Julie McDonald-Lundgren - Heart Valve Journal

Kim Schurman I have also been having that on and off. I have burning pain that starts in the back of my shoulders and radiates down my arms- hurts like heck! I was told ... Read more

Tammy Pilcher Julie, the pain I had after getting home from surgery was like Kim said, in my shoulder blades. I was able to manage it with Tylenol until it finally went ... Read more

W. Carter From my personal experiences it will take 6 or 7 months before the arm, shoulder, and chest pain goes away. I also did cardio rehab for a couple of months and ... Read more

Donna Gavin I am having shoulder and neck pain but not in my shoulder blades. It comes and goes. It has been here before cardiac rehab. I am hoping mine goes away soon, ... Read more

Ericka Carlson Yup, From what I can tell this is really common. I'm 8.5 weeks out and the back pain is finally subsiding. I do have a pain in the upper left back of my head ... Read more

Julie McDonald-Lundgren Thanks everyone! The thumping of the valve, numbness and pain, I hope will go away. I am being careful not over do it, but it's hard.

Judith Collins Yes I have the same thing almost every nite. This is very common when you have trauma to your body from the surgery we had. It will get better with time. ... Read more

Ronald Gatan That happened to me several times through my first week post surgery. No longer experiencing them, it's been just over 3 months since.

Yes, Julie....I had similar symptoms. I'm on Coumadin, so very newly post-op, I was getting cold very easily, but no numb fingers.
I woke up sweating practically ... Read more

Scott Hess I was shivering in the icu right after surgery.Later on only my hands were a little cold.

Meredith Bray Yep. for a week or so. I also had a slight fever one night. I was scared, so I called the doctor at 10pm! He told me what to take, and I felt better.

Terrie Syvertsen Another YES! Mostly cold/chills/feet got cold, hands.
"Aint recovery grand?!!! It is part of it and can happen on and off but eventually goes away. It is just ... Read more

Janice Smith Yes. I am 9 months post-op now, but the hot/cold flashes didn't start until around my 5th month post-op. They have been so frustrating, but now are finally ... Read more

Meredith Bray Jam some pillows up under your arms to support your shoulders, and don't forget to support your neck! I slept in a reclining/propped up position for almost ... Read more

Jeanette Davidson Meredith, I was thinking of buying a chair, any suggestions?

kristin ott one day at a time...... sometimes one hr at a time. Be kind to yourself

Tammy Pilcher Hang in there, Julie. Each day will get better. Keep trying pillows in different ways until you're comfortable. Prayers for your recovery. God bless you!

Gerald Schaffer Congrats on making it home. Hope things go well little bit at a time.

Julie McDonald-Lundgren One day at a time....so true! Chair is better today with more pillows. Working on staying positive too.

Lila Robinson Pillows are your best friend!!! and also staying "ahead" on your pain meds....Don't try to be too heroic about that. You'll know when to lighten up; it's ... Read more

Meredith Bray Make sure you stand up straight when you are walking! There is a natural instinct to hunch over, to curl in to protect the chest. All that does is stress ... Read more

Eddie Patton Week out myself. Keep fighting better days ahead. Getting that tube out was glorious, wasn't it.

Larry Fuller Julie I experienced the sAme thing. You won't believe how much better you will feel in two MORE days when all is straightened out.
Getting home is the best,
Larry

Tammy Pilcher Prayers and best wishes, Julie, for continued progress! God bless!

Bob M Feeling better day by day! Amen! And yes, great advice to walk straight up.

Bradley Lum Three weeks post op tomorrow for me. It gets better everyday.

Sharon Madden Deep breaths, keep positive. Sounds like you're ready. You will be fine.

Laura Metrano "organizing, stressing, packing, hyperventilating, crying, yelling" ... check!!

All normal for the crazy days leading up to surgery. We do our best to stay ... Read more

Larry Beck I asked for extra work projects this week just so I will focus on work instead of what's ahead next Monday. And now I get to design a customer satisfaction ... Read more

Julie McDonald-Lundgren Thank you!

Susan Wozniak Good luck- I am this Thursday (finally). Trying not to clean too mych- That is my stress reducer! Enjoy your family- You can bite off their heads when you get home! 😄

Lora Lee Peterson I agree, this site is SO helpful! If all I had to look at was Web MD, I wouldn't know anything about what I'll be facing. Everyone's honesty is a gift!

Denise Cockayne this site is just amazing, nothing like this in Australia

Tammy Pilcher Amen, Julie, God's got this and He will give us everything we need. Psalm 28:7. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: ... Read more

I,too, agree about this site. Plus I believe.... "Let go....and let God". :-)

Meredith Bray Hi Julie, I know exactly that feeling about needing to do more. The closer I got to my surgery the more frantic I felt about forgetting something. I filled ... Read more

Denise Cockayne wonderful advice love you all
denise

Meredith Bray I had dizzy spells for YEARS before I knew what was wrong - it just never occurred to me that it might be heart-related. My doctors chalked it up to migraines, ... Read more

Terry Shermeister Julie: I remember so well what one month felt like. I'm at home now for one week after my MVR and each day I get clearer, more energy, and less pain. In ... Read more

Julie McDonald-Lundgren Thank you!!

Julie's Heart Valve Journal

Upcoming Surgeries

Surgeon Finder

Surgeon Spotlight Sponsored

Surgeon Spotlight
Sponsored