James's Posts

Just thinking about my aortic valve replacement surgery which was 3 years ago tomorrow. Despite issues regulating my INR level, I feel way better physically than prior to the surgery. The whole process from accepting the reality of needing valve replacement, pre-surgery testing and preparations, surgery, to recovery and cardiac rehab was a real journey but, thank God, it went wit hout a hitch for me. I wish everyone going through this process has the experience I had.

A week ago tonight I was in CICU, breathing tube, etc. Today I was able to walk around the block once in the morning and once just a few minutes. A visiting nurse came by this morning and will come every day for a week to check vitals and assess my recovery. I meet with the surgeon tomorrow for the first time since discharge. It's weird for me in that this whole journey seems like a dream. When I think about the work that was done on my stopped heart I get a little overwhelmed and have to put those thoughts aside. I guess at some point, I'll be able to process this.