Kelly's Journal

I had the mitral valve repair, robotically, about 9 weeks ago. During the surgery my surgeon determined that my mitral valve was very damaged and needed to be replaced, not repaired. I seemed to be recovering OK in the hospital until my final night when something went "pop" in my upper left groin area. About 2 days later my left side groin incision from the from the heart/lung machine was leaking a lot of fluid. Surgeon decided to put staples in the incision in office. After a few days the staples ripped out of my skin. He then admitted me for an emergency surgery. They believe I had a lymphocele. I was home for about a week and eventually the leaking came back, and the wound site became infected. I was admitted to the hospital for a week, put on IV antibiotics and a wound vac. It is now 9 weeks later, and I still have a small hole in my wound that is left to clear up, probably about 3/4 inch long. Recovery has been very slow and hard, I think because of this wound. Just started cardiac rehab. I haven't lost any of the 20 lbs I gained during the surgery. My brain fog is a nightmare! Is this going to get better? Any suggestions? I feel like I'm watching my life go by but not participating in it. Like

I had the mitral valve repair, robotically, about 9 weeks ago. During the surgery my surgeon determined that my mitral valve was very damaged and needed to be replaced, not repaired. I seemed to be recovering OK in the hospital until my final night when something went "pop" in my upper left groin area. About 2 days later my left side groin incision from the from the heart/lung machine was leaking a lot of fluid. Surgeon decided to put staples in the incision in office. After a few days the staples ripped out of my skin. He then admitted me for an emergency surgery. They believe I had a lymphocele. I was home for about a week and eventually the leaking came back, and the wound site became infected. I was admitted to the hospital for a week, put on IV antibiotics and a wound vac. It is now 9 weeks later, and I still have a small hole in my wound that is left to clear up, probably about 3/4 inch long. Recovery has been very slow and hard, I think because of this wound. Just started cardiac rehab. I haven't lost any of the 20 lbs I gained during the surgery. My brain fog is a nightmare! Is this going to get better? Any suggestions? I feel like I'm watching my life go by but not participating in it.