Sue's Journal

Joseph Heinzmann  Sue, I can only tell you about the vaccine. I had it a couple of moths after mitral valve repair. Other than arm soreness and being just a little tired the day after, no issues at all. Same for second dose. My wife had the same experience.

Patsy Stewart  Sue, I hope you can let your worries go and have a great day by yourself. I have been ‘hold up’ forever because of covid! I was vaccinated starting in February of this year. The doctor at the center came and talked with me the day of my first shot. He told me that they didn’t think the vaccine would work for me, but that I could take it if I wanted to. He also told me that I would have to continue to be extremely careful by masking, social distancing and staying home. 😕 I have several other health issues besides having the heart valve. All of my doctors gave the green light for me to get the vaccination. I did great with it. I only had a sore arm with both shots. My husband and my son were vaccinated as well. They do all of the shopping and I get to sit in the car. I haven’t been shopping since the end of 2019. I’m trying not to complain and to be as patient as I can. Our son moved back home from NY to help me. He works from home, so I’m basically with him 24/7. I am very fortunate to have him. He does the majority of the cooking and cleaning. I do the laundry and cook/bake on occasion. I remember the first day that he went out for a few hours and let me stay at home. I was in heaven just to have a little time alone. Of course, I was given instructions on what I could do and what to stay out of. We have an Echo Dot in every room, so I knew he could drop in at any minute and catch me doing whatever. Ha! I would just suggest that you don’t climb any ladders (wink~wink) and just putter around, read or do something simple that won’t put you at risk for an accident. I get to be by myself tomorrow. 🤗 I announced that I was going to clean the oven, but that idea has been shot down. Ha! You will do great… just choose wisely what you want to do while being home alone. Sending prayers that you keep getting stronger and better every day. ~❤️

Lisa Coombe  I had a night alone with just my 10 year old son during my third week, I told him what to do if I was having any problems

Jay Heagerty  Can't speak to the being alone after surgery, but can tell you I had no issues at all with the first vaccine. Had some mild symptoms after the second one though. You get this Sue!

Lynn Loudermilk  covid vaccine....no big issues just tired a little for 1 day 1st shot 2nd I was fine. Being home alone after hubby went back to work, 1st couple days it was lonley but also nice. It is always great to depend on youself again.

Susan Lynn  Sue - The fatigue does hang on for awhile. That surprised me, too. You can likely thank the bypass machine for it. We usually have OHS without blood transfusions. Our own blood is cycled through the "pump" during surgery and the process can result in a drop in hemoglobin. Even though our levels are monitored before we're released from the hospital, unless they're really low, the doctors count on us rebuilding our own iron. You'll regain your strength and stamina, you just need to be patient a bit longer. Full recovery takes time. Best of luck to you!

Tracy Fallu  Ditto to Susan’s comment. Fatigue/lack of energy was an issue for me as well and truly one of the last things to return to normal for me. The good thing is, it will return to you.

Deena Z  Huge issue. Every day, then week, then month gets better. Can’t wait until I hit the one year mark, and onward.

Lisa Coombe  I have a great front closing bra, I was also given a binder strap that worked well as a bra for a few weeks

Duane Shewmaker  Hi Sue! I am 6 days post right anterior mini-thoracotomy surgery (came home yesterday). I find sleeping in a recliner more comfortable. I have breathing difficulty laying too flat when using a wedge pillow.

Lisa Coombe  Try putting your normal pillow on top of the wedge and some under your knees. That has worked well for me since being home. You will find what will work for you soon

  Hi Sue, sleeping after surgery is tricky. Lisa’s suggestion of putting a normal pillow on top of wedge worked for me, but it took a while to get a good night sleep. Some have found like Duane that the recliner worked for them. Be patient and try different things until you find what works for you. Duane, so good to hear you are home, welcome to recovery. God bless you all and be well.

Rose Madura  I used a wedge for a few days but found that lots of pillows worked best. I'd sleep for a couple hours and then go downstairs to the recliner with my faithful travel pillow it will get better in time.

E Taub  A half round pillow under my knees helped as did baby pillows I got on Amazon under my arms. I’m two weeks post surgery and still sleeping in recliner. When back pain starts a heating pad really helps - I sleep with it and turn on when needed. Did this in hospital too

Lisa Coombe  I only saw my surgeon twice, 3 weeks before surgery and after I woke up in icu. He did his job and moved on to the next

Marie Myers  I remember those episodes of irregular rhythms. They were more frequent in early recovery, but they decreased with time. Hang in there!

E Taub  I too had irregular rhythm s but dr said it was heart muscle getting used to all the new blood flow and each side of the valve repair learning to talk to each other again. It resolved and then I had a higher heart rate but it is slowing down now. Said it is all normal part of heart recovering.

Sue Gough  I have spent all my hospital and rehab admission in lockdown. My husband was with me post surgery for 1/2 day! From then on its no visitors. Thank goodness for technology. I would have meals with my family via FaceTime which was a great thing. They could see me and I could talk with them 👩‍💻

Lisa Coombe  I’m in Australia as well, everyone on this site is very supportive and you have a great group of people

  Hello Sue, will be praying for your surgery together well and we will be welcoming to recovery. Please write as soon as you can. God bless you