I'm 12 weeks out from aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair. I really only feel about 70% well. HR continues to be high even though they started me ...Read more
I'm 12 weeks out from aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair. I really only feel about 70% well. HR continues to be high even though they started me back on Metoprolol. I am often short of breath with normal activity. The loud pounding heartbeat is incessant. I have had a slower recovery than most, it seems. Has anyone else felt this way, and did it eventually resolve?
Mike McKenna Hi Alice, I'm sorry things are not 100% for you, yet, hopefully soon and someone can answer your ques ... Read more
Mike McKenna Hi Alice, I'm sorry things are not 100% for you, yet, hopefully soon and someone can answer your question. I won't have surgery until 8/30/23.
Marie Myers Sorry your recovery has been slow. Everyone is different, and will progress at different rates. Did y ... Read more
Marie Myers Sorry your recovery has been slow. Everyone is different, and will progress at different rates. Did you do cardiac rehab? That helped jumpstart me back to my active lifestyle. What dose of metoprolol are you on? The other thing that comes to mind is hydration. Are you drinking enough water and other fluids daily? And did your hemoglobin (blood count) get back to normal. A low blood count can cause fatigue. The prominent, strong heartbeat comes with the corrected valve. My heartbeat is much stronger, especially When taking a deep breath. As your heartbeat slows down to normal, you may notice the strong heartbeat less and less. Have you spoken to your cardiologist/internal medicine provider about this issue?
Klara Čičić Dear Alice, I felt 100% only after 7 months! Maybe give yourself more time, 12 weeks is still so ear... Read more
Klara Čičić Dear Alice, I felt 100% only after 7 months! Maybe give yourself more time, 12 weeks is still so early. I couldn't have imagined working after 12 weeks, I felt a little bit short of breath after stressful day or some activity, my heart rate was still higher, I just wasn't myself, yet after 6 months it was totally different and way better. Now I am 8 months and doing great. I hope with time, you will, too. Some people need even a year. If your cardiologist says everything is ok, maybe it is really just time....
Kathy Ozio Hi Alice. Definitely give yourself some time. Ignore all the stories you see on the internet about... Read more
Kathy Ozio Hi Alice. Definitely give yourself some time. Ignore all the stories you see on the internet about recovering in just a few weeks. I was so upset I wasn't feeling better because all I read were people walking and hiking after just a few weeks. Everyone is different and you will get there. I am almost 4 months out from my surgery and finally have just had a few days where I felt almost 100%. But then I work a long day and am reminded, I'm not 100% even yet. I just went back to work full time this week. When you are tired, rest. When you feel good, don't over do it. Just don't be hard on yourself. And be thankful you found this forum. It is a true Godsend!
Rose Madura Alice, I feel for you because I also had a long recovery with tons of complications and readmissions... Read more
Rose Madura Alice, I feel for you because I also had a long recovery with tons of complications and readmissions to the hospital. At times, I felt I'd never get better but I did and you will too. Marie always gives good advice and the others have too. I'm glad you voiced your feelings here. You are not alone in this. God bless you.
Rita Savelis I was definitely short of breath after surgery. And still am today. My heatbeat was loud. This is s ... Read more
Rita Savelis I was definitely short of breath after surgery. And still am today. My heatbeat was loud. This is standard after surgery. Your recovery is yours and very singular and personal. There is no standard. 12 weeks is very early. Many patients downplay how long recovery takes. It's not a competition. I'm sorry you have to go through this. Surgery is quick, but recovery takes time. Your body has been through a lot. Take care.
Alice Williams Marie Myers: My insurance only covers cardiac rehab for CABG patients. I'm taking 25mg of Metoprolol ... Read more
Alice Williams Marie Myers: My insurance only covers cardiac rehab for CABG patients. I'm taking 25mg of Metoprolol twice a day. I've been working on hydration, but could do better. And I am definitely still anemic. Had several pints of blood in the hospital. Taking Floradix. My cardiologist is not interested. Says all my tests are fine and I need to see my primary care about any complaints. Thanks for your input!
I'm two weeks out today from open aortic valve replacement. When will I feel safe being left on my own for a whole day?
Debie Nervina I know you are fiercely independent and strong Alice. That being said take it slow and allow your ... Read more
Debie Nervina I know you are fiercely independent and strong Alice. That being said take it slow and allow your friends and family take care of you for the time it takes to heal. It will happen in good time girlfriend.
Marie Myers I think that depends on you. I felt safe by myself after the first week and a half. By then, I was w ... Read more
Marie Myers I think that depends on you. I felt safe by myself after the first week and a half. By then, I was walking down the driveway and back, and was starting to do more meal prepping. Just don’t try to reach for stuff on high shelves like I did… Learned that little lesson!
Rose Madura I'd say not until you are ready because each recovery is different.
Rita Savelis You are singular and you will feel safe when you are ready to feel safe. You've been through a lot. E ... Read more
Rita Savelis You are singular and you will feel safe when you are ready to feel safe. You've been through a lot. Everyone's recovery is singular.
Adam Pick Woo-Hooo! Welcome to the "other side" Alice. So happy to hear you are feeling better now. Step-by-s... Read more
Adam Pick Woo-Hooo! Welcome to the "other side" Alice. So happy to hear you are feeling better now. Step-by-step. My thoughts are with you!
Mark Buttell Glad to hear from you Alice. Adam’s heart family was surely pulling for ya! Baby steps are key and ... Read more
Mark Buttell Glad to hear from you Alice. Adam’s heart family was surely pulling for ya! Baby steps are key and you will be recovering during the spring when everything starts over for the better just like you! God bless you!
Susan Lynn Alice - You'll be surprised how much better you feel in a week or two. Wishing you a speedy recove... Read more
Susan Lynn Alice - You'll be surprised how much better you feel in a week or two. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
DeLois Tweedy Alice, glad its over and recovery has begun. Wishing you all the best and thoughts and prayers are co ... Read more
DeLois Tweedy Alice, glad its over and recovery has begun. Wishing you all the best and thoughts and prayers are coming your way.
Klara Čičić Oh dear Alice, I remember feeling like you on this photo. Luckily this feeling is short-lived. I am g ... Read more
Klara Čičić Oh dear Alice, I remember feeling like you on this photo. Luckily this feeling is short-lived. I am glad you are feeling better! Wishing you all the best during recovery. Take it easy!
Rose Madura Alice, your photo brought back memories for me too. You get better each day. Time to listen to your... Read more
Rose Madura Alice, your photo brought back memories for me too. You get better each day. Time to listen to your body and do what they tell you. Your husband will be a big help to you. God bless you.
Cheryl Vaughan Glad you are feeling better. I remember this feeling. Each day will get better. ❤️🙏
Ana Brusso Welcome to recovery Alice. You made it. Continued good health and recovery and God bless you 🙏❤ ... Read more
Ana Brusso Welcome to recovery Alice. You made it. Continued good health and recovery and God bless you 🙏❤️
Alex Sagan We’ve been there and sympathize! Congrats and welcome to after. Glad you are progressing.
Ralph Williams Ralph, Alice's husband here. Alice's heart surgery went well. She's a bit nauseous presumably from th ... Read more
Ralph Williams Ralph, Alice's husband here. Alice's heart surgery went well. She's a bit nauseous presumably from the anesthesia and she is sleeping a fair amount. I have a playlist on Apple Music of "songs that touch my soul" and this morning as I'm eating breakfast the song Woman in Chains comes on by Tears for Fears. Then right after that was Sanctuary by Carrie Newcomer. https://youtu.be/HjOioWTVAl4 Thanks for all of your support and kind words.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupWoman In Chains · Tears For Fears · Oleta AdamsRule The World: The Greatest Hitsâ 1989 Mercury Records LimitedRel...
Rose Madura Wonderful news. Now it's on to recovery! Thanks for updating us
Ralph Williams Alice's husband here. She's doing a bit better. She's off the morphine and didn't scream when they mo ... Read more
Ralph Williams Alice's husband here. She's doing a bit better. She's off the morphine and didn't scream when they moved her from the bed to the chair and back. At the same time her blood pressure is a bit low, so she's on medication for that and her hemoglobin is off so they are giving her blood. It looks like at least one more day in the ICU. She's also sleeping a lot which I suspect is a good thing.
Rose Madura Sounds like everything is under control. The doctors and nurses know what they are doing. She'll be o ... Read more
Rose Madura Sounds like everything is under control. The doctors and nurses know what they are doing. She'll be out of ICU in no time. God bless you both.
Susan Lynn Ralph - Thanks for the update! I'm sure you're exhausted - we know that OHS is a team effort! Gla... Read more
Susan Lynn Ralph - Thanks for the update! I'm sure you're exhausted - we know that OHS is a team effort! Glad that Alice is starting her recovery and getting some rest. All the best to you both! We're cheering for you!!
Ralph Williams I heard this song this morning and thought of people going through this giant transition and thought ... Read more
Enjoy this inspiring song. Download recording artist and solution-focused therapist Chris Chickering's #1 Best Selling Book for FREE at https://www.ChrisChic...
Mark Buttell Thanks for the updates. Everyone recovers at different levels and as long as she’s moving forward t ... Read more
Mark Buttell Thanks for the updates. Everyone recovers at different levels and as long as she’s moving forward that is all that matters. Continued prayers for both of you.
Had appointment with Cardiac Surgeon yesterday. My aortic valve is bicuspid according to the latest CT! Who knew. Decided on open-heart surgery with a tissue ...Read more
Had appointment with Cardiac Surgeon yesterday. My aortic valve is bicuspid according to the latest CT! Who knew. Decided on open-heart surgery with a tissue valve and aortic aneurysm repair. Set date of 3/22/23.
Rose Madura The date is set! That's always a milestone. God bless you. Please keep us updated....
Susan Lynn Alice - Good for you! Glad you have your date. In a few weeks, your procedure will be behind yo... Read more
Susan Lynn Alice - Good for you! Glad you have your date. In a few weeks, your procedure will be behind you!
jonette kruk So happy you have a date. Although it seems like that date takes forever to come, it comes pretty fas ... Read more
jonette kruk So happy you have a date. Although it seems like that date takes forever to come, it comes pretty fast. I was excited when I got a date, because now I needed to prepare myself as well as my family. As Frank says, "...wait is the very worst part" some say it worst than the procedure itself. Every day I wake up, I am counting down, "one more day closer to surgery." I have now accepted my heart disease condition and am EXCITED to get it fixed. I never thought I would say I AM EXCITED FOR SURGERY. Don't get me wrong, I am also very scared.
Alice Williams I am strangely excited too! But I am sure the full range of emotions is on the menu.