Soggy's Journal

Susan Lynn  I've heard it takes a full year. I guess so much improvement happens in the beginning, we forget that there's still more healing that's necessary for complete recovery. Thanks for the information!

Mark Wilbur  Bay to Breakers includes some daunting hills, too; it's not a flat race. Good for you, Soggy. Thanks for pointing out that getting back to 100% isn't always a fast race in itself, as it is for some. As I'm in my 70's, I will keep that in mind when it's time for my surgery.

Rita Savelis  I had at least a year after OHS before I got some energy back. Nice to hear from you Soggy, and especially that you are doing better 11 months on.
I think that's a quick recovery, myself! Take care.

Janet Skinner  Great news Soggy! It is now ten months post MVR for me and I can finally say that I now am feeling more normal and have lots of energy. (A wise doctor in the ER said it would take a full year for recovery, especially with all of the complications that I had.)

Phyllis Petersen  It's still early days to know what your new normal will be. Keep exercising and taking care of yourself. After a year, maybe speak with your doctor about what you can realistically expect going forward and whether you'll be able to do the job you most want to do. It's very smart of you to find another avenue in case you aren't able to perform respiratory therapy. All the best for continued healing and returning strength.

Rita Savelis  So sorry about that, Soggy. I hear you on the feeling down about one's physical state. It took me several years to feel more energetic (9 months is still early) but performing multiple CPR chest compressions sounds exhausting. Good luck on the sleep lab possibilities.

Marie Myers  Sorry to hear you can't do what you had planned to do. Hopefully the sleep lab job will work out. I am lucky to be able to work part time at this stage of my life. I think a full time job would be just exhausting, and I had an uneventful post op course. I can only imagine what it has been like for you. Wishing you all the best!

Lilly Black  I don’t have the luxury of working part time or even changing job type, but I am happy about working remotely 100% of the time. I need the medical coverage as well. Glad to hear you found something more suitable at this juncture. Good for you and good luck with the new position! 😊✌️

Anna Jones  I'm also sorry that you aren't able to do what you had hoped to do. You should be very proud of yourself that you were able to assess your situation and find a solution. That isn't an easy thing to do.

What I have found in my own life, is that whenever something huge happens, I have had to reinvent myself. Sometimes that has meant changing careers.

Life is a long road. It has turns. I am absolutely positive you are up to the challenges. Best wishes for happiness, health and prosperity in your new career choice.

  Yes, it is less than a year since you had your surgery but it sounds like you are able to look at the "big picture" and you are listening to you body. To recognize that your job would be too difficult to do (for now at least) and you have the ability to train for another aspect of your RT license is fantastic. You know your body better than anyone else and this is the strength that will carry you forward. Good luck.
(I have just "celebrated" five years with my CPAP and have an amazing RT who has helped me through the transition. I NEVER go a night without using it. It feels so natural now ... AND ... both of my cardiologists AND my family doctor have all told me that it's imperative I continue to wear the CPAP at night because of my heart. .... I call my mask "Buddy" :-)

Barbara Wood  I'm so sorry Soggy, that sounds so frustrating. I think Anna said it so well...hope it all works out for you - seems like you have a good handle on it...best wishes!

Soggy Rodent  Thanks everybody for ur kind support!
I had been symptomatic when I started RT school. I paid $48k for that program and was fortunately able to pass my licensure exams right b4 surgery.
I come from an EMS background so I enjoy working in dynamic environments and really looked forward to doing excellent work with critical patients. Alas, this dream will have to wait.

My docs keep telling me I should be doing better. It's upsetting bcz it was they who delayed my surgery until my body had started to go into decline. Had they done the surgery even a couple of years sooner, I'd b in a better place physically and career-wise. This is the stuff that feeds bitterness. I can't change the past so I have to find a way to keep moving forward.

I recently heard this song and it spoke to me on many levels:
https://youtu.be/cEXhZ8PwM-Y

Phyllis Petersen  Hopefully, you have good changes coming down the pike. It can be hard to keep up hope when things aren't going the way you expected/wanted, but you sound like a strong person and I believe you'll find a way to shape your dreams and make them happen. Sometimes our bodies don't progress at the speed we'd like, but then they can suddenly reach a point of healing where things move quickly. I'm praying that you reach that point soon.

Sophia Ridley  It took me a good year to get over my surgery and probably 18mths before I felt back into the pace of work. It’s semsible to adjust your outlook, but remember you are still recovering and things will continue to improve

Lilly Black  I'm right there with you, Sophia! Soggy, it takes time...be patient with yourself. Take one day at a time....you can do this!

Robyn Tatu  I have a whopper of a scar and it was very sensitive when in the shower and itchy and sting-y for months. On top of that I tend to keloid so I have a real mess. Fed up, a year after surgery I went to my dermatologist who recommended a series of shots (I'll try to followup with the name of the medicine) and he said if I had come to him post op we could've avoided the keloiding and stopped that sensitivity in it's tracks. I have had several treatments now over the past 2 years and it's made a WORLD of difference in my life. I won't be able to undo the keloiding, but the pain and itching and are gone. And my insurance paid for the treatment.

Civita Fahey  I have a keloid on my scar too and it really hurt and was itchy and sensitive for a while. I asked my PCP at about 6 months if it was normal, and she said NO.. so she sent me to a dermatologist. I had one laser treatment which really didn't do much, and then I had kenelog injections in December.Its a steroid. The keloid is somewhat flatter, I have another appointment in Feb. Like Robyn I think it will take a while for it flatten, but if you're prone to keloids, it may never get totally flat.. Also, a few people here recommended silicone strips which you can get on Amazon. My dermatologist said they are very good and to keep them on the scar at all times except for showers. It will help with the flattening of the scar.. I believe I have Scar Away but there are several names on Amazon.. its also helps it from getting sensitive. When my clothes touched the scar it hurt and was sensitive so its helped there..

Soggy Rodent  This is all great information. Unfortunately, my skin reacts to the silicone strips I assume bcz I'm sensitive to adhesives. I'll next investigate the injections. My chest tube scar looks like a keloid but isn't sensitive, thank goodness. But maybe the top of my sternal scar is keloiding and I need it looked at.

Soggy Rodent  I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he said that my scar had keloided. I told him that somebody on this site had gone to a dermatologist who treated her keloided scar with steroid shots. He suggested I talk to my surgeon to see what he recommended bcz my scar is still relatively new. I'll b aggressive with my surgeon about getting a referral for a dermatologist.
Ty everybody!

Soggy Rodent  My surgeon has suggested that I see a plastic surgeon. I'll post what his treatment plan is after I see him.

Civita Fahey  I started my treatments at 6 months.. because I didnt realize til then that it shouldn't look like that.. the dermatologist did say the sooner the better, but I'm sure a surgeon will and can do the same shots.. I can actually see mine starting to flatten out!

Soggy Rodent  I asked my cardiologist about my scar at 6mo and he said that it was still relatively new. He said the same thing this time except that I mentioned keloiding. That's when he told me to talk to my surgeon. Trying to get a referral from my surgeon's office was emotionally stressful and took all day of back and forth msgs. Finally had to remind them of the nightmare they put me thru b4 surgery to get what I needed. So unnecessary and zero help for my bitterness.

Soggy Rodent  I'm wondering if sternal keloiding is more common for larger breasted women. I had never had a keloid b4 this. I wonder if the constant pull and smashing of the scar contributed to this...

Civita Fahey  IDK, I was told that people mediterranean descent ( I was born in Italy) and african american people have more collagen in their skin and though great for not getting wrinkles, not great for scarring as the collagen tends to attack it. Also, scarring happens more above the waist rather than below.. i had 2 C-sections and no keloiding whatsoever.. I think that the rubbing of skin against skin doesn't help though.

Marie Myers  I can see how visiting your brother in the hospital could be rough. It does bring back some less-than -pleasant memories... All the best to you and your brother for 2018!

Phyllis Petersen  I think sometimes we forget how traumatic to the body and mind this has all been. I didn't go through as much as you, and it's now been 15 months for me, but just the other day someone had to remind me that my body may still be adjusting. Thankfully, my memories of the ICU are a bit vague, but each person is different. I'm sure your brother will understand. You may want to look into some counseling to help you deal with any PTSD you are having. Wishing your brother a quick and thorough recovery!

Gerald Poulton  OHS is an extremely traumatic experience. It can affect ones emotions and that is very common. Just take care of you so you can be of help to your brother when he needs you later. You guys have more in common now 👍

Rita Savelis  Oh,Soggy, I feel for you. This is exactly the kind of experience that brings up past emotion. It is still so early for you after your own experience.
There is something about being a bystander that is also more difficult in some ways than being central in what is happening .
A bypass doesn't involve cutting into the heart, so your brother's recovery experience will be different from yours.
Take care Soggy.

Soggy Rodent  Ty so much to all of you! I fortunately am not so traumatized that I can't try to advise him in his recovery. Fortunately, I also have a twin bro who supports my choices. He was with me a week b4 and a week after surgery. What a blessing!

  I was very hesitant to see a relative after Ohs. I have not yet had Ohs, just minimally invasive. I think it helped me to see what excellent care he received

Marie Myers  Somehow I missed your 4 month post until today. Sorry to hear you had a rough post op course. I hope things are going smoother for you now. I am almost at 10 months post op, without any big complications...I do feel that I am not as sharp or quick-thinking as Preop... Maybe that pump head thing...Hope you are able to find work , and that things are getting better!

Rita Savelis  One of the things I most appreciated from my medical team is that they never said I'd be doing great quickly. They said recovery takes time, sometimes a very long indefinite time. This honesty helped me a lot when in fact, it did take a very long time. At one year, I was not yet writing a happy post.
Wishing you some peace after your difficult recovery.

Soggy Rodent  Gosh Marie, it must be upsetting to not feel as quick witted post-surgery as pre-. Have ur docs given u any suggestions or advice?

Soggy Rodent  The unrealistic milestones really messed with my head. I cried so much I was sick of myself...
I've learned so much from this experience. Can't wait to give care to folks recovering from OHS...

Rita, so sorry it took u over a year to start feeling good. That must've been so upsetting and difficult for u...

Barbara Wood  Sorry to hear of your challenges Soggy! I guess we expects bumps right after surgery but months after, when we've been feeling well & confident...a bummer. Several people on here have had small strokes after the fact. Hope all turns out well for you. Keep us posted please...

Roger Bideleux  Hello, great photo, thanks. I was interested to hear of your experience driving! What a nasty experience. I am really keen to be allowed to drive again and wonder if many others have experienced headaches after a long drive. I assume you were the driver and not just a passenger? Can you tell us how long the drive was, in time or miles, and were you driving on particulalry twisty roads? Did you ask your doctor if these symptoms are common? I do not want to plan any long drives too soon if this is to be expected.
Best wishes for a continuing recovery, Roger

Civita Fahey  it took me a while to drive long distances too.. my doctor actually made it a restriction until 12 weeks.. Im just about 12 weeks now and its better.. long drives would exhaust me.. it will get better..

Marie Myers  I was also surprised that I was a little sore and more tired than I expected to be when I started driving again. But I felt back to normal within a week or so.

Lynda Ruiz  At 7 weeks,since I am not back home yet, driving has only been around town in my dad's car with me as the driver. 2 weeks ago I was a passenger for a farther drive,but no problems. Being anxious to be at home I will wait a couple months before driving from AZ to CA to see my daughter and get my beach time.

Soggy Rodent  The first leg of my solo trip was 170mi with 4hrs of driving. I was tired but ok after that leg. Four days later, I drove 330mi with 6hrs of driving. Both legs were mostly freeway miles. I stayed in the AC the whole time so I know it wasn't the heat that gave me the headaches. The first headache came when I was bending over, which my body doesn't like since surgery, and wrestling to take off a wet top. The headache was sudden and severe. I didn't call the doctor because the headache improved within 10min. However, I was left with the feeling of the beginning of a headache for a few days.
My drive home was 1.5wks later, 400mi, with 7hrs of driving. I've been very careful to not bend over for very long and that seems to have kept the headaches at bay, though I can feel them waiting in the wings. My thinking is that having my arms held up for long periods of time stressed my neck muscles. That, combined with not being able to bend over for very long were most likely the cause.

Soggy Rodent  Turns out, I shoulda gone to the doctor about that thunderclap headache. I started having neurological events. Very scary!

Marie Myers  Have you seen your cardiologist since surgery? I would get their opinion on your recovery first. Also have they started you on cardiac rehab? That definitely got my recovery going stronger. I was in pretty good shape before my surgery, because my bicuspid valve was functioning well enough for me to be playing tennis. Yours may well be a slower recovery due your symptomatic pre op time.

Barbara Wood  I'm almost 4 weeks past mitral valve repair, & I feel that my progress has been slow too! Part of that is having had an unrealistic expectation of how I would feel 1 month out- this in spite of many brutally honest journals I read about individuals struggles on the road to recovery- I've always seen myself as pretty infallible. And I have battled nearly constant afib for the past few weeks. I've landed back in the hospital, a very frustrating experience, while waiting for a cardioversion- not the recovery I anticipated! I am slow, sometimes breathless, a little weak in the knees & like to cling to my husband's arm when I walk- not my pre surgery tough independent self at all!

At this point I've accepted that my recovery is uniquely mine & will take place at a pace I am comfortable with- I push myself a little, I don't baby myself but I'm patient with myself- it will come when it comes. Ohs has been a humbling experience for me!

Soggy Rodent  I haven't seen my cardiologist since surgery yet. I have dreaded meeting with him because I didn't appreciate how he spoke to me at my last visit, which was before surgery. He told me that I had stable severe aortic stenosis, do I know why I was having these symptoms. He told me I shouldn't be having these symptoms. When I told him I had chest pain he told me that I looked fine while standing. His tone was snarky. He was invalidating my very real experience.

Soggy Rodent  Barbara, I can't believe what you are going through. To have to go back to the hospital is awful. I had to go to the ER after being home a couple of days because I had a pleural effusion and couldn't get any sleep. With a pleural effusion, you become short of breath when you lie down. They refused to give me oxygen so that I could get some rest. They sent me home without doing anything for me. Very frustrating! Thank you for sharing your story. It helps to hear that I'm not the only one. frustrated with the pace of progress.

Bob Fessler  Soggy...from what you said, that would be my excardiologist. There must be another one who would listen to you, believe you and not be snarky with you.

Barbara Wood  Soggy, thanks. I willingly went into the hospital to speed up my cardioversion date. They give priority to inpatients for the procedure & only schedule 1 outpatient appt./ day. Seems weird, but by checking myself in I went to top slot, so I can have my procedure Mon. rather than Fri. The hitch is I have to wait around as a patient thru the weekend. But I really think I will feel so much better, it's worth it to me:). Best of luck in your recovery- keep us posted please!

Soggy Rodent  I've spoken to my cardiologist's office about switching to another doctor in the practice. The doctor I want to switch to has told me to have one more appointment with the jerk so he doesn't feel like he's stepping on the jerk's toes. Can't wait until the switch is complete!

Rita Savelis  Hello Soggy. I took a very long time to "progress" after sugery and I was told pre-surgery that it takes a very very long time to not feel tired and to get one's energy back. I was glad for that warning, and am always surprised when I hear a story about someone jumping back to normalcy so soon without having many/all of the common side effects (afib, fluid retention, etc...)
Being able to post or take photos or do anything even somewhat cheery soon after OHS was way outside of my normal.
I had 4 pleural effusions and they made me very tired. A lot of effusions will reabsorb by themselves, I had to have my 4 drained.This was over a 2 month period post surgery. I remember not wanting to lie flat because I felt I was suffocating, but other than that just exhaustion, exhaustion, exhaustion. Every day the same as the last one.
With or without pleural effusions sleeping and getting some rest is very very difficult and can be for weeks after surgery.
It's all hard.
You just have to vent about it and take one day, one moment at a time. Rest when and how you can. Take it really slow.
And comparing to others is the worst. It is common to share only the good stories.
I hear you Barbara and Soggy! I also had the habit of bouncing right back after my previous surgeries. OHS was the mother of all surgeries and it is really really hard to explain to someone what recovery is often like.
Surgery is a breeze, it's recovery that takes strengh.
You are both in my thoughts. Take care.

Marie Myers  Good post, Rita... I am amazed when I see smiling OHS patient pictures 1 day post op. I was a tired, cranky, blob of jello who was not smiling...

Laura Jacobs  Thank you for the post. A friend of ours is telling us that "his friend" had no pain at all and was up and about in a couple of weeks. I have been thinking that I am going to sound like a baby if I am not the same. Your posts will help me shelve it all, and focus on staying positive and patient.

Matt Sheffield  You're progressing, that is something to celebrate. Craig Miller is the man. I've heard so many great things about him. One of the best in the business. I had the same surgery as you a year ago, 6.21.16. Ended up with Pericardial Effusion which set me back a bit (another 7 days in the hospital). After that got dialed in, I was on the road to recovery. I walked three to four times a day. I would put on some music and walk. It took a awhile, but I finally got there. I'm shooting hoops, coaching baseball, waterslides, and riding four wheelers (moderately), I am on Warfarin. They replaced my aortic aneurysm with a dracon graft. One day at a time, walk, walk, and walk. You'll get there. Take care.

Matt Sheffield  You're progressing, that is something to celebrate. Craig Miller is the man. I've heard so many great things about him. One of the best in the business. I had the same surgery as you a year ago, 6.21.16. Ended up with Pericardial Effusion which set me back a bit (another 7 days in the hospital). After that got dialed in, I was on the road to recovery. I walked three to four times a day. I would put on some music and walk. It took a awhile, but I finally got there. I'm shooting hoops, coaching baseball, waterslides, and riding four wheelers (moderately), I am on Warfarin. They replaced my aortic aneurysm with a dracon graft. One day at a time, walk, walk, and walk. You'll get there. Take care.

Soggy Rodent  A pericardial effusion sounds absolutely awful!... Yes, Dr. Miller was awesome. A had a jerk for a cardiologist (I have since fired him). Had I not found Dr. Miller, I think I woulda lost my mind. He's a very caring man.