Aortic Valve Replacement - into the forth week.

[road2ruin]

Hi all,

Now in to my forth week after my valve replacement and I am really starting to see an improvement. I am not saying the first three weeks there wasn't any, just that I fell better most of the time rather than just 'occasionally'. I was informed that healing, in this sort of Op, is not a linear progression and they were right. There has been many backward steps or lateral steps, but overall the forth week has been forward. My mental health has improved a lot too. I think this is mainly due to my body healing, the pain being much more manageable (only on paracetamol 3 times a day now), and also being able to get out and about. I walked to the local shop, bought a newspaper, walked to the local pub for lunch, anything to get out of the house.

I am also part way through some counselling. I am not sure how I feel about this yet, but I am sure it wont hurt.

I have been very lucky to have such a supportive family, business partner and friends, none of which I could do without. I find talking and sharing has really helped me. I am really looking forward to cardiac rehab so I can meet other people who I can talk to.

All in all week four has been good to me and now I look forward to week five. It seems strange counting the weeks but when you are alone most of them time giving your self goals is important. For example, I have just had my six week appointment come through and I can't wait. Six weeks.....that really will be a milestone! Fingers crossed for some good reports.

Oh, P.S. my scar has started to heal nicely too. For those worried that it will be awful, don't. I was like that, but now I can see how much it has settled down already I feel much better about it. No more Frankenstein's monster!!

R2R

[Pinkrobin]

Good to hear you are on the mend. I'm into week 5 at home. Check up and rehab week after next. Like you hoping for all clear, as missing driving. Scar has now stopped itching. Best of luck.

[road2ruin in reply to Pinkrobin]

Hi Pinkrobin, I am also into week five, but posting retrospectively. Yes, I am also looking forward to driving again. I did move the car on the drive two days ago, it hurt, a lot.

Good luck to you too. Will probably be in for our six week post op check around the same time. Mine is actually six and a half weeks, but who's counting

[Dickyticker26]

And I am just 3 months since a triple by pass at St Thomas'

It has all worked out exactly as promised by the Clinical Nurse Specialist with whom I regularly correspond by email

I am now walking 20 miles a week and I have been ticking off on my checklist the activities I enjoyed before the operation. All that is left is the heavier gardening which will have to wait till the Spring

I no longer need paracetamol for the sensitive chestbone, though the basic medication remains-betablockers, statins, blood-thinners and anti clotting

I must send a Christmas card to the ward thanking:

a) the passing doctors who advised that my body had received "a massive insult" in major surgery and needed time to recover

b) the kind nurses who told me that they were there to look after me and help me to recover

c) the efficient ones who would tackle anything including my enema!

I was counting the number of days since the operation for the first month, then it was the number of weeks and now it will be the months

Nurse says that it can be 6 months for the sternum to settle and I read somewhere that it can be 2 years to get back to being "completely normal"

Hoping that your own recovery is as successful!

[road2ruin in reply to Dickyticker26]

Many thanks for the reply. I am sure there is still a long slog ahead. Like you, I hope to be bacl to gardening by the spring. That will be about 6 months for me....can't wait!

[IanGordon]

Good to hear your new life seems to be on plan, R2R

I'm AVR + 18 months , so a distant but clear memory; afterall, it's a pretty significant life event.

For me, 10 weeks was when it began to all come together. Better energy levels, and more frequent 'feelgood' days. I was lucky with timing as Spring surgery gifted me a summer of rehab - progressively longer/harder walks in the sunshine.

Just commit to the exercise, diet and social interaction with those who were with you when your journey hit a bit of turbulence!

Good luck and comfort as you heal and you get ever-closer to the renewed you.

[road2ruin in reply to IanGordon]

Thanks, always nice to hear from a fellow patient. Looking forward to the good weather, not nice walking in cold and rain!

[Purplecross]

Glad to hear your doing well the counselling will help I didn’t receive any help after op been 2years. Now I wish I didn’t have although I probably wouldn’t be alive I was told by my cardiologist I would feel 20years younger. Instead I feel old never had rehab or any support now I’m suffering from depression I have zero energy so I don’t go out no-interest in life I no longer work as I took voluntary redundancy as they would have retired me as this was the second time I took time off in same year.soon as I got home I didn’t take any pain killers didn’t need the all I had was pain in top of my arms and I used bio oil on my scar . I’m so glad that your experience is better than mine and you have support without it you could be in my position mentally I didn’t get my head round it as it happened so quickly I only went to docs for a certificate as I had broke my wrist and she my checked my BP and the rest is history.

[road2ruin]

Sorry to hear you are still not in a good place. Your GP sound like they could do with a kick up the bottom. Best wishes for the future, keep hanging in there.

[Ianc2]

8-10 weeks before your sternum knits together . Take it easy and make progress gently. Winter is coming and the need to wrap up really warm is essential. lots of layers, thermal underlays, long sleeve vests, warm shirts, fleece tops and a waterproof shell on top , with a snood or a muffler around your neck and a good warm hat to keep your head and ears warm. Fabric Motor bike gloves are thick and chunky and warm.

A pair of waterproof over trousers and waterproof boots will make you almost impenetrable by all but the worst weather. There are some wonderful winter colours out there at the moment and as you go to rehab you will become fitter and fitter and you will be filled with a new sense of life and purpose. You will be able to gather strength, stamina and endurance. It won't happen overnight but the more regular you can make your exercise the stronger you will feel.

I had my heart fixed 6 years ago. Last summer I was walking in the Austrian/ Italian region and had a trip to Zermatt and went up to 8000 feet to take advantage of a clear day in order to admire the Mighty Matterhorn before returning to lake Maggiore to enjoy the chestnut walk through the surrounding woods.

The great attraction of active holidays in places like Austria and the Alps is that they have lots of ski lifts that will whisk you up to walks that would otherwise be completely inaccessible, they usually have cafes at the top and you can get there by train if you want to be environment friendly.

Nice and easy does it. Steady regular gentle exercise works - the hard part is putting your coat on.

[road2ruin in reply to Ianc2]

Many thanks, did what you suggested and did some gentle raking of leaves in the garden. Nice to be out..

[Crackerchops]

I was pleased to read your thread and it makes me feel a bit more confident with my surgery. I am due to see my surgeon soon and have more tests, chest X-ray, veins looked at etc etc. But nothing compared to the surgery, I know it’s going to happen and why but I don’t think it’s sunk in yet! I am normally a worrier, been late, going to parties, will build my anxiety level up but this I feel numb. Reading what you say has helped and thanks for sharing it. Good luck oh the rest of your recovery.

[road2ruin]

My pleasure. Happy to answer any questions for you. We are a good bunch on here and there is always someone here to help.