Sanya's Journal

Barbara Laurie  Sanya, so sorry you don't have the support at home you need😐Could you get home health care visits? I can say that I used to know how it felt to have health issues and having a bad marital situation, but not now..as my husband of 26 years has been a rock for me. But, if you can't lean on him , can you rally any other family members? Don't be afraid of getting a cold, I have ne now and I'm okay! I was afraid too.. and I know it's tough.
I hope you'll be feeling better soon. If you get syncope my doctor said squeeze your legs together and your arms (like crossing your legs and squeeze) helps the blood get back up to your head.
Also, I take my metoprolol when my blood pressure isn't too low, like 100/80 so, just a bit later than early morning. I hope you can find a way to rally your spirits and know you're not alone ❤️ Even if my husband wasn't as lovely as he is, though I'm sure I'd be awfully shaken and down, I know my faith in God would help keep me going.. don't overthink too much, do the best you can each hour. I don't seem to get much done during my day, but I feel like at the end I'm alive! Hang in there, Praying your health gets better❤️Best Regards and concern☀️️

Catie B  I'm no longer married, but my heart goes out to you for the struggles with your mate, while things continue to be difficult in your recovery. I'm so sorry you've had a bad day in several ways and that your recovery has had complications. Hoping you'll have easier days soon.

Diane Zeigler  Sanya, I am sorry to hear about your problems. As far as your husband,my initial reaction is "what a jerk". I know that there can be be underlying issues that cause people to act the way they do. Is there anyone whom he trusts that you could have explain to him how important his support is to your recovery? If not, please rely on supportive friends, relatives, etc. Also, try not to let him get you down. Keep positive if you can. Try not to reward him by getting into arguments, etc. I hope it gets better for you soon. Keep us posted.

Jim Whipple  Keep positive and take everyday as it comes. There are no guarantees for any of us so if you wake up it is a good day.

Lynne Nind  Hi Sanya, I can't offer you any advice but just want you to know I am thinking of you and please remember the positive advice you gave me. Easier said than done sometimes, isn't it? Hope you are having a better day, today. Take care of yourself.

Ellen Leng  Sanya, sorry you had such a rotten day! Maybe your husband needs some relief from his care-giving, his job is hard too. I've been scheduling time off for my caregiver and getting friends here as needed to cover. Helps my relationship for sure! Keep up the rehab, I think it will help you to feel better about life in general. And remember that the recovery is a marathon, not a sprint :) Take care

Amy Steele  Sanya - So sorry to hear about what you're going through. Major surgery is hard enough to recover from, but it's a lot harder when your husband isn't supportive. Is there anyone else who can step in and help take care of you? I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Ted Miko  May the Lord give you peace and assurance. You have many praying for you and your husband. Stay Strong !!!!!! You've already gone through the "hard" part. I understand the sadness , I think we all have a little on this ride.

Sanya PHILLIPS  Thank you all for your love, thoughts and blessings. After 12 hours alone and a night on the sofa, a good talking to from his mom, he seems to understand that stress could compromise my recovery and has agreed to knock it off. I had stayed with my dad for 5 weeks post recovery and so this was hub's 1st week as primary. He works 7-3 each day and took nice naps after work so I just think he needed a reality check. I believe God's hand protects me and He is ensuring peace for me. After all, when the doctors hold our hearts in their hands only God can truly guide them.
Thank you again everyone.

PS I waited to take Metoprolol as suggested above and avoided morning dizziness. Ty.

Jean Raber  I took care of my mother after she came home from the hospital because she refused to go to a rehab facility. In retrospect, I think it was a mistake. For many weeks, her moods were off, she hated her diet, and at one point she called me the "health Nazi." I was overwhelmed and scared I would screw up her meds, not do her vitals right or call them in when required (because she would not get up so I could do them), and that if complications arose (and they did), I would not know what to do. The packets of care instructions that the nurses rushed through were also scary. If your husband isn't one to pick fights normally, this may be how he copes with stress. If you are not feeling "yourself," this may be scary for him, too. Is it possible to take him to cardiac rehab with you? Perhaps seeing how hard you are trying (and maybe being able to ask the therapists questions) would help him?

Wanda Mroz  Im sorry Sanya. I hope things start to go better for you. Rehab should improve things. Nothing like moving and being near people who are going through the same issues. Sounds like maybe your husband was a little overwhelmed too. I hope you can help each other. Hang in there. Hugs.💞🙏🏻

Eddie Patton  Yea that first sneeze is intense. Won't forget the first I had. Caught me off guard and didn't have time to support my chest. Ouch at least.

Adam Pick  Whoa Sanya... You just brought a memory... https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/11/17/best-piece-of-advice-watch-out-for-that-first-sneeze/

Corey Sines  Glad to hear your INR is dialed in finally! Hope they can figure out something to bring you relief from your other symptops. Sorry no advice on the other question. ;-)

Shannon Sullivan  I too have quite alot of breast pain. especially in my left breast on the upper half. It is numb but painful to the touch...if that makes sense. I am sure with time it will get better. I am only three weeks post op so I look forward to am improvement.
Good to hear your INR is stable. Prayers and good wishes for continued recovery.

Roseline Rosario  I'm a lactation consultant. I'd advice cold packs for 20 minutes and alternate with cabbage leaves. Tylenol will help a lot and isn't harmful to baby

Sanya PHILLIPS  Fun typo, didn't mean breastfeeding thank heavens. Thanks for prayers and well wishes. This support is so helpful and makes me feel less alone.

Elaine Cutri  I used a sports bra in 1-2 sizes bigger. I would step in and pull it up. I stayed away from underwire for several months. I know some of the women found a comfortable bra on Amazon, but I don't know the details.

Diane Zeigler  Sanya, glad you aren't going through heart surgery and breastfeeding a baby at the same time! However, pain is pain and maybe Roseline is on to something. Maybe the cabbage leaves would help. Worth a try. (Roseline, I am an old LLL leader)

Rita Savelis  When I was in ICU after OHS, I remember other patients having to go back into surgery a day after the first one.. What you went through, Sanya, is a lot and so very very hard. You are now processing it all.
It all takes time. Breathe. One day at a time. Your body needs time to recover. Take care.

Diane Zeigler  Sanya, sounds like you have really had a rough time. I know it will get better with time. You are still early in the recuperation period especially since you had two surgeries. You will get the support you need from others on this site. Just depend on us to get you through. I suppose one day it will come back. Being emotional tends to be one of the ugly side effects of this surgery. I remember days when I did not feel like getting up and doing anything. It does get better. Hang in there! We are all with you!

Rita Savelis  I hear you Sanya. 6 weeks is still early and there is so much that happens, so much that one feels post-surgery. Docs don't listen much and you are left to muddle through on your own. I saw my GP a lot just to have someone to listen (easier to see than a specialist), as well as a therapist in order to have validation for what I was feeling.
It took a long time for me to feel less fragile, less afraid.
There is no set time for how long "recovery" takes or even what recovery really means. Your OHS was singular and personal, and having to have 2 surgeries so close together can make one angry at the unfairness of it.
18 months post OHS my heart beats loudly. It still feels odd, but I have learned to live with it. It takes a long time to find a new normal.
I just read your journal and learned that you are a cancer survivor (like me). You've been through a lot, too much.
Take care.

Roseline Rosario  You are young and we are all supporting you. Just write here get it out and we will have your back. I'm still in hosp at day 7 post recovery. Had issues with my ears.throat and then afib...which is now sinus Rythm while they are initiating anticoagulation. But my thought is I'm here....but I have decided to surrender. Still no discharge in site. LET GO (D)!

Corey Sines  Sanya, you are not alone, doctor's unfortunately don't always have the answers. A lot of us have been there, with docs just scratching their heads and not helping.. We are here for you, vent all you need or want, say whatever you feel!

With time you should continue to improve, for some it just comes slower, especially with all you have been through. Are you in cardiac rehab? What kind of meds do they have you on?

Steven A Husted  you have my best wishes and prayers and time is the best healer of all give your body time to heal and cardio rehab is a very good source for help and friendships cardio rehab phase 3 you can stay as long as you want i have been in phase 3 for almost 2 years and enjoy it very much

Elaine Cutri  We're here for you. It will get better. 6-7 weeks post surgery is not much time, but it feels like it's been forever! Keep up with walking and breathing exercises. Your sternum isn't done mending and the muscles and nerves will follow that. I felt 90% about 4 months out. Then 95% around 6 months. At 14 months l felt like I didn't have the surgery.
I have a very loud On-X mechanical valve. I'm still getting use to the sound. My surgeon thinks it's because the plumbing was changed over night and it just takes time to get use to it. Best wishes. Keep us posted!

Mary K  I'm just popping in after a long absence... I am sixteen months out from an AVR. Yes, no one 'gets' it, even the surgeons and nurses. Except folks on this site, and people in rehab.

Number one, no one told me how much patience you need for the healing. It is a looooong process.

Are you going to rehab? It is invaluable, not only for the conditioning, but for the comraderie.

Elaine is right, moving is good. And six weeks is just over the big hump.

It sounds like you might be suffering from some stress related depression, which is very common. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a therapist, or perhaps you know someone. I was so grateful to have a trained psychologist to speak with.

All the best, one day st a time,it gets better.