Alex's Journal

Marie Myers  I am sorry you are still having some problems. Have you spoken to your cardiologist or medical doctor about these fevers? It seems a bit worrisome that you are still having a fever at 3 weeks. I was tired at 3 weeks, but I was able to start cardiac rehab at that time. I hope you get answers to your questions soon!

Deena Elani  Hi Alex, the aches in your body, particularly your back and by your incision will last greater than three weeks with your sternum being cut. Mine did. I am not sure about the fever, because you don't say how high your body temperature is nor how long it lasts in the morning .That said, every week you should be feeling better in terms of strength, walking endurance, etc.
I agree with Rose that you might want to go to your primary care doctor or some other cardiologist for a second review, though don't be alarmed, just be safe. :)

(And your English is great!)

Rose Madura  Hi Alex. I am sorry you are having problems still. Definitely discuss this with your doctor again. I can't imagine a fever is ever a good thing especially after surgery. Maybe your body is trying to tell you that something is amiss. Regarding sleep, I can now sleep on my back if I want because I had to after my surgery. You may want to sleep in a recliner for a while. It will get better in time and soon you can sleep on your side again.

Brady Busch  I may have read somewhere on this site,that a doctor told someone to prop themselves up.So,in my case,a pillow was put on top of another,while laying on the back and it seems to help.

Alex Adrian  Hello, thnks for the encouragement. I don't have big fever, only 37.5-37.7. I talked with 2-3 physician. All of them told me that the blood test are very good and I don't have any infection in my body.
I have started cardiac rehab in the hospital. Now I'm doing the exercises at home. I don't fell very tired. Every day is better. I can walk without getting tired pretty much.
The problem is with the fever and the coughing.
At the beginning of the year I'm going to the hospitalhospital to get out my surgical threads. Probably they will do also an eco to see if I still have some fluids in my pericay

Rita Savelis  Hi Alex. I hear you. I didn't have pain but I had SO MUCH discomfort. 3 weeks is early. Healing takes time. I was still in hospital at 3 weeks and had pleural effusions that made me exhausted. Sleeping on your back is hard! You've been through a lot. Your heart has been through a lot. I felt a tiny tiny bit better each day but it took weeks, months. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Alex Adrian  Thanks. It is very hard to sleep only on my back for 10 weeks. I also have some pleural fluids. Not too much but because of that I'm coughing. Probably need to be more patient

Deena Elani  Alex, it is really hard to sleep in ONE position constantly. Was the hardest thing for me, other than the extreme fatigue. Try using lots of pillows slightly under your back, etc. to change the position somewhat on your back.

Marie Myers  Yes, I have heard about the Tirone Davis procedure. It might be a good choice for you if you are a good candidate for it. Only your doctors can give you that information. It sounds like your aneurysm is the main reason for your surgery, which was the case in my situation. I was not willing to travel for my surgery, so I went with the Bentall procedure which is commonly performed in my area. Since I was 63 at the time of my surgery, I chose a tissue valve. Only time will tell how long it will last for me, Since you are much younger, I would want to research the other possibilities. Are you able to travel for surgery? Do any doctors offer the David procedure in your area? It is a difficult situation to be in, because you have to choose at some point. I hope you can make a good decision, but I know it is hard. Wishing you all the best! And by the way, I think your English is very good!

Alex Adrian  Thanks for your answer. The main reason for my surgery is the aneurysm. The valve is ok for the moment but most of the surgeons told me that it is better to change the valve too not having another surgery but another surgeons told me it is important the quality of life too.
Because of my age I can't choose a tissue valve. There is a new tissue valve Inspiris (or something like that) for which the manufacturers guarantee that it lasts 30 years but my surgeons told me that for this valve there are no many clinical studies because it is new and they don't think it can last so long for younger people.

Only 2 doctors offer me David procedure. But one of them can do the surgery only in Paris, France, which is very expensive for me.

Alex Adrian  Now I have talked to my surgeon and told me if it necessary to change my valve with a mechanical one he will not recommend an ON-x valve, too much PR he said.