Lillian's Journal

Carmen P  Could be a plural effusion (fluid around lung). That is what sent me to the emergency room about nine weeks from AVR. Use your spirometer (a lot). Call your doctor.

Rita Savelis  I understand the nervousness and hyper sensitivity to everything your heart is doing. I think it is completely normal to have strange hearbeats as everything slowly gets back to normal. Your heart has been through a lot as have you.
Hopefully you do have a health professional you can ask....
But our hearts are often incredibly LOUD after surgery and one can be aware of every beat.

James Roberts  Lillian, yes it will. Days 4 and 5 were my lowest points. I could barely move from the bed yet the bed was so uncomfortable to lie on. The pain was at it's worse then too and I still hadn't mastered how to get out of bed properly. It does get better from now on!

Larry Ring  Hi Lillian. Sounds like all is going well. Yes, the immediate exhaustion from the simplest of tasks is crazy. But, at least for me, it lasted until week three. Then it was gone.
Your body is healing from a very traumatic event.
Give it time.
Listen to your body.
It will all be a big blur within a few weeks.
Congrats!

Phyllis Petersen  It'll be like that for awhile. Slowly, you'll get more and more energy and less shortness of breath. Be patient with yourself. Your body has just been through hell.

Diane Zeigler  I am in my eighth month post surgery. I still have a little trouble with shortness of breath if I walk a distance. My biggest problem, however, is with my back. It seems like muscle weakness. Does anyone else have this problem?

Sue Sanchez Grela  Larry I agree we need to remember what our bodies have been through. I know my fatigue reminds me how often I need to rest and care for myself.

Lillian Taylor  Thank you all for your support i had a really rough day today i try my best to be upbeat and positive but that dang self pity monster poked his head out. Love you all and God Bless

Lillian Taylor  Thank you all for your support i had a really rough day today i try my best to be upbeat and positive but that dang self pity monster poked his head out. Love you all and God Bless

Rita Savelis  This is normaL Post surgery is exhausting, especially the first week(s). Every little thing wears you out. It's okay to have self-pity about the horrendous ordeal you went through and are still going through. No matter what anyone writes, recovery and post surgery is not a bed of roses. That first week can be so hard. Every day felt the same to me. Eating breakfast (served to me!) took all my energy for the day. Geez. It's hard to even imagine now when months/years have gone by but that's how it was...
I hear you, Lillian.
Take care.

Judy Midas  It will get better. Day 2 was horrible for my husband. His pain was through the roof and he was tired. Each day got better. Day 4 he was discharged and the ride home (45min) had him completely exhausted. It will be 3 weeks on Wednesday and he is doing great.

James Johnson  Hi Liilian! you have exactly the same thing that I did, aortic stenosis, bicuspid valve, so yes, it will require OHS, but nothing to fear. Do all the research you can on the subject, read Adam's book and you can watch actual surgeries on youtube. The reason I say this is because by researching and gaining an understanding of the procedure you will gain knowledge and the fear you have will become less and less. I'm rooting for you and you'll be fine; my thoughts are with you--been there, done that and, hey, it's better than the alternative, right?!

Steve Farthing  You sound very positive. (No reason not to be.) And it's possible you might even be home by the weekend! Best!

Lillian Taylor  Post op 5 days. Very discouraged i get so exhausted just going to the bathroom. Please tell me this is normal and it will get better

Civita Fahey  Hi Lillian.. we all make the right decision for us. .I too chose to go with a tissue when I have surgery in April. I am 55 will be 56 in July and I didn't want to deal with the Coumadin,but in all honesty the ticking would drive me nuts.. Im one of those people that cant hear anything like that.. so, my doc said that in 10-15 TAVRS will be the gold standard.. I hope so.. Best of luck..

Lillian Taylor  Thank you, I wasn't sure how to go, and my Dr could tell how concerned about it and how worried I was and he said the tissue would be the best for me. I feel I have made the right decision it is like a calming. I am ready now for the surgery and get on with recovery.

Larry Ring  Hi Lillian...I struggled with the decision too...it was probably the thoughest decision I ever had to make! Finally opted for tissue...AVR on 2/6/17...and day two in the ICU, I told my daughter I thought I'd made a mistake..."...I never want to go through this again..."
But now that I'm 30 days post surgery, my opinion has changed! I love my "Bessie" (the new cow valve). Like you, I'm banking on medical advancement so that when I need a new valve, TAVR wil be the norm. But now that I'm 30 days post surgery , I also realize that the recovery from OHS is really not THAT bad...
and if I have to do it again in 15 years to have another 15 years of life, I'll do it.
So be confident in your decision...
Will be sending out prayer to you and medical team on the 13th! Looking forward to reading your posts as you enter the recovery mode!