Roselyn's Journal

Question for all of you who had a sternotomy souvenir pillow: What did you do with it afterwards? Trying to come up with a creative year 1 ending for it as I just found it in the back of my car

10 months post and feeling great!  Going to PT to help with upper body strengthening and what a difference!  Should be part of cardiac rehab!  I feel so lucky!

Hi everyone! I decided to post particularly for those facing open heart surgery. On May 24, at the age of 62, I had SAVR at Beth Israel Boston (porcine valve) for severe aortic valve stenosis (bi cuspid valve). I was otherwise in good health. I did much research and interviewed a number of surgeons in the two months leading up to surgery. It was stressful, of course, but worth it in that I felt comfortable with my surgeon and my choice. The recovery process feels slow if you are used to feeling well, but it is steady and you will get better and better. My heart is recovering nicely. I take a baby aspirin and will always and Tylenol and/or Advil still for pain management . At week 15 I walk more than a mile a day and average 8,000 plus steps. I can kayak a little (one of my favorite things!) on still water and paddle about in the water. I can hug my husband, walk my dog, laugh with friends, sleep most of the night without a pillow fort, lie on my side etc. Sternum healing has, frankly, been more problematic for me, though it is also improving- just way more slowly. I feel like I may be an outlier pain wise as I still have considerable burning at the top of the incision site which I am keeping at bay with over the counter meds. The surgeon’s office was not helpful about whether the pain is apt to abate. Basically, they “dunno”. So time will tell, I guess. Meanwhile, I am working to gradually build upper body strength. I have not been in cardiac rehab and regret that I did not insist on it. I wonder if anyone knows if there is “sternum rehab”?

Hi- I have a few random question I wonder if someone can answer: 1. I had aortic valve replaced (SAVR/tissue valve)for bicuspid valve disease- Do I still have valve disease if the valve is gone? 2 I am still confused about the booster- Do I need one and do I wait 8 months? 3. I am almost 12 weeks post surgery, walking at least an hour a day, active, but still popping Tylenol for pain- both deep rib, back, shoulder pain and burning sharp incision pain- Also still quite winded on inclines-Is this normal and to be expected? If not, do I go back to my surgeon or ask my cardiologist or primary care?