Kathy's Journal

My two year anniversary! Doing well. Can't believe it's been two years already. For those just getting ready to go in for surgery or just on the recovery side, it does get better, even if it feels like it takes forever. You won't forget what you went through, but you realize you are tougher than you think!

Today is my 1st anniversary for mitral valve repair! I'm so thankful for this site and to Adam for all the wonderful and helpful information always on here. My surgery didn't go as planned, but all turned out and one year later I'm feeling great! My best advice for those of you awaiting to have your surgery - do not judge your recovery against any one else. You will recover at your rate. Listen to you body, rest when you need to rest, but keep moving as much as you can.

Anyone have issues with palpitations lying on your right side? I noticed this about two months ago and some nights they are bothersome enough I can't stay lying on my right side. I'm 9 months post op MV repair surgery

Anyone have issues with low blood pressure but high heart rate months after surgery? Tapering doses of metoprolol and verapamil after surgery, but only my heart rate has gone up (averaging in 90s to low 100s last two weeks) My normal HR was in the 80s. Blood pressure is only 90s over 60s so I want to continue tapering my meds.

I had wished I had found this site before my MV repair surgery. Everywhere I read, the minimally invasive surgery was such a shorter recovery time (and it is- if all goes well). My surgery had some glitches (my heart didn't cooperate fully) and I ended up in ICU for three days, step down unit for 6 days and one week after the MV repair, I had an ICD implanted. I didn't realize how much my body had been through and was so upset that I wasn't feeling better in two weeks. Everywhere I read, I should have been feeling decent and been able to walk, and do this and ..... I just want those to know that aren't feeling "normal" in 10 days, two weeks, three weeks that it's okay and not to push or be upset. As long as there are no issues, it might just take you longer to recover. Walking as much as you can is super important - no matter how short of a walk you can do. Learn to listen to your body. It does get better and you will feel good again. I'm at 3 months now and feeling great some days and some days I still get really tired. But all is good and I know now it just takes time.