Patti's Journal

For anyone in this group who is facing a challenge..

Has anyone had cortisone injections for their scars? My cardiologist wanted my dermatologist to look at a small scar from a chest tube - it was healing kind of strange - and before I knew it I wound up with these injections to flatten the scarring. It's a 3 or 4 step process. Anyone else?

I am in my 6th week following mitral valve repair, using minimally invasive techniques. My surgeon was able to go in between my ribs with a 4" incision on my chest. I think this really reduced my pain and made my recovery easier than what a lot of your are experiencing. Today I started rehab, and I went there with an awful attitude - everyone will be "old", I don't want to be indoors on a beautiful spring day, I don't want to be in a hospital setting, etc etc etc! I had every excuse ready to hate it, and possibly even drop out! It was WONDERFUL! The staff was supportive, my body and heart responded well, and my class of 5 was great! As always, my purpose here is to support people who are newer to this challenge than me, and to let you know it gets SO MUCH BETTER as time goes in. To make the afternoon even better, I got a great call from my cardiologist that my echo of a few days ago looks great, and my repaired valve looks "perfect"! Life is good - and if yours doesn't feel that way today or tomorrow, I promise good things are coming to you. We didn't survive this experience for nothing!

It's been one month since my mitral valve repair, which included a re-hospitalization and surgery for a pericardial effusion. I'm doing well, and at least as well as I was before surgery - and maybe even a little better. I want to encourage all of you just out of surgery that it does get better! By week 3 I was beginning to suspect this, and now, at week 4, I KNOW this! Hang in there - it all passes - the lack of sleep, the nausea, the lack of appetite, the pain, the tears. We are a strong bunch and we will all survive!

Has anyone had issues with a high heart rate post op? I'm two weeks out and feeling pretty good - but this has me so scared and frustrated. The doctor says its normal but I am reading into things and worrying myself. I am taking metropolol to try to get it down - but I wish it would hurry up.

Twelve days out from mitral repair, and although my appetite is back, food still tastes very strange - maybe metallic like? The only meds I'm taking are toprol and blood thinner. Is this still from the anesthesia?

I'm a week and a half out of mitral valve repair, and doing better everyday! I wanted to share this in hopes of maybe helping someone. My pain, from right after surgery, has almost entirely been in my right shoulder blade. Today was my 3rd chiropractor visit, and he has really been helping. They Are gentle and not aggressive at all, and really well versed in our aches and pains. Just wanted to share. PS: something else I heard today that makes sense - in early recovery, don't expect to have two good days in a row. If we overdo, there is definitely a price to be paid.

Ok so all is well and we are home and all is good. Sleep is caught up on since there is none in the hospital. NOW - how do we sleep? I feel like I drop in one spot and can't move. Within a few hours this translates into real pain. I have a wedge, lots of pillows, and don't want to move to a recliner. Help please?

I'm 5 days post op for mv repair. It's wonderful to be home in my own bed and recovering. I pray for anyone in mental or physical anquish, and I pray for those having surgery in the week ahead.

Its not even funny but we might as well all laugh! You should SEE my suitcase! A friend said it looks like Im headed to a spa - HA - I'll bet the toothpaste is the only thing I use!

36 hours till surgery and maybe feeling a little calmer. The 4 week wait was brutal but I'm almost there!

Hi, I'm preparing for my surgery this Monday 3/28. Im aware sleep could be a problem after and am looking for suggestions. We have a recliner but I would love to be in bed if I could. I'm have minimally invasive under the right breast. What can I do to be most comfortable? Thanks!

Has anyone gone into surgery not feeling 100 percent? My surgery was scheduled for tomorrow and cancelled due to flu. It's been rescheduled for this Friday the 25th. I am feeling better and fever is long gone, but I still have the cough that can so easily linger for a long time. I will call my surgeon tomorrow to let him know, but I wonder if anyone else has had experience with going in to this "not perfect"? I'm so frustrated!

Does anyone have experience with either NYU or Columbia mitral valve surgery? I will have to decide this week and don't know how to choose. Thanks!

I survived my TEE today. They said I was handling it extraordinarily well so I was fully awake, even though they had sedated me. I wish this wasn't the case as it was uncomfortable, but over with so quickly. An hour in recovery and on my way back home. Followed up with my cardiologist this afternoon, where he confirmed the severity of the regurgitation and they need to fix the situation sooner rather than later. Came home and completely broke down - I'm just so tired, my throat is sore as can be from the test, and I wish this would all go away. I'm worried about how bad my attitude already is, and I know I have to make the choice to have a better attitude going forward. Thank you for listening.

I survived my TEE today. They said I was handling it extraordinarily well so I was fully awake, even though they had sedated me. I wish this wasn't the case as it was uncomfortable, but over with so quickly. An hour in recovery and on my way back home. Followed up with my cardiologist this afternoon, where he confirmed the severity of the regurgitation and they need to fix the situation sooner rather than later. Came home and completely broke down - I'm just so tired, my throat is sore as can be from the test, and I wish this would all go away. I'm worried about how bad my attitude already is, and I know I have to make the choice to have a better attitude going forward. Thank you for listening.

Hi - I'm new here and terrified. Found out last week that my 20 year old mitral valve will need to be repaired, so the journey has begun. I am so scared, but in a strange way a little relieved. I've had chest pain for all of these years, and in the past year, its been daily. I guess I'm "glad" to be getting this done in hopes of feeling better.
Tomorrow is my TEE, which thanks to too much research, I've also managed to scare myself about. It sounds like a "nothing" but Im a little worked up.
Thanks for taking me in to this group.