Lynne's Posts

I just noticed my last post was exactly one year ago at 12 weeks post op for MVR. Yes, it did take the full year to recover so thanks to everyone who said this as I used to get very impatient. Now I have to face up to my aortic valve being replaced as they couldn't do this at the time because of complications. Five years ago my echo said it was moderate to severe and the results are still the same so I guess it isn't urgent yet. I told my cardiologist that at 77 I am not prepared to go thru all this again and he is going to see it if I can have a TAVR. Has anyone else been in this position? He did say that the second OHS has twice as many risks but at my age my concern is the 12 months recovery and I'm not getting any younger. I'm probably being an ostrich but I keep thinking it has been like this for so long it may never get any worse. Any advice people? Thank you Adam for this site. It has been such a great comfort knowing I'm part of a huge international group and not the only one going thru this alone.

I have now reached post op 12 weeks. What an experience! It was nowhere near as bad as I expected. A cartilage was torn during the op so I had to keep on with pain medication because of that. I'm down to only panadol at night to keep comfortable. What bliss to be able to lie flat and turn over with ease! My only problem now is extreme tiredness. I've had my blood, iron, and thyroid tested and all fine. I'm too tired to exercise which concerns me but I am managing living alone with only help to clean (vacuuming, washing floors and bathroom cleaning) I am able visit, go to movies and dine out but I find I crash the next day. I was to have both valves replaced but because of my age (76 years young) they thought it too risky and only replaced the mitral valve. I have a feeling the aortic valve is the cause of all this but my cardiologist said no. Guess I will have to wait another 3 months for my next echo. Has anyone else had this experience? On the plus side friends and family find it hard to believe I've had such huge surgery. I look well and walk with a spring in my step (except on my weary days) and find I can move around easily. If you are facing surgery, just think of the other side. Even in the early days I would forget I'd had surgery and wonder why I was uncomfortable at times. God bless all you brave people. We have every right to feel proud!