Jeff's Journal

Seven months post op and recovery is coming slowly. After surgery I built my strength back up and was walking almost 4 miles a day. Then, the chest inflammation began. Cardiologist put me on gout medicine to control the inflammation. Took about a month and a half then the pain went away. Started walking after that building my strength then I had some Afib issues even though I had the maze procedure along with Mitral Valve replacement. Cardiologist put me back on Metroprolol and the Afib subsided so far. Now seven months out I am having shortness of breath issues. I am trying to schedule another appointment with the cardiologist to see what is going on this time. The shortness of breath isn't like it was before surgery but it is still annoying. I keep wondering what's next?

I have been sleeping on my recliner for three weeks. I transitioned to the bed a couple of nights now my sternum and muscles around it are painful. How long did your chest pain take to go away? I'm 4 weeks out and it still hurts, especially when I breath in deep. Had to reschedule follow up appt with cardiologist until 12th because of hurricane.

Hi everybody. Still having episodes of shortness of breath and water retention. (Taking 40MG of Furosemide) Has anybody else had these issues at the 4 week mark? This Monday was the beginning of week 4 for me. I'm getting exorcise but have periods of breathing abnormality. My surgeon released me and I have a follow up appointment with the cardiologist this Friday.

Hi everybody, first time on computer since surgery. Had surgery on August 6th. I was hoping for a Mitral Valve repair but ended up with a Pericardial Tissue Heart Valve Model 7300TFX. My surgeon was well known for his skill repairing mitral valves and tried to repair my valve two different ways which took my surgery an extra two hours longer than expected. There was still a small leak and the surgeon wasn't comfortable with this so a tissue valve was the choice. The tissue valve should hopefully last between 15-20 years and I can have one replaced in the future through my groin which they are already are doing at Advent Health. I am on blood thinners (Eliquis) for now but should be hopefully off in the near future and won't have to watch my vitamin K etc. Currently in a slight Afib but the maze procedure can take up to 6 months to see results. Before my Afib was a rapid heart beat and now it is a low heart beat, dropping in the 30's once in a while. We will see how things play out. I will write about my total experience a little while later but I thank everybody for their well wishes and support. This site is awesome!

Looks like my turn is coming up. Leaving for Orlando Florida from Sarasota tomorrow morning at 8:30. Check in to Admissions is at 11:30 then bloodwork. At 1:30 I have a Left / Right Cardio Catheterization. I will have a room to myself overnight until surgery around 7:30 Tuesday morning. I was told the Cardio Catheterization will give a "map" to the surgeon and allow him to plan out the surgery. Because I have known this was inevitable at some point and have known for over eight years I have a sense of calmness about it. I want to say thank you to everybody who shared their stories and advice, it truly has given me some great information on what to expect and allowed me to prepare. I also will share my story and experience.

Woke up this morning with a "fullness" in my right ear and ringing. Feels like it is full of water. Nice, nine days before surgery. It's driving me nuts too, my equilibrium is off and I can barely hear out of it. Going to Ear, Nose Throat doctor in the morning.

I read that a Lift chair or recliner is invaluable after heart surgery. Which is better? I know the lift chair raises and lowers but is a recliner more comfortable? I would like to have one ready for when I get home from the hospital.

I'm curious about the Cardiac Cath. I am having mine the day before surgery and I will be admitted right after the procedure. How long did your cardiac cath. take?