I am now 4 months post-surgery and doing really well. I know there are a lot of people who are due to have open heart surgery that are feeling anxious and worried so I thought I would share my journey with you including the daily diary that my wife and I kept during my week in hospital along with some photos. The story is saved as a pdf and can be accessed via the following link if you copy into your browser. If you find this useful would you let me know as I am considering doing a visual recording and adding it onto youtube also for anyone that wants to listen to an audio version.
How well you have put your story together and I relate to so much
I was also afraid of the tube down the throat yet I never even knew I had one in or felt a thing even when they took it out no sore throat nothing
They tried to wake me once but I was not ready so they left me till the next day and they had my Husband talking in my ear for when they woke me with me been so anxious they thought it was safe I heard his voice I would know and not theirs they were so thoughtful regarding my anxiety
I stayed in ICU 3 days then straight back on the ward
I was taken for a chest xray there was a little bit of infection but they got me on antibiotics straight away and that got rid of it without me even realising I had one
My scar is not as long as yours but even so I got upset when I saw it
It has now faded even though you can see it but I wear mine with pride something at first I could not do but I can now
I was sleeping on my side straight away so I am not sure I felt much pain
I was in 9 days in all and then home
But this is your story and to all that have this op or similar we will relate and differ in some parts but I think you have wrote this in such a lovely positive way and the last picture when you are home looking well and holding your beautiful Granddaughter with such a beautiful name Felicity well I have to say that got me and I do not know you but had tears running down my face what a lovely end to your journey throughout your op you could not ask for more and now you have years to enjoy with your lovely family
I was bicuspid at birth and lead an active life for 70 years. bicuspid does not mean any direct issues but will pop up when other problems arise.
As an older person it took me longer to recover.
Holding a pillow or rolled towel against the chest is a real help isn’t it. My hospital gave me a new rolled towel, or Teddy, when I left.
The staff and surgeons are just fantastic aren’t they.
I am now 4 years post op and my Edwards Resilia is as good as gold. My local hospital does an annual check and they have organized this yearly visit to a fast check with no waiting.
Hi, thank you so much and I’m really pleased that things are continuing to go well for you too. You’re right, the teams that perform these operations and look after us are truly incredible x
Reading your detailed diary has helped me feel more at ease when the time comes for me to have OHS and it has been very inspiring to read about your journey. The waiting and knowing you will have to have OHS at some point is hard to live with at times but your positive journey has made me feel slightly more relaxed.
Enjoy your beautiful granddaughter, and most of all enjoy life . X
Hi. I'm a 50 year old male who had OHS for a mitral valve repair 6 months ago, your right the body is amazing at recovering from major surgery. I think our paths have been very similar, i ended up been in ICU for 5 days tho, due to a collapsed lung.
With having physical jobs of working at a printers and doing landscape gardening on the side, i didn't go back to work till 12 weeks.
I would say to anyone take up the Cardio-rehab if offered it's invaluable.
Today for instance (sunday) I've been able to do 8 hours landscaping with sleepers etc and feel as good as ive ever done, anyone whose about to have OHS, the worst part is the worrying beforehand. The surgeons and nurses who look after you are 2nd to none.
That’s great Paul, thank you and really pleased to hear you’re doing well. Sounds like we have very similar experiences and perhaps you’re only up the road too as I am in Macclesfield!
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Meeting my Surgeon tomorrow..
Feeling low - 16 days post MVR
Drug abuse post from Sunday 
Calling all patients who have had a heart valve surgery or a TAVI
