Aortic Valve replacement - Post Operative Check and the future....

[road2ruin]

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

[kefalonia1]

Hi Peter, when l was discharged from the wonderful Bristol Royal lnfirmary heart foundation l too felt very uneasy, coupled with the fact my Hero heart surgeon was retiring. However its been three years since my first AVR on 01/01/17 this hospital saved my life twice and l am now living life to the full as you will. l spent 3 months in the BRl but was never brave enough to visit the ward where l fought like a tiger to remain alive. Your posts have been really interesting to myself and l'm sure many others, please keep posting about your recovery when you can. l have been told that the BRl has an amazing success rate with AVR so we will both be around for a long time. Happy New Year, live long and prosper. Sue.

[road2ruin in reply to kefalonia1]

Thanks for that. It's nice to hear from a fellow Bristol patient. Keep well. X

[Heythrop51]

Sounds good!

[road2ruin in reply to Heythrop51]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Thanks for sharing your experiences I’m sure it’s helped lots of us. All the best ❤️👍

[road2ruin in reply to Hidden]

Very kind

[road2ruin]

Thank you. I agree nice to hear the good stuff.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I had my post-op check at eight weeks and had been thinking about popping into the ward. However, when I got my appointment through I rang to check I would be seeing my surgeon and was assured I would. In the end I did not as he was not even in the hospital. Disappointed I grabbed a takeaway coffee and headed home. I did write to thank him!

[road2ruin in reply to MichaelJH]

I didn't see my surgeon either. Whilst I have a lot to thank him for, his skill, care and professionalism, the staff on the ward had to out up with me for a week. They all deserve thanks, from the surgeon to the last who brought the tea round, they were all excellent, but only in their job, but in how they dealt with the patients.