Russell's Journal

Willie Radl  Not sure but I'm interested as well. I'm only 2 months post op and haven't seen a INR change since starting rehab. I've been picking up my exercise lately so I'll let you know if there's a change.

Adam Boyadjis  I would also be interested in a response on this topic. I will ask my INR nurse when I see her next week.

Kelly Stoll  My INR did change post-surgery as my movement increased. It is hard to pin-point how much. During this time, my INR was dropping, but I also was changing my diet and still coming off of the medications they gave me in the hospital. Other medications effect it too. You are correct- everyone is different. Mostly my struggle with exercise has been a low BP.

Rita Savelis  INR reacts differently on everyone, and there is usually several weeks/months before it stabilises somewhat. My advice would be to continue to eat the way you eat and work out the way you work out, and live the way you live and then your meds will adjust around you. I have never noticed exercise changing anything. But it is always hard to pinpoint what changes INR actually, it is so individual and can be very random. So you have to take a deep breath and just realise that you can't control it all. Your body will adapt.

Heath Knight  That's great except for the chest/head congestion. I love seeing stories like this makes me not so worried about my upcoming surgery.

Russell Knox  My wife thought I was nuts when I told her the first thing I did after finding out I was having AVR was that I went straight to YouTube and watched a video of the actual procedure. I told my wife that you can't be as worried about something if you are educated about it.

Become your own advocate. That is how I found this website. I researched the valve I wanted and was able to carry on a conversation with the surgeon and not feel lost. The more you know, the surprises are fewer.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery. You got this. 👍

Paul Jenkins  Couldn't agree with you more about research and advocacy, Medical experts aren't infallible and your success depends on being able to detect BS, make informed decisions, and ask difficult questions. Sorry about the job. Hopefully that and the congestion will resolve soon. All the very best for a great future!

Elaine Cutri  I haven't been on the site in a while, but since no one answered your question, I thought I would.
The sutures will either dissolve or work their way out. It may take a few more weeks. Best Wishes for continued success in your recovery!

Catie B  Sounds like your recovery is going well! Echoing Elaine. I had little portions of sutures sticking up for weeks. They do go away in time.

Kelley Turnbull  Wow I'm not allowed to drive until 8 weeks after leaving the hospital. I had my surgery on July 26 and left the hospital July 31.

Cathleen Weed  I had that happen. Vitamin E oil (or stick) works well. You can usually find it in the first aid area. You can also use a basic burn cream. Those burns are no fun! They can take awhile to heal because they are a wound.

Civita Fahey  HI Russel good to hear you are recovering.. I dont know about the afib, since I didn't have any, but the knot takes about 6 weeks or so to fully go away.. it will go dow significantly in the first few weeks, but now at 16 weeks I don't have it all. take care and rest!

Barbara Wood  About 6 weeks for me too. I got afib a week after I came home. Mine lasted almost a week so I had a cardioversion at 3 weeks post surgery. I've been in nsr since. Best wishes for a smooth recovery!

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Russell, I had surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair an ascending aortic aneurysm on 7-25. I began experiencing a-fib on 7-27 but after a couple episodes have not had any further. I am taking both metoprolol & amiodarone & it seems to be working. Tomorrow, I will begin to wean off of the amiodarone & will see how that goes but using this drug combination appears to control the a-fib.

Bob Fessler  Russell, I didn't rent. I bought an inexpensive lift chair from Walmart. I'll sell it on Craig's List after surgery when I don't need it. Shouldn' lose too much. Paid $334+tax because they had a deal that you could save $120 if you picked it up. Can't say it is perfect but it will do with a few pillows. I thought that at $250/month, renting can be expensive and may not be as sanitary if that is a concern.

Roger Bideleux  I had the sternotomy and wondered about a lift chair. In the end I didn't bother and managed quite well without. Good luck with the surgery and best wishes for a speedy recovery

Civita Fahey  Russel I had wondered about it also, one of my neighbors was nice enough to lend me his..to be honest I didn't use it for sleep as I still didn't find it comfortable but I did find it comfortable for sitting and watching tv.. getting up from a coach or non lifting chair was hard at first, I;d have to hold onto my heart pillow so that the incision wouldn't hurt so it did come in handy. I'm glad I didn't buy one as I haven't used it in a while.

Barbara Wood  I checked into renting before my surgery, it was expensive, about $300/ mo. I bought a regular recliner, thinking I would sleep on it, but found a wedge pillow on the bed more comfortable. I had a full sternotomy & had no problem getting in & out of bed, chairs etc. I'd keep the rental number handy, they deliver in 1 day, then wait & see if I needed it.

Steven Kantor  I bought a reclining chair. It was all I needed. I slept on my regular bed. Are you in decent shape now? It might be different if prior to surgery you're really not in decent shape and moving around is already challenging. I hope this helps you.

  Hi Russell. I'm five weeks until my surgery date and I've had the same question. I did the research and I plan on renting a dual motor recliner. It will cost $210/month with a $45 delivery charge (Canadian$) and I hope that by the end of the first month I won't need it. I am very tall (with long legs!) and have had both of my hips replaced, so even at the best of times, I use my arms to help me get up from chairs and sofas. For the average person, the furniture is at a normal height but for me, they seem so low to the ground, lol!. I have a higher toilet which is a great help too.
I could rent a cheaper chair but the only model that is built for tall folks costs more. Story of my life!
I also live alone, so I want to make things as easy as possible for my recovery. I figure that in the grand scheme, the cost will be worth it.
Cheers!

Lynda Ruiz  I slept in my recliner at home after my hip surgery. After OHS I was recovering at my sister's for a month and I rented a lift/recliner ($250/mo). I did use the lift option the first couple weeks. Being a side sleeper, beds have not been comfortable.

Laura Jacobs  I planned on getting a lift chair but in the end I bought a recliner. I found the recliner helpful for resting or watching tv, or the occasional daytime nap. I did not need help to get out of a chair so the lift chair would not have been necessary. I did not sleep in the recliner at night. Like Barbara I used a big wedge pillow supplemented with lots of pillows. I have just graduated away from the wedge and now I prop myself up with a bunch of pillows.

Civita Fahey  Welcome Russell.. this is a great site where we all speak the same language.. Congrats on your surgery date.. it will come fast and you will do great. I am 11 weeks out of AVR myself and back to work full time. I feel great, still not 100% but that will come with time.. Best of luck.

Bob Fessler  I hear you Russell. I want to get on with it too. Good walking weather here in Washington right now. Why wait for the rain.

Jennifer McInerney  Me too Russell. I'm fed up with waiting. I have severe AS but very inconsistent symptoms. Mostly just tired. It's pretty frustrating.