Matthew's Journal

Hey Y'all looking for some advice on recovery:

I'm coming up on 4 months post-op. Other than the bit of weight I gained from the otherwise wonderful sedentary time, I'm feeling good with basic life stuff and have had no complications. I've been at work now for a month and am happy that I no longer have much pain or fatigue just from the daily grind of housekeeping and working full time.

Since getting back into the routine, I started having palpitations at a pretty normal rate for where I was at pre-op. Cardiology has been aware of these changes and hasn't been concerned. A post-op echo shows everything is great and my heart is starting to remodel back to normal size already! I got the go-ahead for returning to a more normal exercise routine

For several years preop I successfully targeted a total of 150 minutes/week of moderate to high intensity cardio with HR > 160 bpm about 70% of the time. During recovery I stayed walking, but my daily routine has slipped since I've become more busy and more active as well. Last week I started trying to ramp up my exercise and was able to get a few leisurely sessions, and one where I actually broke a sweat and got my heartrate up over 160 for a pretty good amount of time. It felt great to push and I'm ready for more. But in the days that followed I had hundreds of palpitations that took a whole week to finally get back to baseline. Cardiology advised me to slow down and be more progressive, but this is where I need help.

I'm very discouraged how long the tail end of this is lasting. But of course I gather that's normal. I don't know how to be more progressive. It's hard to stay motivated to continue to work if I don't have the sense I'm gaining ground. Any tips for how I can work my way back progressively in a way where I can see consistent results and feel I'm making good effort consistently? I've found it difficult to do really ANYTHING if I can't engage with the strenuous and meaningful work that's been so important for my psychological and physical health over the last 5 years.

Thank you all for your well wishes, prayers, and support. 48 hours post op and I'm finally feeling better. Had a real rough go of things but the surgery went perfectly and we were able to get the repair!!!!!!

Surgery starts in two hours. After decades of waiting and resenting this inevitably, it's hard to believe it's here. I couldn't feel more confident, but that's not to say it's all good vibes. We're ready for this and as always, I'm in God's strong hands. I appreciate all your prayers and support the last months. See you on the other side!

Hey yall!  Thanks for all your support!  For those of you that pray, please pray for these nursing negotiations in NYC.  My whole surgical date (next Wednesday) is up in the air right now.  If this strike isn't over by tomorrow, it sounds like I'll be back out in the wind.  The timing on this...

Hey y'all! 27 days until surgery and I'm trying to get planning done before Christmas. We'll be flying to NYC. I already have a VRBO and flights booked. But I'm trying to plan what to bring on the trip and what to get ready for home. I'm ready at home with a recliner and a treadmill, but I'm worried about forgetting something that will make life easier when we get there, since we'll have no way to get it. My main worry is there isn't a good chair in our VRBO, so I think I'll be propping with pillows for the 5 days they want me to stay in town after discharge. Any suggestions or lessons learned that you can offer? I need your wisdom!

January 18th I'll be making the journey with my wife to Manhattan to be under the care of Dr. El-Hamamsy at Mt. Sinai for repair of my bicuspid valve; with intent to save the Ross procedure for down the road.  This has been a long journey over most of my life and I feel one of the hardest parts if finally over.  I can honestly say this is the first time I feel optimism about that little piece of meat in my chest that has caused so much disruption.

A special THANK YOU to Mr. Dial for your quick response and to Dr. Paul Stelzer for our lovely and game-changing conversation

I'm two days out from my initial surgical consult. Any tips on assessing a surgeon? I work in hospital medicine so I know the kind of scary providers that are out there. I'm traveling two hours from home to go to University of Wisconsin (based on a second opinion 14 years ago when I was initially told I'd need surgery). I was referred to a surgeon who has only been practicing 2 years, but I know that means he's been doing it for a decade. His educational credibility is top notch (Stanford, New York Presb), but this is something that has to last me a long time.

Oof. After two decades of monitoring I was told yesterday that it's time. The surgical consult is placed. This is no longer hanging over my head... it's here. Now the story begins. I've been following this site for years. I suppose it's time to join up