Just a quick update from me. You may remember me being diagnosed with an Atrial Septal Defect in December and being told I'd need OHS, then rather unluckily having a Heart Attack in March with a clot travelling through the hole in my heart. I had a date for the op, had it cancelled, and then had it rescheduled for Monday 5 June.
The surgery went well. I had about 24 hours in ICU afterwards and I was able to update my blog on the day of the surgery. I was moved to the ward at 5pm on day 1 and then yesterday lunchtime (day 4) it was suggested I might like to return home!
Apparently as I was taken off bypass my right atrium started to shrink a little and the mitral valve, which has been pulled out of shape, began to return to more normal function / less regurgitation. I'm really hoping this means I'll be free of any further surgical intervention and that this formerly-holey heart is now good for a lifetime of service.
I've written about all of my experiences on my blog for anyone who is interested: holeyunexpected.wordpress.com/ lots of humour and pictures and shout outs to the team that got me fixed and back on my feet.
It's going to be a long road to recovery but it's a huge relief to be on the other side of the surgery.
Thank you for all of your kindness and support as I've fought to wrap my head around all this! Xxxx
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LadyZ13
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Hey BeKind28- so good to have you here for this, just as you were here at my journey beginnings. If the universe has a reserve of Good Energy, you're due a shedload of it! Sending all love xxx
Thank you for your kind words but I have been on your link and read your story which may I say are you sure you are not an Author and if not this should be published !
What you have been through I am lost for words and yet you have a smile on your face you are beautiful on the outside as well as inside and that shows in your pictures and the love and support you rightly have been given by family and friends
I love the views you had from your windows my Hospital view was wheelie bins !
I liked the food pictures as well through some sad moments your sense of humour still comes through the beige breakfast
In the last picture you look so well know one would ever guess what you have just been through
To those that say I will take a look at the link and yet don't you will miss out if you don't and if I was to be reviewing this I would say I would recommend you read it !
Thank you so much sharing this with us and I wish you even more that the rest of your recovery goes well and you are blessed with everything you desire and more you deserve it x
Ah BeKind28- you've made me evening. I'd have loved to be a writer but it's a hard profession to break in to. I've printed some of the posts for two relatives in their hundredth decade and they think it is a book 😅
I was enormously lucky to be able to go private for the surgery and get that view for my recovery. I'm sorry you had the wheely bins!
I'm sure the coming weeks will have ups and downs - my surgeon warned me that I've had a scary brush with my mortality but that the surgery doesn't fix everything in my life. But I know not to take life or health for granted and once my head is a bit more reliable I will rejig my priorities and build the best life that I can.
Wonderful news, glad you are through the op. Now the heart has been repaired it should have a much easier life, won't have to work so hard! Sounds like you are already starting to reap the benefits. Looking forward to reading the blog!
Aw hun so glad you got your surgery! X sounds like your doing so well to be home so soon. Rest up and wish you a speedy recovery. How big was your septal defect? Mine is small so they said they want to leave it. I will eventually need surgery on my bicuspid valve as its severely leaky and moderately narrow.
Reports from people in theatre said the ASD was 'massive' but when I pushed the surgeon he said he had seen bigger once or twice. I think it was 30-40mm across, with really poor edges which meant it couldn't be closed using the amplatzer device.
Sorry to hear your bicuspid will eventually need surgery. I am hoping that in the future, more and more value surgeries will be possible with a less invasive procedure like the TAVI as recovery is so much faster.
Thank you! That's my hope. I wasn't sure what to expect and part of me didn't want to know, but writing it down has helped me externalise the experience and if it helps anyone else that's facing similar and doesn't know how they'll get through it... Take heart that 'they' i.e. the whole medical team will get you through it. The responsibly isn't on you at all, you just go along and do what they tell you!
Aw, thank you Yumz199725 - yes, very glad to be home but also feel that the surgery itself was so much more straightforward than it could have been. I'm very lucky. Thanks for reading and for your good wishes xx
I’m really glad to read that your surgery went well and that you’re now home recovering. I will be sure to read your blog.
I went into hospital myself on 5th June to have stents inserted. Having taken the photos they require to insert them it was decided that I will need OHS … CABG … as I have 3 arteries that require bypassing. To say I’m shocked (and anxious) is an understatement. So now I await the date to have arms and legs tested/meet the cardiac surgeon and then of course the wait for surgery itself.
Your post has made me feel less anxious and more positive. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you the very best going forward xxx
Wow, that's a lot to get your head around, going from stents to a triple bypass. I can understand your apprehension. My experience as a surgical inpatient is that once you wake up from the surgery you're extremely well cared for (in ICU I had a nurse by my bed almost the entire time, and when I was awake we just chattered) and that there's a lot of pain relief available - they don't want you to be in pain as you need to feel comfortable taking deep breaths and moving about to support your recovery. It's very empowering to be back on your feet and each small milestone will feel like a huge victory. The surgical team do this many, many times a day and they are extremely good at getting good outcomes and getting on top of any issues before they become a problem.
If I had advice, it would be to trust the process. Also, write down the things you are afraid of and then what the doctors tell you in response, so that you can carry that logical, rational knowledge with you when normal emotions like fear start to take hold. It's as much a mental battle as a physical one!
So pleased you are safely home! Great news. Sounds as if successful outcome. Take your time recovering - it is a slow but worthwhile road. Hope that is now the last of it for you and you can get on with life. I will definitely read your blog.
Excellent. When I had my ASD closed, at my 6 week checkup my heart has reshaped it's self so no dilation now! Something to do with the blood going the right way after 71 years
So glad to hear that it has all gone well. I’ve read your blog from start to finish, it has been brilliant, I’m looking forward to more entries, hopefully “boring” ones 😀.
I’ve recently discovered I have a largish ASD after 55 years of thinking I’m indestructible, so I’m off to get my rims checked shortly. Your blog has been so helpful, thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you for reading the whole blog - that's quite the undertaking as I think it's getting towards book-length now 😁
Interested to meet someone else in a similar position - it's a lot to get your head around, for sure. Good luck with the rims - but if they're not robust enough, I can offer the reassurance that OHS ASD closure is seen as a relatively straightforward surgery and you should expect to make a full recovery. If you've any questions or want to compare notes on anything, please do give me a shout xx
Wonderful to read a little of your blog and so happy you are on the road to recovery in such a positive way. All the best from one of the OHS hearties - it only gets better.😍
Thank you! It'll be up and down through the recovery but it's so nice not to have the surgery hanging over me any more. Thanks for the lovely kind words xx
Agree - As long as you are prepared for the downs - which it seems you are - it is a fairly straight forward process - Once I accepted the occasional bouts of sudden tears and 'woe is me' I was fine - 😂- Embrace everything as part of the healing process and don't expect too much of yourself - BIG OP - expect I am not the first to mention that !! x
Perfectly pragmatic 😁 I had a little cry about missing my mum when I got home and I do wake up quite grumpy but I'm also getting so much care and attention that the positive energy is carrying me along. However I suspect the recovery will go on and leave me feeling a bit flat and forgotten while everyone else is out living. My social media is all going to be book reviews for quite some time! Xxx
I've just read all of your blog (well I may have skim read some bits 🤣 ) and love your style of writing. Good to see you on the f/b site too. Keep up the recovery progress! xx
Fair enough Cat04 - there's a lot there! 😅 Very glad you like the writing style. Are you on the aortic repairs FB group? I really have found it so useful and supportive. Thanks for the good wishes xxx
Fantastic to read your news, wishing you a smooth road to full recovery x
Glad you are now home. You have been an inspiration. I hope you start to feel better soon. It has been a challenge that you have come through and you need to be proud of yourself. I love reading your blog. Take care.
Oh Hidden thank you! What a kind thing to say! I do feel pleased with the progress and how I've taken so much learning from all of this. Life isn't always easy, but our only choices are how we react. Your support and kindness means a great deal. Sending all love xxx
Aw Katsmam , that's lovely to hear though I hope it's not upsetting! You will absolutely get through it. The waiting is the battle and after that they just take care of you. Keep us all posted with how you're getting on. Xxx
Pleased to hear that the surgery went well. Hope you're discharged early , in my case I found recovery was better at home than in hospital. Nothing to do with the care I received at St Thomass more to do my wife getting on my case and telling me to get off my backside.
I am now 8 months post op and apart from a twinge in my chest when i cough or sneeze, I'm feeling good and building up my fitness.
Good luck with the future, I hope you continue with you're recovery.
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