One year post AVR....29th Oct 2019.

[road2ruin]

It doesn't seem that long ago 12 months. I would be on the operating table now. First to go down on that day, probably a blessing, get it over and done with.

A year on....what has happened to me...?

Well, quite a lot. Those of you that read my diary may remember AF and mental health issues, no more maybe than others here though.

I am not in a bad place now. Still enjoy reading and posting on the BHF forum. A constant source of mental release. Especially now with a the extra doom and gloom. I still suffer a little. Mainly chest pain when I have been lifting or exerting myself and my muscles and bones try to remind me about it. I still have some odd palpitations and ectopic beats, but have learnt to live with them mainly. Every so often they are uncomfortable and worrying.

I suppose my next thing is to look forward to my check up....whenever that will be 🤔.

I would love to hear back from some other AVR patients who have been more than a year since, just so we can compare notes of sorts....I had a mechanical valve. Warfarin is going well, touch wood, on 8 week checks now and back that up with home testing.

All the best,

Peter

[080311]

Hi, I am 4 years post AVR and bypass, I have a tissue value and so far so good😉 like you I am waiting for this year’s echo whenever that happens but I feel fine so hopefully the valve pressure will be ok.

Sometimes it comes as a bit of a shock to remember what happened to me, the scar is so faint now but when I see it wow that really did happen. I am grateful every day to the medical team that gave me my life back.

5 weeks after my surgery my husband had a big stroke and I became his carer, so I tend to think it was written that I was to have my heart mended so we could continue our lives together. 50 years this year neither of us had any health problems and in the space of a couple of months we both went down. But we are still here still being able to laugh with each other ( tears as well) 😩

So we just keep going.

Best wishes Pauline

[road2ruin in reply to 080311]

Hi Pauline, I read some of your earlier posts, I am now a new follower of yours. It was such a deliberation with valve choice. I was 49 so age was a big thing. In reflection I think I made the right choice. I am okay with the warfarin and the ticking, when I hear it, is not an issue. Fingers crossed, like you, I will live a full life.

Thanks for replying.

Peter

[080311]

Happy Anniversary time passes fast doesn’t it?

[Pinkrobin]

I, too am 12 months avr (tissue 23/10). Check up at 6 weeks, nothing since, next check, by video link early dec. Missing local group, as no meetings due to covid, mixture of good and bad days, but getting there slowly.

[080311 in reply to Pinkrobin]

Hi, when we have open heart surgery it’s a really big hit on our bodies and our brain. The brain is saying what on earth as happened to us! I am 4 years post op now and feel fine, though sometimes when a see what’s left of my scar or get that twinge in my chest I think wow that really did happen. After my surgery I made a conscious decision to do everything I can to do make the most of every day I have. Take care of my mended heart as best I can. Having good and bad days is normal make the most of your good days and if you have a bad day say ok will take it easy today. Just know the bad days do get less and you have more of those good days 😉 We are the lucky ones with a mended heart.

Best wishes Pauline

[road2ruin]

Hi pinkrobin, when you say good and bad days, what sort of things cause you distress? For me I still get occasional palpitations or ectopic beats. I also suffer sternum pain if I have been silly and lifted too much. Other than that I still need to see how my new valve puts up with a high cardio workout. I would love to take up a team sport, like hockey, but worried I may not cope with the running!

[Pefki]

Just read all your posts. I have felt most of all you have written. I have my parents as support and they have been my therapists and caregivers and will be until my first check up. Apart from the AF, all your experiences sound the same. I am glad that things have improved and warfarin testing is less frequent. Hopeful that I get to that point too. Good on you.

[road2ruin in reply to Pefki]

Thank you. Took a while, bit got there in the end. Here's hoping everything sorts itself out foe you too.

🤞