I'm home! Mitral Valve repair went well. I'm so tired though.

[Kiki54]

Just an update about my Mitral Valve repair surgery I had on 21st June .Surgery went well but the Bronchitis chest infection I had been fighting for 3 weeks prior to Surgery reared it's ugly head again due to being on the ventilator.

I'm now completely resting at home.

My mind is willing though my body says No.

I'm so breathless and my heart rate takes off from a resting rate of 75 to 135 bpm even just from a short walk to another room.

I guess I was expecting to feel great straight away.

I'm alive , just not kicking yet!

Hope everyone is well!

Kiki 🫶🏽

[Bingo88]

Hi Kiki54. So pleased to hear your surgery went well. Not so good news about the chest infection. Hope you feel better soon and hope you have someone taking care of you. Keep in touch and hope your fit and well soon. Brian

[Kiki54 in reply to Bingo88]

Hi Brian, Thank you for the good wishes. I live alone but my 20 yr old grandson, took a weeks holiday from work, and is popping in twice a day to do stuff for me .

My neighbours have also been a great help.

It's just going to be baby steps I guess until I fully recover .

Kiki

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[Bingo88 in reply to Kiki54]

Yes it's very frustrating for the time being until your well again. Makes you realise what you normally can do. Take care and hope your day goes well. Brian

[Fanfab1]

resist the desire to do more, hope you have a restful but quick recovery. 👍

[Kiki54 in reply to Fanfab1]

Thanks Fanfab, I'm doing what I'm told, for once in my life :)Kiki

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[Yumz199725]

Awww so happy to hear you had your surgery x wish you a speedy recovery ❤️x

[Kiki54 in reply to Yumz199725]

Thanks Yumz! How are you? Is your breathing better after the 3 courses of Steroids ?.I hope you're well

Kiki

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[Yumz199725 in reply to Kiki54]

Thanks hun x yeah it's definitely improved but Im having constant migraines 😣 it's awful. I'm on fostair inhaler now well at the moment anyway. My GP is trying to get me a referral to a chronic fatigue clinic aswell.

[Kiki54 in reply to Yumz199725]

Glad your breathing is better. Keep on keeping on Yumz and chase the referral letter if you havn't had a response within 21 days.Kiki

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[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am so pleased your repair went so well sorry to hear your chest infection has decided to make another appearance and I hope they have given you something to make sure it clears up

Rest up for now and gain your strength back whatever you do don't try to run before you can walk give your body time to recover and then just baby steps till you feel able to do more

If you have been having the heat we have been getting that will not help your breathing as it is affecting people that are not dealing with what you are at the moment

You will be kicking eventually when you have recovered but be kind to yourself while you are x

[Kiki54 in reply to BeKind28-]

Thank you BeKind, Such a lovely response with wise words. Yes, I'm just about to finish my 5th course of Antibiotics.

I wish we were getting the heat. That's Scotland for you. 24° one day and 15° the next day.

I'm most definitely taking it easy. 😊

Kiki

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[BeKind28- in reply to Kiki54]

x

[Traveldreams]

welcome home! I was tired for about 5 weeks after mine and my heart rate was dreadfully erratic. It is still high at rest although Bp is fine. Take it slow and sleep if you can. I’ve never slept so badly and had to train myself back to day and night. Lovely to hear from you!

[Kiki54 in reply to Traveldreams]

Hi TravelDreams, I've been sleeping great at night but not for more than 5 hrs( its the steroids that make me sleep less) I'm on a slow taper and now down to 25mg a day.

Yesterday was the first cat nap I had in the afternoon with my Oldest cat who is 21 . A big squishy purr monster girl.

Guaranteed to send you to sleep !

My 21 year old Cuddle n Purr Monster. Her name is Fat*y :)

[Traveldreams in reply to Kiki54]

😍

[cappachina in reply to Kiki54]

She is gorgeous looks very like my 18 year cat They are wonderful at calming you down and keeping you company

Cat

[Kiki54 in reply to cappachina]

Aww ! I love a Tabby. I have 8 Cats, Fatty is my only Moggy. My other 7 are Ragdolls all from my own lines. I retired from Breeding last year. This is the first time in 30 years I don't have kittens running riot!Kiki

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[Larneybuds]

Good morning....so pleased your surgery has been done but sorry to hear you've had the bronchitis to deal with which I'm sure, in itself, is making your recovery slower. Keep an eye on your heart rate and breathlessness , though I believe infection in itself can make it beat faster. OHS is a massive shock to the body and not everyone's recovery is text book so don't run before you can walk. Are you doing breathing and coughing exercises?...I found these a great help before and after surgery and they are good for helping with any congestion. Obviously if you are feeling breathless it will be more difficult to exercise but it's a must do to aid recovery...even if it's only armchair exercise. I really hope you start feeling better soon but if you have any concerns don't hesitate to contact your cardiac nurse or any designated number for reassurance or advice. All the best and take care xx

[Kiki54 in reply to Larneybuds]

Hi Larbeybuds, Thanks for all the good reminders and advice.

Today although i felt an improvement in my bpm and breathlessness. I was really tired. Had a 5 hr catnap on the sofa.

I'm still very limited on what I can do physically. Though I have had short walks in my garden. I wasn't physically fit before the Op so it's gonna just take time.

Kiki

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[Larneybuds in reply to Kiki54]

It really is early days after surgery. Glad you saw a little improvement today and hope that continues. I had an infection and was in hospital for four weeks after surgery and it wiped me out so I really think the bronchitis along with the op has done much the same for you. Exercise is key in recovery so as you feel better try to fit some into your day. Keep us informed on how you are doing and I really hope you feel better as the days go by. Xx

[Tos92]

Great to hear the op went well. Sorry to hear about the bronchitis. I’m almost 4 weeks in with my chest infection, and I don’t think the hot weather has helped with my breathing! I hope plenty of rest will do the trick for you.

Tos 💜

[Kiki54 in reply to Tos92]

Hi Tos,Thanks. There seems to be a bugger of a chest infection that lasts weeks doing the rounds! I've never needed 5 weeks of antibiotics in my life. Hopefully you are over the worst. Mine put me on my backside 😷

Kiki

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[Warm-heart]

Hi, thats good to hear all went well. Do take it easy and get all the support you need. It is worth ensuring you'll get some kind of rehab programme as I had to find out myself and was not automatically assigned one. Mind you that was during the lockdowns etc. Hopefully you have some medications that suit you without side effects; this was a tricky one for me to navigate as I do suffer side effects on most things.

[Kiki54 in reply to Warm-heart]

Hi Warm Heart, Yeh I havn't heard from Cardio Rehab though I'm told I will.I'm ok with most tablets except any Beta Blockers.

I've been on slow release verapimil to slow my heart rate for a couple of years so that does help.

My neighbours have been a huge help getting things I need especially since I'm not allowed to drive just now.

All in good time eh

Kiki

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[Warm-heart in reply to Kiki54]

Sounds like you are doing fabulously! Well done for being so positive too. I wish you a full recovery back to a full life!

[paulcongleton]

Hi. Glad your on the mend.

Sort the chest infection and then try do a cardio-rehab programme if one available near you.

I'm 15 weeks now after mitral valve repair, feel great and been back to work for 3 weeks now as gardener/landscaper and completely drug free, off the warfarin and biopsolol.

I had a similar experience in that my lung collapsed during the operation so spent 5 days in I.C.U

I know not everyone the same but ive been amazed how quickly the human body can heal itself. Like people say take each week at a time and as every week passes you will feel better and better i promise.

[Kiki54 in reply to paulcongleton]

Hi Paul, Its reassuring to read your response. Well done for being back at work !

I'm mostly cat cuddling and searching for my future German Shepherd pup.

I lost my Beautiful G.S to Cancer 5 years ago when I was fighting 2 Cancers at the same time.

When my Mitral valve became severe I knew I wasn't fit enough to own a German Shepherd. I will be in a few months and waiting for the right G.S

I have great hope now !

Kiki

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[Rickstarr]

Hi pleased it all went well and like all of us it hits you for 6 ,but enjoy and make sure you rest and will not be long before you are on the go again, I had my cardio easter now going to the south of France next week so there's light at the end of the tunnel 👍

[Kiki54 in reply to Rickstarr]

Thank you Rickstarr,It certainly does knock you for 6.

This time last week I felt like I had been kicked around the place ! I don't feel like that today so that's a positive.

Enjoy the south of France !

Kiki

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[Rickstarr in reply to Kiki54]

I feel a bit guilty because I'm going to the south of France but I feel good probably deserve it, hope you treat yourself when you can

[Kiki54 in reply to Rickstarr]

I would say you deserve it ! Ditch the guilt and enjoy ! My treat to myself will be finding the right German Shepherd pup at the right time.

Kiki

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[Jedi14]

Just a comparatory note - After my stents, I thought of it like getting my car tyre changed and then getting back on the road at 70 mph! Post stents it was a slow recovery and then a phased back to work. But months down the line I started to get new problems, new meds after rehospitalisation and tests. My activities are more slower now and I have to pace myself. Lucky to be still at work, but not allowed to lift heavy stuff. (>5kg).

[Kiki54 in reply to Jedi14]

Hi Jedi, I think that's what I thought I'd be like . When my Consultant and Surgeon said I would feel 70% better instantly. I thought I'd be full of energy.Jeez! I couldn't even hang my washing out 🙈 Had to ask my neighbour.

Wishing you well

Kiki

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[Jedi14 in reply to Kiki54]

Perhaps what they really mean is that "in the mind" we will feel 70% better, But physically we'll be wrecked!

[Kiki54 in reply to Jedi14]

Yes !! That's what they should tell us 🤣🤣Kiki

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[Dogsaremybestfriend]

Hi Kiki, So glad to hear that the valve repair went well and that you are at home and recuperating. I also have a leaky mitral valve so thank you for sharing this post. I will be more relaxed if my cardiologist ever recommends a similar procedure. Blessing and well wishes for a speedy recovery.

Joe