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 ...Read more
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 ...Read more
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!
Ana Brusso You are blessed Roselyn, continued good health and blessings 🙏❤️
Mary Milewski Great recovery Roselyn! My story similar to yours--SAVR secondary to stenotic BAV. I'm exactly 3 wks ... Read more
Mary Milewski Great recovery Roselyn! My story similar to yours--SAVR secondary to stenotic BAV. I'm exactly 3 wks post op and impatient to recover---and,as you were, anxious to get back to my prior life. Thanks for posting--gives me hope.
Roselyn Kubek It is hard to be patient, Mary. Hang in there…I find measuring progress month to month helps me re ... Read more
Roselyn Kubek It is hard to be patient, Mary. Hang in there…I find measuring progress month to month helps me realize how much I’ve gained rather than what I still can’t do..,(and at 10 months, I can do pretty much everything)
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 ...Read more
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”?
rich monoson Hi Roselyn, week 15 and that sternum should be good and healed (unification of both sides). The burni ... Read more
rich monoson Hi Roselyn, week 15 and that sternum should be good and healed (unification of both sides). The burning sounds like nerve pain. Inevitably subcutaneous superficial nerves get transected while cutting us open. The burning sounds like the nerves are regenerating. I'm not a medical doctor but just a guy who has had more surgeries than I ever thought I would need. Wall pushups are great and eventually progress to knee pushups to rebuild chest, shoulders and triceps. This also strengthens the sternum. When you stress bone it gets stronger also. You can definitely do cardiac rehab on your own. Cardiac rehab is a great protocol for most post op patients but if you weren't able to go I might suggest walking briskly, stairs, swim, cycle and resistance exercise at a quick tempo (minimal rest between sets). The temporary pain is an inconvenience but the application of exercise hopefully will lessen or shorten the cycle of pain. In my lay persons opinion the pain you are experiencing are possibly the nerves coming back to life again. Hope to hear a good update soon Roselyn. Be well. Rich
Roselyn Kubek Thank you, Rich!! Happy update - At 16 weeks I turned a pain corner- Off Tylenol and no deep pain at ... Read more
Roselyn Kubek Thank you, Rich!! Happy update - At 16 weeks I turned a pain corner- Off Tylenol and no deep pain at all- What a relief - You are right about the nerve pain- but that is more annoying than painful- Anyway- Heart and valve are doing great and I am walking about 10,000 steps a day and started light weights and walk push ups- Feeling pretty good- AVR people- Be patient (I was not)- There is a light and it is a good one!
Roselyn Kubek PS I have been back in my kayak and back in the garden etc-
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 ...Read more
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?
Cheryl Marshall Hi Roselyn, I was also confused by the booster article as I was not imagining that valve patients nee ... Read more
Cheryl Marshall Hi Roselyn, I was also confused by the booster article as I was not imagining that valve patients needed to get them earlier than 8 months. Hopefully that question will be clarified soon. As I understand it you still need a cardiologist's care with the new valve because it is also subject to change once inside your body, and needs to be cared for via good health practices depending on the type of valve and periodic testing appropriate to your situation. I am pre-surgery so can't help with your last question but it's great you're walking and I wish you the best with your recovery!
Rose Madura Hi Roselyn, I would venture to say that even though your valve is replaced, you are still considered ... Read more
Rose Madura Hi Roselyn, I would venture to say that even though your valve is replaced, you are still considered a heart patient. After 4 years, I have annual visits with my cardiologist. As far as the vaccine, I would discuss with your doctor to see what is best for you. I would say, it was a year before I stopped having pain at incisions. My shoulders hurt for months. I honestly don't remember about being winded. I had a lot of complications for about 3 months. But I do feel so much better and walk up hill without being winded when before the surgery, I'd have to stop and get my breath. Hope this helps. Remember that everyone is different and our recoveries are unique.
Roselyn Kubek These responses were very helpful! Thank you- A wonderful community! NAND reassuring to know that st ... Read more
Roselyn Kubek These responses were very helpful! Thank you- A wonderful community! NAND reassuring to know that sternotomy pain is not abnormal after several
Months.
Roselyn Kubek Hi Cheryl,
My experience is that it was not as bad as I feared, but one does need some patience. At 3 ... Read more
Roselyn Kubek Hi Cheryl,
My experience is that it was not as bad as I feared, but one does need some patience. At 3 months I easily walk an hour a day and hit my minimum step count every day. Doctor says it is all about building endurance now- I just get impatiently
Dr. Khan is a heart valve expert having performed over 2,000 heart valve repair and replacement operations during his 20+ year career as a cardiac surgeon.