9 months post AVR

[Lucy_Hall]

I had AVR in March. Life’s now very much the same as before except for a couple of daily tablets and a scar. I’ve done cardio rehab which helped me feel safe, and now I am back to my usual healthy diet, my usual exercise routine, and running around looking after all of the people I looked after before my ‘lucky warning episode’.

I’ll get an annual echo and probably medication reviews with the GP but I feel as if I should otherwise be putting this heart thing out of my daily thinking. My problem was nothing compared to most and there are no residual problems. But somehow I get this feeling of gloom and the need to be sorting out my affairs seems greater than ever. Perhaps this Christmas thing makes it feel worse and I should go with the flow until the silly season is over - which I will because I can. But I feel guilty for feeling like this when so many people have real problems to deal with.

[Healthyheart1]

Everyone has their own journey, this is yours. Please dont feel guilty. I think your always right to sort affairs out but everyone will be different in their approach to it. Please love life this xmas. You have been given a gift. Sheena xx no guilt December 😁

[road2ruin]

Hi Lucy,

good to hear from you. It's possibly going to be difficult for a while yet. I am glad to hear you are back to normal duties, but normal duties previously may not be 'normal' now. Don't forget it's a major operation, you have every tight to feel low from time to time and I hope you family and friends see this. Good luck and remember we are all for a bit of stress relief!

[aussie63]

Hi Lucy

I am 6 months post AVR and have had a pretty smooth recovery like yours but recently I have also felt a bit gloomy. I think after the early period where you just focus on getting more mobile and cardiac rehab it can take your mind off the serious of what we have been through. My own feeling is a bit of delayed sadness and I think the holiday period makes it a bit worse. I am sure it is just a phase we go through but I also think it is important to acknowledge these feelings and let our loved ones know we may be "healed" medically we have been through a really traumatic physical and emotional event. So we have to give ourselves space to feel a bit sad from time to time. Anyway, my best wishes to you on your recovery!

[Yorkshirehead]

Hi Lucy,

What you describe seems absolutely normal to me. I am 37 years post AVR and there are still times when I dwell on things. I tell myself to stop being so stupid. What’s done is done and look forward not backward. All very easy to say but ..... ? I am reminded of my good fortune every day when I take my Warfarin. This can be an ‘upper’ or a ‘downer’, depending on my mood/frame of mind, the weather, the political state of the country and whether my team won on Saturday!! Sorry, I’ve drifted into flippancy.

As far as getting affairs sorted is concerned, I think this is a great idea. My wife and I spent a lovely evening listening to and compiling a list of our favourite music and songs. Oops, still a bit flippant l, I’d better stop. Best wishes and keep doing it while you can!

[dunestar]

I think it's no bad thing to be gloomy now and again. It depends what you do with it. If you get enveloped in it it can drag you down. But if you use it as a reminder that your time is finite it can be a spur to living a more fulfilled life.