Thank you all for those heartening (-: replies.
No marigoldb, I don't live alone luckily and I have good friends - though not as far away as NZ. Your experience sounds really positive. After all you're only 83!
Thank you all again - I'm so relieved to have discovered the forum. It has answered many questions for me.
Sternotomy discomfort / anxiety
Tingling Sensation in hands and arms
Slight swelling and pain in right hand one week post angiogram procedure. Should I be worried?
surgery question for anyone who has had mini-sternotomy/ open heart surgery. 
Traditional mitral valve repair using sternotomy 
