Heath's Journal

Quick question. For you runners out there, how long after your OHS did you wait to start running again? Also I've been on Metropropol and have been weaning myself off of (I'm currently at 25 mg) I still have irregular heartbeats as I did when I was on a higher dose is this normal. I have a check up with doc soon just want to get back to feeling normal as I am now 6 months post op.

today makes 5 months for me. Its been rough at times, but not all bad. I've started running again, which makes me happy. Not far, but getting there . Hoping this helps to build my endurance. All in all getting better.

Thanks to everyone how has commented on my metoprpol question. I just don't feel right on it, I have started to wean off of, I was taking 100 mg in the a.m. now down to 75 mg in the a.m. for 2 weeks then reduce to 50 and so on. I am not a medicine guy (hate taking meds for anything) I'm hoping to get back to just feeling normal, if that's possible. I am 4 months post-op. I get a lot of the same side effects as people have listed, just want them to go away, so we'll see what happens. Thanks again.

11 Weeks today. Still some rib pain, but ill deal with it I guess. Getting better, still have little flutters here and there. But during my cardiac rehab nurse said nothing to write home about. Just cant wait to get back to normal, if there is a normal now. Hopefully will be able to start lifting more and maybe start some light jogging soon. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Gobble Gobble

Today makes 6 weeks for this guy. Woke up today of course in some pretty bad pain, but took some Tylenol and its not to bad now, we'll see how it goes. Came back to work on Monday, so could be just from getting back into the real world. Seem to be getting better every day. Go to see new doc today.

So tomorrow (10/11/17) makes week 5 post op for me. I went to doc last week and she says everything looks good and that I am doing good. Now I have been on metopropol since leaving hospital (75mg per day) this has kept my blood pressure in check, but my resting heart rate has been averaging 85 BPM. with some irregular beats up and down, mostly up. Some times my heartbeat skyrockets up to 170ish. She up my dose to (100 mg) per day. I am just wondering if anyone has had experience with this. If so how did it turn out, how long did you have to be on this medication? Mind you I do not like taking ANY medications, so I am anxious to get off. I know there is a healing process, probably just pushing myself. I am up to 6 plus miles a day in my walking, still have some chest pain, and breathing issues but as the day progresses it seems to get better then I start over the next morning it seems as though the nights sleep lets everything tighten up, because my breathing isn't as deep while I am sleeping. I've got to remind myself this is a long process, but 5 weeks seems long enough to me. I think I need to get back to work.

Well i just want to start out by saying sorry for not keeping everyone updated. This Wednesday will make 3 weeks since my surgery. The day of and after my wife had informed you all that everything had went well. I wound up spending 8 days in the hospital, little longer than expected. I finally came home on Sept. 13th. It was a lot of ups and downs in the hospital. Didn't sleep well, eat well, etc. Tried to walk as much as possible. They kept telling me I looked great and was doing well, even though i didn't feel all that well. They said my progress was awesome. Once i came home though, my well being seemed to be getting better. I will say being home, you seem to progress much better, being able to go outside is a game changer. Since I've been home my walking has increased over time, I am now capable of walking about 4 miles a day (that's walking at least 4 times a day). I still have pains in my chest from breathing exercises, the docs say that will go away, its part of the lung tubes. It seems that they are right it is slowly going away, just not as quick as i hoped. I have had some bad days, and good days also, since I've been home, sometimes you just get wiped right out. Just takes time, but I will get there soon enough. Well that's it for now, thanks again for all the well wishes. And to anyone that is having they're surgery soon. DON'T WORRY YOU GOT THIS!

Hi everyone! Heath has just come out of surgery and everything went great! They were able to repair his valve with his own tissue, cleanup the scaring around his right side of heart, then repair his rythum. Should be able to see him in about an hour. I'm sure he will be in touch as soon as he is able too! Thank you all for the support you have given him!

So I'm leaving work as of right now. My surgery is tomorrow, have to be at hospital for 7 a.m. Had my pre-op visit on last Friday. everything went well, met with surgeon and he relieved some stress as far as what to expect. So now to go home and pack my bag and have a nice relaxing afternoon. I'm as ready as I ever will be for this event, so lets get it on. I'll let everyone know ASAP how it all went. Thanks for letting me share.

So I had my cardiac catheter test done back on July 17th, they said I have absolutely no blockages (awesome). I had a treadmill stress test done on August 24th, did great I surpassed my last one from 9 years ago by almost 2 minutes, they only saw 1 skipped beat, and a questionable blood pressure drop, but said otherwise it looks great. So I guess I am confused as to why I need surgery, but each doc I have seen says it is time. They say even though I have really no symptoms to speak of my right atrium is enlarged to the point of beyond moderate and heading to severe, so lets get this done while I am healthy and don't have any symptoms so my healing time will be quicker and less eventful. Just really nervous as to whether I am doing the right thing or not. Its hard to except the fact that I need this done, and hoping that it doesn't open a can of worms, I don't want to get worse, I want to get better. They say it will. My pre-op visit is Sept. 1st, and the surgery is scheduled for Sept. 6th. Just getting real anxious, as it is fast approaching.

Thanks to everyone that gave me a estimated time of stay in hospital. I kind of figured around 5 days but just wanted to see what other peoples stays were.