Alice Petranek - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

374 days ago

Today is 7 weeks since my Tricuspid valve replacement surgery. I am so happy to have that in the rear-view mirror! I started Cardiac rehab yesterday and have ...Read more

Today is 7 weeks since my Tricuspid valve replacement surgery. I am so happy to have that in the rear-view mirror! I started Cardiac rehab yesterday and have returned to work, gardening, and started traveling again. I feel almost back to my self...I'd say 90%?

Anyone else have a tricuspid valve replacement or repair? I have yet to see any on the website. Would love to hear from you!

Darrell Malone Congratulations on your journey so far. Cardiac Rehab is such a great help in my experience. Keep it ... Read more

Darrell Malone Congratulations on your journey so far. Cardiac Rehab is such a great help in my experience. Keep it going. I did not have tricuspid valve. Take care

Susan Dunne Rehab will even make you feel better. I just finished mine last week and it feels !one I never had a ... Read more

Susan Dunne Rehab will even make you feel better. I just finished mine last week and it feels !one I never had a problem. You go girl👍🙋

Alice Petranekposted an update

400 days ago

Susan Lynn, Rebecca Gober, Alice Petranek and 1 other reacted to this

Almost one month out from Tricuspid valve repayment. I had the minimally invasive procedure, which sounded easy but I have been humbled by how long it is taking ...Read more

Almost one month out from Tricuspid valve repayment. I had the minimally invasive procedure, which sounded easy but I have been humbled by how long it is taking to feel like "me" again. Almost a month out and I get tired with minimal to moderate activity. My heart rate stays in the 100-120's when I'm walking and I still have a bit of pain/tenderness a the surgical site. Anyone else with a similar repair care to offer some perspective? I may be unrealistic in my expectations since I was asymptomatic and chose to replace before any issues developed.

Susan Lynn Alice - The only difference in minimally-invasive procedures is the entry. The surgery is the same... Read more

Susan Lynn Alice - The only difference in minimally-invasive procedures is the entry. The surgery is the same - in fact, it often takes longer to complete these surgeries than those that are performed via sternotomy and mini-sternotomy. Plus, there's an additional incision, often in the femoral artery, to place the patient on bypass that also has to heal.

As far as fatigue, I was tired for months. The afternoon power nap was my friend. Heart surgery, and the resulting impact on our blood chemistry, the general healing, and the medications that many heart warriors are prescribed afterward can all contribute to the exhaustion. For me, it was the last symptom to go!

Hang in there - it gets better.

Rita Savelis It's still very very early for you. Your heart has been through a lot (that you cannot see) and needs ... Read more

Rita Savelis It's still very very early for you. Your heart has been through a lot (that you cannot see) and needs time to heal. Minimally invasive is not easier than standard heart surgery. Tiredness is so very very typical. Even exhaustion. Because you felt great before surgery, the recovery time is unexpected for you. Take care.

Kathy Ozio As my husband would tell me, there's the "invasive" part. 🙂 You are very early and it just takes t ... Read more

Kathy Ozio As my husband would tell me, there's the "invasive" part. 🙂 You are very early and it just takes time. I know they say it's to be so much faster healing, and there are advantages, but Rita said- it's still the same heart surgery. I finally felt about 100% at a year (truly 100% most of the time). I still have numbness- no pain-on my side. Walk as you can and go to rehab. Take care

J Alexander Lassally One month is nothing ! You will make continued strides... As has been a thread on there before, minim ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally One month is nothing ! You will make continued strides... As has been a thread on there before, minimally invasive is sometimes a misleading label thrown around...

Alice Petranek Thank you all for the kind words. I really needed to hear all of this. I appreciate you all taking th ... Read more

Alice Petranek Thank you all for the kind words. I really needed to hear all of this. I appreciate you all taking the time to share some wisdom with me!