Thank you all so much for your good wishes before my mitral valve surgery , they certainly put me in a positive mindset beforehand 😊
As many people have said the nurses and people caring for you are truly amazing 🤍
I can’t quite believe I’ve done it ,come out the other side and been discharged today, getting home is amazing 😊
Now the journey of recovery continues 😊
Thank you all once again 🙏 xx
Hello 
I am so pleased to read this post and that you have had it done brilliant news !
You take it steady now and start your recovery and I hope you will keep us updated how you are getting on x
Thank you so much for your lovely message 🙏xx
x
I’ve been wondering how you are. Such good news and I’m delighted you’re home. A good reminder to those of us with niggles how far we’ve come. Keep in touch and don’t overdo things! Xx
Thank you so much for your message 😊
The first 4 days they couldn’t really keep me awake so I ended up in intensive care much longer , obviously morphine doesn’t agree with me 😂
Everybody’s journey is different 😊
Knowing how far you have come will be an inspiration for me in the coming week’s 😊
Thank you once again xx
We all have something that doesn’t quite go to plan but it sounds as if you are doing really well. Take care and keep in touch xx
Thank you I will do and look forward to hearing how your journey continues x
Well done. 6 weeks later you will be running around and enjoying life much better than before. Thats what i sm doing.
I very much hope so 😊 x
Fantastic news! So glad to hear that you're ok & home now. Take it easy 🥰 xx
Thank you 🙏 xx
I hope it went well. I had open heart surgery when i was 14 which took me a while to recover from. It says above you are 62 ... take it easy and good luck with the recovery.
Thank you 🙏 x
Good morning. So pleased to read this and glad all has gone well. I was kept in hospital for four weeks after my valve surgery due to infection but I still promote the positive experience I had with regard to the expertise and care I got during my stay. You sound quite buoyant and positive so carry that forward now you are home recovering. Take it easy with things...even if you feel like you are making good progress you still get days when you wonder what's hit you but that's normal. On the good days still make sure you rest. You are now the same as a lot of us on the forum who can now hopefully alleviate the worries and concerns of those who haven't yet had their ops to perhaps put their minds at ease about it all. Good luck with everything and take care in your recovery. Xx
Thank you so much for your words of support 🙏
Everybody’s journey is different but not necessarily worse so can still be a positive experience 😊
We all wait much longer than we expected to do and over think and worry then suddenly the call comes and there’s no more time to worry as it’s done before you know it as as many have said the care you receive is absolutely amazing so kind and caring ❤️
Being positive going forward will definitely help me I’m sure and reading how other lovely people share their experience really does help 😊 x
Glad to hear you will be discharged today. I always think a positive attitude before any operation or tests means you can cope better. Enjoy your recovery at home .
Thank you so much 😊
Best wishes speedy recovery x
Thank you so much x
What a lovely encouraging post to read first thing on a Monday morning! Glad you've had your op Bluedolphin and all went went. It'll be great for you to get home today to continue your recovery journey. Carol
Thank you so much 🙏x
Brilliant well done! Good to hear. That's the biggest step, now lots of small ones, take your time. I'm only two months ahead of you, but I can tell you human bodies are truly amazing. Take it steady and make the most of any help you get!😆
Thank you so much for your kind words 🙏
How are you feeling two months on? 😊
I have been wondering how you are. Thank you for posting to let us all know. You already sound as though you are doing really well. Wishing you all the best for the future, take care of yourself now, don’t try to rush anything and soon you’ll be fitter than ever. 😁
Thanks you for your kind wishes 😊
Great news Bluedolphin123. Wishing you a good recovery 🙂🙏
Thank you for your good wishes 🙏x
Ah this is fantastic news! I've thought of you often this past week. Well done indeed. Finally it's behind you, after 15 months of waiting, with all that brings with it! What joy it's not hanging over you anymore! Big hugs 🫂 take it easy and enjoy your road to much better health! X
Thank you so much for your lovely uplifting message - it all feels like a bit of a dream at the moment 😊x
How are you doing now? I have my own surgery date towards the end of September, and have been thinking of you. X
That’s great that you have a date and let me say please don’t worry it’s not nearly as bad as we imagine in our heads I promise .
My only hiccup was the first 2 weeks I was feeling queezy sick with no appetite then had cystitis and put it all down to the bucketful of medication I was taking so didn’t make a fuss but then ended up in a ambulance going to hospital was told I was heading towards sepsis with an infection so be mindful of other seemingly minor problems as that help up my surgery recovery for a few weeks.
I’m 5 weeks post surgery today and yes to start with take it easy -just accept that you don’t have to do anything for a month or so
I found loose cool soft nighties were the only comfortable day clothes to wear in the heat .
This week I’m feeling ready to at least look part of the human race again and have bought a soft loose dress from fat face and booked a hair appointment and ditched the surgical stockings , might have my first tea and cake out with a friend at a garden center too .
I’ve even got Cornwall booked in 3 weeks thinking I’d never make it but I think now that I actually might 😊
The scar is a shock that first week but a month later it’s amazingly better and that’s going to improve I know, just re organising my wardrobe into clothes that are more suitable to wear ( not just to hide it but more to be comfortable and protect it from the sun etc)
I’m looking forward to getting on and living , yesterday I had my first afternoon out , a little walk at a NT then Sunday lunch by the river which was lovely 😊
I know that you will be absolutely fine 😊
Do let me know how you get on afterwards xx
Ah wow! I'm thrilled that you are coming back into enjoying life again already, albeit in steps - but - only 5 weeks!! And given you also had an infection, bless you - so glad you're OK now - I think you're remarkable! Huge well dones for your courage and determination because I get your trepidation just beforehand. Thanks so much for your encouragement and inspiration, and may you go from strength to strength!Yes, I will let you know 🤞🫶 - thank you! 🤗 xx
Two years ago before this all started I was the wimpiest person going so I’ve surprised myself.
I ended up in intensive care for 4 days due to a reaction to the morphine keeping me sleepy which was fine, only surprise was seeing the older gentlemen whizzing past my bed on their daily walk but I did catch up and was discharged the same day as them 😊
I never expected to feel anywhere near as reasonable as this at 5 weeks even if I’m only just doing a daily 45 minute walk and reading a book in the garden and the pain is perfectly comfortable and manageable too so no worries there.
I’m already booked into cardio rehab at the end of the month so looking forward to that
Make the most of the last of summer, recovery for you will be easier in the autumn coolness.
Bye for now x
I am pleased all went well for you, how was the op, I know you didn’t know anything about it, but the lead up to it.I have mitral valve prolapse so I am curious to what to expect when my turn comes. Keep up your progress
Thank you for your message 😊
If a heart valve is being monitered then my understanding is it’s not causing too many problems at the moment but of course the thought of surgery is hanging over you , my young neighbour is being monitered where as I was first diagnosed as severe.
I had a lot of stress before diagnosis and was actually a very ( busy) anxious person for a lot of years but decided I needed a focus whilst I was waiting. ( told 3 months ended up being 15 months)
I took time and dealt with the anxiety, left my job became as stress free as possible ,drank green smoothies which I love ,had to stop drinking ( maybe odd glass later on)walked every day, swam & did yoga ,kept up with friends when I could and very selfishly for the first time in my life it’s all about me - well you can’t pour from an empty cup but all of that gave me the focus I needed to get through last year with all the uncertainty 😂
Before I went to theatre I decided the outcome would be the same wether I went down calm or worried sick, maybe being so calm would actually help my body and the surgeon.
If I had known all this two years ago and how I’ve changed I wouldn’t have believed it but I needed a focus and now that all continues going forward 😊
But the words of the surgeon this week have stayed in my mind, life is for living otherwise what is the point of this surgery and he is right ,we just have to all find our own balance 😊
Sorry for the long winded post and hope some bits were helpful 😊x
So pleased for you. Wishing you a good and steady recovery❤️🩹
Thank you for your kind wishes x
Hello You!
Welcome to the club (that none of us chose to be members of!) I was wondering all last week how it went for you. I just added you to my list of worries for the week!
It’s just such an overwhelming relief to know it’s done, (we both woke up - well done! 👍🏻) and you are now on the road to recovery, with a second chance.
You were in and out super quick which is fantastic. Just take it steady. Rest plenty and try not to lift anything or stretch up to reach things from high cupboards - said the voice of experience…😬
Did you have a repair or replacement in the end? Wishing you the speediest of recoveries. Take care. ❤️🩹
Thank you for your lovely message 😊
I had a repair which I was grateful for , though they did replace some cords
The first 4 days went by asleep as they couldn’t keep me awake ( obviously morphine doesn’t agree with me 😂)
I convinced myself I wasn’t going to wake up and even worried I hadn’t got organised to leave this planet - I just stuck a post it note on the mirror saying I loved my family ( just in case 😂)
Thank you for your kind wishes x
Bless You! Yes - I discovered me and morphine don’t like each other! On Day 5 when I was just so fed up with the constant nausea and feeling so unwell - with blood pressure in my boots, all my pain relief meds were changed, they upped the anti-sickness tablets and I began to feel a little better - so then able to eat a bit.
Unlike you, I was very much awake a lot of my time in I.C.U (was there for 4 days) - which was quite tough, as was feeling seriously poorly and the rule is no visitors and no phones, until back on the H.D.U ward. Whilst I wasn’t well enough for either really, a familiar face wld have been nice!
I didn’t leave a post-it note, but did word my lot a message each on my phone to find - should I not have required it anymore! 😢 Saying our ‘Goodbyes’ the night before was one of the toughest things we’ve ever had to do as a family. I went to theatre at lunchtime, my op went on for over 7hrs (as they repaired my valve, which wouldn’t then withstand my B.P, so then the Surgeons had to remove it and replace with a mechanical one). So my poor family had an 8.5 hr wait for news. I can’t imagine what they went through that day. I eventually came to, in I.C.U at midnight.
Funnily enough, my first thought wasn’t ‘I’m still here!’ - My chest felt like I had a pallet of bricks sitting on it and I just wanted the breathing tube out! I remember spelling out the word ‘GENTLE’ on the Nurse’s hand before she removed it. She promised me she would be. (What a wuss! In the grand scheme of everything I’d just been through!)🤦🏼♀️
Unfortunately, I had a few post op complications, so was in hospital for a couple of weeks but, a year down the line, I’m so grateful that I was able to have the op when I did and can now move forward - within the confines of my ongoing heart issues.
This is still very early days for you. So take it steady. Make the most of the sunshine and rest when you can. Accept all offers of help, because people soon forget that you’re still recovering - as you look the same! (It’s not like you have a broken leg in plaster that is a physical, visible sign of the trauma you’ve endured).
Pls keep us posted of your progress and I would suggest taking the hospital up on Cardiac Rehab classes if offered. I’ve only recently been able to have mine and found it very beneficial. ❤️🩹
Hello lovely to hear from you 😊
It seems we had the exact same experience for the first 4 days except I could hardly stay awake or even function to use my phone .
I would have been terrified waking up with a tube down my throat but I’ve got no recollection of that or even coming round from the anaesthetic thankfully .
I feel a little worse than yesterday but I guess it’s sometimes one step forward and two steps backwards, some days are like that but know in the long run I will get there 😊
Thank you for your message, it was lovely to read x
It really is early days at the mo. I was still in hospital at this point - so for you to be at home, without Nursing Staff to assist / monitor you, is amazing.
I had / have - a lovely Cardiac Rehab Nurse, who wld call me regularly to check up on how I was and, was very good at reassuring me and explaining things - like when my I.N.R wouldn’t regulate (it still hasn’t 🙄) and when my scar and sternum were so sore in the beginning. I thought I was never going to be able to lay on my side again. (I did - but it was at least 3 months before I could). She just provided a lot of reassurance and emotional support at a challenging time. Hopefully, you’ll be allocated a lovely, kind Nurse like I was.
I hope you have a better day tomorrow. Maybe, plan a treat for the weekend, if you feel up to it. A little ride out for tea and cake, or a quiet pub lunch somewhere. Give you something to look forward to. Just take it at your own pace and as my Nurse always says to me ‘Be kind to yourself’. The recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. ❤️🩹
Thank you so much for your kind uplifting message .
, I’m beginning to think I’m just expecting to much too soon .
Of course the sternum and scar are sore so having to remind myself that it will flatten and fade .
Never even thought about having a nurse but that would be great !
Your right maybe a little ride out for Sunday lunch or tea and cake would be good, im sure my husband would appreciate a change of scene too.
Going to enjoy the sun on the garden today 😊
Have a great day xx
I will certainly do the cardiac rehabilitation classes if offered 😊x
I have been following your progress and am so pleased to learn all went well. I had an aortic valve replacement back in 1998 and know its important to take things slowly . Be kind to yourself x
Thank you so much for your good wishes 😊x
Thank you for replying..I am being monitored at the moment, apparently I was born with this, I am now 71, so I haven’t done too bad, and I feel ok at moment. have another echocardiogram in August..Did you have to have other tests apart from echocardiograms, I.e. the tube down your throat, because I’m terrified of that…Take care f yourself, glad to know all wen well..
Thank you for replying 😊
I did have the tube down my throat , my idea of a nightmare and I was absolutely terrified but you know what I just had the max amount of sedation and woke up just like from an anesthetiser and it was done with no memory of it at all ( I thought I’d be sedated but aware but I was completely out of it ) I wouldn’t even worry next time so don’t worry if you can 😊
I’m 62 but the gentlemen in their 70/80’s run rings round me in their speed of their recovery so you will be absolutely fine 😊
Open heart double valve replacement surgery. 
Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery
So I'm having Mitral Valve surgery...
