Carolyn's Journal

It\'s hard to believe so much time has past since my surgery. At times it\'s hard to believe that I went through that. Overall, I am doing good. I wish I had taken more time off from work(4 weeks) it was rough the first couple of weeks even part time. Still have some sternum pain, more so at the incision site. Sometimes I have burning, stretching pain. There is one particular spot at the top of the incision that is quite tender and red with something hard below the skin. I called the surgeon and they want to check this out tommorrow. The nurse said sometimes the sutures like to pop to the surface if your skin is thin. So we will see. I hope everyone is doing well post op and for those getting ready for surgery good luck. I am so glad I found this site it helps knowing other people are going through the same issues. Thanks Adam for creating this site for us! Keep on tickin!

Here I am almost 6 weeks post op and somehow trying to find a happy medium with my mood. I go from feeling sad and depressed to anxious to feeling ok. I know this is a normal process but how long is this supposed to last. I was already on medication for anxiety and depression prior to surgery so I figured I might bypass it. Doesn\'t seem that is the case.

I am 4 weeks post op mitral valve repair. At two weeks I started running a fever which I controlled with advil the surgeon said inflammatory response. This lasted 3 days then went away. Had body aches as well. Then last Thursday it happened again. Feel better today. Has anyone else experienced this?

31/2weeks po and doing pretty good. Saw the surgeon Monday and he released me. He told me I could drive short distances then ease into longer distances. He took me off zest rail as this made me cough all the time. The only complaint I have is for the past week I\'ve been getting sinus headaches. Has anyone experienced this post op? Good luck to all.

Wow I feel like I\'ve been hit by a truck. My shoulders hurt, my ribs ache kind of flu like. I went to the mall yesterday did I over do it? I\'m really not sure how much is too much. Anyone have any advice?

Hard to believe its been 2 weeks since surgery. Overall doing pretty good. Sometimes I get body aches like the flu seems to come and go. Has anyone experienced this?

It felt so good to be in my own bed last night. That is until I try to readjust. I have a recliner and spent most of today in it. Does anyone have any suggestions pillow wise for sleeping in your bed? Take care!

I\'m 3 days postoperative now. Overall not a bad experience. Except when I bled out after my cath, pain was excoriating. Also, the chest tube was pretty painful. I was moved from ICU yesterday morning up to a regular floor. Everything looks good. If my oxygen levels are good I will be going home tommorrow.