Shaun's Posts

I had minimally invasive and it comes with its own set of problems but still glad i took that path. Always remember that minimally invasive is how they get to your heart. After they are in, its pretty much all the same. If you have a fib, you might consider asking about the maze. If you go in for an oil change, also get a new filter while on the lift.

No, no robot at the time at mass general in boston but great surgeon however. Maybe problems is too strong a word. Different healing issues sounds better. Because they go thru your rib cage vs. the zipper as i call it, there is some nerve damage. Nerves heal slower i am told. I would get a sharp pain occasionally in one spot on my right side for about a year. I also had to sign a consent form that if they discovered more than they bargained for after entry that they had the zipper option. I was 79 at the time in the middle of covid. Before, during, and after, i never saw my surgeons face other than on the mgh web site.

Hi Lori, That's fantastic that you are having minimal invasive surgery. I had OHS so your recovery should be much faster. I did pilates for 6-8 weeks before surgery and that helped massively with sitting up easily and moving around etc. I was in hospital for 1 week and let the hospital staff look after you. Make sure you do you respiratory exercises in hospital and at home. Once home, start small walks and build on it every day. I started walking the ward in hospital. By week 3, I was walking up to 6kms. Plenty of rest Lori and look after you. Don't do anything that you are not comfortable with.

Thank you Shaun! I look forward to the day I can say I HAD a minimally invasive mitral valve repair. The waiting is brutal. Mind goes everywhere. Being an OR RN doesn’t help, since I already know what goes on in the OR! Thanks again for your words of encouragement and advice.

Just stay positive, you will know working in the industry that the chance of anything going wrong is small. More chance of something happening driving to the hospital. I felt great that once I had it done then everything will get better, little by little, day by day. Small steps, don't push anything and you will be running around sooner than you think and start fulfilling the next chapter in your book of life. Here for you anythime.

Hey Shaun, I think yhat your feeling is very common and normal. After undergoing a major surgery, even if it went well. Your conscious mind accepts it, but the fact of being on the edge makes oneself aware of the fragility of life reminding us this from the deep inside. Answering your question I tell you that I have the same feeling from time to time, but I think that is quite natural.

I'm glad you are doing physically well. Depression & anxiety are 100% normal post-op. I'm physically doing well, mentally is a mixed bag. This week I'm good mentally. A month ago, was a lot tougher. This time of year is tough for me. In a 30 day period I have: my dad's birthday, Father's Day, and the anniversaries of my surgery and my mother's passing. I'm taking a couple days off next week to help keep my head straight.

Often depression comes right after surgery, not 10 months after when you already did go surfing, fishing, etc. Maybe those activities were "cover-ups" to say you are back on track but then later reality kicks in and makes you aware of mortality. Not because of your heart, which is fixed now, but just in general. I am no psychologist, never went through any such depression, so maybe my comments are irrelevant. However, I am a fairly emotional person. I kept crying because we just lost someone close to us at my age to cancer today. No need for sympathy. I am only saying this because it made me refocus my priorities again. For me, the heart surgeries made me focus on family and today's event did just add to that. So keep in mind what is important to you, if it is family, surfing, fishing, etc. go for that. Not to cover up your anxiety but to just do what you think is the best for you, your family, and friends.