My story is similar to yours, severe aortic stenosis was not able to have TAVAR valve was to calcified had open heart surgery on 3/10/22, replaced valve and ...Read more
My story is similar to yours, severe aortic stenosis was not able to have TAVAR valve was to calcified had open heart surgery on 3/10/22, replaced valve and had right coronary bypass Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC. All is good,recovery went extremely well. Wishing you a speedy recovery and the best of luck!
Hi sandy , I was told to wrap something around the safety belt ( a towel / scarf ) to cushion my chest between the safety belt and my sternal wound . This ...Read more
Hi sandy , I was told to wrap something around the safety belt ( a towel / scarf ) to cushion my chest between the safety belt and my sternal wound . This helped a lot ! I loved getting back into my car and starting driving again but it does feel a bit scary , your sternum feels vulnerable . You ‘ll get there . Little steps , one day at a time .
A fellow younger ,female post op ohs , she wore one of the surgical braces and found it gave her much more of a feeling of security . She was a bit squeamish ...Read more
A fellow younger ,female post op ohs , she wore one of the surgical braces and found it gave her much more of a feeling of security . She was a bit squeamish about the actual sternum and how it would heal . The support looked a bit like a streamlined life jacket . I wouldn’t have been able to tolerate it due to perimenopausal symptoms / hot flushes . It made a big difference and made her feel more confident .
Hi sandy , You are doing really well with your walking ! everything will start to become easier , just keep pacing yourself and listen to your body . I ...Read more
Hi sandy , You are doing really well with your walking ! everything will start to become easier , just keep pacing yourself and listen to your body . I gave up on bras for about five months post op , I just couldn’t tolerate the thought of having anything against or near my sternum . I used to just layer up and have a scarf around my neck and over my chest , nobody noticed . It was going into the autumn season so easier to do. Take care and well done , you ‘re doing great !
Sandy Harvey Thanks Ruth. My niece also suggested a surgical brace that her mother in law used to help ease the he ... Read more
Sandy Harvey Thanks Ruth. My niece also suggested a surgical brace that her mother in law used to help ease the healing process. The doc provided it in South Africa. In the US Amazon had some.
Hi sandy,
Wishing you all the best wishes for your surgery .
I hope it goes well and that you have an uncomplicated recovery .
Be kind to yourself .
Pace ...Read more
Hi sandy,
Wishing you all the best wishes for your surgery .
I hope it goes well and that you have an uncomplicated recovery .
Be kind to yourself .
Pace yourself and listen to your body.
Almost there and over with Sandy. Thinking of you! You will get through this. You are stronger than you ever imagine! Plus you will have a one on one nurse ...Read more
Almost there and over with Sandy. Thinking of you! You will get through this. You are stronger than you ever imagine! Plus you will have a one on one nurse caring for your every need in the ICU. Ask for anything you need or want, anything.
Sandy, I had a full sternum incision and was told that the pain from it would be very tolerable. It is hard to believe, but this was the case. ( except when ...Read more
Sandy, I had a full sternum incision and was told that the pain from it would be very tolerable. It is hard to believe, but this was the case. ( except when sneezing, grab your heart pillow!) It also healed faster than I imagined, which made it even better. Do know that with the full sternum bone incision you will lose considerable blood. Your hemoglobin will be low. This plus the surgery on your heart itself will make you feel more tired than you ever imagined.
I wish I had know this before the surgery, so
I was more accepting of it. I was told nada about this. — My cardiologist afterwards said he did not want to worry me. The surgeon said little too. —-I am telling you so you will expect it; realize this is normal. Most of all, Know that you will quickly gain more energy each day. You will heal; you be stronger than ever coming out of this; you will be proud of your courage; you will love your family even stronger; and you got this.❤️
Rita Savelis I had a full sternum and had no pain. I was told of this beforehand by the anasthesiologist (that cut ... Read more
Rita Savelis I had a full sternum and had no pain. I was told of this beforehand by the anasthesiologist (that cutting the sternum is not painful). I had LOTS of discomfort, but most patients worry about pain more than discomfort. Discomfort can be harder to deal with than pain, with no heavy pain meds to help. I was also EXHAUSTED for a long time after OHS. My surgeons also had told me that this would be the case. They did not give a timeline or a date on which I would feel less tired. I am grateful for this because it meant that I did not worry about the time it took. Everyone is on their own recovery path, some take shorter, some take longer. Comparisons are not helpful. Your experience with surgery will be singular and individual. And normal for you. Take care.
Susan Lynn Sneezing after OHS was rough after minimally invasive entry, so it is probably related to the proced ... Read more
Susan Lynn Sneezing after OHS was rough after minimally invasive entry, so it is probably related to the procedure, not just the entry. I was grateful it wasn't allergy season! The heart pillow is definitely helpful. Keep it close by. Best of luck to you. ❤
Hi Sandy- I've followed your story with interest and hope that you've reached some resolution. I have to say I'm puzzled by the surgeon asking you to make ...Read more
Hi Sandy- I've followed your story with interest and hope that you've reached some resolution. I have to say I'm puzzled by the surgeon asking you to make the decision regarding mini vs full sternotomy. I have the same diagnosis that you have (BAV with severe aortic stenosis). I've known about the BAV for almost 20 years and was stunned to see the significant change in my echo in early January. My cardiac Cath was normal so was offered both TAVR and SAVR but opted for SAVR b/c there is limited data on TAVR for BAV in younger healthier patients. The surgeon I'll be working with offered minimally invasive SAVR and the only mention of possibility of full sternotomy was that it would be necessary if I had coronary artery disease or aortic root enlargement. Those were normal so it seems that I am headed for a mini on 3/10 (fingers crossed nothing unexpected pops up.)
I am so sorry that you are dealing with added stress at an already difficult time---I can offer that I prefer the mini b/c of quicker recovery time, less blood loss and time on CP bypass and overall less invasiveness. I hope that you can get some clarification from your surgeon on why he/she would ask you to make this particular choice.
I am thinking of you and hoping for the best possible course of action for you. I will be about a week behind you so we can trade experiences as we traverse this unsettling and unexpected path.
Marie Myers Well stated, Mary. Happily, I did not make the decision myself either. I had not only a root aneurysm ... Read more
Marie Myers Well stated, Mary. Happily, I did not make the decision myself either. I had not only a root aneurysm, but an ascending aneurysm as well. The decision between mechanical and tissue valve was hard enough for me! I went back and forth for weeks...Sure did not need another big Decision at that stressful time.
Sandy Harvey Hi Mary & Marie - Thanks for your note. I did make a decision today. I have a small valve and root so ... Read more
Sandy Harvey Hi Mary & Marie - Thanks for your note. I did make a decision today. I have a small valve and root so I took the option for a stentless valve and root replacement to set me up for a TAVR later on.
Good job Sandy, although it seem that it was a difficult decision you are planning for the future. Go ... Read more
Good job Sandy, although it seem that it was a difficult decision you are planning for the future. God bless you
Sandy Harvey Ana, noone can guarantee that any advances in TAVR will benefit me later if I need the TAVR so I wen ... Read more
Sandy Harvey Ana, noone can guarantee that any advances in TAVR will benefit me later if I need the TAVR so I went with only what is on the table for me now. I am up this morning still second guessing my decision - that is just the way I am, If left to me I analyze everything to death.
Totally get you Sandy. You will be fine. I had the same surgery as my dear Marie Myers and talking on ... Read more
Totally get you Sandy. You will be fine. I had the same surgery as my dear Marie Myers and talking on this site helped me get through many days of uncertainty and also praying. Hang in there and finds things to do to keep your mind occupy. Blessings
Sandy, I can’t figure out how to reply to your most recent post but I am so sorry you have so little support from your medical team as far as answering questions ...Read more
Sandy, I can’t figure out how to reply to your most recent post but I am so sorry you have so little support from your medical team as far as answering questions and helping understand everything that is going on. I shared this with George already so you may have already looked into this, but posting here too. The AHA has an online support community you can join and see if anyone has posted similar experiences -there may even be a group specific for this condition. http://network.heart.org/
Sandy Harvey Thank you Allison ... sorry I just figured out the guest book . Today was one of my worst days. I fee ... Read more
Sandy Harvey Thank you Allison ... sorry I just figured out the guest book . Today was one of my worst days. I feel like I am in an island by myself! I will check the AHA community.
Sandy, so glad you listened to your body and sought answers when you were not feeling like yourself. I know this has been a trying time , to say the least. ...Read more
Sandy, so glad you listened to your body and sought answers when you were not feeling like yourself. I know this has been a trying time , to say the least. We are here for you and George and cheering and praying for you.
Hey Sandy, As one of the newest members of our patient community.... Welcome!!! Thanks for sharing your story with all of us. Fyi, you are in GREAT hands with ...Read more
Hey Babe, I know you are having a tough time right now trying to figure out the best doctor, best hospital and best procedure to get you through this time in ...Read more
Hey Babe, I know you are having a tough time right now trying to figure out the best doctor, best hospital and best procedure to get you through this time in your life. I just want you to know that I will be with you, right by your side, to support you through the entire process.
Stay positive, you got this.
Love you,
Thank you .
Make the most of every day