Andria's Journal

Hi all, I am 6 weeks post surgery and get ad hoc vision/ dizzy spells. They only last a few minutes and I thought it was related to heart tablets, these were changed but I am still getting these. I also feel like I have an underlying fuzzy head feeling. Is this something anyone else has experienced? Other than this I am not complaining :)

Scar at 5 weeks

4 weeks after surgery. scar healing well and slowly getting some energy back

Just wondering how long it takes to get your INR stable, my INR range is between 2 and 3 and I am now day 12 post op, it's the first time my iNR has not moved so not being tested now until Friday, will this be it or can I expect changes during the week do you think?

Im home. Great to be home but feel like i have less energy than yesterday. Still struggling walking short distances but no complaints and grateful to all the staff involved in getting me here.
My sister has been a godsend and so grateful to her for taking time away from her children to help me through these critiical few weeks.

I'm on tablets for rapid heart beat is this what is called AFIB?
Surgeon says it's very common and will need to stay on them for 6 weeks

Room with a view Epworth hospital Richmond

Beautiful day in Melbourne, if all results stable tomorrow I can go home Wednesday yeah.
Just attempted my first stairs. Managed 8 steps and was exhausted.
Have had cocktails of tablets which have made me feel worse than I should, hopefully start to come off them now.

Tough day today, lots of physio and struggled with strength, but need to move. Just wondering what I should be aiming for in terms of walking everyone? I have my step counter with me so want to build it up, physio says 6 laps of the ward and aim for 10 before discharge but wanted to see what everyone else managed to do within the 1 st week then the 2nd week. Thanks x

I remember waiting for my surgery getting a pre med which didn't feel that it was working at the time it wasaround 2.30pm. The next thing i remember is waking up about 10pm with the tube down my throat and then immediately falling to sleep. The next time was midnight and the tube had to come out i was gagging. My surgeon says say the next 48 hours will be the worst , i was so sleepy and felt awfully nauseous and couldnt keep food down. It felt like this was going on for ever. The next day the sickness had gone and for the first time i could hear the ticking. I am sure i will hear it more at home but it doesnt bother me. So may pills to be taken i have lost track so refused some tonight to get a good night sleep but not refused the important anti coagulation ones
I have been walking around the ward and in my own pyjamas which makes a difference. Proper physio starts
Tomorrow as i have low blood pressure and some fluid on the lungs.
The nurses in icu have been fantastic. Good luck to those of you with surgery coming up in the next week xx

Start of day 3 post surgery. I will post more later but waiting to get off ICU which hopefully is the next hour :)

My AVR is on the 16th and yes the clock is Ticking and I'm getting anxious, trying to keep busy and continue working until a few days before however wanted to ask about the ticking noise of the mechanical valve i have chosen. Is it really something you can hear all the time and can others hear it ? I chose it as couldnt face more surgery in the future if i get through this.

Hi all when i get home after surgery how much help will i need ? I will have my sister living with me for 3 weeks, will i need help after this time ?

Anyone have anytips of how to prepare for surgery. Should i be eating certain things? What clothes do i need to take into hospital and can i lift my arms over my head to get clothes on. Do i have to walk straight after surgery. How long will i be in hospital....my list goes on and any advice will be welcome. Thanks everyone

Within the last 48 hours i have had an angiogram. Was hoping it would be done through my wrist but artery too thin so that was abandoned and went through groin. Stayed in hospital overnight as low blood pressure. Home now but have had dizzy spells and some pain.
The truth is that its not a nice procedure but has confirmed the extent of any artery damage which i am pleased to hear is limited and my surgery for aortic valve replacement has now been booked for just over 3 weeks time.