A new path: 5 days post Aortic Valve and root op

[StevepH2012]

All,

So yesterday ~4:00pm I got into the car and my wife drove me home - much joy!

It turns out my operation took c.5 hours with no complications.

Tuesday night was another night of continual bleeps/bell sounds so not much sleep again. Wed. morning rounds the doctor was happy with water retention, observations etc. discharge plan of:

- x-ray;

-neck line removal;

-arterial wrist line and final canula removal;

-Cardio care nurse;

-physio assessment; and

- discharge nurse.

Surprisingly all of these were completed along with brief farewell chat from the surgeon by 3:30, long with another shower and change into going home outfit.

At the time I still had a slight worry that it was a bit soon - but with hindsight (and some sleep last night) it's fine.

Steve

[swingyourpants]

Not all that bad was it?

Now to get over it and get back to normal. Watch what you lift for the next few weeks. If it hurts, STOP. Sneezing will feel unbelievably painful! Just make sure have that wrapped up towel or heart cushion on hand. Onwards and upwards from here mate!

[seasider18 in reply to swingyourpants]

Strangely I come from a family of sneezers and I'm second top of that league. However after my aortic valve replacement I did not sneeze for four months. My wife still says if you could manage that then why not now.

[swingyourpants in reply to seasider18]

You're lucky mate big time. I'm not a sneezer much but when one came on, OMG it hurt. In the end I learned not to stress my chest too much. Now nearly 5 months out I can sneeze all day.

[seasider18 in reply to swingyourpants]

We were speaking to a friend yesterday when we were out and keeping the correct distance apart. I felt a sneeze coming on and warned her but could not easily get my hand into my pocket in time as I was sitting down so I sneezed loudly five times into my arm. Look of shock horror on her face as she took several steps back saying 'I'll see you tomorrow' and made a hasty departure.

My fathers brother was downstairs once on a tram and heard some sneezing from upstairs and knew immediately who it was and went up to see him.

[Purple1935]

Fantastic news! Haven’t you done well

Take it easy now... so pleased for you & what a relief x

[RoyM]

Great news Steve. You've done really well and now the road to recovery beckons. Good luck mate....my turn I suspect in the next six months. Cheers Roy

[Janma123]

Well done - here’s to a steady and uneventful recovery.

Take care.

[Sunflo247]

I know what you mean about feeling it’s to soon to go home after operation but being at home is so much better and the rolled up towel keep it with you at all times it really helps also when in the car under the seat belt . I had the same operation 5 weeks ago just take it easy don’t push yourself if tired rest which you will feel a lot . Have a good recovery just take it one step at a time.

Sunflo247

[IrisCarter]

Really pleased for you! As others have said get plenty of rest and don’t try to do too much before you are ready.

[TMeditation]

Glad to hear it was a huge success and you’re home now - to your new life. There will be considerations of course but hey you have a brand new heart, so off you go - enjoy! Well done - it takes guts to get through this stuff- and a great medical care of course!

[Samgeorge]

Fantastic news. So happy for you. 😀

[Rosei]

Great and well done.

[Nic25]

Blimey Steve, that's amazingly fast. Well done! Glad you're home and can now recover at your leisure. I recall I was very lucky to have three (teen/grown-up) daughters to wait on my every need, plus my wife of course - who was brilliant through the whole thing, which had been really difficult for her too - so hope you get some serious looking after over the next few weeks. But good luck and onwards and upwards.

Nic x

[Bradee12]

Great news! Let us know how you go each week if you can.....I need the same op in the not too distant future.

[Nadeje]

Hi there! You are doing amazingly! I have had aortic valve replaced on 9th July..now 3 wks post op. You haven't mentioned your age, I guess you're young compared to me. I turned 70 this May.

At the moment I find the path to recovery hampered by various obstacles...feeling of terrible tightness around my torso, dizziness, in the few first days I suffered nausea and loss of appetite due to Amiodarone, that has gone now as the dosage has been reduced from 3 per day to 1 tablet. I have read in your comment: 'rolled up towel' or in one of the replies to you. ??? What is that for? Can you explain please? Anyway , well done and keep getting fitter and stronger! Best wishes! Monica

[StevepH2012 in reply to Nadeje]

Hi Monica,

Yes - I am 'only' 56 and haven't suffered from anything noticeable other than Heart Failure due to stenosed BAV.

So please don't compare your situation to mine too closely.

As far as Amiodarone goes you should speak with your GP/heart nurse.

I haven't mentioned the 'rolled up towell' in my posts - this is given to most patients to 'hug tight' when coughing or sneezing to help stop too much pain due to sternum still being able to move during 1st few weeks until sternum heals.

Steve

[ITSINTHEBAG9]

Utterly fabulous that you are home. Take it easy and slowly. Great news. Let us know how you are getting on only as and when you are able. Bravo Sir.