Everyone is different. Don\'t stress! And I\'m glad that you went to the ER!!!! :) I hope that you feel better soon!
Christy Naughton
Hi Misti!
So happy to hear your surgery went went. About pain meds . . . I was down to Tylenol by the time I left the hospital but I think it varies widely. ...Read more
Hi Misti!
So happy to hear your surgery went went. About pain meds . . . I was down to Tylenol by the time I left the hospital but I think it varies widely. I know many people here were taking vicodin and other fairly strong drugs for several weeks after surgery. One thing the Cleveland Clinic was VERY clear about was that pain meds help with healing and patients should not be shy about asking for what they need. If you\'re in pain, your recovery will be much slower.
I\'m sorry to hear you\'re getting so much flack for needing pain meds . . . only YOU know how you feel and what you need.
Good luck!
Ricki Shine
Hi Misti,
My name is Sheila Garrison (California). I had my surgery on the 12th so I am 7 days post op. I have no real pain or discomfort EXCEPT for the upper ...Read more
Hi Misti,
My name is Sheila Garrison (California). I had my surgery on the 12th so I am 7 days post op. I have no real pain or discomfort EXCEPT for the upper back/shoulder muscle area that most of us are going through. I understand why and since I\'ve been a Medical & Sports massage therapist for over 14 yrs., I have the great advantage of dealing with it via other therapist. I think every hospital needs a MT on staff post op hearts for this pain control. Let me know if you\'d like me to explain better how to deal with this. Maybe I could get Adm to let me write an insert chapt. for his next book.
Anyway, \"I feel your pain\" as this has been the most annoying part of recover for me.
Stay strong. I\'m keeping you in my thoughts.
Sheila Garrison
Apple Valley, CA
Hi Misti. Good to hear you are doing well. Low grade temperatures are not abnormal after surgery - just keep using your incentive spirometer and walking. ...Read more
Hi Misti. Good to hear you are doing well. Low grade temperatures are not abnormal after surgery - just keep using your incentive spirometer and walking. You might find that when you get sweaty it\'s because the tylenol portion of the Percocet pain tablets breaks the fever and causes you to sweat. If it gets above 100.5 we want to hear from you.
Sandy, ARNP.
Misti Blu Day Thanks Sandy! I am feeling better today! I just switch out my pain patch from it's 3rd day to the new ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Thanks Sandy! I am feeling better today! I just switch out my pain patch from it's 3rd day to the new one so I think that is what made me feel terrible.
Hey Misti... I thought the same thing about my surgeon. I had Dr. Gaudiani who also appears on the website and is another bad ass!! :) You had Dr. Accola, ...Read more
Hey Misti... I thought the same thing about my surgeon. I had Dr. Gaudiani who also appears on the website and is another bad ass!! :) You had Dr. Accola, right? What did you actually have done and when was your surgery? I am 4 weeks post-op from an AVR. I was born with a bad valve and as a child could never really run. It finally got so bad with my inefficiency over the past year that my family started to speak up. I was at a BBQ not too long ago and had an elderly man grab me to dance and I couldn\'t keep up with him and I am only 39. I had to sit down and rest...sad. It is early days yet from the surgery but I should be able to run circles around them in the future :) I too am married and I have 8 year old twins.
Talk to you soon
Take Care
Follow Your Heart
Mari Dunsmore :)
Misti Blu Day Hey! I was set tonhave an AVR on Friday, the 8th, but they were able to just do the repair! My twins ... Read more
Misti Blu Day Hey! I was set tonhave an AVR on Friday, the 8th, but they were able to just do the repair! My twins are 8, too! I know exactly what you mean about dancing and not being able to keep up! I am thinking we finally kicked that one!!! ;)
I am from: Rockledge, Florida
