Pat's Journal

Klara Čičić  It is a major surgery of our main organ that keeps us alive, it is normal to feel fearful, it is basic instinct to want to avoid that surgery. But with good knowledge and understanding why you need this surgery, how it will help you, how it will improve your health, how low acctually the risks of this surgery are etc - with all those informations comes peace, little by little, so my advice would be to inform yourself as much as possible, that way you will feel like you have some control and you should feel less anxious... Plus, our support here will do the job, too! :) Sharing your concerns is one great mechanism of relieving stress, and when there are people who truly understand what you are going through on the other side - that is a match made in heaven :))))

Pamela Gregory  Like Klara said, it is normal to feel fear. We all did that have been through it. I think the idea of stopping your heart is very strange and scary even though it is controlled, tried, and true. Trust in your surgical team, leaning on your family and friends, and faith in God helped me

Greg Lewis  Hey Pat! You are going to get past this fear! The open heart news, for you, is still pretty new. As it sinks in, more, you will learn to absolutely love the id...( sorry, wrong speech..  ) lol.. OK, you probably are not going to love it, but you will begin to accept it.  
The more you accept it, the less your fear will take over. 
Honestly...give ALL of those fears to God. He tells you to. Ask Him for strength! He takes care of you...always! 
He will be with you throughout this process, and surgery. And I mean WITH you...so talk to him. 

Praying for your strength, and a lessening of fears. 
You will be fine.

Rita Savelis  It's hard to control one's worry. For surgery one has to give up control and trust one's surgeon. Everything you are feeling is common and normal. Take care.

Susan Lynn  Pat - Almost all of us have been on bypass during our procedures and are here to tell the story. Don't worry so much about the process - focus on your improved future. Everything will be fine!

Miriam St.Clair  I taught Anatomy and Physiology for more than 20 years. To give my students more experiential learning, I would take a group every semester to a local hospital that had a cardiac surgery observation dome for the students to observe a cardiac surgery in real time. It was great and I never grew tired of seeing mostly bypass surgeries and seeing my students enthralled by it all. What was not so great was when it was time for my surgery, I knew exactly what was going to happen, especially with the bypass machine. I had seen the patient's heart stopped so many times and the pump started up and watched all the blood flowing through the machine. Yikes, I was scared but then I remembered that all of the patients woke up and did well and I had great faith in my surgeon and his team that I knew I would wake up, too, and I did. I was also very worried about cognitive impairment but my doctor here at home said that usually only lasts for about 24 hours and it did. To be honest, I feel sharper mentally than I did pre-surgery, probably because I'm now getting more oxygen to the brain with my new and improved valves.

Deena Z  Most heart warriors have at least one or two things they are most concerned about during and/or after surgery.   I think that no matter what we tell you, it may remain as something you think about.  But that's okay.  Just don't let it consume you, because the heart being stopped and started again while astonishing is one of the aspects the surgeons are very best at.  Now the food or your room mate is a different story:)

Robert Stebbins  Pat - that was one of my greatest fears too (and a very reasonable one too). After being through the surgery and now 5 weeks in recovery, I can say it ended up not being a big deal at all mostly since I was under at the time and didn’t know what was happening.  Other things that I hadn’t even considered were much bigger deals but all manageable. 

It is perfectly normal to have the fears you are having - we’ve all had them in one way or another. I found talking to a therapist before and after surgery really helped me prepare and recover mentally and emotionally. And, all the great people at this site really help too. Good luck!

Marie Myers  I was very anxious about the whole surgery. What I found was my experience was not as scary/bad/painful as my worrying mind would have me believe. I spent 5 nights in the hospital, started cardiac rehab at 3 weeks, and did go back to work part time at 8 weeks. You can do it!

Robert Miller  May I ask what you are worried about? I am asking because maybe then we can better address those particular concerns. If it's a general concern then consider this. As you know already from your previous surgery, you will be completely out. You won't feel a thing. Also, you are probably safer than staying at home not getting the surgery done. During surgery you have your surgeon right next to you (obviously) and I believe by law there is a backup surgeon. Then after surgery you are under constant surveillance and if anything should happen, you have all the nurses and doctors right there. They can react within seconds compared to minutes when you are home. The heart-lung machine is also really safe. The biggest concern is probably your lungs. They are in the way during surgery so they are being collapsed. It's important that they 'unfold' again after surgery so you don't get pneumonia. That's why you really need to do those breathing exercises after surgery. In general, it's the first few days until all your tubes are out that are the hardest. Then you have the recovery and every person is different. I put in thousands of steps a day doing loops in the hospital and didn't really have any pain. Many people have similar experiences but it's quite possible that there might be some pain and fatigue. If you feel pain then ask for pain medicine when you are in the hospital and take the pain medicine they give you when you are home. Also take it easy for the first 4 weeks. 

Pat Munn  Hi Robert. Many thanks for your post. Along with all the other posts on this site I am feeling a bit less anxious. I think my fear is mostly the unknown with OH.  I am so grateful for this site

Pat Munn  Just want to say that re-reading the comments from all of you is a huge source of comfort and starting to let go of worrying a bit at a time. Surgeon consult is Monday and I will have more info

Robert Stebbins  So glad to hear this Pat. This community is a great, caring resource so don’t hesitate to reach out if we can help further. 

Mark Hall  Pat, you are in my prayers and thoughts. This too shall pass, and it will be the beginning of the next big era of you!! All my best! Mark Hall, LPN

Martha Dean  I had two valves replaced 5 weeks ago. Mitral and aortic. I had st Jude's mechanical valves installed for both. Currently doing cardiac rehab and taking lots of naps. So far so good!!

Martha Dean  My surgery was on a Tuesday and I went home Monday. They were aiming for Sunday but my blood pressure was too low for a few days so I couldn't walk around as much as they wanted. With my double valve replacement I also had a double bypass. Pain was easily managed with pain meds. I still get sore from time to time but stopped the pain meds after about 3 weeks. Fatigue is still haunting me but I'm getting there.

Ruben Romero  I had dual valve replacement 7 years ago and about to get them replaced again. I was 34 and out of the hospital in 4 days. Tissue valves. Apparently they don't last as long in younger people.

I'd recommend that you ask about your options. Can the mitral valve be repaired? Is it possible the mitral valve will do better if you fix the aortic valve? What are all your options?

Full open heart surgery Recovery was hard but you can get through it.

Rita Savelis  Dual valve replacement 2 years ago along with an unexpected 3rd valve repaired and unexpected pacemaker... No pain.,but weeks and months of discomfort and intense exhaustion. 4 weeks in hospital.

Barbara Helen Dance  Hi Pat, I am glad you wrote......I have spent most of today trying to do jobs, and then drifting off into " This time next week" I will be admitted, and getting ready for The Big Day.......ooooohhhhhhh!!!!, 😓😡😖 , but I take a deep breath....... in.......(even this will help with post op breathing??!!) gain my composure, breath out......... Phew!! ; that will do till next time...... . I hope you will stay in touch.... and then we can compare notes,..... chuckle!!!. Keep safe, and keep well, all best wishes, Barb.xxx😓😊😏

Pat Munn  Sounds like a plan ! I am sending you all the best for a successful surgery.. keep practicing that deep breathing. You keep well and safe too.... I know the anxiety level must be off the grid ...

Barbara Helen Dance  Hi Pat....... yes!!! I am sooooooooo anxious, like you wouldn't believe😖😣😓😞. I know I should know better.... but its easier said than done... haha!!xx

Barbara Helen Dance  Hi Pat, thank you so much for caring,,,. I had my surgery for Atrial Valve Replacement and reduction aortoplasy without any snags like cancellations etc. My daughter tells me I put on a hilarious 'show' of miming to her and the hospital staff...... my voice had gone completely.. . by day 2 in the. I.C.U, they were so pleased. I was sent to the step down unit,. There was a slight problem'(one day I there, when my temp went up and my blood pressure and O2 levels all dropped. Drips. Went BACK up etc... and blood cultures were taken. clear..... so ..... I went back to self caring, and a transfer the. Next day, back to a sideward. Eventually I was told I could go home on the 5th day.....IF.... and only if my. I.n.r went up to a reasonable level..... haha.......1.6*,1.7*......1.5*......1.8* and then finally....2.3*, today, it is. 2.6*....phew!! Hhaha. I will tell more of things on my album ..and hopefully get a photo put up. Its lovely to be back in my own little bed 'little dog', please let me know how you are ,All my very best wishes,,,,, Barbara.xx😉

Pat Munn  Wonderful news! Im having pre approval tests for TAVR today then hoping i will get on the schedule. I am so happy you are doing so well. You must feel so relieved to have the procedure behind you. Sending you all the best ....

Barbara Helen Dance  Hello Pat, thank you for your best wishes, I hope your TAVR approval tests went according to plan. Yesterday, thankfully ,was a good day. having rested the day before,, and on the day dosed myself up....... Nothing..... and I mean nothing was going to stop me attending my daughters graduation of her Law degree at Oxford University.... 🎓. The staff were so helpful, allowing me to avoid the inevitable. Queues and stairs that were inevitable,. I was made to feel almost regal, haha,, and .........then today!!. It was back to a bad day and the in avoidable Constipation.... Ugh!! ; ( bit of a come down,).. despite following all the rules..... fluids.... good diet of plenty vet and fruit, and mobility........ . Cheered myself up with a warm leisurely ( while I worked out out to Exit the bath!!), Every day... slow but sure....... good days and bad days.... ride with them, Every day, I give my own little prayer of thanks for God having brought me to a brand new day....I shall take full joy..... what ever it may bring.xxx

Pat Munn  Hi Barbara. Just checking in. Hope you are beginning to have more and more good days. And you must be so proud of your daughter! My surgery now scheduled for Aug 22

Rose Madura  My aunt had a TAVR 2 years ago and is doing great. She had traditional OHS about 12 years prior and said the TAVR was a piece of cake. Wishing you the best.

Alethea Scally  Hi Patt! My dad had a SAVR on June 13th and will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow or Monday. He keeps telling us he has no pain, that his only "pain" is extreme boredom. He did have a few bouts of extreme pain while getting into his bed the day after surgery. We asked the cardiac PA when the pain would start and she said that some people never experience pain while others have excruciating pain. But, the majority of people fall somewhere in between the two pain poles. I'm sending good thoughts your way that you fall in the no-pain group!

Civita Fahey  Hi Pat.. I was scheduled for a mini myself, but, as it happened I was told my heart was place oddly and the valve was tipped therefore, I had a full sternotomy but through a mini incision.. I didn't find this too bad, yes, sore, but, its double. Tylenol and Toradol was fine for the first couple of days and then just Tylenol. hope this helps you

Barbara Wood  Hi Pat, I had a full sternotomy 3 1/2 weeks ago & at this point it is very much a non issue. I didn't feel it as exactly pain, more like a heaviness or pressure that felt kind of like I had a big heavy tray constantly hanging around my neck- a strange sensation, but not really painful. I don't regret going that route at all, it healed up so fast. I will try to post a photo.

Rita Savelis  In all honesty I never had pain after a full sternotomy OHS and was told that that is common. It was nothing like any other surgery I ever had painwise. That said, it was uncomfortable and there are not words to describe the complete exhaustion I felt for a long time afterwards. I was also warned about that. Full sternotomies are not necessarily more difficult than mini ones. That is a misconception. Every case is different, every surgery is different.
But in all honesty, pain was not an issue for me.
After some morphine in ICU (to forget that I was waking up from this ordeal!) I didn't take anything else.
Those who suffer from pain often do because of the odd positions their bodies are in during surgery - so it is muscle pain.
Be vocal about any pain you might have. The medical team is there to alleviate pain with meds. Don't be afraid to ask for what you need.
Take care.

Marie Myers  I had a full sternotomy, and I can honestly say pain was not an issue. I was exhausted and weak, but pain was not an issue. I took only a few doses of the Vicoden, and found the Tylenol was enough for me. I was amazed because I, too, was nervous about the pain.

Soggy Rodent  I had a full sternotomy and it was painful but manageable with pain meds. I would be sitting at a 6 or 7 on the pain scale and the meds would bring the pain down to a 3 or 4. I am 5 weeks out from surgery and still have an aching chest . The worst pain came from getting in and out of bed. If you do experience pain, take pain meds a half hour before getting out of bed. That helps a lot! A week and a half after being home, I was able to stop taking opiates...

Pat Munn  Glad you are able to manage the pain, and thanks for the advice. Hope you are progressing more and more each day !