Meredith's Journal

Rob Sparling  Meredith, congrats! I am jealous. Still no green light to drive at my sixth week. Different level of conservatism for my doc, I guess.

What stretching exercises? Please share what you’ve learned! Thanks in advance!

Jill McDonald   Congratulations to you all bring on the other side. I know each experience is unique. Waiting until December 7 at Loyola Chicago. I love all the information. I truly learn something new every day! Blessings!

Molly Ivers  It's been 12 days since I had surgery and I am feeling very weird in my chest/incision area. TBH, I just asked about the feelings I am having - if they are normal. I hope you get some good answers - they will help ease my mind.

Meredith Geneja  Will be calling the hospital today. A great nurse left me with her card as I was being discharged. Trusting we will both understand more soon!

Thomas Brusstar  Meredith, I am now 16 weeks post OHS for mitral valve repair, and I still have some ache in my sternum. I have done great overall, I am jogging on the treadmill in rehab, back to full activity -- but I still have some mild ache, especially at the top of the sternum like at the collar bone, when I lift my arms way up, or even when I sleep on my side the wrong way. I think the ache is a bit worse when I lift weights with my chest/upper body, so right now I just assume the weightlifting activity is mostly the problem. I hope it's just the bone still growing and strengthening. The pain isn't at the skin level--I can rub the incision all over and it doesn't hurt. It's just deeper, in the bone, that still hurts a bit. If I knew it weren't a problem, meaning the bone is healed or healing and I shouldn't worry, then I'd be happy to live with the slight pain forever. As it is, I am hoping it just keeps getting better as I work through more weightbearing and activity in the gym.

LINDA ROBERTS  You are not even 3 weeks past surgery right now. I know that I felt tired for at least 6 weeks so think it is very natural that you feel that way. Around week 8 I started to have more energy and finally started cardio rehab which helps alot.

Martha Dove  I’ve been on metoprolol for about 6 years, 50 mg a day. It did make me tired at first but after a few weeks I was fine. My sister, however, had to change meds

Louanna Miller  Like Linda, I felt tired and fatigued easily for the first 8 weeks following my OHS. I was still very tired and weak at one month post surgery. Be gentle with yourself. We are all unique and heal differently.

Rita Savelis  One can feel very tired/exhausted for months after surgery, regardless of medication. I have never felt that type of exhaustion before or since. Your body/heart need time to recover, more time than many people expect. Recovery time varies. It's all normal. However, I did find that betablockers slowed me down as well. Since they cut your adrenalin, you can feel slower. They slow down your heart so that it isn't working so hard during its healing period. This affects some people more than others. If you were an energetic person before OHS, you might feel the effect of betablockers more than others. But regardless, 20 days is so very very early. Take care.

Meredith Geneja  Thank you, each one, for your reassurances, experiences & insights. Very helpful & just what I needed. Truly a journey better shared with others on a similar road. What you have explained makes sense to me. Surgery reminds me of a new "outfit". One very much needed but an adjustment as to how to wear. Perhaps more awkward than expected some days, but given the options, truly grateful for it. Thank you!

Jill McDonald   Meredith how did you handle the bra issue? I am struggling with what to do. Looking for your insights.

Marie Myers  Did you take any narcotic pain pills before this happened? Can be a side effect of narcotics or low BP also. Also could be caused by dehydration... Wishing you all the best1

Susan Killian  I had this happen twice, once before surgery, well actually before I even knew I was having a problem. They did all types of tests and found nothing. The second time was post op about a month ago. This time I just came home and went to bed. Felt better the next day.

Rob Sparling  I was nauseous once when moving the bed from flat to inclined. I was in ICU at the time. Painkillers and a big gulp of water didn’t mix. Was a bit messy, if you know what I mean. But that was it....

Jennifer McInerney  I have been nauseous off and in since surgery. I’m taking Gravol when it’s really bad. Doctors and nurses told me it’s all the different meds they m on. Impossible to know which one.

Meredith Geneja  Thank you, one & all! An early night helped a lot. Cut back on meds today. Just can't give up those walks. (I took a little fold out stool with me today in case it was needed along the way:) Progress is coming, slow but SURE!! Kept thanking God for our veterans today. My pain was a choice to have a better life. Veterans often hurt like we do & more because they were serving/choosing in a different capacity. The correlation was so real for me today. Just sharing what was on my heart as I heal. It is quite a journey, isn't it?!

Dan Vechiola  Good luck Meredith! Visualize a successful surgery and hospital stay and put your fate in the hands of your surgeon and hospital. Think positive and before you know it you will be on the recovery side!

Lily He  Meredith, my prayers are with you and wish you have a very successful surgery. God bless you. See you on the other side definitely.

Jennifer McInerney  I will be thinking of you as I wait for my date. I find out on 27th. I hope it is quite fast after that. I won’t have time to over analyze and freak myself out. This site has been invaluable in my preparation for AVR. Thanks to everyone!

Meredith Geneja  This feels like when I used to high dive. Never liked looking down at the distance to travel, but always loved coming back up. One day my suit was dripping & I slipped. No time to strategize my dive. Everything was still OK. Thinking of you, Jennifer as you wait. Thank you, Marie and all. We are blessed to be able to get help for our hearts:) We have great surgeons & a great community. Feeling grateful.

Meredith Bray  Isn't it a relief to have a date? I had to wait about 3 weeks, and that was the worst. I'm glad yours is soon, it'll be AWESOME to get it done and over!

Debbie Moriarty  Meredith, can you tell me how long it takes to get a surgery date? I am meeting my surgeon next week. I don’t want the surgery to be too soon. I am gonna need time to process this. My stomach hurts just typing out this question . 😕

Meredith Geneja  Hi Debbie, they seem to give you lots of time. Mine has been "in process" since the end of June & just received date yesterday. There are so many tests & steps to take. Each case is different. You will be fine, although we all have our moments, that's for sure. Virtual HUG!!! I am feeling more Blessed than Stressed. Have met 3 of the Dr's who will be present. We are all entering a well-oiled machine.

Debbie Moriarty  Thank you for the hug and encouragement! And I like that I will probably have plenty of time to process everything!! 😊

Meredith Geneja  Thinking of you, Gregory Brummett, thanks again for the youtube posts. Your Dr's will be very sober, don't you worry!!! And, Chris Cortez Curry, I am praying for you too. We share this journey, one day at a time:)

MARIE PICUN  Yes, the waiting I think is the worst. My surgery date is October 9, and I have more test coming. Just keeping busy and not think

Suzanne Finn  Good thinking to rest when needed. I did before surgery last November. I was feeling a great deal of fatigue along with palpitations and shortness of breath. Do you have a date for surgery? All the best to you.

Meredith Geneja  Thank you, Suzanne Finn! No date for surgery yet. The Dr. is clarifying a lung concern Sept. 13th, prior to booking the heart surgery. Good to be in thorough hands. Appreciate your response very much. Have a good week!

Jennifer McInerney  I live in Niagara and I’m waiting for an appt. to see surgeon. My main symptom is fatigue so I just rest when I need to. I’m finding this waiting period very frustrating . I’ll be glad once a plan with dates is in place.

Meredith Geneja  I agree with you, Jennifer McInerney! I am resting when needed & helping others when possible, to get my mind off me! Also, organizing what I can around my home so after surgery will go well. This time is a gift if we can see it that way. Hoping you have a positive day.

Valerie Altman  I'm 45 and I sleep alottttt seems like when I wake up I could still sleep. We may miss these naps later after this is all over lol
I too am waiting for a surgery date. My surgeons first available appointment wasn't until Sept 28th.

Nancy LeClair Gottlieb  I'm waiting also. My Mitral Valve repair is on Sept. 28. I'm busy caring for my grandson. He is 10 months old. He is starting daycare the week before my surgery because I need to go in for tests. I don't have much symptoms. I did get afib at the end of May. I will be 59 the week after my surgery. I'm more concerned about the recovery period. Going to miss my grandson. I look forward to spending my days with him again.