Robert's Journal

Eleanor R  I am glad you are on the mend, Robert. Sometimes we encounter bumps in the road to recovery, but I am glad yours are now in the rear view mirror. I wish you a smooth and steady recovery. Eleanor

Nancy D  I had similar symptoms and feelings, these regulate with time. Your circulatory system is adjusting to how it should have been working and it sure gave me some lightheadedness with vision disturbances. I found it was when my blood pressure was too low and I got up too fast without taking my time. I still have it but it is much less often and much less dramatic. The feelings that something is wrong is completely gone as I suspect the lightheadedness will be soon! Hang in there! Rest often!

Eleanor R  Just take the walking slow and steady, increasing the time/distance slowly but not the speed. My release instructions for the first week called for small walking segments (3 mins, then 4, then 5 min, etc.) two or three times a day. I did this inside the house at the time, as like you I felt kind of lightheaded and was afraid of stumbling on the walkway and falling. By the end of the second week home I was walking the driveway and a little bit beyond, but the release instructions never called for more than 30 mins. at a time, but to walk a couple of 30 min walks a day. Good you are using the incentive spirometer too. Best wishes for continued healing. Eleanor

Eleanor R  Good luck to you tomorrow Robert, I am sending good thoughts and prayers your way, and looking forward to hearing from you about your own experiences soon. Best wishes, Eleanor

Daniel Spurgeon  Best wishes tomorrow. We're all truly fortunate to have skilled surgical care available to fix these issues and extend our lives.

Adam Pick  Robert, You got this! And, it's excellent to hear you are at peace with this unique moment in your life. I remember feeling the same way -- the night before my surgery. I am sending you BIG, HEALTHY, HEART-PUMPING thoughts from California!!!

Joan Napier  Robert, thoughts and prayers for you today and as you recover. Looking forward to hearing your good news.

Adam Pick  Robert, I can relate to much of what you speak. My valve quickly deteriorated after I had missed my annual check up for two years. The bicuspid aortic valve went from moderate to severe stenosis during the time period -- and my ventricle had started to enlarge. The great news is that you caught it and you are going to get it fixed. I know that might be hard hearing that open heart surgery is "great news" but it really is. This disease can do some real damage. Luckily, it sounds like you are on a path to restore a very healthy heart and a very long lifespan. Keep on tickin! Adam

Eleanor R  Hello, Robert, and welcome to this forum. I hope you will find a lot of information and fellowship as folks read your journal and respond. I had aortic valve replacement surgery on July 14th. I had what is called a mini sternotomy, which is an opening of the chest to access the heart and aortic valve. It leaves a scar of about 3 to 4 inches. I was a candidate for that because the angiogram (cardiac catherization) showed no blocked arteries, hence no need for bypass surgery. The surgeon I had selected prefers that type of operation when possible as he says the recovery time is less. There is also a minimally invasive surgery, opening through the ribs, which others on this site have had, and I believe that is even more specialized with certain surgeons doing the surgery. I am sure you have a lot to think about all of a sudden, so it is good you are looking into all of this. Adam has a ton of videos and interviews with surgeons who specialize in different procedures. I went to a local hospital, as I am lucky enough to have a top national heart and vascular institute near my home, and a very experienced surgeon who I waited to meet, then waited to get on his surgery calendar. I am so pleased that I did, everything went well and now some 11 weeks later I'm in cardiac rehab, driving again, doing housework, and back to volunteering with English literacy at our local school. Pretty good for 68! Best wishes to you, as you look into this new field, which was also a mystery to all of us at one time. Eleanor

Michael Culpepper  Robert, I echo what Eleanor said. I had a mitral repair and a MAZE procedure, all done via a "right thoracotomy." That is the incision between the right breast and armpit, between the 3rd and 4th ribs, about 4 inches long. Since no bones are compromised, the healing is usually much easier. It is my understanding, though, that it is a more spe ialized approach, requires elongated instruments, and 3d video capability. (Some still use 2d video.) So, yes, there are places that use thar approach whenever the medical condition allows, but it does require special experience and equipment. At about 10 weeks post surgery, I am back at work full time and walking/jogging 3-5 miles a day. I will be 64 in October. Best wishes in your treatment. Mike

Angelo Varrone  Mike, I had AVR surgery just over a year ago. My surgeon recommended a full sternotomy. His reasoning made sense; more room and better visual of the surgical area = better chance for success. At 67 I didn't find the recovery from the sternotomy to be all that daunting. I was back to work in 4 weeks. Your best decision will be picking a surgeon that has done whatever procedure you choose many times. Best of luck!