Going back to work in three days. Super nervous. What if I crap out? I am a pharmacy tech and run all day. I’m scheduled for five days on even though ...Read more
Going back to work in three days. Super nervous. What if I crap out? I am a pharmacy tech and run all day. I’m scheduled for five days on even though I’m part time. I feel good but we had a baby shower for my son and daughter in law Saturday and it wiped me out. And I’m in good shape
Susan Lynn Marianne - Don't worry. You'll probably feel energized getting back to your normal routine, but if y ... Read more
Susan Lynn Marianne - Don't worry. You'll probably feel energized getting back to your normal routine, but if you do feel wiped out, you may want to ask your HR department about taking small daily increments of Family and Medical Leave until you can work your way up to your normal schedule. Many people don't know you can take that time in hours, not just whole days or continuous leaves. Best of luck!
Jennifer John Pace yourself, Marianne. How long since your surgery?
Rita Savelis You will be wiped out. But you will get less wiped out as time goes on. But going back to work is tir ... Read more
Rita Savelis You will be wiped out. But you will get less wiped out as time goes on. But going back to work is tiring. So give yourself a break (if you can) after work...
I’m about 10 weeks post ohs. I love to cook but most everything tastes bad. Frustrating
Debbie Chatzky I have the same thing happening. For me it’s from the med amiodorane.
Rita Savelis Yeah. This is common. OHS plays with your hormones. This should get back to normal in a few weeks...
Kim Lonergan I had the same thing happen. I was not prepared for it and could not figure out what was wrong with m ... Read more
Kim Lonergan I had the same thing happen. I was not prepared for it and could not figure out what was wrong with me. Everything I ate tasted bad, really salty or metallic. I am a big coffee drinker and I couldn’t stand the taste of it. I am just now able to drink one cup a day. I was so upset and frustrated after 4 weeks and food still tasted so bad! I hope it gets better for you soon!
Rose Madura Yes, my taste buds were out of whack for quite a while. My smells too - I still have certain odors t ... Read more
Rose Madura Yes, my taste buds were out of whack for quite a while. My smells too - I still have certain odors that make me sick and give me a headache. The taste buds will come back - at least mine did.
Officially 8 weeks post ohs. Feeling more and more active. And my scar is really improving. I’ve been using biocorneum after a recommendation from a friend ...Read more
Officially 8 weeks post ohs. Feeling more and more active. And my scar is really improving. I’ve been using biocorneum after a recommendation from a friend who had a double mastectomy. Planning a big bbq/baby shower in a few weeks for my son and daughter in law. Back to work August 16th. We have tons of blueberry bushes so friends have been coming out to pick. Nice way to catch up!
Adam Pick Congratulations on the progress Marianne!!!!
I was on Sam-e before surgery. I love the effect on my mood and appetite. Just wondering if I can start it up again. I can’t find much negativity about ...Read more
I was on Sam-e before surgery. I love the effect on my mood and appetite. Just wondering if I can start it up again. I can’t find much negativity about it. I am 7 + weeks post ohs. Also. I went to my first cardiac rehab and it was embarrassing. I had a valve fixed. No cardiac disease. I am way past their goals and not sure to stick with it. No bonding with this group either.
Rita Savelis Your cardiac rehab description made me smile, because there were many many (older) people (men) at ca ... Read more
Rita Savelis Your cardiac rehab description made me smile, because there were many many (older) people (men) at cardiac rehab that had probably never exercised in their lives. So it was a slow start for them. Younger people looked lost there and I especially felt for the 20 year old women. That said, I didn't expect to be put through an intense workout. That would come on my own, later, in another environment.
I also didn't want to hear the standard lectures about salt-free or heart-healthy, because my heart valves were not stenosed by eating habits or lifestyle.
But my cardiac rehab was free (here in France) so I made friends with the old guys and plodded through. I was still (at 4 weeks) getting so exhausted every afternoon no matter how little I did.
I do understand why someone who is young and healthy and busy and will be back in shape very soon would decide it's not the place to be.
Take care.
Chris Purvis Made me smile too...your on a different level and that’s totally ok. I’m doing my own rehab as we ... Read more
Chris Purvis Made me smile too...your on a different level and that’s totally ok. I’m doing my own rehab as well.
Marie Myers I felt the same way. I did not bond with the group, and was in far better shape than most of the othe ... Read more
Marie Myers I felt the same way. I did not bond with the group, and was in far better shape than most of the other rehabbers. I could have done it on my own, and saved the insurance company a lot of money.
After rehab, I have kept exercise up on my own, and recommend sticking with walking / biking 20 minutes each most days of the week.
As far as the Sam-E, I don't see why you could not restart it. Could check with your primary or cardiologist and see what they say.
Jennifer John I start cardiac rehab this Tuesday and will post a full report.🏃🏻♀️🏋🏻♀️
Bonnie Stone-Hope I did not attend Cardiac Rehab, even though it is provided free in Canada.
So I met with my surgeon last week. Released to drive. Unfortunately my first drive was 1.5 hours away to say goodbye to my best friend who I worked with for ...Read more
So I met with my surgeon last week. Released to drive. Unfortunately my first drive was 1.5 hours away to say goodbye to my best friend who I worked with for 15 years on the cardiac vascular unit. He dropped dead of cardiac arrest just as I was told I needed urgent mitral valve repair.
It was a good group(private) and much love. Miss him so much
But an awesome visit with my cardiologist today. He was so obviously tickled to see how well I was doing. Rather a joyous appointment.
I’m still having some pvcs but I’ve had those for twenty years. Just more noticeable after this surgery. No afib. No infection. Lost all the fluid weight and then some easily. 4 more weeks till back to work. As a pharmacy tech in a hospital we run all day and lift crazy stuff. My manager has been wonderful. I feel lucky this was caught . Another month or two and not repairable. With no obvious symptoms. If you live near Salem Oregon I have the team for you
Mark Wilbur I'm very sorry about the loss of your good friend, Marianne. That is a void that will never be replac ... Read more
Mark Wilbur I'm very sorry about the loss of your good friend, Marianne. That is a void that will never be replaced; but your memories are intact forever. Very happy to hear of your successful rehab! Good for you! Now, keep it going...
LINDA ROBERTS So sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you.
Susan Lynn Sincerest sympathy, Marianne. I'm glad to hear that you are progressing and back to driving. All go ... Read more
Susan Lynn Sincerest sympathy, Marianne. I'm glad to hear that you are progressing and back to driving. All good things are ahead.
So I met with my surgeon. Everything is excellent. Snazzy scar. Going to start rehab next week. I’m in great shape ( for a 60!yf old)so they were kind of ...Read more
So I met with my surgeon. Everything is excellent. Snazzy scar. Going to start rehab next week. I’m in great shape ( for a 60!yf old)so they were kind of excited to work with me. I have no cardiac disease or blockage. Just a valve gone bad. And I can drive. One more month for my chest to heal before back to work as I am a pharmacy tech inpatient and we run all day
Marie Myers You will be the youngest, healthiest, patient at rehab. I felt like that during my rehab.
Rita Savelis There were some 20 yr old women at my rehab......But yes, lots of retired old men as well...
Take car ... Read more
Rita Savelis There were some 20 yr old women at my rehab......But yes, lots of retired old men as well...
Take care Marianne.
So this coming Wednesday I see my surgeon. My cardiologist next week. Seems like a long time post op but that’s how they did it. Finally almost off amiodarone. ...Read more
So this coming Wednesday I see my surgeon. My cardiologist next week. Seems like a long time post op but that’s how they did it. Finally almost off amiodarone. Hoping that is the cause of my dizziness. Dropped a plate today because of it. Seems to spike my anxiety too. Yikes. Is my heart doing sounds????? Arrrgh
Mark Wilbur Hope you have a good report from your surgeon, Marianne. I'll bet the dizziness and anxiety are soon ... Read more
Mark Wilbur Hope you have a good report from your surgeon, Marianne. I'll bet the dizziness and anxiety are soon a distant memory as you continue to heal.
Kelly Stoll Deep breaths. Wednesday will come soon enough and hopefully you will get some answers. Hang in there. ... Read more
Kelly Stoll Deep breaths. Wednesday will come soon enough and hopefully you will get some answers. Hang in there.
Rose Madura i too hope everything goes well with your upcoming doctor visits. I had a terrible time with dizzine ... Read more
Rose Madura i too hope everything goes well with your upcoming doctor visits. I had a terrible time with dizziness with Amiodarone. It stays in your system for about six months so hopefully, you will feel better soon. For a while, I was also on high doses of Metoprolol which also made me dizzy. Sometimes my heart rate was in the 40s. But I am down to 12.5 mg of it twice daily which is much more tolerable than the 200 mg twice daily before. Remember this is a process and it takes time to completely heal. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Marianne Charters Thank you Rose. My last dose of amiodarone is tomorrow but I realize how long it takes to clear your ... Read more
Marianne Charters Thank you Rose. My last dose of amiodarone is tomorrow but I realize how long it takes to clear your system. I’m also on a low dose(25mg) of atenolol but I’ve been on that long term.
5 weeks post op full sternotomy and I am feeling clicks when I move around my collar bone and upper chest. I think it’s normal and I see my surgeon next ...Read more
5 weeks post op full sternotomy and I am feeling clicks when I move around my collar bone and upper chest. I think it’s normal and I see my surgeon next week but just curious if others felt this
Frence Tanque-Metoda Hi Marianne! Would like to know if you are also experiencing heaviness in your shoulder, back and che ... Read more
Frence Tanque-Metoda Hi Marianne! Would like to know if you are also experiencing heaviness in your shoulder, back and chest? I am on my 4th week post op. And I am bothered by these heaviness and restricting feeling.
Marianne Charters Not in my back but my chest is numb and I found checking my posture really helped. Pulling my should ... Read more
Marianne Charters Not in my back but my chest is numb and I found checking my posture really helped. Pulling my shoulders back instead of slumping forward. Kind of a protective stance but not helpful overall
I have been a roller coaster of emotions. What I hadn’t mentioned in my initial story was that during this rushed diagnosis/tests/surgery my best friend, ...Read more
I have been a roller coaster of emotions. What I hadn’t mentioned in my initial story was that during this rushed diagnosis/tests/surgery my best friend, the pharmacist I worked side by side for 18 years, dropped dead of cardiac arrest. I was overwhelmed with this and my own situation. He had retired a few years ago but we were in constant emailing, meeting up for lunch etc. we worked together on the cardiovascular unit in a hospital. The irony!
I now work in a different hospital pharmacy. Right after he passed I was at work and went into afib. I walked over to the er. By the time they hooked me up to monitors I had converted. And when they found out my friend had passed they almost immediately blew it off as anxiety.
2 days later I went into afib at my cardiologist office. They took me seriously.
So surgery went well. No afib after( on amiodarone for another week). The 14 July I am going to a gathering for my friend. Not sure how I will hold it together 😪
Susan Lynn I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your best friend and colleague. Sincerest condolences.
Rose Madura So sorry for the loss of your friend. May you find peace in the coming days.
Anna Jones I am sorry for the loss of your friend too. I'm not sure you have to hold it together. As I recall ... Read more
Anna Jones I am sorry for the loss of your friend too. I'm not sure you have to hold it together. As I recall, lots of people cried at the gathering of my husband who died of V-fib.
Sue Tom So sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague.
Catie B I am so, so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and for all of the stress and for the afib! What a ... Read more
Catie B I am so, so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and for all of the stress and for the afib! What a tough storm you've been enduring.
Shannon Gray So very sorry for the loss of your friend. Prayers for peace.
Chris Purvis Sorry Marianne-that’s a lot to deal with back to back. I’m pretty sure you don’t need to hold i ... Read more
Chris Purvis Sorry Marianne-that’s a lot to deal with back to back. I’m pretty sure you don’t need to hold it together. I think I was given the best advice in the hospital and was told to live out out my emotions because they are like seasons. If I didn’t let go with how I was feeling the seasons may clash and cause more problems..
Diane Maher Excellent advice, Chris. Something to remember when my time arrives!
Marianne Charters Thank you all. And thank you Chris. I need to go where grief takes me...
Well 4 weeks flew by. I have to admit I hit a slump last week. But now I’m feeling positive again. My right side of muscles are starting to “wake up”, ...Read more
Well 4 weeks flew by. I have to admit I hit a slump last week. But now I’m feeling positive again. My right side of muscles are starting to “wake up”, but Tylenol seems to help that.
I was also started on an Amiodarone drip during surgery and am on oral amio for another 2 weeks. Being a long time pharmacy tech on a cardiac hospital floor I completely forgot that Amiodarone is photosensitive. So I got a stupid sun burn/ tingling today. Ugh I’ll be glad to be off of it but it’s half life is sooooo long , can take 3-6 months to leave your system!!!!
Debbie Chatzky I’m also on amiodarone. It’s a hard med to take. Just hoping when I stop at 12 weeks post op I st ... Read more
Debbie Chatzky I’m also on amiodarone. It’s a hard med to take. Just hoping when I stop at 12 weeks post op I stay in rhythm. OHS was 4 weeks ago tomorrow. Can you stay on this long term?
Marianne Charters Hopefully you won’t have to. Or maybe switch to a med with less side effects like dronedarone. I ... Read more
Marianne Charters Hopefully you won’t have to. Or maybe switch to a med with less side effects like dronedarone. I think my afib issues were fixed with the mitral valve repair as it started getting worse just before surgery. My heart has been very calm
Chris Purvis Marianne so glad your heart has been calm! Hope you can come off the meds soon. I want to be exactly ... Read more
Chris Purvis Marianne so glad your heart has been calm! Hope you can come off the meds soon. I want to be exactly where you are..keep going. Hope you have continued awesomeness during your recovery.
Bonnie Stone-Hope Hated taking Amiodarone. Made me feel so weak.
Was actually doing a countdown to the last pill. Had ... Read more
Bonnie Stone-Hope Hated taking Amiodarone. Made me feel so weak.
Was actually doing a countdown to the last pill. Had to take it for 6 weeks post op due to AFib. post surgery.
Glad to hear you can stop it soon.
Rose Madura I too hated Amiodarone. I guess it is effective short term but side effects are terrible. Long term ... Read more
Rose Madura I too hated Amiodarone. I guess it is effective short term but side effects are terrible. Long term use is worse.
I think I’ve hit that time where some people could get depressed. The flurry of surgery and post op attention is gone. Feeling ok. Still a bit tired. Now ...Read more
I think I’ve hit that time where some people could get depressed. The flurry of surgery and post op attention is gone. Feeling ok. Still a bit tired. Now just healing. My sternum stitches are healing. Still some pain from area right chest tube was in. And some clicking? But pvcs are gone.
Rita Savelis After the physical upheaval (and post op attention) there are emotions to deal with, which were often ... Read more
Rita Savelis After the physical upheaval (and post op attention) there are emotions to deal with, which were often put aside in order to deal with the physical side.
And often those around you react as if, well that's over and turned out fine.... but you may still have a lot to process and feel like a different person, who's been through a lot. Tiredness comes and goes. And your body/heart can need months to heal.
Wishing you a continued smooth recovery.
Kelly Stoll Marianne... thinking of you and wishing you well. That post-op depression can be difficult. As you re ... Read more
Kelly Stoll Marianne... thinking of you and wishing you well. That post-op depression can be difficult. As you regain some of your health and strength, it will help some. Wishing you the best and remember you have friends here who understand.
Phyllis Petersen If you do start experiencing depression, don't hesitate to ask for help. I'm sure you know how that c ... Read more
Phyllis Petersen If you do start experiencing depression, don't hesitate to ask for help. I'm sure you know how that can affect healing. I hope it's just the tiredness and you're soon feeling better.
Judy Shaw Yes, do not hesitate to reach out to us! ❤
Last night was rough. Lots of pvcs and a little temp. Decided to nap through the night getting up every few hours for deep breaths
Such a difference today. ...Read more
Last night was rough. Lots of pvcs and a little temp. Decided to nap through the night getting up every few hours for deep breaths
Such a difference today. Walked around outside on our property most of the afternoon. Lots of deep breathing. I’m glad my legs were strong before. Really helps getting up and about. Most of the fluid weight is gone
Kim Lonergan I'm glad you are feeling better and able to be outside and walking. What causes all the fluid retent ... Read more
Kim Lonergan I'm glad you are feeling better and able to be outside and walking. What causes all the fluid retention?
Anna Jones I'm so sorry last night was rough. Great news that today was better and that most of the fluid weigh ... Read more
Anna Jones I'm so sorry last night was rough. Great news that today was better and that most of the fluid weight is gone. Sending prayers and best wishes that tomorrow is even better.
Helen Daw Just remember that it is one step forward , two steps back. It takes time to heal
Kelly Stoll I agree with Helen. Hang in there and continue to take it one day at a time. Your body knows what it ... Read more
Kelly Stoll I agree with Helen. Hang in there and continue to take it one day at a time. Your body knows what it needs. Rest as needed and be well.
Debbie Chatzky I am also 7 days post op. I’ve had irregular heart beat Pvcs put on metropolo and amniodone. Have h ... Read more
Debbie Chatzky I am also 7 days post op. I’ve had irregular heart beat Pvcs put on metropolo and amniodone. Have had hard time breathing. I had 10
Libs of
Fluid retention which is 80 percent gone. Feel good everyone!
Rose Madura Sometimes I felt like I'd never get well - but my complications were not the norm. I agree with Hele ... Read more
Rose Madura Sometimes I felt like I'd never get well - but my complications were not the norm. I agree with Helen - the healing takes a long time. That's why I've called it a journey.
Hasn’t been too bad. Pain is manageable and able to putter about My hospital was very nice. Staff super helpful and very clean and quiet
At home is ...Read more
Hasn’t been too bad. Pain is manageable and able to putter about My hospital was very nice. Staff super helpful and very clean and quiet
At home is good. My husband is a nurse
Sunday afternoon after surgery Wednesday afternoon. . My doctors were great able to repair a “.gnarly” valve with 0 regurgitation after! Worst part was ...Read more
Sunday afternoon after surgery Wednesday afternoon. . My doctors were great able to repair a “.gnarly” valve with 0 regurgitation after! Worst part was the chest tubes ugh.
Mark Wilbur Home never felt so good... Happy to know that everything went well! Best wishes for continued recov ... Read more
Mark Wilbur Home never felt so good... Happy to know that everything went well! Best wishes for continued recovery, Marianne!
Catie B Congratulations, Marianne! There's no place like home. Keep on healing!
Catie B Congratulations, Marianne! There's no place like home. Keep on healing!
Totally agree--one of my chest tubes was the worst part of my ordeal also.
Anna Jones Great news, Marianne. Sending prayers and best wishes for an easy recovery.
Nikki Escue Congrats Marianne on your homecoming! I will agree with you, those chest tubes are horrible! But wi ... Read more
Nikki Escue Congrats Marianne on your homecoming! I will agree with you, those chest tubes are horrible! But with the worst part behind you, may the healing power of God's love be with you while you're recovering.
Kelly Stoll Chest tubes were the worst! Great news. Congratulations on coming home.
Folks. I’ve heard about a lot of fluid retention after surgery. What should I expect
Rita Savelis Because your heart will not be pumping as well as normal for a short bit of time, fluid (the water fr ... Read more
Rita Savelis Because your heart will not be pumping as well as normal for a short bit of time, fluid (the water from your blood) will back up in your system. This means you will probably have swollen ankles, wrists, belly, etc. This will go away on its own and with the help of a drug called lasix that is a diuretic and makes you need to pee all the time, which almost everyone is prescribed for a few days/weeks after OHS. Not fun to have to pee all the time, but necessary.
I am very skinny normally but remember looking down at my belly a few days after surgery and I had a fat tire of water weight there. It does go away with lasix and time.
Marie Myers I lost my extra 10 lbs of water in the first week or so. Had some puffy fingers and toes, and a littl ... Read more
Marie Myers I lost my extra 10 lbs of water in the first week or so. Had some puffy fingers and toes, and a little puddle around my sacrum. Patients get a lot of fluid during open heart surgery. Not a big deal for me..
Michael Meyer 10-15 lbs of fluid. You will be on a diuretic and will begin to lose this "water weight" after surge ... Read more
Michael Meyer 10-15 lbs of fluid. You will be on a diuretic and will begin to lose this "water weight" after surgery.
Nancy Surprenant Takahashi I had fluid in my lungs (still on Lasix since April) make sure you use your breathing device they give you to help with.
Susan Lynn Your 'output' is monitored in the hospital and you are also weighed, daily. I was prescribed a diu ... Read more
Susan Lynn Your 'output' is monitored in the hospital and you are also weighed, daily. I was prescribed a diuretic, but had minimal water retention. I also ate mostly fresh fruit in the hospital, so avoiding salt may have helped. Walking as much as you can will help, too!
Barbara Wood I went home with about 7 lbs extra weight. With lasix it was gone in about 8-10 days. I've read that ... Read more
Barbara Wood I went home with about 7 lbs extra weight. With lasix it was gone in about 8-10 days. I've read that mitral valve patients retain more water weight than atrials. It's a good idea to have the drawstring beach pants handy for the first week or so home :).
Bonnie Stone-Hope Had a bit of extra fluid, puffy toes especially. That is why they recommend bringing a pair of shoes ... Read more
Bonnie Stone-Hope Had a bit of extra fluid, puffy toes especially. That is why they recommend bringing a pair of shoes 1 size larger, I assume.
Hi! So my surgery was scheduled as urgent which made me quite scared and anxious. The most calming part was meeting with my surgeon. She spent so much time ...Read more
Hi! So my surgery was scheduled as urgent which made me quite scared and anxious. The most calming part was meeting with my surgeon. She spent so much time with me and was very compassionate. Even though my husband and I are very knowledgeable in the medical world, she explained everything beautifully. She also explained a newer technique to reduce stroke risk after surgery. It’s called left atrial appendage ligation. A small useless flap everyone has that can collect blood during afib and form clots. So that’s cool
At this point I’m ready. Reading the posts about recovery. Is helpful. Seems we all will have a different story!
Chris Purvis Was it scheduled as urgent because of the afib?
Marie Myers Probably. Afib carries a higher risk of stroke, so they want to "get-r-done"...And that is why they w ... Read more
Marie Myers Probably. Afib carries a higher risk of stroke, so they want to "get-r-done"...And that is why they want to close that atrial appendage. Blood can pool in it and clot.
Chris Purvis Marianne prayers for a successful surgery!
Barbara Wood Best wishes Marianne! I had mitral regurg & afib previous to my mitral repair. I had the maze & appen ... Read more
Barbara Wood Best wishes Marianne! I had mitral regurg & afib previous to my mitral repair. I had the maze & appendage tie off at the same time. No afib in a year!
Marianne Charters I think it was pushed to urgent as my tee also showed pulmonary edema from heart failure. This has r ... Read more
Marianne Charters I think it was pushed to urgent as my tee also showed pulmonary edema from heart failure. This has really thrown me for a loop as I don't have the other usual symptoms. I walk a ton and all else is good. I guess the genetics took over. My father died at 54 of mv regurgitation so I am lucky I wondered about the dizzy spells....a few more months and it might not have been fixable. So the anxiety and fear the evening before surgery has passed. I am ready. I am having a nice evening with my hubby and one of my sons