Mark's Journal

I am about 3 years post op for AVR and lately have been bouts of slow pule rates with dizziness and weakness, (probably about once every month and a half). I take my pulse and it hovers at or below 60 for about an hour and then the symptoms disappear, then I feel normal again. Has anybody had this and is this bradycardia? Thanks for any input. Mark

I am 8 weeks post op for Aortic Valve Replacement surgery and aortic root enlargement with a Dacron patch. Here are a few notes and observations: I had an opening of .9 sq. cm aortic valve and after a cardiac cath., the dr.s notified me that I had an enlarged ascending aorta. My first surgeon stated I would need a full sternotomy and suggested a mechanical valve due to my age. I got a second opinion and some more tests from the Mayo clinic in Rochester since I live in Wisconsin. Dr.'s and surgeon stated same procedure but I could choose either type of valve. Got online and found this site and patients that saw Dr. Accola, and saw some videos of him as well. Flew to Florida to see him and he stated he could do a hemi-sternotomy and repair the herniated aorta as well. Made a date 2 weeks out and went home to get ready. Making the date was one of the hardest things to do. In retrospect, should have done it earlier. Bring along an IPOD with noise cancelling headphones. Include your favorite music. It definitely got me out of a dark place and gave me motivation to move. Post Op. I do not remember much in the ICU. No real recollection of the breathing tube being in. I was worried about that prior. Up in recovery room - make sure to tell nurses if you need something. I didn't need much pain relief, just wanted to get a good nights sleep mostly. Be prepared for whatever comes. We all recover differently! At Home: Recliner is awesome. TV by bed is good as well. Took me 4 weeks to get about 50% of my strength back. Felt very week and figity on Xmas eve - went in to see Dr. and he said I had A-fib. Medication took care of that right away. Spirometer helped immensely. Some side affects of the surgery started disappearing after week 6/7. Numbness, dizziness, double vision, constantly tired. CARDIAC REHAB HAS BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO MY RECOVERY!! Get it going as soon as possible. This week, week 8, I have started feeling really good at certain times of the day! (mostly in the a.m.) I didn't feel this good for a long time! I mean years! I am 49 so I always wrote it off as getting old, but now I know it was my valve. I took tylenol pm to help me sleep - 1/2 of a Xanax to help me relax some nights and Zofran for the nausea. Zofran was great. I would recommend for everyone leaving the hospital. Things I liked to eat in recovery: crackers, soup, ginger ale, ice water, ham sandwiches and now a days Subway. Take a lot of video before, during and after. It helps to see the progress. That's all that I can think of for now. Hope this helps those getting ready for the big day or in the recovery process. Feel free to ask me anything! Hope to post a picture of scar soon, just have to figure how to do it. Peace

Has anyone experienced double vision post op? I am not talking the 1978 smash album from the rock group Foreigner, but actually double vision. I experience it a couple times a week. Is it normal or is it a sign of something? Thanks Mark

It has been an interesting 19 days of my life, however I am feeling some progress to the positive. After having A-fib on Christmas Eve, my personal physician prescribed some new drugs to slow down my heart and raise my BP a little. He also put me on Warafin to help thin the blood. I felt better the next day! Although I do have some vision/focus issues since the surgery, it seems like it is getting better slowly. The nausea has subsided thank god and my weight has remained stable. Zofran did a great job for the nausea! I really don't have a lot of pain. I never had to take a lot of pain pills in the hospital and none since I have been home. I guess I am lucky in that aspect. My incision was only 4.5" long so that may have had something to do with it. It looks only like a little scratch right now. Amazing work doc. My biggest issue right now is being held captive in my house day in and day out. I do my breathing exercises and walks in the house for it is too cold to go outside. I get visitors every so often which also helps. I am going to have to find something to occupy my time and make me feel useful. My motivation is low, but lately I have been feeling better and stronger, so maybe I will figure something out. Other issues: I still have a little numbness in my right heel and right shin. It has gone away a little recently. Has anyone else had this problem? Also, pain in my right arm on occasion. I am going to take this on daily and let the healing take its course. I was too impatient at first and now realize that I cant force my way through this. Take care everyone and thanks for your support!!

10 days post op and trying to cope. It has been a difficult recovery. I don't have a good frame of mind right now so it is hard to remember, just a synopses: Day 4 I came "unglued". Medication gave me a stroke indication but thankfully it was not. I couldn't sleep unless I was knocked out with drugs, which made if hard coming down. The nausea has been non-stop. I have lost 20 lbs and feel absolutely drained - daily. My wife has been helping me with the recovery - without her I would be lost. I do make a little progress daily, but not as fast as others seem too. I don't mean to be a downer, but I felt people should know - Everybody Heals Differently! I will keep on keeping on. Mark

I am feeling good today. I would recommend your support person write everything down for you to help you remember. I have kept up on my pain meds, which is important! Hardly any pain issues, just some lightheaded Ness. I am eating more today. Oatmeal was great. Just doesn't feel like I had anything done! Looking forward as to recovery, just need to do neg exercises for they feel tight. Take care everyone. PEACE

Hi there! This is Mark's wife, Kristen. Just wanted to let all of you know that Mark's surgery went well. Dr Accola found that his aortic valve was congenitally bicuspid. He also found that the valve's circumference was small. Dr Accola thought it best to put in a bigger valve, so he cut some of the aorta to do that. No need to do any grafting of the aorta then. Mark spent about 24 hours in ICU. All events as expected. We are now in a regular room... took first walk this morning... taking quite a bit of pain meds... but making progress. I also wanted to Thank all of you for your support. I know that your words of encouragement and the knowledge that you have given has contributed immensely to Mark's approach to this surgery. Thank You.

Resting nicely in the hospital bed. My surgery is at 2 so I can watch a little Oprah beforehand..... just kidding, probably watch American Pickers those guys are crazy. Everybody here has been awesome, just like all the people on this page told me. I brought my headphones and played O.A.R.'s song "Peace" and that is where I am at.

After a great Packer victory, the family and I are all packed and ready to go. Leave for the airport at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning, destination Orlando. Tomorrow night I plan on taking the family to downtown Disney, Wednesday admittance, and Thursday surgery. Time to get the broken heart fixed..... Take care everyone

Last full day of work. Now just a few meetings in the next couple of days to make sure everyone knows what to do while I am gone. I plan on taking a full month off from work to concentrate on recovery... maybe more. Plans for the whole family to go to Orlando next Tuesday for the surgery. Kids are excited for dad to get his heart fixed, and to go to Lego-land. Looks like I may make the "Upcoming Surgeries" board after tomorrow. I guess I will now be famous!

Need aortic valve replaced in next month or two, along with repair of enlarged herniated ascending aorta. Most likely having a cow or pig valve put in. Haven't picked hospital yet - thinking either Mayo Clinic or the Cleveland Clinic. Any recommendations?