Pangea

[Jamie1995]

I am awaiting a mitral valve replacement/repair.

I have no idea what to expect re recovery/preparation

I am a fit lady, aged 79

Thanks

[nederlandse]

Dear Jamie,

First of all, the best of luck with your operation! I'm sure you will feel much better for it. I had a mitral valve repair in 2006 (when I was 34) and have had 15 years without having to take any medication since then. I've been able to take lots of exercise and have felt generally really well.

The recovery after surgery was quite quick. I remember being encouraged to sit on a chair next to the bed 2 days after surgery, and even going up some stairs (with 2 physiotherapists) before being discharged (which was 6 days after surgery). Sleeping was uncomfortable for some weeks - I had lots of pillows behind me and so was almost sitting up for a while. I also remembering being more comfortable sleeping with my bra on for some time.

Assuming your surgery is open-heart, you may feel quite vulnerable about your breastbone for the first few months - I remember my then 2-year-old son insisting on coming with me when I did my recommended daily walk to the end of the road, and realising I would have to let go of his hand if he stumbled, as I didn't want to jar my breastbone!

Having to take Warfarine for 3 months post surgery was a faff, as you have to have weekly blood tests and they can change dose every week, depending on what they see. If you end up having a new valve put in rather than a repair, you will have to keep taking it...although things may well have moved on since 2006.

I very much recommend the cardio-physiotherapy sessions you will be offered afterwards - they will help you feel confident in how much you can or can't do physically, and to build up your stamina again.

Once again, all the best and I hope this information will be of some help to you.

Wietske

[Jamie1995 in reply to nederlandse]

Hello WietskeHow special to have a reply from The Netherlands! Thank you, although I am much older than you were, (79), I guess the feelings are just the same and the advice of course. I like the sound of the cardio-vascular physiotherapist, it’s good to hear a way of self help. I have already some excellent exercises from my physiotherapist to improve my core strength.

I have benefited a lot from all the tips on this site, so good to have ‘friends’ with experience of the condition.

So, your son will now be a young man of 17 and won’t need his hand holding any more (well, not by you!) how time flies.

I hope you and your family are keeping safe from Covid, God bless, Sue.

[nederlandse in reply to Jamie1995]

Hello Sue,

Thanks for your lovely message! You're right, my son is not in need of any hand holding anymore these days (although he does still do good hugs luckily)!

I'm sorry to have to tell you that my message did not come from the Netherlands, but from Brighton...although I did come from the Netherlands, in 1998! When I had to make up a username for this forum I tried a couple of different names that were already taken, so thought I might be in with a better shot if I wrote something in Dutch

I'm also really happy to have found this site recently - I'm currently going through some tests because after 15 great years of medication-free life post-op, I'm now experiencing some symptoms and seem to be in the early stages of heart failure (I'm booked in for a cardiac MRI to see exactly where the damage is, and to what extent). I've also been started on ACE inhibitors to help my heart beat more easily, and they're threatening to start me on beta blockers soon... I'm slightly dreading that because I didn't get on well with them when I had to take them for a while after surgery! But if it helps to protect my heart I will do as I'm told of course

Do you know yet when your operation will be? I hope you're able to distract yourself whilst waiting & are not feeling too anxious about it. I completely agree with what you said about self help - it really helps doesn't it when you feel some sense of control over your situation, however small.

Please do keep us posted on how you're getting on, I'd love to hear from you again.

All the best,

Wietske x

[Beehive73 in reply to nederlandse]

❤️ Thank you Wietske, reply soon Sue🌺

[080311]

Hello Jamie1995

Welcome to the forum, I had Aortic valve replaced and bypass done 4 years ago age 68, first thing to say is the thought is much worse than the deed! You are very well looked after have very little pain nothing like you imagine. Follow the rules no arms above your head no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water. No pushing or pulling movements so hoovering and ironing give it a miss! Found this a bonus 😂You have to let your sternum heal and that’s between 8-10 weeks, after surgery you will be given breathing exercises to do keep them up when you get home. I called them huffing and puffing remember when we are put on bypass our lungs are collapsed so they take a hit as well as our heart, they need to be helped getting those little pockets filled out again.

Before my op I was quite sick but now living my life again. So every day so thankful to the medical team that gave me my life back.

Remember you are now part of the Hearties family and we are here to lend an ear or a shoulder to lean on if that’s what you need.

Any questions you have just post and someone will be along to help there are plenty of us who can help.

Best wishes Pauline

[Jamie1995 in reply to 080311]

Thank you for your welcome, Pauline. It’s a great feeling to know there is a whole bunch of folk out there who are so qualified to help. I’m absorbing your comments as it’s all new to me.

If you can’t lift your arms, how do you get dressed? Not to mention coping with a visit to the loo!

I was seriously shocked when I realised it would be OHS but have now accepted that. My main anxiety is post op, my husband is over 80 and in good health, but.... all my good friends are either dead or infirm! (I am 79) My children could come to stay but I’m not sure I want them!

This all sounds rather flippant but I’m trying to be realistic about things.

Thought I would look into Agency Carers, I doubt I can expect that from the NHS after all I’ve cost them in the last year.

My great help throughout has been meditation, it gives me such support and reinforcement, perhaps I can give a few tips to others in return for what I have already reaped from The Hearties. Thank you, Sue.

[080311 in reply to Jamie1995]

Hi, getting dressed, front fastening pjs, bras, and tops. Anything up high in the kitchen that you use daily move down. I had a lady come in and clean once a week and did the ironing and changed the beds.5 weeks after my surgery my husband had a big stroke, and I became his carer, he was in hospital for 7 weeks so by the time he came home I was 12 weeks post op. I found the loo ok, was a bit nervous the first time I went in hospital but it was ok.

We have the white stockings to wear when we get home, but they did show me a trick with a plastic bag! My husband did manage to help pre his stroke.

Just don’t try and do too much, listen to your body when it says I am tired you rest. Don’t be surprised if you get emotional, your brain needs to catch up with what as happened to your body.

Best wishes Pauline

[Beehive73 in reply to 080311]

Wow, Pauline! You certainly had a challenging time, so very sorry to hear about your husband, how is he 4 years down the line? Thank you for replying so quickly, hope to message again!

Sue

[080311 in reply to Beehive73]

Hi, life can have a few challenges, he as mobility issues and lost his peripheral vision, ( worse part of the stroke) but we still manage to laugh sometimes the absurdity of some situations you have to laugh or you would cry 😂

Best wishes Pauline

[Fluffybee in reply to 080311]

Hi Pauline how are you getting on 😊

[080311 in reply to Fluffybee]

Good morning Fluffybee,

I was so pleased to see your post was a bit concerned having not seen you on the forum for a while. We are ok, still going which is a bonus! Had a few tummy problems but getting better.

Weather as been lovely so that makes you feel better.

Hope you are feeling ok.

Best wishes Pauline

[Fluffybee in reply to 080311]

So pleased you’re ok, you go through so much with looking after your husband, your own conditions to cope with how is your husband ?

Have a lot going on right now but that to one side, I’m not to bad.

I’ve been walking a bit further each day, can go for a nice walks now, well on good days, some days especially windy days I’ve found I get a lot of chest pain.

If I do to much I pay for it I try and listen to my body but difficult sometimes isn’t it.

But on the whole I’m quite pleased with myself, take my doggie for a (short) walk as she’s an old lady 🤗

There was a muddle up with who was going to refer me to a specialist in the country so it’s now mid sorting that out, if a change in meds or something helps would be brilliant from someone knows the condition.

X