Julianne's Journal

Steven A Husted  what is a torn rotator cuff i have had a sore shoulder for several weeks and not sure what it is and not sure how it happened

Diane Zeigler  Glad to hear that you are healing well. I had no idea how long it takes for the sternum to heal but I guess mine has since my surgery this past June 28th. I was pushing a shopping cart around Costco last week when I accidentally bumped into a corner of a shelf. The cart handle slammed into my chest and I must have yelled loudly because I was surrounded by other concerned shoppers. I was not hurt, but it really frightened me. So please drive those shopping carts carefully this during your holiday shopping.

Ron Broadhead  Glad its going well Julianne. Its been almost 2 years since my surgery but if I recall correctly I had some discomfort for 3 or 4 months post-op - woke up one day and all that was gone. Hopefully you can catch Roo again! :)

Julianne Beatty  I dunno @RonBroadhead, Roo runs pretty fast sometimes! I usually can scoop him up when he's resting.

Ron Broadhead  Hi Julianne

As Sophia said, it will improve. It does take a while and seems to be different for everyone. For me it was gradual, but week by week it got better.

How's Roo doing?

Julianne Beatty  Hi Ron, Roo is doing well :) so glad i have him as my buddy. i missed cardiac rehab today, woke up with a migraine so i didn't go.

Ron Broadhead  So glad that Roo is doing well. Our furry friends are really nice to have around. I'm sorry you had a migraine. Hope its cleared up so you can get back to rehab and otherwise enjoy life. Please give Roo a hug for me.

Meredith Bray  Completely normal! Recovery isn't a constant process....you'll have days when you can just go and go and go, and then you'll have days where you feel fortunate to shower and have breakfast. I would only be concerned of you have several sluggish days in a row. Also take in to consideration what you did the day before your sleepy day, if you were super-busy or active and didn't take a nap, that can affect the next day also.
-Meredith

Diane Zeigler  I am almost 11 weeks post op and I still often need a nap. My biggest sleep issue is that I can't seem to be able to get up at a decent time in the morning. My stamina is better but not what I want it to be. I just need more time to heal.

Lilly Black  yes, normal. I was just sharing with someone else, it takes time to heal and for your body to adjust. Rest as much as your body will ask you. For me, it took about 5 months to feel and know that I'm out of the woods. However, even within the first week post surgery, I felt a major progress in my stamina. I will never feel like I felt when I was younger and didn't know a had a heart defect, but considering that I went through 2 heart surgeries, work full time, I'm doing really well. Take one day at a time, and do as much walking as you can. It helped me gain strength and recover quite quickly! Good luck....it sounds like you're doing great :o)

Wanda Mroz  Totally normal... it takes a long time to heal. Took me months to not feel tired. Give yourself time. 💞

Lilly Black  Julianne, I just noticed you're from Canada. I am Canadian, born in Montreal. But I live in California with my American husband :o)

Diane Zeigler  We went out to brunch this morning and when we got home I was so sleepy. I climbed in the recliner, turned on the tv and slept the day away. I am 11 weeks post op.

Ron Broadhead  I'll join the chorus - its definitely normal. Although I felt better not long after surgery, it took 5 or 6 months before I got stamina back that would last through the entire day. Give it a little time - it will come back bit by bit. Hope your breakfast was good!

Diane Zeigler  I think you are asking Julianne if her breakfast was good. Mine was also delicious. I think loss of my appetite was one of the worst parts of having surgery.

Linda Richards  Naps are normal for the first 3 or 4 months. Take them when you are tired. Don't feel guilty. I will be 7 months in 2 days. Have the new FitBit Cha 2 and walk like an animal now ... i live in Miami so the weather drags me but the fitbit has been pushing me. 10,000 a day is easy when I go to the gym. My goal is 10,000 for for at least 5 days a week.

Craig Gay  Best wishes you are able to can your anxiety. Craig takes xanax and busperone on a regular basis for his anxiety.My heart goes out to you. Yvonne

Craig Gay  That Mexican hot chocolate sounds wonderful!!! It sounds like your recovery is going well. Keep up the great work!!! Yvonne

Meredith Bray  I'll bet! I was at home after surgery with first my sister, then my mother, then my brother hovering over me for a week at a time. That first day when nobody was here and hubby went off to work - was a little bit terrifying and so peacefully quiet....I almost forgot to take a nap!

Catie B  Sorry you still have so much fatigue, but the walking sounds good. Hope the GP can help out, Julianne. May you keep healing and gaining strength.

Adam Pick  Amazing progress Julianne! That's a lot of walking! Be patient with your energy levels. You've been through a lot. I was tired for several months after my surgery.

Ron Broadhead  Adam is so very correct. It takes a few months to get your energy back, but the length of your walks is excellent for only 3 weeks and is a sign of good recovery. It really took me about 5 or 6 months before I felt "untired" again, although things got steadily better over the entire time. And when you do go home again you'll have Roo.

Darlene Smith  My PT told me not to overdo it on the walking early on because it will only make you more tired and not help your recovery. I didn't start walking a mile until about 5 weeks out. Before that it was down the block and back 3 times a day. Then when I felt up to it, I put it all together into one longer walk. Now I'm up to 1.4 miles a day and I'm 6 1/2 weeks post op and I'll stay at this distance for a little bit to see how it goes.

Julianne Beatty  thanks guys!! your comments are really encouraging :D I went to see a funny movie last night, laughed a lot, which was great. this morning my chest hurt a lot more. I think from the laughing. *sigh* taking it slow today.

Rita Savelis  I hear you, Julianne. OHS, plus living back at parents! Yikes! Day 15 is still early... Sleeping is hard, exhaustion and tiredness stays for awhile....Hang in there. Take care.

Lise Bowles  Oh Julianne, I feel your pain, literally! I am only out since the 16 of August and not sleeping as well, sigh. It's very hard to remain positive while in acute pain and not sleeping. I have to remind myself, "this too shall pass..." Repeatedly!

Julianne Beatty  lol, don't get me wrong, I love my parents. it's all the factors combined. I was able to get out for a walk on my own today (Yeahyyy!!) which I relished.

Paul Wells  Sounds like your on tract. Did you have a Medial sternotomy?
I have yet to hear about a minimaly invasive , or robotic pulmonic replacement. But if so I'd like to know.
Or did you get the valve in valve? ( that's when the bad valve is not excised But the new valve diployed inside the old valve.)
Did they give you a idea how long this valve will last?

Ron Broadhead  Glad everything went well and that your recovery is smooth and uneventful. Also glad that you got the type of valve you wanted. Give Roo a scratch for me.

Julianne Beatty  @PaulWells i did have a Sternotomy, which hurts like Hell btw. no, full sewn in Valve REplacement. i was told 5 to 10 yrs. they will be able to deploy a valve in valve for the subsequent replacement. so Yeahhhhyyy!!

Norman Schloss  Absolutely - you are doing the right thing - positive - this adventure is totally out of our control - we must put faith and trust in those who will be helping us turn the page. I too, am excited - in my case, I have never experienced any physical symptoms; yet, I have been told by so many I am going to feel better. My prayers and thoughts will be with you - we never have to do this alone!

Rita Savelis  I hear you Julianne. Recovery takes time after OHS, but you should feel better down the line and have less exhaustion.
But, geez, who needs 2 surgeries to "look forward" to? I'm sorry about that.
That rabbit is awfully cute though!

Barbara Laurie  Julianne, I haven't had my surgery yet, but I understand your story! Though I'm an oldster I was born with a CHD and had all sorts of incidents as a baby, then did well, always trying to keep up with my check ups. I have other "aside" health issues and the last two years I thought that that was what was slowing me down. So when I had my big check up ladt Autumn I thought I'd get the okay, maybe some advice to exercise. Instead I got requests for lots more tests and a date for surgery ❣ So, don't be down on yourself, you can't exercise your way out of something that's broken and needs repair. Yes, keep a healthy as you are able, but don't beat yourself up😐 We both have known our whole lives that this would happen; surgery. But it's still a shock, kinda scary and feeling helpless. But, folks here and Adam's book I pray will calm you, focus you and empower you to hold your head up high and forgetting what's behind you and just focus on the future. Could I have been in "better"shape fore surgery, maybe, but it doesn't matter now, And you will do well. I know lots of folks here are going to jump at the chance to encourage you. God Bless ❤️

Kate Watson  I really related to this, as I had in my head for many years that my replaced aortic valve would last 15 years. So at the 10 year mark, I was pretty crushed when my cardiologist told me that not only was my replaced valve declining, but another valve too. I have multiple chronic medical issues in addition to this, including IBS, migraines, and fibromyalgia, so I understand that feeling of being very discouraged. I am pretty scared about how my body is going to do under the stress of another surgery. But alas, I have no choice and have been working hard on acceptance and on being excited for how much better I will hopefully feel when all of this is over. I wish for you strength and peace. You will get through this.

JJ Castillo  Yeah I just had my pulmonary valve replaced exactly 5 weeks ago. I was born with tetrology of fallot and pulmonary atresia. I also had surgery as a baby. This was my 5th open heart and 6th heart surgery. I know it's scary, but you will get through this 😊

Kenny Knox  Hey Julianne - I had my pulmonary valve replaced with my aortic valve during a Ross Procedure when I was 15. I'm on the board for a new pulmonary now (did the aortic last year). What options are you considering? Anyone talk to you about the Melody valve option? I'm considering that. Trust me, valve replacements are a smooth operation, you'll do great!