Amy's Journal

Clare Auten  I would call the doctor. I did not experience the shortness of breath or fluid but I would err on the side of caution.

Kathleen F.  Hi Amy! My running friends tell me the fitbit is great. I have a garmin with the chest strap and sometimes the strap can feel constricting. You've definitely gotten the right product. And that's a lot of steps! Congratulations! :) As for the shortness of breath, I have it sometimes but think it's from lack of conditioning right now and only occurs when I do something that should make me a bit winded, like take the stairs too fast. I also had fluid around my heart when I left the hospital, according to my last echo, but at my month follow-up consult with the surgeon, he said he couldn't "hear" it and that it does dissipate. My next echo isn't for another month though. I don't know if the fluid causes the feeling you're having, but if it worries you at all, I would follow up. The fact that you just had an echo and they were not concerned is a good sign, though. I hope it all continues to improve!

Nancy D  I did have a bit of fluid around my heart and in my one lung post operatively that showed up on Echo, when I was about 4-5 weeks post op that was "pretty normal after heart surgery" and just required a bit of time to resolve. And soon it did and my breathing improved as it went away. Once I heard it was also in my lung, I brought back out the incentive spirometer and did the breathing exercises again regularly to help expand the lung and keep it clear. And, I was gifted with a fit bit 3 months post op and I love tracking my walking daily! Keep on getting those steps in!!! Take good care!

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Thanks Clare...I'm going tomorrow and will bring up this concern.
Kathleen, I love my fitbit. I bought it in Friday and have been obsessed with it. It's the Charge HR one and takes my HR which I like to see. I want it compare it to the rehab equipment to see how accurate it is. I start this week. Also as an FYI...it took 2 walks and pacing around the house to finally reach 10K steps!! I was tired last night, but I'm glad I pushed myself. I'm sore today, but it's my body letting me know it's deconditioned. It gives me motivation...I can't believe what a difference each week brings.

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Thanks Nancy, great idea to yes the spirometer...I'm going to have the doctor listen to me and see if anything is in the lungs. I know I just have to be patient with the healing process, but the nice weather is giving me motivation to get moving! I just started driving again and I can't believe how free I feel!

Nancy D  Just rest when you get tired or short of breath, you will be surprised how quickly that resets you to continue on your activity. Some days are not a problem, and soon you won't be sitting down periodically at all! Take good care!

Tim Goff  Sounds like you are making excellent progress, that's great. Congratulations
Global warming has yet to arrive here in New England and many are asking the same question you did. Why ?

Kathleen F.  So glad to hear! I think the weather is on our side, ensuring that we do not overdo it in the early weeks! I can't wait for warmer temperatures though... Just think how much better we'll feel when spring finally arrives!

Virginia (Ginger) French  What a joyful moment when you doctor, who has cared for you and been concerned whether you realize it or no, tears up at the sound of how much healthier your heart, and as a result, you are!

You are correct that your body will let you know if you have overdone things, but is is more comfortable to just take it slow and heal.

As a person who was born in New Jersey and has moved with my family all over the country (not one of my siblings live in the same state!), let me reassure you that when spring and fall come, those of us in the Great Plains appreciate the changes, but they are far shorter than what you enjoy in New England!

I am so thankful to live in a cozy home when I hear the wind whipping outside with nothing to stop it! And also appreciate not working on roofs in summer or directing traffic in winter!

Yes, take your time and your upper body will become more like the one you used to have. I had to put in a call to my cardiologist to see if I could get and increase on my weight lifting limit when my granddaughter's first birthday was coming and she was 19 pounds!! I think they got a good laugh out of my reason for requesting the change. Lifting little wiggly busy bodies is a challenge!

Amy, sounds like you have a great attitude! Sending warm but gentle hugs and prayers your way, Ginger

Jen Huff  Amy - so glad you are on the road to recovery! I love lifting weights and running so that's my concern on how long I will have to wait to get back to that. I think it's 3 months to make sure my breastbone heals completely. Did you lift weights before your surgery?

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Thanks everyone! I'm up in Windsor Ontario and it's ridiculous how cold it's been...I'm getting a little house bound because of it, but I think many feel this way.
Jen, I actually did lift my 5 and 10 lbs weights up until my surgery so that I would go in strong. I know I'll get my tone back, but trust me do NOT rush yourself back...the first week I was home it was simple things like pulling open the fridge, pouring milk for my daughter and even dressing her that caused inflammation. I went to the clinic and had a really great young doctor that told me racing to recovery won't get me any brownie points and that it will in fact set me back. He was right, I slowed down and my healing is going a lot smoother. You are on pain meds and I think this gives you a false sense of feeling better than you actually are, well for me it has, so my advice would be just to take it very easy the first few weeks. I vacuumed today....and that didn't go too well about 5 min in, again I have to keep reminding myself to limit my arm usage...it's harder than one thinks!!

Bob Arrington  Congratulations Amy! I am scheduled for wed but in my mind I keep thinking how I will feel after the first week. I am looking forward to the healing!

Tammi Gunwall  Congrats Amy! The worst is over! Enjoy being home and rest up! The emotional thing is totally normal.

tracy craig  Hooray!! So glad you are back home. Compare each day to how you felt yesterday or the days before. Don't compare to anyone else or 'expectations' or 'what if's' - that is what was hardest for me those first few weeks at home. The surgery is behind you and thats all you need to know :)

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Thanks everyone...had a better day today, but I see what everyone is saying about over doing it...I think my incision swelled as I tried to stretch my arms too much. I have a dr. apt tomorrow and I'll check on everything since I've been home. Tracy great advice as I'm not bouncing back like gumby over here, but yes, each day is getting better and that keeps me positive:)

Kathleen F.  I'm so glad you're OK! Thank you for updating - I was worried about you. Please rest up and be well!!

Kimberly Biddick  I am SO glad you are ok. I have been thinking about you this week. Thank you for the update. Prayers for a smooth recovery!!

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Thanks everyone, between the harsh meds and lack of sleep I can barely form a sentence. I have definitely found my kryptonite....I know you are all praying for me and it's keeping my going:) God bless and will update once I'm home

Kathleen F.  I was just checking in to see if you had posted an update and this just popped up! This time is somewhat unreal, isn't it? I felt the same way, but you'll be in such good hands and so safe in the hospital with constant monitoring. I will definitely be sending out thoughts and prayers! I hope you are happy with the decisions you made regarding the Ross and/or an alternative. I am one month out as of today, and except for some chest soreness, I do feel really good. You have a lot to look forward to once your heart is fixed! :)

Tammy Pilcher  Amy, I'll keep you in my prayers Monday! You're going to do great and will soon have this all behind you!

Mark Alafita  Amy, I'm on the board with you, and you put in words exactly how I feel. Looking forward to recovering along with you. All my best.

Adam Pick  Hi Amy, With Dr. David at the controls, I know you are going to do great. Also, great use of emoticons. I loved reading, "💔 will now be ❤️". Adam

Tammi Gunwall  I'm with Adam...love that! Excited for you, in that you will soon be on the other side of this healing and resting. Prayers will be lifted up for you, your surgical team, and your family. You'll do great! :)

  Hi Amy. This is my first comment for you. The Lord be with you, Amen.
I found it to be ok, because I was sleeping through the whole thing and don't remember much post surgery either. My wife gave me the gory details following surgery of how the anesthetic affected me and what I did. Your job is to heal and pace yourself.
Really loved the article from the Windsor newspaper. The surgeon really explained it well and so glad a Canadian hospital can contribute to the world heart community.
Be a good girl. Prayers aloft.

Bob M  I pray that your surgery and recovery will be peaceful. On Monday, it will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!

Amy DiGiovanni Noack  Thank you everyone! This site has done so much on my journey to OHS!! I was alone and now I feel very apart of this community. I will write as soon as my drug induced state wears off. Lots of love, Amy

Jim Kelly-Evans  If only we had a crystal ball and could determine whether this will be the new normal in the future or will always remain an option available only to the most compromised patients.