Jennifer's Journal

Wanda Mroz  I read your posts below. I'm glad to hear you are finally doing better. Funny you should say minimally invasive really wasn't... That was what my surgeon said when I was trying to decide if I wanted that or OHS. something told me to go the regular way. Since my mitral valve was tricky to repair it took longer and it was a good thing I did. Hope you continue to get stronger and feel better!

Jacqueline Cook  Hi Jennifer. I just got done reading your journal. I am sorry that your recovery has not gone as you anticipated; however, I am very encouraged by your journey. I had robotic mitral valve repair at Cleveland Clinic on November 11. I am 50 and in good health. Like you, my surgeon and cardiologist thought I would breeze through surgery and recovery. I developed pericarditis at 6 weeks post op and am still dealing with some other complications. I guess there's no way for anyone to truly predict how someone's body is going to respond to such a huge surgery (minimally invasive or not)! I am glad to hear that you are "feeling more like yourself" again. I look forward to the day when I can write that in my journal!

Terry Shermeister   Hi Jennifer, I'm so glad that you have shared your journey. I've had the Mitral Valve repair as well but did not have the minimally invasive procedure. I'm going on 16 weeks post op. Thanks for your support.

Tim Goff  That sounds like quite a tough journey which hopefully will get easier soon. I'm just about 6 months out now and feeling better everyday. Wishing you and all the heart brothers and sisters the same

Rita Savelis  That sounds rough. Individual ribs are actually more painful than the middle of the sternum. Take care.

Jennifer Pyles  Thanks everyone! I have been on the site for sometime and just updated my journey with recovery. Thought by now I would be just fine. Oh well...I am here! Time (and a little chocolate) heals all wounds, right?

Linda McHugh  So sorry to hear this. Glad you will see your cardiologist tomorrow. I do hope it goes well...keep me posted. I feel like I may also be setting myself up for disappointment by thinking I will have a speedy recovery as well.
Take care my friend.

Nancy D  I often put quotation marks around "minimally" invasive- I was told it was more painful in the initial post op period but healing would be quicker. As I have nothing to compare it to, I will say it was quite painful and took me way longer to get over it than they estimated......and I didn't have pericarditis! Get better soon!

Cheryl Batzing  Jennifer, what Nancy D said about quotation marks around "minimally invasive." I had MVR done this way in December and the nurses told me this approach is initially more painful than the full or partial sternotomy, but the healing does happen more quickly after that. I think that is true. I wasn't dancing at 3 1/2 weeks post surgery, but at 6 months post I'm feeling really great. I did not have pericarditis, but did have afib bouts that were disturbing and hard to control. We all have "bumps" in the road as they say. I'll keep you in my prayers for continued healing and pain management.

Bob M  I pray that your meeting with your cardiologist tomorrow will provide you with a better recovery for you. Take it easy heart sister

Jennifer Pyles  Thank you all - the understanding circle of heart friends and the support we share really does help in this journey.

Tim Goff  Hang in there! We have such high expectations that setbacks can be a downer, but time heals. I experienced odd chest pains for several weeks post op, but they have subsided in pain level and frequency. Getting better everyday as will you.

Susan Wozniak  Jennifer-Van I ask what your symptoms are? I had same procedure two weeks ago tomorrow. The ladt few days I have had such bad water retention- They upped my lasix but hasn't made a difference. Miserable at night! .

Susan Bach  Yes, my little French Bulldog, Layla, was such a comfort to me during recovery , they do sense your discomfort

Linda McHugh  Dog therapy is wonderful...unfortunately my 2 dogs are huge and I will have to avoid being knocked over when I finally come home. Hang in here...send good thoughts your way

Bob M  Reducing metoprolol sounds like your recovery is getting better. And your little dog is a little angel for you. God bless and rise up!

Linda McHugh  So glad to hear...sending smiles & hugs and thank you so much for your advise. I'm sure as I get closer I'll have more stupid questions for you. :-)

Pat Bluemel  Mine was simple. Walk one house further away from yours on each walk. Two/Three walks a day. A block turns into blocks and blocks. Congrats on being home!

Lora Lee Peterson  I love this site! Thank you everyone for the questions (we all have them) and thank you everyone for the answers!

Gerald Schaffer  I'm surprised they didn't give you some type of idea on how much walking you should do once you got home. While you certainly want to increase your walks every day you also don't want to overdue it. I'm sure your body will let you know if you do too much. You might want to make a call to your doctor for some advise on this.

It seems to me that being home in five days and having a clear enough mind to be thinking about this is a good sign. Congrats!

Judith Collins  I was told to walk 7 minutes and increase when you regain your strength. I am almost 3 weeks post surgery and can walk 15 to 20 minutes without stopping.
I am going up 3 to 4 steps at a time and want to increase as soon as I feel strong enough.

Tammy Pilcher  The doctor told me to continue walking three times a day for ten minutes each time like I was doing in the hospital. He said after a couple of weeks I could gradually add more time, but to listen to my body as to how much. It wasn't long before I was doing 30 minutes twice a day and then eventually an hour at one time. I'm seven months post op now and walk three miles in an hour at least once a day, sometimes twice.

Terrie Syvertsen  Good morning Jennifer-First, I think you are right in that the breathing tube aggravates the throat a bit so it has a different feeling that goes away in time as you are healing. You have to remember too that you and your mended heart have gone through many changes inside that will take time and PATIENCE to heal(especially the chest wall)if you happen to have had the "incision". I remember my first weeks home had some occasions of dizziness especially if I got up too fast or while adjusting meds and getting my routine down to where I didn't overextend myself.
It is also easy for us to have minor panic attacks when we first hit home with no nurses or Doctors
in tow where we had the safety in numbers of so many people round the clock. You will begin feeling better as the days go by and the time keeps ticking like your beautifully mended heart. It is going to take time and it is hard when you have all of the exciting moments that hit like little bomb shells that you are on the other side and joining with so many people in the new recovery phase of your life. Not wanting to socialize just yet is also common as you and your newly mended heart "Vant to be alone"! as you get to relax and unwind mentally as well as physically
which requires not taxing yourself staying awake when you want to drop off for some sleep(which is a big important step in healing when you first get home! Walk(and as Meredith says over and over to us in the community-walk keeping your back straight and not slumped!) eat well and things will slowly get back to a place where you are really enjoying all the changes you can feel yourself going through. The strength you regain is amazing but seems to take forever! The most important thing is to be PATIENT with yourself...PATIENT with those around you! You are going to be just fine. Happy Healing!

Eleanor R  The dizzy spells might be related to the medicines you might have been sent home with. I still get light headed when I reach up for something with my head back, searching a top shelf. it goes away when I look back down, but it is funny side effect for major surgery. like you, I wasn't up for socializing for probably three weeks or more, didn't even want to write in this journal, my daughter posted the basics for me until I got back to "normal". I remember thinking I felt kind of "flat" or robotic and was living way too deep in my own mind, processing what my body had gone through. I had to have a meeting with myself and convince my mind that I had come through the surgery just fine, no need to relive it, or imagine things I had no recollection of (I was out like a light in the prep room, long before we started down the hall to the OR, yet in my mind
I was "reliving" that ride, entry into the OR, etc.). Fortunately I got over this nonsense, and got back on track. I justified it as my mind catching up on what my body had experienced. I was so glad to get back my "feelings" or emotions, and the desire to talk/write/socialize. But I spent three or four of the first weeks being more of a recluse than I normally am, but in a good way, quiet and introspective. I also was told by the cardiologist that some of the meds I came home with, specifically Amiodorone and Metoprolol depress heart rate, BP, and give an overall calming/repressive effect. Some folks get more emotional after the surgery, easier to cry, etc. and that is part of it too. I am glad you are on the mend, keep on at your own pace, we all react in different ways, with different timetables. Feel free to read my journal, entries from probably late August/September of last year. Best regards to you, Eleanor.

Sharon Madden  I am 8 days out. My throat is almost back to normal. First it burned, then just was uncomfortable and swollen. I have also had a couple of dizzy spells. As long as they pass fairly quickly I think they are ok. And I'm with you on the socializing thing. Just want husband and kids around. I did have my first home nurse visit yesterday. That was re assuring. Have you had yours yet?

Tammy Pilcher  Happy that your home, Jennifer! I was very hoarse for a good couple of weeks after surgery and my throat felt a little irritated. The nurses told me it was from the breathing tube and the TEE during surgery. It went away though and all was well! Prayers and best wishes!

Michael Donohoe  The breathing tube bothered me in a previous surgery, and I am not thrilled with it coming up again, but it will pass quickly. And with socializing, your pace, no one else can define that timing. Praying for you.

Tammy Pilcher  You're going to do great, Jennifer! My surgery was 7 months ago and I've done really well. We are blessed to live in a time that we can be helped this way. Keep that positive attitude! God bless you!

Duane Beeman  It's like looking forward to Christmas in reverse !! I'm right behind you. Saw my surgeon on a billboard the other day. Still processing that one !

Mary Ann Espelage  Hi, Jennifer. I know waiting and anticipating is the worst. I waited 10 years before I decided to get it over with and couldn't be happier. Sounds like you already are a positive person. That means a lot for your quick recovery. Just think, on June 6 you'll wake up with your heart FIXED! Best wishes.

Lora Lee Peterson  I'm so sorry they moved your surgery to Friday! That would be so discouraging. Keep the Faith, that it was done for a good reason and Friday is a better day for you!

Tammy Pilcher  Hang in there, Jennifer! You're going to do great and soon this will all be behind you! I'm 7 months post op and feel great! You can do this! God bless you! Isaiah 41:13 and Psalm 28:7.

Terrie Syvertsen  Waiting is the worst! So sorry as is the whole community that you have to wait but I think it must mean that Friday was meant to be Your Day for a reason. Do your best to keep up your spirits and I hope the time passes fast for you. Take care....

Bob M  Verse from my favorite song by Kutless, "That's What Faith Can Do":

"I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do"

God bless and rise up!

Bob M  Friday will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. I pray that your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. God bless and rise up!

Susan Bach  It will be here before ya know it. Enjoy your time now, save your positive energy for what's ahead. We all made it through , so will you !

Terry Shermeister   Just enjoy the days in between. It's one of those things we don't have control over so we just accept them. I know I was in the same boat when the actual call came and verified the surgery date it was a relief.

Eleanor R  Me, too, I was delayed a day or so for an emergency that set everything back. So, I celebrated with a second "last pre-op dinner out". Might as well enjoy the occasion. Best wishes for a smooth surgery, hope you do great.

Christine Pittelli  It is hard Jennifer. Keep doing what you are doing, keep your mind strong and rely on this site for support.

Nancy D  Praying for peace and calming in the few days up to and including your surgery day Monday! I just know it will go well and will pray for successful surgery and rapid and complete recovery! Take good care!

Rafael Martinez  Great deal.. I use relaxation technic too. Thats help alot. And visualization of successful surgery.

Nancy D  Post op is when you can actively reclaim your life, and was my momentum to get better! I am now 9 months out from Mitral valve replacement, and still see improvements, although not as pronounced as early on in the process. Stay positive, and remember to deep breathe! You are going to do fabulously!!! Take good care!!

Cheryl Batzing  Jennifer, amen to what Nancy said! I had my mitral valve repaired Dec. 16, and am recovering well. I feel great! You'll do fine. You have alot of support here, and prayers! Ask any questions you have, or you might have already!

Bob M  I pray that your surgery will be textbook and your recovery will be uneventful. In one week, it will be a new day for you with a fixed heart. God bless and rise up!

Patrick Kennedy  Jennifer, I had my mine repaired last week. I'm truly amazed at how quickly I'm recovering. I understand that idea is daunting but many of us have walked the path and are here to help like Tim said. Keep your head up and stay positive!

Jennifer Pyles  Thanks to both of you. I'm just plain scared - BUT I am finding my strength and being positive. I will be fine and this is a challenge I will overcome!