JayandRhonda's Journal

Marie Myers  This is a great place to vent and ask questions about your upcoming surgery. I understand the anxious and depressed feeling, because I had them also. Part of the process is accepting the whole situation, and part is grieving the change of your previous state of health. For me, I did not have any inkling that something was wrong. My aneurysms were picked up on a routine echocardiogram. Having been through the whole experience almost 5 years ago, I can say that the surgery and recovery were not as “bad” as my worrying mind would have me believe. Granted, it was no walk-in-the-park, but it is doable. For my situation, I was in the hospital 6 nights, 2 of them in ICU. The first 48 hours is really a blur. I do remember being surprised at how little pain I had, and how exhausted I was . If youhave any other question, ask away! Wishing you a smooth journey through surgery and recovery!

Delanee Durham  I think what you are feeling is normal and everyone here has felt those fears also. When I first got my diagnosis and was told I needed open heart surgery, I had a breakdown in the hospital hallway and my first reaction was that it was a death sentence. But as the news sank in and I rationalized everything, I realized I would survive, but recovery would probably not be fun. It was hard to believe that this was my life and happening to me and not someone else. Your family is scared also, I know mine where. It’s hard for them because they need to be strong for you but they still have fears also. My family was very scared but never said anything until after surgery. I love the hospital gowns you are making and hope you get wear them! It’s good to stay busy and keep your hands and brain busy so you relax a little and don’t stress to much. I wish you all the best!

Susan Lynn  You've come to the right place! You can ask all the questions you like to heart warriors who have been in your shoes. No need to weigh your words or hold anything back. Chances are, we've heard your concerns before - we all have similar fears about the process. Let me start by saying that my mitral valve repair experience was waaay better than I imagined! Don't let your negative thoughts consume you!

I didn't realize how hard my diagnosis and procedure were on my sister and husband until after it was over. They were going through many emotions, bur didn't want to add to my worries. Heart surgery is a team effort - we get by with a little help from our friends (and family), but we also get all the good drugs! You're all going to get through this. We'll be here to cheer you on every step of the way! ❤

Thomas Brusstar  I went in for open heart mitral valve repair surgery on a Tuesday morning and was home for dinner Friday night. I spent some time post-surgery awake with the breathing tube in, which is annoying and uncomfortable, but I knew it was short-term. That first night is tough, but I think they have eased up on pain med restrictions since my surgery in 2018, so hopefully you can sleep well that first night. Until they take out the chest tubes like 24 hours after surgery, you'll be in some pain; but once they take those out, it's all constant improvement. For pain, I was on regular-strength tylenol starting 48 hours after surgery, so it wasn't bad at all. Stay out of the sun, as the antibiotics can cause a sun rash! That happened to me. Not like Boston is super sunny in February, but who knows. Just do the breathing and walking as much as they recommend, and more. The structured cardiac rehab after is good to give you confidence that you're doing the right thing, not too much and not too little. The waiting is the hardest part. Once it's over, you'll feel energized and amazed at how resilient your body is!

Civita Fahey  I think we all have had those feelings. I had my surgery at 730 am on a Monday and was home that Friday am. Spent the night in ICU and then to a room the next morning. I was sitting in a chair by afternoon. I was 56 a the time. As Marie says our mind can think of all the worst scenarios, but it really wasnt as bad as I thought. Again, no easy, lots of exhaustion, no real pain for me, but, just really tired for a long time. Try to walk when you can and know when you need to rest. You will have good and bad days, meaning some days you will just be more tired than others. But, every day is a step toward normalness. Dont try to compare yourself to anyone, do it at your speed. There is no right or wrong time to heal. As I said, for pain, outside of day one, I was on only Tylenol as the narcotics made me sick, but it was fine, I didnt need anything else. Think of recovery and you will get through this. All of us on this site have and are doing well. Good Luck

  JayandRhonda, put your surgery in God’s hands and trust your medical team and surgeon to do what he does well. You will do just fine and we will welcome you here into recovery. God bless you

JayandRhonda Fowler       Thank you everyone for sharing your stories and words of encouragement.  I have not felt alone in this journey. I made my way back to my journal to thank you all!!
     My Mitral Valve repair with median sternotomy surgery was January 28th at Mass General.  I was rough, but gotta say not as bad as I had worried it would be.  Hardest part of recovery was emotions at being helpless getting in and out of bed at home, totally dependent on family members.  However, at week 12, I got an adjustable bed.  I highly recommend an adjustable bed before surgery. It would have made my selfcare more independent.  
     I was in a terrifying, high speed car accident with rollover 3 times after hitting 4 cars 17 days after surgery.  I was in the back seat restrained (as post OHS patients should be!).  The friend who was driving me had a seizure, causing his leg to stiffen and floor the car as we were going down a large hill.  I tried to get him out of it, but couldn't so I got in the airplane crash position and waited for impact, clutching my heart pillow.  God was looking out for me and him.  Other than hanging upside down for 13 minutes worrying about my sternum being crushed by the weight and some pericardial effusion that eventually went away on it's own, I came away with significant bruising on the seatbelt path.  My little corner of the car was the only part not crushed in, except the roof was about an inch   above my head.  getting cut down was easy because it wasn't far to get down.  My friend had several broken ribs and collar bone. Painful but otherwise no internal or head injuries or other broken bones. 
     I am now 15 weeks post OHS and just getting into cardiac rehab (2 wks now) because the local cardiac rehab was closed due to COVID rules.  I am still on 3000mg Tylenol and 800mg Advil every day as part of pain management.  Developed AFib post surgery, which is common I'm told and usually resolves within 3-6 months if you didn't have AFib prior.  Despite the pain management, I have a site that is searing, stabbing pain.  PCP did an xray and it looks like one wire twist is protruding into the area that has had persistent pain.  And, as a lucky bonus, the radiologist noted the top wire is fractured, but thankfully, it does not appear to have moved from a comparison xray one week post accident.  My cardiac surgeon is waiting on getting the images to decide if we need to go in and remove the wires.  
     A lot has happened and I have to say I have been blessed to have had an attentive medical team, whether the cardiac surgeon, cardiologist, or my PCP.  And, my employer has allowed me to continue to remain out on disability for what will be 7-8 months and I still have my job to go back to!  
     This has been a big, scary journey that's not quite over yet.  I am so grateful for all the people and provision that could have only been orchestrated by God in all the complexity and precise way things needed to line up for my crazy journey so far.