Three weeks with my new aortic valve.

[ithicks]

It's been three weeks since my OHS to replace an ascending aortic aneurysm and AVR w/ a St. Jude Valve.

The whole ordeal occurred very quickly (not feeling right = trip to er = surgery 2 days later). Not a lot of time to plan and/or prepare.

The last few days have been a big turn in my recovery. Feeling stronger and better. Walking a couple of miles a day. Appointments with the cardiologist and surgeon post-op have gone good and everything looks on track. Have another appointment today to follow up with the Cardiologist.

Mostly, I just wanted to say hi, and thank you for the forum. My life has changed drastically in a very short amount of time and reading the stories here have helped a lot.

Thank You,
Justin

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Justin! I'm glad you found us. I see in your profile that your referral is www.warfarinfo.com - so you've already found the most valuable place for those of us with mechanical valves, and those others that also take Coumadin.

I wish a continued successful recovery.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community, Justin. Glad you found us, and that your recovery is progressing well. Best wishes for a continued smooth recovery.

 

[Jim P]

Justin,

Sorry that you had such a sudden, life-changing experience. But it sounds like you are doing well at the 3-week post-op point and that your attitude seems so positive.

I believe that walking is the best thing you can do to help speed your recovery -- keep up the good work, and stay strong. The next thing to look forward to is cardiac rehab, which you might be interested in starting at the 10-week point.

 

[Phyllis]

Welcome, Justin. Glad you found us and really glad that your recovery is going so well. Walking is the key and should keep you in great shape!

 

[Ross]

Your welcome, but don't be afraid to stick around and help other new folks facing what you just went through. Big difference between been through it and not.

 

[hensylee]

welcome, Justin. The deep south jumpin in here to say hey and we are glad to have you with us. You sound right on track and should continue to improve. Maybe you can hang around with us and pass on your experiences to other newbies who happen along. When someone new comes in, there is always fear and trepidation. This is the site for some respite from those things. Mayhap you can help, too?

 

[Adam 12-21-05]

Congrats Justin!

Way to turn a quick negative into the positive!

Cheers,

Adam

 

[ithicks]

Well the echo cardiogram went today. I've done enough research to know at least some of the key things to look out. Had a good EF, wall thickness was good, the new valve is leaking, but very very minor.

All in all looks like my heart is doing well. I still need to do my walk tonight (did one this morning; but just felt short of breath and cut it short).

Have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with a laundry list of questions (beta blockers, sports, home testing, etc.) I want to thank you all. I have learned more about my condition from this website last night while poking around here. It is wonderful to find a community as I have had a hard time relating to those who talk about my recovery and experience but haven't gone through it. The pure speed at which this hit from out of left field has left my world in a tail spin. Thank you all again.

Justin

PS - I start phase 2 cardiac rehab in 2 weeks and can not wait. Being an athletic person (did an Ironman in 2004) and was riding my bike 2 days before all this happened; the hardest has been sitting around. So I am eager to start doing more exercise (without overdoing it).

 

[67walkon]

Justin, keep us posted. A lot of us want to get back into working out, so folks like you and Fast Eddie are blazing a trail for us.

Sounds like it is is going pretty well, and I hope to have as good an outcome!

 

[scott x94x]

Lucky you, 3 weeks and youre starting to turn around that must be great. I'm 5 weeks and a day after and im still feeling crappy but that may be because i had not 1 but 2 surgeries and obviously 2 sets of anesthesia.

Good luck dude.