Peggy's Journal

Well, hello all!! I have returned. Finally. Got to say this has been the hardest thing I’ve been through in my life.

I feel like I went away from myself and the world I knew to a far away place.

Went away, lost my self, pump head so friggin real. Pain real. Emotional lability, uncertainly, depression, fear for the future. All so real. But here I am!

I am a 69 years young active grandma with 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. I babysit for kids to fill my days with joy & laughter.

I had 3 stents a year ago placed through my wrist, afib the past 3 years. I have a porcine mitral valve that was “installed” via a 6 hours or so full sternotomy on 02/28/25.

For a-fib & a-flutter I had the MAZE procedure completed & a left atrial appendage clip placed during the procedure. I have had cardio version many times & cardiac ablation 1X prior to the OHS. No fib or flutter since this surgery.

Surgery 02/28/25. 4 days in cardiac ICU; 4 more days till discharged home. Heart wouldn’t pace itself right after surgery. Scary! Team cautiously waited and it finally kicked in. No pacemaker needed.

12 weeks post op this Friday. Have been doing cardiac rehab 3 days a week for the past 5 weeks. I feel like I have just now FINALLY turned the corner.

I at last am feeling more like myself before all these heart issues kicked in 3 years ago.

I have a very strong family history of heart disease, both sides & in siblings. All seven of us still on this earth, for a reason! All dealing with heart & other issues, ages 61 - 71.

Dad had quadruple bypass surgery at age 40, lived a very active life until passing at 61 from a heart attack.

I want to get back to hiking fields, streams, mountains, beaches, forests . . . my prayer for now.

Thank you ALL for sharing all you have shared. Every share helps so many.

So thankful for my cardiac team, Kevin Hodges, this website, Kevin’s book, all who share here and those to come. And of course my “village”. Heart strong we are. ❤️❤️❤️

I’m back. 11 days post full sternotomy to get a brand new porcine mitral valve, MAZE procedure and left atrial appendage closure. That on top of 3 stents received almost a year ago
Home at Jessica’s since Saturday afternoon. Thanking God with every breath. Heart took a couple of extra days to start pacing on it’s own.
Yes it hurts but better every day. Still a long road to recovery. Thanks to all for your support, love, caring, prayers. ❤️❤️❤️
https://www.nm.org/locations/bluhm-cardiovascular-institute-at-northwestern-memorial-hospital?utm_source=yext&utm_medium=other+location&utm_campaign=online+listings&y_source=1_ODIyOTc4MC03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3D

ORTONYX Sternum and Thorax Support Chest Brace Post Open Heart Surgery Sternum Fractures Rehabilitation / ACHB5255-XXL
Has anyone used a brace like this post sternotomy and if so did it help with anything? Thanks.