Patricia DeRosa - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1248 days ago

5 weeks Monday. When will I feel better?

Mary Jewett I imagine it is different for everyone and for different types of heart surgery. Myself I had an ao... Read more

Mary Jewett I imagine it is different for everyone and for different types of heart surgery. Myself I had an aortic valve replacement and I recall having a bit of a glimmer of things being better around the 6 to 8 week mark. My surgery was two years ago and the worst thing I remember from that time after surgery was the back pain and just trying to get comfortable to sleep more than an hour at a time. I am a side sleeper and could not get comfortable in any other position. I was actually able to get into a side sleeping position after about two weeks but I still had trouble sleeping for long periods of time for a while. I hope you are feeling better soon. You will eventually feel better and it will all be in the past.

Marie Myers Mary is right that it is different for everyone. I started feeling better at a month, and by 2 months ... Read more

Marie Myers Mary is right that it is different for everyone. I started feeling better at a month, and by 2 months I was feeling well enough to go back to work part time. But I was still taking lots of naps in between activities. Are you doing cardiac rehab? Rehab (whether in a clinic or on your own ), will go A long way to increase your stamina.

Susan Lynn Patricia - The afternoon power nap was my friend for a long time. The medications can also add to ... Read more

Susan Lynn Patricia - The afternoon power nap was my friend for a long time. The medications can also add to that feeling that something is 'off.' Take it one day at a time. Don't overdue it on the good days. Slow and steady wins the recovery race. Please keep us posted on how you're doing!

Richard Munson I guess feeling better is different for everyone. When i could get out of bed without requiring my wi ... Read more

Richard Munson I guess feeling better is different for everyone. When i could get out of bed without requiring my wifes assistance and taking a shower without her standing there admiring my naked body, i knew things were better. I still ask her to stand there but it falls on deaf ears.

Patricia DeRosa Thank you everyone. One day at a time

Richard Munson You would think taking a shower is a no brainer but in my case, once i was finally toweled off and dr ... Read more

Richard Munson You would think taking a shower is a no brainer but in my case, once i was finally toweled off and dressed, i was totally wiped. It was more demanding than the treadmill for some reason.

Susan Lynn Agree, Richard! I found out at cardiac rehab that hot showers drop blood pressure and short, warm ... Read more

Susan Lynn Agree, Richard! I found out at cardiac rehab that hot showers drop blood pressure and short, warm ones were recommended. I wish I knew that sooner!

Richard Munson Interesting. I love my hot showers. Treadmill now, hot shower second, then spending the rest of the d ... Read more

Richard Munson Interesting. I love my hot showers. Treadmill now, hot shower second, then spending the rest of the day with cassie.

Ginny Turner Hi Patricia, my surgery was the same day as yours (mitral & tricuspid repairs, and Maze, with ful ... Read more

Ginny Turner Hi Patricia, my surgery was the same day as yours (mitral & tricuspid repairs, and Maze, with full sternotomy). At the 4-week mark, I began to have more stamina and energy, though some days I feel a little better than others. Are you dealing with specific pain or is it more a fatigue problem? My surgeon said everyone's path in recovery is different and to expect some dips and curves. I'm SO happy to be on the recovery side of this and I know we'll get there!

Patricia DeRosa Hi Ginny. 5 weeks today. I’m like the energizer bunny. From the time I get up I’m running around ... Read more

Patricia DeRosa Hi Ginny. 5 weeks today. I’m like the energizer bunny. From the time I get up I’m running around doing things. Today I am trying to take it a little slower. Definitely not in my nature though. I still find it scary. Always hoping I keep ticking and the pain continues to decrease.