The biggest thing I have noticed in the is whole crazy journey is the significant loss of fitness and the level of fatigue that has been a huge result for me after my surgery. I wasn’t super fit before hand but I could easily walk the dogs for 50 minutes (about 4km). Post surgery I was struggling to walk 10 steps before my knees and quads gave out. Fitness levels is a big goal for rehab with addressing the fatigue. While it is coming back it was lost a lot quicker than it’s coming back! 😖

Here I am in full lockdown in Sydney Australia and it is so difficult to have the confidence to go out beyond my backyard. Excursions are doctor appointments and cardiac rehab for the next 6 weeks - that’s all. If it can’t be delivered we do without!

All is fine post op - a low blood pressure which is gradually rising and ejection fraction not as high as cardiologist would like it is difficult some days to be confident that all is going well 4 weeks post surgery (those blues are coming and going). Doctors tell me that they are confident that when things settle down these numbers will rise.

Biggest bug bear - ladies will understand - finding a good bra that will support me enough! I have spent a lot of money trying to find THE one! Not successful yet - best thing I did was to put a tight top over the bra that was recommended. It’s better. Also really have sensitivity on my chest. Trying to de-sensitise with different types of fabric. Having said all this I feel okay (sleep still haphazard some days).

Thanks for all the support you have given. 😃

stephanie arnold writes, "i'm 15 mo emergency aortic valve replacement(moo), aortic aneurism and mitral v repair. i didnt have a chance to be scared. just fell apart suddenly. thank God, they fixed me. doin good. you are in good hands, you have a handle on it. lean on your supporters,get rested,and know this bunch of heart repaired excellent people are here for you. "