Shaun's Journal

Hey Guys
Radidly approaching 10 month post Mitral Valve repair. Physically feeling fantastic and I am back Surfing, Fishing Offshore on the Great Barrier Reef, Camping, Crabbing and generally loving life.
However, this year as per my previous journal update, I have been feeling a little depressed and anxious. This is a first for me as I have always been a very positive and proactive person. I have even talked and helped quite a few people on here helping them with the same situation and now I have the same feelings. I have had a mental health plan set up and I am now seeing a psychologist. I am already feeling better but it is not a nice feeling especially when I felt so strong and good initially after my proceedure. How is everyone else going?

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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?