Ross's Posts

Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: July 21, 2021

Send Ross a Guestbook

My Posts

Ross F posted an update
4 years ago (August 25, 2021)
Good day Heart Warriors! It is now week 2 after my MV Repair surgery / mini sternotomy (Post OP- Day #10), and here is my current progress a) I am now able to clock 2km walk in average daily, based on my Apple watch. I try to walk 0.75m twice... Read more.
👍 Rose Madura reacted to this
4 years ago (August 25, 2021)
Hi Ross, I am 3 weeks since surgery and my resting heart rate is higher than pre-op as well. I have noticed that it has come down a bit since I was in the hospital. I asked about it when I was in the hospital and they said it was... Read more.
4 years ago (August 25, 2021)
Ross, you are doing really, really well!!! —-Partially because you are young and also because you were in great shape going-in. Your pre-op resting HR in the 50s was fantastic; you will get back there. Will take some time— give yourself 4 more weeks plus of tracking it. Also, your... Read more.
4 years ago (August 25, 2021)
Back pain gets better. I was a side sleeper too before surgery and finally got back to it but not until week 6. Make sure have pillow under your knees when laying or sitting in bed - will help back pain. Also heating pad was a savior for me. It... Read more.
4 years ago (August 26, 2021)
Thanks Deena! You are right - my hemoglobin dropped to 9.0 PostOps, I just got the blood tests now. According to cardio, i may need to eat lots of red meat to increase my hemoglobin
4 years ago (August 26, 2021)
Hi Mike - perhaps I would wait for a few more weeks, hopefully my heart rate goes down as well like yours
4 years ago (August 26, 2021)
E Taub: crossed fingers for me as well!
4 years ago (August 26, 2021)
Ross- It was so delightful to eat hamburgers and steak😎. You will feel the difference in your energy too.
4 years ago (August 26, 2021)
Sounds like you're doing great, Ross.
4 years ago (August 27, 2021)
Deena - absolutely. Menu this coming weekend 😋 🥩 🍔
4 years ago (August 27, 2021)
Joseph - I read your journal. Your recovery seems amazing 🤩
Ross F posted an update
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Hello heart warriors. I just had my surgery yesterday and it is MV repair- mini sternotomy. Happy it was successful. I walked already with the help of my PT along the hallway of the ICU unit, was able to sit down as well. Bit groggy this morning but getting better.... Read more.
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Great news, Ross! Welcome to recovery! It sounds like you're making great progress for your first day. Wishing you continued success! ❤
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
It's strange, I was expecting food to be different but it wasn't and I could eat everything that I was served
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Great! It's amazing that you posted from ICU! Wishing you an uneventful recovery!
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Fantastic Ross that you had the repair and not the replacement. You sound strong and that the pain is under control, which was one of your major concerns. It's OVER. Yay!
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Great news Ross! Wishes for a complete and speedy recovery!
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Good to hear Ross. Be well and God bless you
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
Thank you everyone. Sleeping can be a bit rough but i hope it gets better.
4 years ago (August 17, 2021)
I'm almost 3 months post op and I still can't sleep on my side
4 years ago (August 20, 2021)
Took me a long time to get an appetite back. Nothing interested me. Eat what you can and know that recovery will happen at a pace that is singular and normal for you. Every experience is different. Take care.
4 years ago (August 21, 2021)
Hey Ross, as you can tell from the comments, everyone recovers at a different pace. The inability to find a comfortable sleeping position is hard to describe to anyone that has not been through the surgery, particularly a sternum cut, but there is good news.... You are young and that... Read more.
4 years ago (August 21, 2021)
Great to hear Ross. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Ross F posted an update
4 years ago (August 5, 2021)
My MV repair surgery is confirmed - 16 Aug. My surgeon told me there's 80-90% chance of repair, if not would be a replacement. So I chose a mechanical valve due to my age (41). My last day at work before the ops is today, so I have 10 more... Read more.
👍 Wes Edens reacted to this
4 years ago (August 5, 2021)
I'm scheduled 8 days after you. Same kind of deal on repair vs. replace, but I have not made the choice of replacement type if that's needed. I'm 59. I'm interested in what people have to say in response to your question.
4 years ago (August 5, 2021)
Hi Ross, to calm your nerves try to do whatever you normally do to relax. I walked every day during twilight, listened to and podcasts and had a volunteer project. Others mediate, write a journal, exercise, write poetry, sail in a boat.. we all pray- just about! You best know... Read more.
4 years ago (August 5, 2021)
I'm 6 days post op so feel qualified to answer! Pre op, I wish I had done more sit ups. It would have really helped getting out of bed. I did loads of squats (which I also recommend) but thought my abs were strong enough. Post-op - stay as calm... Read more.
4 years ago (August 6, 2021)
Thank you Deena!! That's the plan. I would do things that i love the week before the surgery. I will also take your tip to buy protein drinks and bring them to hospital. Also can bring my favourite pillow. My tolerance to pain is quite low so would ensure I... Read more.
4 years ago (August 6, 2021)
Hi Alex! Hope you are doing well with your post ops. Your tip to strengthen quads and core muscles are helpful- will start doing tomorrow :) not sure though if 10 days are enough. I can imagine all those tubes! Didn't you panicked? I heard about it too. I hope... Read more.
4 years ago (August 6, 2021)
Hi Wes. People choose biological valve since they don't want to take long term warfarin. Although I heard you will get used to it and should not be too bad. For mechanical valve, it lasts longer maybe more than 20 years but have to take warfarin. As per my doctor,... Read more.
4 years ago (August 6, 2021)
I panicked more when they took the breathing tube out to be honest. There's a moment where you can't breathe at all, and once it's gone you appreciate how much work the machine was doing for you. Breathing is tough! Don't let this worry you though, it's only temporary. Force... Read more.
4 years ago (August 7, 2021)
Thank you Alex! Take care
4 years ago (August 7, 2021)
Alex, wow. You were really awake after your surgery. Thanks for the candid feedback. It's interesting, because most of us are totally out of it. --Meaning I have barely any memory of the tube and having it taken out. I have a small memory of my mouth feeling full with... Read more.
4 years ago (August 10, 2021)
I was awake with the breathing tube still in. I didn't panic, it was just uncomfortable. I had to spell letters in the air to communicate. If you start to gag on saliva, they can suction it out. Every tube they take out is progress! I was glad when they... Read more.

Upcoming Surgeries

Peter Florance
Mitral Regurgitation
August 4, 2026
Dean Smith
Aortic Stenosis
August 10, 2026
Don FitzGerald
Aortic Stenosis
August 11, 2026

Surgeon Finder

Heart Valve Surgeon Finder

Find and research over 1,500 patient-recommended heart valve surgeons.