Carol's Journal

Meredith Bray  One of my friends had hers taken out because she developed an allergic reaction to them. She said she swelled up so bad it looked like she didn't have a neck. And this was 12+ months after surgery.

Carol Navin  I am doing very well. Its sore and swollen, to be expected .. but i already feel relief. You know, the pain is just different. It was 30 minute day surgery.. general anastesia. 2 small incisions and steri strips.. ! day restricted with lifting... and in 2 weeks ill have a follow up. I have hope that i will get my life back.].. I have no nerve pain.

Carol Navin  Thank you Meredith Bray.. and Steve Farthing for your comments. Its always good to get a response in the group.

Civita Fahey  Wow never even thought that was possible.. glad you are feeling better with them out..and to know that there is such a surgery in case any one of us ever need it.

Carol Navin  Check out the heart surgery page on face book .. i just checked it last night and got more information than WAS EVER offered to me.. and im now on the other side of it... (THANK THE LORD) but its a true relief , not everyone is affected but it is GOOD to know we have a relatively simple option. Bless everyone.. and feel well.

Carol Navin  i have been feeling much better. Tomorrow will be a week.. Next week i go for follow up.. What is a wound vac?

Bev Bott  It’s a machine that applies negative pressure using sponge dressings to a wound to promote healing. Or in my case hangs off my chest debridement wound where one wire was removed.

Bev Bott  Mostly now just pain from the wound vac. I hope the check up Tuesday gives the all clear to remove the wound vac. The culture showed no infection! That’s great news considering I’ve dealt with a cellulitis infection until late January in my left leg where veins were harvested for the emergency double CABG needed during the October 30 OHS to replace the aortic aneurysm & aortic valve.

Lilly Black  I did not have wires removed, but I can tell you, it took 2 years for my sternum to heal to the point where I no longer feel pain. It takes time for a sternum to heal.....it was my 2nd OHS. The sternum and the surrounding tissue, nerves, and scar tissue took a long time to heal. I was 63 at the time of surgery, so probably age is a factor. However, it was a constant almost daily ritual to massage, ice pack or heat pack, including infrared heat lamp to help it heal. The only medication I took was Aleve on the very bad days. Today I have no more pain. I hope that you find a solution for your sternal pain. For me, this was the worst part of the healing process. Good luck, Carol!

Carol Navin  Thank you Lily... thus is very helpful.. I feel exactly the same way.. worst part of the process. My physical therapy is a blessing/curse.. i can feel pretty good one day and in hell the next from the scar soreness. Surgery as nov 2015... not sure how others get through this.. but im not gonna lie.. i OFTEN feel depressed and cry alot. My patience is gone. You did make me feel a bit more calm.

Lilly Black  Gina, and Carol, patience is key. I'm sorry that you are experiencing pain! It is difficult but I took one day at a time, and with some perseverance, I made it. I have large breasts and thin skin, and was cut open twice (incision is 12 inches long both times) so my scar and my sternum were quite painful. Not one doctor or nurse were helpful or provided any advice in terms of my sternum. My husband was the most helpful. He recommended that when I was in pain in my sternum to use an ice pack. He also pulled out his infrared heat lamp, and said use it when the tissue or deep tissue is in pain. If the incision is painful use Neosporin with pain relief. I used a soft gel ice pack and placed it on my incision every evening while watching TV. I would alternate between ice pack and infrared heat lamp. The heat lamp was providing a deep tissue massage. I placed it on my pain area, and used a circular motion. It helped me so much and also helped heal quicker. I also used coconut oil, which I applied to the incision and chest area and I gave myself a massage, gently and slowly. I highly recommend that you find a way to care for your incision and sternum. It is so helpful in the healing process. Today, I don't use anything except for coconut oil to keep my skin moist and supple on and around the incision. I have no pain.

In addition, when you are using your upper body, do NOT favor one side, meaning, always try to use both arms evenly so that when you are moving or pulling or pushing, or reaching, you need to be sure to keep your upper body straight and square. For instance, when I would reach high up with only one arm, my sternum would twist and cause excruciating pain. Be careful, and be aware of how you move your upper body at least until the sternum is fully healed.

I cried a lot too, and it relieved a lot of stress. So be patient and try to do something to help yourself.....it helped me very much. Feel free to contact me with any questions at all. Good luck and I hope that you feel better very soon!

Carol Navin  THANK YOU!! I am grateful to you for sharing. Its been 2.5 years since my surgery. i am relieved to hear you have no pain.. I havejust started physical therapy for my chest and they massage my scar... first time anyone has even touched me... it helps but i feel its stirred up the ache inside.. I wll step up my consistent attention to ice/heat and massage. I really dont want t o go through wire removal. You are a gem and thank your husband for us all too. bless you!

Lilly Black  You're welcome, Carol. I don't blame you....I mean who wants more surgery! it's difficult enough as it is. After my first surgery, I swam 5 days a week and that helped a lot as well. When I was in the spa, I thrust my chest out towards the jets of water, and it was so helpful too! One day at a time....because all we have is now! I wish you the best outcome.

Steve Farthing  Some comments from Linda Johnson on sternum wire removal:
https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/user/lindajohnson