Beth's Posts

Hi everyone! I've been off the site since January 28 and today I realized that it's been 3 weeks since my OHS on January 30 to replace my bicuspid aortic valve. First, I want to thank you all for your words of encouragement. Your stories and uplifting words were incredibly helpful and provided such comfort as I prepared for my surgery date. Now that I'm on the recovery road, I continue to be grateful. I am amazed each day by my progress. I've been off all pain medication for 2 weeks and I only experience discomfort when I sneeze or cough - thank goodness for my heart pillow. The breathlessness continues with any activity, so I'm looking forward to cardiac rehab and regaining strength and lung capacity. I developed a very red and itchy rash over the majority of my body when I left the hospital which I believe was a result of the solution they swabbed on prior to surgery and the Lipitor. It created significant swelling so I had to go to the ER for assistance - just a minor inconvenience in the midst of recovery. It disappeared after 5 days, so I'm no longer dealing with that. I still sleep quite a bit but am able to do a bit more each day. My follow up with my surgeon is on the 28th, so I'm hoping I'll be able to drive and return to work for a few hours each day after that. Thanks again for all the support and encouragement.

Only 1 more day to wait. I found myself feeling apprehensive today and thinking about a few things I've been concerned about with surgery - the breathing tube and the sternal wires. It comes as no surprise that I would receive the following excerpt today from Abraham-Hicks Daily Quote - "Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don't want." I'd say that message was heaven sent. So as I complete my final preparations tomorrow, I am no longer worried. Instead I am incredibly grateful. Grateful that I am so fortunate to have options and that I have an incredible support team on this site and all around me. I'm ready.