Caroline's Posts

It sounds like you had a rough time but apparently you are over most of it now which is all that counts!! You might have some setbacks but in the long-term you will feel better. Hang in there. Did you have afib before the surgery? If so, did they do the maze procedure? I did get the maze procedure done and my heart didn't beat by itself for I believe 3-4 days. Supposedly it has to find the new "electrical signal path". Afib is not uncommon after surgery. In your case they put in a "wonderful, fabulous" pacemaker, though so hopefully that helps. Did they take the appendix out? I was told that's a standard procedure but I just learned that this isn't always done. It helps staying off blood thinner if you do have afib (so I am being told).

My surgery went well,with a new aortic valve and repair of the mitral.Then afib started in the ICU and one night had sinus block,for about ten seconds. A decision was made then,to install a pacemaker.So,we might have the same one,Caroline.Mine is a St.Jude(Abbott). A nurse practitioner called it a super yacht,compared to the older versions,that were like dinghies.The thing picked up all the AF episodes,after placement,which thankfully ended about a month later.

Caroline! We were in the Cleveland Clinic ICU together. Sorry to hear about the complications. After my OHS, I went through a period of complete block with no natural conduction, and then a period of atrial flutter. They recommended a heart shock, known as cardioversion to reset the hearts, electrical signals, and I did that. Seems that it worked and I probably avoided a pacemaker for now. Good luck with the rest of your recovery.

Hi Caroline, you're on the road to recovery now, yay! I had mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair in Feb. at CC. I had low BP post surgery and spent 2 nights in ICU and 4 days in step down unit. Took two days drive back home to FL and once home felt so good that I was unpacking as if I had just come back from vacation. I tossed a pair of slippers to an upper shelf in the closet, making a move like a basketball player shooting for the hoop. I suddenly felt my heart shudder.... and I was in AFIB, boo. I don't know if my arms over the head movement incited that but I would caution to not make sudden exertions while recovering. Take it easy. I took Amiodarone pre Cardioversion and thankfully the Cardioversion worked and it was smooth sailing after that. I did go to Cardio rehab which helped me feel secure in how much to push myself. See, I felt so normal, so good, but the heart is in a healing zone that we can't see with our eyes so I think cardio rehab is the ticket if available to you. The heart is beating, working the whole time it's healing so it takes longer to heal than most wounds. A great time to nurture yourself, rest, think of pleasant things and week by week walk a little more, rest some more and love your heart! 💞 You're on your way, yay!

Hi Caroline - our stories sound quite similar. I'm scheduled for avr with tissue valve on January 24th. Even though I'm nervous, I'm looking forward not having to think about my heart once fully recovered. I just keep telling myself all I have to do for the surgery is just show up :)