Darrell's Journal

Had a wonderful day yesterday at the Hike and Bike event to help raise money for St.Mary's Cardiac Care. It was a day of celebrating heart health in all stages with family, friends and fellow Heart Warriors.

Graduation Day today from Cardiac Rehab. 12 weeks went by fast. What a great program with great caring people. The foundation is poured now I have to build on this. Almost 5 months post surgery now. Thank you St.Mary's Cardiac Rehab Team. Thank You HVS community. 🫀

Hello Heart Warriors,
Today marked my first day back to work! Tomorrow I'm 16 weeks post surgery.
A little summery.
5:45 Ride 7.5 km to work
Paced myself at work thankful that I am able to ease into things.
3:00 Ride back home.
I feel great and so thankful for my Cardiac Team along with family and this site for information and support.
I still have a month of Cardiac Rehab left and when that is finished I have to say I'm going to miss it.
All the best to all you Heart Warriors in whatever stage you are at. Believe in yourself and know that your in good hands.

WEEK 9 Post Op
Hello fellow Heart Warriors
Things are moving along very well. Today was my first exercise class and it felt great. They kept a close watch on me. They had me stay in my heart rate target range. Took a few blood pressure readings along the way. Using the elliptical and stationery bike.
I am fortunate to have an elliptical at home to continue rehab at home. I also take rides on our city trails.
It's hard to believe I could barely walk around the nurses station in the hospital without being exhausted.
It's also nice to be able to work on my bikes out in the garage and have them ready once I get the green light to get on the real trials. 🚵
I will check out Brian's book recommendation as well.
Thanks everyone here for your support and encouragement. 👍🏻❤️

Week 8 + 1 Day Post op. LONG POST SORRY
So today was the beginning of my cardiac rehabilitation. The dreaded stress test. It went pretty good although with my hip issue once I have to start trotting I tap out. Every 3 minutes they increase incline and speed so 10 minutes I was finished.
The cardiologist mentioned that my heart muscle has weakened a little in comparison to my echo at discharge to my recent one a couple of weeks ago. So I'm going to have appointment with my regular cardiologist and see what he says. Not sure if anyone has experienced this?

Overall I feel amazing. Been working around the yard trimming trees ect. Walking.
Today I was cleared to ride my bike but ONLY on flat city paths NO mountain biking! Yet. So naturally I came home ate lunch and went for a ride. Felt good! Dog was not into having a selfie

WEEK 7 Post Op update
Well I have to say that I don't really have a lot of news.
I'm feeling great. In fact it is hard to believe that just 7 weeks ago I had OHS.
I bought a new bike (Mountain E-Bike) Sunday and took it for a quick test ride much to the shagrin of some of my family members. I couldn't pass up this deal! My first pedal assist.
Now it's parked in the garage I will wait until I get the green light.
For now I continue to walk and drive my better half crazy.
I thought my cardiac rehab was this week but it's next Wednesday first step will be the stress test.

Take care Heart Valve Warriors I hope your journey's are going well too. I do enjoy reading each of your updates and progress.

Week 6 post op
All going well each day.
I would say I feel about 90% back to normal.
Driving again so watch out !
Echo this Friday
Couple of more weeks before I go in for cardio rehab. First day is the Stress Test.
Take care fellow Heart Warriors. One day at a time.

Week 5 post op. I have transitioned from days.
Feeling great.
Getting my step goal in everyday.
I am able to do easy yard chores now but nothing crazy like mowing the grass that my son does.
You start getting better and forget sometimes that oh I shouldn't try and move this!
Still told that I can't ride my bike yet they tell me after 3 months.
Eating and sleeping are back to normal however I'm still about 8lbs less then my pre op weight but doesn't seem to be a concern.
All the best Heart Warriors stay positive and stay strong 💪

Day 28 Post Surgery 
Yes things move fast. 
I have mentioned before that walking is not a favorite activity for me, however I am walking everyday between 6000-10000 steps. Some I will do on the elliptical only on the lowest setting. 
Sleeping is getting better since I can side sleep sometimes so that helps. 
My energy is very good maybe because my appetite is much better and sleep is better too.
I can't wait to get the thumbs up for getting back on the bike even if it's just the flat community trails. 
Take care Heart Warriors and good luck with your journey. 

DAY 21 after surgery

I have been walking about 7500 steps a day now will try and increase a little as long as the body says so.  I still do not enjoy walking however!
Appetite is almost back to normal and my senses are almost back to normal too.
I found I was still foggy but it has seemed to cleared up.  My focus is much better now.
Sleeping at night is terrible yet.  I'm not sure why? maybe the meds? 
I have an appointment with cardiologist this week so maybe I should ask him!

Overall I feel that I am improving everyday so that's the goal. 

I hope everyone's journey goes well.  Stay positive and the best advise here that is repeated many times over.  Listen to your body. 

Day 14 after surgery
I am now able to walk further without stopping
My appetite is better
My senses are coming back to normal, taste, smell
Had a minor setback last week but got that all sorted out with a visit to the family doctor.
Incision is healing really well.
Still not sleeping great at night.
Things move fast in recovery and I can't wait to get back on my bike because I really am not a fan of walking.

I hope everyone's journey is going well.

Hello HVS
I got to come home yesterday and it felt great.
Since my surgery I have definitely had good, bad and ugly days.
The ugly for me was the bowels but finally seems to have worked out (no pun intended).
The bad I would say was just being at the hospital I was inching to get home.
The good I would say was great to. I had a great support team in the hospital who new what they were doing. My surgeon I would say has great knowledge and instincts who is very reassuring when sometimes you might feel overwhelmed.
My family support was great too always by my side. My wife especially even dealing with her own challenges is literally my strength and rock.

Side Note- Has anyone experienced their senses being super sensitive. Smells can be overwhelming, temperatures, taste, sight like can't focus long with phone (maybe a good thing) and even just emotions?

Thanks for the support here HVS

Have catheterization scheduled March 8. Boy am I nervous about this due to the fact I will not be knocked out. Although I have read the information booklet it doesn't really help with my anxiety because it's just a booklet after all!

Hello, I joined here a little while back. So grateful to have a site like this. I have been hesitant to post anything. I am getting much closer to having my bicuspid valve taken care of. Still have some test to do. Because of this site I have a much better understanding and have been able to make more informed decisions a long the way so far. Thanks to all the Doctors here, Adam and all the other folks having gone through or are like me starting this journey.