Lynee's Posts

I can't fully explain my feelings at this time. There are a lot. I'm full of gratitude that I have my Mitral Valve Repair and ASD repair surgery behind me, amazement at myself when I think of what each day held post surgery, and now, how I can see ahead to continued recovery. I was in ICU a day and 1/2, then moved to a cardiac patient floor for 3 1/2 days. I got to go home after 5 days. It was so great to get home, take a shower every morning and settle in to my lazy boy chair to rest or nap during the day. It was my bed at night for a couple of weeks. My biggest pain besides the incision and chest muscles, was my neck and back. That's still a challenge but pain level is much less now that I am moving around so much more, that helps. I have now completed my 3rd week of cardiac rehab. This is a good thing, they monitor my activity and give me parameters of where my heart rate and effort should be. Although I was physically fit before surgery, I did not have the confidence or understanding of how much I should exert myself after my OHS. I was afraid-I did not want to mess up my heart after all that effort! Pre-surgery, I would push to the max in physical activities. Now 30 minutes of walking twice a day is big, but is helping. Patience is required, even though I would like to be running or biking, or taking longer walks, I'm reminded that for now, it's all good. Greater Strength and endurance will come. I feel good enough to do light laundry, and cook a meal. I'm getting closer to feeling normal, short of needing more rest each day. I see my surgeon next week. I look forward to hearing his input as to how I'm doing. My gratitude comes from the skills of my surgeon who performed my valve repair, the nurses and assistants who all helped me in the hospital and prior for testing, my cardiologist who treated me and watched me carefully the last 10 years, and now to all the people who supported me, prayed for me, and gave encouraging words, many of you here on Heart Valve Surgery, Thanks Adam Pick for this meeting place to gather our thoughts. It's so gratifying to find out that people reach out when you go through something like this. My husband has been great, along with friends and family too, (bringing food, short visits, walks with me, many kind gestures). I continue to heal, and at times, I look back and think about how worried I was to do this surgery. Now, I can see it is worth it, that with God's grace, I'll get better, and can go forward, hopefully with a strong heart for many years. I see my Surgeon tomorrow. I await hearing his thoughts about my progress! For those of you with upcoming surgeries, you can do this. Yes the unknown is frightening, but information is empowering. Schedule things you enjoy up to your surgery date if you can, be good to yourself to prepare. Realize how experienced and skilled the doctors are, and the medical advances that make heart valve surgery a successful procedure today. We have a chance at better health and a longer life. I wish you all well, and will check in to learn about your progress. God Bless, and thank you all for encouraging me. I hope I can do the same.