Nicholas's Posts

My capabilities when I got home were walking...trying for a few laps around my circular driveway three times a day...increasing a little every day. If I felt like I needed a break, I wouldn't walk...but I wouldn't do that more than once a week. I used my spirometer as I was told to. I rested. I took rides in the car with my wife whenever I could. I am 3 months out from my surgery and I've hit tennis balls from a ball machine twice. I've ridden my bike. I walk almost every day. I've also jogged a bit. Just be gracious with yourself. You'll probably wish you could do more than you can or feel like doing. Guys (especially) can get depressed because of the limitations. Be as active as you can, but don't over do it. Slowly work back into activity. And go to rehab! Hope that helps.

That is a good explanation from Jeff. I felt very tired the first week, so lots of naps were taken. I needed a chair to sit during showers for the first 2 weeks. Part of that is due to the low blood count that occurs after surgery. I walked in small spurts, and I increased the distance every day or so. It would be good to have someone available for at least a week or two. Emotionally, I was labile for a few weeks. Could cry at the drop of a hat!. But that got better, as everything did, bit by bit. I was well enough to go back to work part time in 8 weeks. Fast forward to 2 years, and I feel everything is back to normal. Wishing you a smooth ride through surgery and recovery!

I am due for an aortic root replacement, aortic valve and replacing my old Dacron tubing from prior Type A Aortic dissection, after almost 17 years, my aortic valve is leaking too much and my left ventricle is getting too large. Having trouble sleeping now not being able to catch my breath so got a chair last night again from my folks how. This chair help me through my original AD at 40, my prostate cancer recovery surgery and my left hip replacement and now back again for my surgery due on 12/19. My surgeon is Dr. Gabriela Aldea at the U of W. I remember my last surgery, it was an emergency open heart, unfortunately, I will have to have a full stern opening again for this one. I wish I could do TVAR but my aortic valve it too big they say. Keep in touch, brian@aorticdissection.com

I initially had a valve sparing aortic root replacement 18 months ago. At that point my aortic valve looked good so wasn't replaced. 18 months later I was told I had a heavily regurgitating aortic valve..so they had to go back in and replace it, that was 10 weeks ago. Wish they had done it all on the first attempt.