Bonnie's Journal

Has anyone eperienced post-op itching/twitching? I am sucessfully getting better at one month post-op but have itching and involuntary twitching that starts in the evening and makes it hard to sleep. I am allergic to Benedryl products for calming so looking to others that may have eperienced this.

My 9 hour surgery and 12 day hospitalization was May 15th and am now home recovering. I had a left ventricle myectomy..mitral valve replacement and aortal valve repair. I had a wonderful surgeon and specialized nursing care. My hospital does heart and lung transplants and that surgical floor was my first stop post surgery for several days. When I first awoke I was happy to know I was off the ventilator. I learned I had no feeling in my left leg or arm on that first time up to a chair and was wisked off to CT to check for a stroke. No stroke and after many tests I had a pinched nerve after such a long surgery and everything resolved after a few days of PT visits. After a few days of meds it was determined I would best benefit with a Pacemaker so back to surgery for me and that has now resolved the pace/pump sequencing. My normal weight is about 140lbs and checked in with fluid build up at 145. My fluid build up went to 171 lbs during and post surgery. Today I am at 143.5 and lasix is now as needed only. I have a small appetite returning and am diligent about consuming proteins and carbs for energy and healing. I am solidly walking on my own every few hours and using the spirometer to ensure my lungs regain their strength. As many of you have experienced sleep is elusive and brief.
Here is a new thing I learned for those of you who are diagnosed with LV Hypertrophy or a mishaped mitral valve as mine was. I met with the Dr. in charge of Cardiac Genetics. About half of these conditions are hereditary and I have been swabbed to determine if I may be a carrier and passed this propensity to my children who in turn can be tested and have baseline cardiac care for monitoring as they age.
Thank you all for your information and sharing concern as one more follower is now in recovery.

Wish me well.  Early check-in tomorrow at 5am for my surgery May 15...left ventrical myectomy ..mitral valve replacement..aortic valve repair.....You all have been wonderful and encouraging and full of information.  Thank you all.

My double valve plus LVM surgery for tomorrow has been cancelled.  The surgeon had an emergency in his family and I am now rescheduled for May 15th.  I understand things happen so will calm myself and go forward.  

I have my pre-op check-in tomorrow for doube valve and left ventricle myectomy by sternotomy.  Countdown to surgery next Friday April 26 is now very real.  Reading your stories is very encouraging.