Hi All,
this will be my last post on my Aortic valve replacement, I hope some of you have found it useful.
It was nearly seven and half weeks before I had my post operative check up. A short trundle up to Bristol and and the BRI. I must admit I was quite apprehensive. Not because i was worried about the result, but more worried about being in the same place where the operation was done and a lot of bad memories coming back. My wife and I decided to leave early so we could take our time, have some lunch and just be together. It's surprising how something like this makes you realise how much you love each other, your family and your friends.
As we progressed into the outpatients department I could feel myself getting anxious, but I didn't need to be, the staff were great. I got a cup of tea from a lovely lady while I waited and then when I went in for my ECG all was good. The nurse even commented on how well my scar was healing and how 'neat' it was....lol. I was expecting more tests, but that was it. I wasn't sure if I was disappointed or elated! I waited then to see the doctor. He did a few checks, listend to a few things, made me cough a few times and generally had a talk about how things were and if I had any concerns. There wasn't many, but he was very patient and understanding, that whilst he had probably done this a hundred times, he treated me like I was his first patient. At the end of the meeting I asked 'what next?' and was surprised to her 'that's it, you are discharged from our care'. Again my feelings of oh no, my safety blanket has gone, reared their head, but he told me this was quite normal and i am healthier now then before the op. He also said if I ever had any concerns then I only had to call.
As we left the doctors room I said to my wife, 'lets go up to the ward'. I had contemplated this and even bought a thank you card. On the way I wasn't sure how I would feel... They buzzed us in and initially said 'who are you here too see?' Its only when I took my glasses of and said I am ex patient they remembered who I was. I am glad i did it too. The staff all said how well I looked, that's why they didn't think I was an ex patient, and how glad they were to see me. They don't often see returning patients, for a variety of reason, but they were so happy to see their hard work had changed someone's life. One nurse was so please to see me, she had a little cry...and I must admit, so did I..These things are needed though.
So, how about me. I am well as I think I could be, eight weeks post op now, I still get a little pain and have to be careful how I move. I walking a lot, in fact I have just walked to work this morning, two miles. I am glad I had the Op, but wouldn't look forward to it again. The care I have received from the NHS, my family and particular my friends(they know who they are) had been amazing and has no doubt helped me through.
I will leave you with this. It's tough, no doubt, but with determination,the amazing NHS and your family and friends you will be out the other side before you know it. Good luck to all future patients, keep plugging on to all ex patients and finally, thanks you for reading x
Peter
Aortic valve and root replacement
TAVI aortic valve replacement
Aortic valve replacement 
