Shaun Bloodworth - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

3 days ago

I am now 8 months post OHS. I was extremely positive, helping alot of people who were struggling with the surgery and mental health. I am going great and ...Read more

I am now 8 months post OHS. I was extremely positive, helping alot of people who were struggling with the surgery and mental health. I am going great and back at the gym. My heart is fantastic and have had a very positive outcome. The problem for me over the last couple of months is dealing with my own mental health. I don't understand why I am now feeling anxious and have a heavy feeling deep in the pit of my stomach every morning when I awake. It takes all my will power to get up and punch on with the day. As the day progresses, it does get better but like ground hog day, starts again the next morning. I literally could curl up on the couch under a blanket and stay there for the rest of the day. I have seen my doctor and we are coming up with a mental health plan. I have never felt like this in my life and I have always been a very positive person with a very positive outlook. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel burnt out.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Shaun. I was reading your simptoms story, with the heavy feeling at the stomach level and are ve... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Shaun. I was reading your simptoms story, with the heavy feeling at the stomach level and are very similar to what I'm feeling. I visited the gastroenterologist Who made me an endoscopy with null results. Then I guess that in my case, given the good results of ECG and rest of the heart revisions, it could be either a neuropathic or a psychological pain. I usually do relaxation exercises every day in the bed before getting up, and this help me to get through It in someway. I wish you go every day better.

Marie Myers I think that having a surgery of this magnitude does change us. It does present our own mortality in ... Read more

Marie Myers I think that having a surgery of this magnitude does change us. It does present our own mortality in a way to us that makes us truly realize we won’t last forever…And our recovery is both physical and emotional. Discussing this with your doctor and coming up with a plan of action is the right thing to do. Godspeed on your full emotional recovery!

Pamela Gregory I definitely had a lot of emotional ups and downs for a long time. I am now 3 1/2 years post op and c ... Read more

Pamela Gregory I definitely had a lot of emotional ups and downs for a long time. I am now 3 1/2 years post op and can say that is a rarity now. For quite some time, I would cry at the drop of a hat which is not like me. I think the heart/lung machine does a number on us for one and all of the thoughts about our own mortality number two.

Rose Madura I'm glad you are addressing this with your doctor, Shaun and coming up with a plan. I believe we rea ... Read more

Rose Madura I'm glad you are addressing this with your doctor, Shaun and coming up with a plan. I believe we really are warriors. It's not just a cute saying we use. We have had to come to grips with our mortality. But we overcame and went through with the surgery. This makes us stronger. 💪 And I think we are super sensitive to anything new going on. Stay strong and we are here to help ever we can. God bless you.❤️‍🩹🪖

J Alexander Lassally Hi Shaun - as others say well, this is a life changing surgery and it is a really big deal. I think t ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Hi Shaun - as others say well, this is a life changing surgery and it is a really big deal. I think there are many residuals to OHS, and mental health is one of those. I, too, struggled through the first year a lot. And sadly, I found the cardiologist community totally blind to the emotional or 'rest of body and mind" side of healing when I had follow up appointments. Primary care too.
Docs see a relatively young man and think "All healed" without appreciating the nuance of healing.
Try and find sympathetic docs and take time to articulate what is bothering you... Give yourself some grace ! These are the best words I can offer.

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Guys. It is hard but my small portion of positivity atm tells me, it will get better. I am h ... Read more

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Guys. It is hard but my small portion of positivity atm tells me, it will get better. I am having a break for 3 weeks doing the things I love, hopefully this will help. Appreciate the love.

Kimberly Eisenhut I agree with everything said by everyone. I'm also struggling and can relate for sure. I'm 6 months ... Read more

Kimberly Eisenhut I agree with everything said by everyone. I'm also struggling and can relate for sure. I'm 6 months out and still dealing with chronic complications. I've finally started cardiac rehab last week and it is helping. I just wish I had more people in my class, as about 6 others didn't show up on Thursday and I was the only one there!!! If it's going to be like that every time, I may ask for another time slot. Only because I need the social side of rehab almost as much as rehab itself.
Let us know how you're doing Shaun after you've had some time to relax🫶👍

Shaun Bloodworthposted a journal

77 days ago

Pamela Gregory, Rose Madura reacted to this

HNY Guys, 5 Months and still improving.

Shaun Bloodworthposted a photo

137 days ago

Rose Madura, Adam Pick, Susan Lynn and 2 others reacted to this

14 Weeks post op and getting stronger. Back doing bench press, go carting and hiking. Bring on the next chapter in my book of life.

David Buchanan Good work

Fidel Martínez Ruiz

Pamela Gregory Super Man

Adam Pick Go Shaun! Great update! P.S. I was not going to exercise today. But, you inspired me.

Susan Lynn That's the spirit, Shaun!

John Cook Very nice.

I don’t think I’d trust myself with a barbell because of numbness I still have ... Read more

John Cook Very nice.

I don’t think I’d trust myself with a barbell because of numbness I still have in 6 fingers. But I did a 2.5 mile run today.

Shaun Bloodworthposted an update

142 days ago

Darrell Malone, Adam Pick, Rose Madura and 1 other reacted to this

14 weeks post op and getting stronger and stronger. Bring on the next chapter in my book of life. I am here for anyone that needs to chat. I know I have ...Read more

14 weeks post op and getting stronger and stronger. Bring on the next chapter in my book of life. I am here for anyone that needs to chat. I know I have had an exceptional outcome but hopefully I can help.

Marie Myers Congratulations on your strong recovery!

Rose Madura Glad you are doing well.

Pamela Gregory Awesome!!!

Deena Z Impressive, congrats.

Shaun Bloodworthposted a journal

174 days ago

Valerie Allen, Aaron Bader, Pamela Gregory and 2 others reacted to this

Nearly 10 weeks post OHS. Recovery is going well. My heart feels fantastic, no more palpitations, missed beats, strong beats to compensate the missed ...Read more

Nearly 10 weeks post OHS. Recovery is going well. My heart feels fantastic, no more palpitations, missed beats, strong beats to compensate the missed beats, tiredness improved and fitness now improving.

Walking up to 6kms a day and going to the gym twice a week. Life is good and I now look forward to the future.

" Love What You do, Live Longer Doing it! " Shaun Bloodworth

David Pearl Damn bro look like a king, superstar, famous actor

Rose Madura Congratulations Shaun. Excellent post. Glad you are doing well.

Shaun Bloodworthposted an update

225 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

3 weeks yesterday and the heart is feeling great. The sternum is still a little challenge but walking 3kms a day. Looking forward to the future.

Gianni Barletta What is your hr during 3km walking?

Rose Madura Great to hear 👍

Shaun Bloodworth Gianni the walking HR average is 83 BPM. I topped out at 97.

Melinda Donahue Great news !!!

David Pearl How do you monitor your heart rate ?

Shaun Bloodworth Hi David. With an Apple watch. Heart Rate, Oxygen Levels and ECG. There are also many more options ... Read more

Shaun Bloodworth Hi David. With an Apple watch. Heart Rate, Oxygen Levels and ECG. There are also many more options as well such as steps and kilojoules burned etc.

Melinda Donahue Shaun did you get a repair and sternotomy ?

Melinda Donahue Any meds post surgery ?

Gianni Barletta Shaun apple oxygen and hr are showed in real time ?

Shaun Bloodworth Hi Melinda
I was lucky and they could repair the mitral valve as well as node ablation and pouch c ... Read more

Shaun Bloodworth Hi Melinda
I was lucky and they could repair the mitral valve as well as node ablation and pouch crimp. The Surgeon did put a ring in as the valve was quite stretched.
I am on blood thinners and Amiodarone until I see my Surgeon in another 3 weeks. I should have no medication after that.

Shaun Bloodworth Hi Gianni
Yes in real time especially when you set it as an outdoor walk / exercise when you begi ... Read more

Shaun Bloodworth Hi Gianni
Yes in real time especially when you set it as an outdoor walk / exercise when you begin your walk.

Gianni Barletta I stuck at 94 bpm during 30 min tapis and 30 cycle after 1 month since surgery, i hope to get better. ... Read more

Gianni Barletta I stuck at 94 bpm during 30 min tapis and 30 cycle after 1 month since surgery, i hope to get better... i am 1.25mg bisoprolol too

Melinda Donahue Shaun great news!!! Keep us posted.

David Pearl Shaun. This something doctor recommended I'm thinking about getting the stamps on garage because I'm ... Read more

David Pearl Shaun. This something doctor recommended I'm thinking about getting the stamps on garage because I'm going to do

Shaun Bloodworth Hi David
I'm not sure what you are trying to say?

David Pearl Sorry about that I didn't check Google translate I meant to say that I've heard it's important for yo ... Read more

David Pearl Sorry about that I didn't check Google translate I meant to say that I've heard it's important for you to measure your heart rate.

Shaun Bloodworthposted a journal

230 days ago

Just over 2 weeks after my surgery. Feeling pretty good. The surgeon could fix my mitral valve which is fantastic as well as Node ablation and a ...Read more

Just over 2 weeks after my surgery. Feeling pretty good. The surgeon could fix my mitral valve which is fantastic as well as Node ablation and a pouch crimp to close the left atrial appendage (LAA), a small, finger-like pouch in the heart's upper left chamber (left atrium).
I can feel my heart is so much better but the sternum is still pretty sore.
A question, Does anyone feel different in themselves after their operation? I can't explain it but I feel oddly different.

David Buchanan Hey, that’s great news. Congratulations.

J Alexander Lassally Different - Yes for sure. So much happens - so much trauma. You are literally killed and brought back ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Different - Yes for sure. So much happens - so much trauma. You are literally killed and brought back to life ! We all are. So, yes. I think things do feel different. On a good day. you won't notice, but it is there in the background.

We have this fixation with becoming "100%" again and it is total BS. We are different after a major trauma ... not less than -- but different!

Keep going with recovery !!! Embrace the different!

Kimberly Eisenhut Wow, I will have to remember your words J Alexander

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Yes, it's true, J. Alexander, philosopher

Shaun Bloodworthposted an update

251 days ago

Scott Kinghorn reacted to this

4 more sleeps until my Mitral Valve repair. Highly stressed atm as I have a business that I am trying to prepare to continue to run seamlessly and the upcoming ...Read more

4 more sleeps until my Mitral Valve repair. Highly stressed atm as I have a business that I am trying to prepare to continue to run seamlessly and the upcoming surgery is hard. Feeling positive about the proceedure but sometimes it is very hard to stay in that state of mind.

Robert Miller You will need someone taking your spot for at least a couple of weeks. If you have OHS, you won't be ... Read more

Robert Miller You will need someone taking your spot for at least a couple of weeks. If you have OHS, you won't be sleeping all that great for quite some time which will affect your work as a business owner. You have to plan for this as well. In any case, I wish you all the best. If you in good shape you probably will recover quickly.

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Robert. I have organised 2-3 weeks grace.

Shaun Bloodworth How long since your proceedure and how are you now?

Robert Miller I assume that last question is addressed to me. My second surgery was at the end of 2022. Both times ... Read more

Robert Miller I assume that last question is addressed to me. My second surgery was at the end of 2022. Both times I recovered pretty quickly. If I recall correctly, I maxed out that air inhaler before leaving the hospital and I did a lot of boring rounds around the corridor of the ICU. They wouldn't let me go further because then some alarm would go off as their tracking system only did go so far. I still have some issues, though (AFib, etc) but when I exercise then my heart rhythm is just fine.
I did run a business in the past, i.e. long before my heart surgeries. Long hours and a lot of stress. I am not sure how stress could affect the healing but the long hours for sure will. I did not get any good sleep for weeks after surgery. So if you work 12-16 hours a day, that's going to be a real challenge. I would advice that you stay away from work for at least a couple of weeks and then start gradually.

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Robert

J Alexander Lassally Don't rush your recovery or press yourself. It takes precedence for sure! Good luck !

Adam Pick You got this Shaun!

Richard Munson I guess it also depends on what business you run. I was calling customers 1 week after i got home at ... Read more

Richard Munson I guess it also depends on what business you run. I was calling customers 1 week after i got home at 81. Not sure i would have wanted to lug lobster pots around for quite awhile if that was my job.

Shaun Bloodworthposted an update

273 days ago

Daisy Tanner, Pamela Gregory reacted to this

My Surgeon called me yesterday & gave me the date for my mitral valve repair / replacement, 29th July 2025. I must say, I didn't get the best sleep last ...Read more

My Surgeon called me yesterday & gave me the date for my mitral valve repair / replacement, 29th July 2025. I must say, I didn't get the best sleep last night. I am happy that I have a date and can hit this situation with gusto and positivity but the protective brain still sneaks in gives you a few negative thoughts. I know nothing is going happen, its just about stopping the brain from spiralling out of control.

Robert Miller I am not sure what to add. You seem to have everything covered and now have a date. As you said, ever ... Read more

Robert Miller I am not sure what to add. You seem to have everything covered and now have a date. As you said, everything is going to be fine. Especially the first few days are not going to be easy but it gets better every day until you are better than before within a couple of months. I am wishing you all the best.

J Alexander Lassally It is always chilling to get the surgery date set in stone- but 1 month is a comfortable thing and yo ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally It is always chilling to get the surgery date set in stone- but 1 month is a comfortable thing and you can get things sorted and set up for recovery!

Shaun Bloodworthposted an update

277 days ago

Shaun Bloodworth reacted to this

Hi Guys. I live in Australia and I am having my mitral valve hopefully repaired or at worst replaced in a couple of months. I go through stages of positivity ...Read more

Hi Guys. I live in Australia and I am having my mitral valve hopefully repaired or at worst replaced in a couple of months. I go through stages of positivity and of course the other side. I have read the e-book but is there any advice you would give me?

Ana Brusso Dear Shaun, welcome to our site. If you read our posts you can tell we have all gone through the stag ... Read more

Ana Brusso Dear Shaun, welcome to our site. If you read our posts you can tell we have all gone through the stages. As some of the hear warriors here say, try to stay busy doing the things you like to do. Keep fishing. I did a lot of praying. No easy way to get through but stay positive and know you are in good hands and it will all be ok. We will pray for your successful surgery and recovery. Keep posting and don’t be afraid to tell us how you feel. God bless you 🙏❤️

Rose Madura My friend, Ana, gives food advice. Try to remember that the odds are in your favor. For me, doing a ... Read more

Rose Madura My friend, Ana, gives food advice. Try to remember that the odds are in your favor. For me, doing a lot of research helped. Be sure to get a second opinion for peace of mind and make sure your surgeon is experienced. Please keep us posted on this journey and Godspeed.

John Cook Good luck with your surgery.

I had up days and down days pre-surgery for my aortic valve. Even ... Read more

John Cook Good luck with your surgery.

I had up days and down days pre-surgery for my aortic valve. Eventually, I came to peace with it and did a lot of meditations before bed.

Post-surgery, the first 3 days I remember were very difficult but I got through them. The next two weeks were not as difficult with good and bad days. Since I got past the 3-week mark, most of my days have been very good. I’ll be going back to working from home at 27-days after surgery and I’m making plans for when I’m healthy enough to start running again.

Glenn Tremper I'm on the same journey, Shaun. I appreciate the insights of Ana, Rose and John.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hi Shaun, I agree with former insights, and add that you try to arrive into the surgery with a good ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hi Shaun, I agree with former insights, and add that you try to arrive into the surgery with a good physical shape. You can try walk every day feeling confortable and with a good nutrition. And of course, given that repairing requires a lot of expertise by the side of surgeons, to choose well the surgeon and be confident in him/her. A good valve replacement is more worthwhile than a poor repair, even considering that the latter option is the gold one.

Richard Munson I like the fish

Ana Brusso Thank you Richard 😂

Richard Munson Thats an aussie fish, i prefer swedish fish

Susan Lynn The worst part is waiting for game day! I didn't find any part of the surgery or recovery more chal ... Read more

Susan Lynn The worst part is waiting for game day! I didn't find any part of the surgery or recovery more challenging than my imagination in the weeks leading up to it. Think positive thoughts. If I did it, you can do it! Best of luck to you!

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Guys and I will update as I proceed in this journey. I am having an invasive angiogram in 2 w ... Read more

Shaun Bloodworth Thanks Guys and I will update as I proceed in this journey. I am having an invasive angiogram in 2 weeks to make sure there are no hiddens blockages etc before my surgery.

Robert Miller It looks like you did all your research. Make sure you read the learning center on this website. The ... Read more

Robert Miller It looks like you did all your research. Make sure you read the learning center on this website. The first few days after surgery are going to be the hardest. But it only goes up from there. The way I looked at it is that the surgeries gave me quite a few more years. That's more years to spend with kids/grandkids, travelling, spend time with your partner, etc. Imagine you wouldn't have caught this heart issue and you would have missed all of that. The pain for a few weeks makes up for everything afterwards 100x.