James's Journal

Marie Myers  Glad you are recovering well. I did not experience the type of arm pain that you have, but hopefully someone who has had a similar experience will respond to your post. My biggest complaint was fatigue and upper back aches.

Rose Madura  I'm happy your recovery is coming along. It's a process.  I had shoulder pain but it didn't run down my arms as you described.  Wishing you continued progressive recovery.  

Cathleen Weed  Shoulder stretches ( and neck stretches) are so important after such a major surgery. Of course, always (always) tell your doctor about any new pain. Hopefully, since it is sounds like bilateral pain, it is nerve pain originating from one site and good stretching plus massage could help with that :)
Google 'shoulder stretches after open heart surgery' 

Robert Miller  I haven't heard of that before, at least not as far away as an arm (I sometimes felt some 'needle' pain in the chest area away from the incision). The fact that it comes suddenly suggests it's not related to how you sleep, stiffness, etc. Maybe it's something similar to 'phantom pain'. Do you feel that massaging your arm makes you feel different/pain in other areas (like your chest)? You definitely want to discuss it with your doctor. 

Ana Brusso  Thank you for your update and glad you didn’t need a pacemaker or anything else and your doctor was very proactive. James, it’s not unusual to be tired when you get tired don’t fight it take a nap. This too shall pass. Continue good health and recovery 🙏❤️

Rose Madura  Wonderful update James. So glad you have a caring cardiologist. Take all the naps you want. Time to listen to your body. Godspeed.

Marie Myers  It is normal to be extremely fatigued while recovering from heart surgery. As your blood count comes up, you will regain stamina bit by bit. Continue to walk and deep breathe as much as you can, and nap when you need to. Things will improve!

Rita Savelis  Glad to hear you didn't need a pacemaker. It's always nice when doctors wait to see how things evolve. Post surgery is a tiring time. Coming home is tiring. Your body has been through a lot. Your system needs time to recover. Take it easy. Recovery is not a race. I was in hospital for 3 weeks after surgery (in 2015 at age 53) and then was too tired to come home straight away so I did live in rehab at a rehab hospital for another 3 weeks. There will be plenty of time in the future for you to "do everything" but maybe not this week. Take care.

Carol Jackson  My pacemaker is hardly needed but I’m glad I have it, if needed. It’s a pain going through airport security. 

Rita Savelis  Yes. The need for a pacemaker is a side effect of OHS that happens to a small percentage of patients (me included). Sometimes the invisible electrical lines in your heart are damaged by surgery. I got a pacemaker about 2 weeks after double valve surgery (8 yrs ago) because my heart rate stayed too low. I had no idea that a pacemaker was a possible occurence after OHS and was disapointed. Especially to have another surgery. However, the pacemaker installation surgery is done under a local anasthetic and is quite simple (compared to OHS!!). My pacemaker does not bother me except for that it is an unsightly bulge under my skin (I am very skinny) I don't feel it or think about it. I see a rhythmologist once a year to check its batteries (which should last 15 yrs). I'm sorry that this unexpexted thing has happened to you. Take care.

Rita Savelis  No problem with airport security - more and more airports have new machines that pacemakers can go through. I can also have MRIs as long as a doctor checks the pacemaker before and after.

Kathy Ozio  Yep. I ended up with a defibrillator one week after my mitral valve repair. Had issues with V fib (afraid of cardiac arrest). It was more of an insurance policy because it got a lot better in that week, but didn't go entirely away. I'm 5 months out from my surgery. No shocks yet. LOL You found the best site for all your questions and info. One day at a time and try not to worry.

Jill Porter  I have a pacemaker and I never think about it. Had it after I experienced a cardiac arrest in 2020. I am awaiting valve surgery in September so I guess I've got that part covered already. LOL.

Rose Madura  Praying things get better and your heart rate improves.  Trust the doctors!  They know what to do.  Please keep us posted.

Jesse Cleary  Congratulations on a successful procedure! Thank goodness it sounds like the worst is behind you. Safe trip home and prayers for fast healing!!

Deena Z  James, you are over the toughest part for most of us. What a relief it is, huh?! Take your nabs and enjoy being on the other side. Welcome to being a HVS warrior!

Rose Madura  Glad all is well. Now is time to listen to your body and stay ahead of the pain. Test when you need to!

Klara Čičić  Dear James, you did it!! Welcome to recovery! I am so glad it was a successful repair for you. The chest tube pains and shoulder pain is real. We talked about it much here, but as it lasts so short, it gets forgotten so shortly afterwards. Now, it should get easier each day for you. 

Thomas Brusstar  Great job! Yes, the drainage tubes cause the most pain!  I had a sternotomy and still it was just the tubes that caused pain.  Once those were gone, I got better fast.  They were very stingy with pain medicine when I was there 5 years ago, but once those pesky tubes were withdrawn, I felt like I was on a good path.

Donna Casaletto  I’ve wondered the same thing! I had my bout with Covid April 2022 and then diagnosed out of the blue 2 months later with severe Mitral Valve Regurgitation. All my physicians say it is unrelated 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ana Brusso  You are blessed! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us. The best care in the world. 👍🙏❤️

Suzanne Nash  All the best, James. I'm sure you will be in safe hands at every step, and I will be sending you positive thoughts from Downunder!

Michael Solis  Support from family and friends is vital to your recovery. Also keep a sense of humor about things. Wishing you all the best

Susan Lynn  James - No worries - if I can do it, you can do it. I was squeamish about visiting people in the hospital - I couldn't imagine I would ever be a patient. Every step of the process is totally doable! Plus, it all happens very quickly and it's on to the recovery club! You've got this!

Klara Čičić  Dear James, you're welcome. We are here for you. The most important thing is choosing your surgeon and hospital. If you did that right, relax and enjoy th ride :) you will be fine, odds are in your favour! You can do this. 

Annette Sterzel  I didn’t have a choice since I am 71 however if I had to make the choice I would have chosen tissue valve. I have some friends with mechanical and they hear the clicking sound. I am still on blood thinners though because I had afib before and after surgery. Medicine keeps progressing and who knows in 10-15 years how advaned the procedure will be. Best of luck whatever you chose. 🙏

Rose Madura  James, hopefully you will be able to receive a repair. But, do your research. Talk it over with your cardiologist. Get two opinions. Make a decision and go with it. It will be the right decision for you.

Rita Savelis  You will most likely be able to have a repair. Most patients struggle over the decision as to what type of valve to use if a replacement is needed. Some feel very strongly about one or the other. There is a lot of marketing of valves to patients and statistics that may or may not illustrate your case. There is no right answer. There are both positives and negatives for each type of valve and one can not know in advance how one's body will react in the longterm. I had double valve surgery 8 years ago at age 53. I have mechanical valves because re-operation was not advised as I have calcification because of childhood radiation. The first year I was nervous because I had to take anticoagulants and get used to them. But now I no longer think about it. I eat what I like, I don't hear my valves except when it is very very quiet, I test about once a month and manage my own med dose. All this to illustrate that I did not choose my valve type but any type is manageable. Take care.

Pamela Gregory  It is a very personal choice and a very difficult one to make. I went with bovine because I didn't want the ticking or blood thinner. I am 55 and had surgery Oct 2022. God willing the valve lasts till I am 70 they will do TAVR the second time around

James Holcomb  Thanks Annette, Rose, Rita and Pamela! Your words, advise and perspectives are helping me and giving me peace through this decision.

Klara Čičić  Dear James, I can only speak for myself. Although I was terrified of the ticking (I am very skinny and I even heard my presurgical murmur let alone the potential ticking), not so much of the warfarin, my plan B was mechanical valve because I am young and didn't want another procedure. Luckly repair was successfull, although it was quite complicated one! So, I hope yours will be, too.  

Thomas Brusstar  My surgeon (McCarthy at a northwestern) said there was a 99% chance he would repair my mitral valve, but bovine was his recommendation if a replacement became necessary. He doesn’t like the cumulative stroke risk of being on thinners for the foreseeable future.  My repair went perfectly, so it’s al me!

Adam Pick  James, First off... You are in great hands with Dr. Doolabh.  Many patients in our community have had excellent results with him.  Second... You are doing all the right things developing a "Plan B" just in case the mitral valve repair does not work.  Third... As you, and so many patients have learned, there is no "perfect" valve replacement yet.  There are pros and cons to each type of valve. That said, I always encourage patients to prepare an actual list of those pros and cons given your age, your lifestyle, etc.   Often times, when we see things written down, it can help us get the clarity needed to move forward with a choice.  Ultimately, it's exactly that... A choice. It's your choice.  Whatever you choose, it will be right for you on July 27 if, in fact, the repair does not work.  My thoughts are with you. If you need anything, please let me know.

Louise Moore  Hi James, I knew ahead of time that my surgery would be a replacement of my mitral valve ( also a tricuspid replacement.) At 68 years old I chose a tissue valve for the mitral (porcine) because I didn't want to hear a clicking sound or worry about a clot forming.  I had had a clot the previous year.  Pleasantly, my Dr. was able to repair the tricuspid so no replacement there.  My thoughts are that in the future should I need the tissue mitral valve replaced, they will be able to do a valve in valve less invasive surgery.  I'm sure your Doctor is confident that yours will be a repair but you are wise to think ahead and as others have said, you will choose what's right for you, just as you chose your Doctor 👍🏼.  You have the full support of the community here through the surgery and after!