An update : now 10 weeks since my AVR

[Flowerfanatic]

Hello all - it has taken me a while to get around to writing this and I haven’t updated since my angiogram 10 months ago.

Well, am through the other side and I had my aortic valve replaced in May and in the end it was at The Harefield Hospital. My symptoms in April had become a little worse (I had a bicuspid aortic valve - a congenital condition) and the palpitations etc had become worrying. I asked could I be checked over whilst I was “on the waiting list”. To cut a long story short I was called in for an MRI scan, ECG, Xray etc on the Friday (at the Brompton Hospital) and then on the following Wednesday after they looked at the results they called me to say they were offering me a date at The Harefield in a week! Everything seemed to happen so fast.

The operation went ok (and apparently they also had to “patch” a small area of my aorta which had become thin and fragile) but 2 days afterwards my right lung collapsed. Not so great as I had to have a lung drain inserted (whilst awake - not exactly a walk in the park 😦) and that stayed in my side for 4 days. I think if I hadn’t had the collapse of the lung my recovery would have been far faster.

Anyway, I am now as I said earlier 10 weeks post op. I know we shouldn’t “compare” recovery times but sometimes I feel my progress is a bit slow after reading about others on this site post AVR ! Still a little painful over my chest and tight over my scar especially on first waking and I have only attempted one small journey driving in the car so far. Also when breathing in deeply (yes still doing those breathing exercises!) it sometimes feels pretty uncomfortable. Doing 30 to 45 minutes walking a day though and a weekly online post cardiac surgery exercise class as well. Just hoping that I will feel more “renewed” soon and one hundred percent better soon.

Take care all and best wishes.

[080311]

Morning Flowerfanatic,

Good to read your post though very sorry to read about the collapse lung. 10 weeks is still early days and from what you say your walking is great. Glad your still doing your breathing exercises certainly will help.

We are all different and heal at different speeds, you are doing everything right, you will get there. Scar wise have you tried Bio oil, might help with the tight skin.

I am coming up to 5 years since my op and my scar is all but disappeared just one small bit left.

Best wishes Pauline

[Flowerfanatic in reply to 080311]

Thank you so much Pauline for your reply and your encouragement too. I will definitely try bio oil when I get to that stage when it is all smooth- (top and bottom of scar still not completely healed over yet) but that’s a great idea. Great to hear yours has nearly disappeared 👍🏼.

Best wishes

Sarah

[francesw47]

Welcome back....after a bit of a rollercoaster. Your walking sounds fantastic, plus the online exercise programme. Don't worry about 'progress' of others, its not a race. What matters is your recovery and you sound as if you are doing really well. Keep up the breathing exercises - I still have my spirometer and have a puff from time to time to make sure all is well! Walking an underrated exercise IMHO, just love walking along clifftop by the beach - makes me thankful for the little things as well as keeping me fit (ish). Keep going - you've had a nasty time and sound like you're doing just great!😀

[Flowerfanatic in reply to francesw47]

Aawww thank you so very much, I do appreciate you writing and yes, you’re so right about it not being a race! I do have to remind myself of that. How lovely you can walk near a beach - we are lucky in Uk to have so many great places to walk aren’t we?

All best wishes,

Sarah

[TMeditation]

I had my AVR at the Royal Brompton 2 years ago and believe me, you’re doing just great! I had fluid on both my lungs post-op which needed to be drained so I know your pain 😫 I know others who have had to have their lungs drained and found it equally painful but the release afterwards is amazing - to be able to take a deep breath is wonderful! Your exercise routine sounds very good - I’m not sure I was walking for 45 minutes a day 10 weeks after surgery - so well done and well done too for staying with the breathing exercises, it will really pay off. When I became a little impatient with my progress I remember my cardiologist telling me it takes a full 12 months for your body to recover from such major surgery. I can also remember thinking - it won’t take me that long but it’s true that approaching the 12 month date I could honestly say I felt very much like my old self. Wellness comes in stages, you will recognise some of them and some will go unnoticed but you will get there. Stay i. Touch with this forum, there is lots of support for you on here when things become difficult. Good luck and well done! Sue x 🙏

[Flowerfanatic in reply to TMeditation]

Hi Sue - thank you so much for taking the time to reply and your kind words about my progress too. Gosh both lungs !! Poor you. And also wise words from your cardiologist- guess I will have to be patient and take each day as it comes.

All best wishes

Sarah

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear of the lung collapse, remember some one telling me that getting the lungs going was often the hardest part of heart surgery.

Glad things are getting better, it is definitely right that we all recover at different rates and in different ways.

Whilst I enjoy a variety of post op symptoms, I never experienced the issues with the deep breathing & subsequent painful chest. But then, I was out for 6 weeks post surgery - so it had probably had time to mend quite significantly without me moving about etc. 👍

I would say that your recovery sounds 'in the ball park' for AVR - so let's hope it all carries on at a steady but posititve right.

[Flowerfanatic in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying and taking time from your day to do so. Out for 6 weeks post surgery must have been really tough. Do hope you’re doing ok now.

And yes fingers crossed my progress keeps going…. I have a final post op “chat” (via telephone) with the surgeon’s team at the end of July.

Best wishes to you

Sarah

[Isobel1]

Hello Flowerfanatic., It's 9 weeks since my AVR and ascending aorta repair .I think I'm at about the same stage as you. I also had 2 chest drains inserted for lung collapse.

It sounds as you're doing alright , I know it's hard, but I think you're going have to be patient . Good luck xx

[Flowerfanatic in reply to Isobel1]

Hi Isobel1 - yes we’re about the same stages … oh my - 2 chest drains 😱 poor you. One was bad enough when they put that in ! And yes you’re right- definitely going to learn to be more patient! Thank you so much for your message and taking the time to reply.

All best wishes

Sarah

[Isobel1 in reply to Flowerfanatic]

It's a pleasure , chest drains are no fun even if they give you local anaesthetic 😞

[Vicky12345678]

Oh Sarah, you are doing amazingly!! I didn't have my lung collapse and was probably feeling as you describe at 10 wks post op so sounds to me like you're doing well!! I'm sure your team from the hospital or a nurse on the BHF line would be happy to discuss details with you and reassure you if that might be helpful? Take care of yourself, especially in this heat!

[Flowerfanatic in reply to Vicky12345678]

Hello to you Vicky snd thank you for your kindness and message of encouragement. Yes that’s a good idea - I may well contact the hospital team although I do have my final telephone conversation consultation with the surgeon’s team next week so will definitely raise any concerns then. You keep cool too - so very warm today!

Best wishes to you,

Sarah

[Goldery]

You are doing GREAT! Avoid comparing your recovery to other people's. You are doing fantastic. (I had an aortic root replacement - artificial valve plus a graft on the aorta - last November.) Keep on keeping on just the way you have been. You're doing brilliantly.

[Flowerfanatic in reply to Goldery]

Ah thank you so very much, and for taking the time to reply. Hope you’re doing well and continuing to improve. All best wishes

Sarah

[Clairealou]

Hi Sarah. Hope you’re doing a little better since your last post. We were messaging for a while but I came off the forum due to someone’s reply that upset me. However, glad to hear you’re getting there and as you say, everyone’s recovery is different. Would be good to catch up sometime. Claire. Xx

[Flowerfanatic in reply to Clairealou]

Thank you so much…. Yes am getting there thank you and have begun some online exercise rehab classes via Zoom now. Hope you’re ok. Take care of yourself.

All best wishes

Sarah