14+ months and counting

[robertr]

Hi Gang,

It's been awhile since I've posted. I wanted to tell everyone that I have almost 15 months behind me post-op Aortic valve replacement and I am doing great! I had a medtronics porcine valve installed on 6/12/2006 by Dr. William H. Ryan in Dallas, Texas. Strangely, I did have a bout with paricardiocentesis (sp?) in month 4 (Oct) following my surgery, so I spent the night in ICU for that, but since then I am doing great! It's amazing to have over a year behind me and to think that last year I was going thru the OHS. I am incredibly grateful to be healthy this year and not to be worrying about pending surgery. That was the most difficult part - time leading up to the surgery. So I hope this post is an encouragement to those in the waiting room - the worst part is the anticipation. The surgery and recovery goes by so fast you will be amazed at how trivial it will seem 1 year post-op. Trust Him - Proverbs 3:5,6

Thanks!

-Robert

 

[Cooker]

Robert,

Glad everything is going well!! Yes it is very important to shout the success stories. I have pretty close to the same story, AVR 2-21-06. I am feeling great and you're correct, it seems like almost nothing now!! Hope all continues to go well.

Tom

 

[dot4toto]

congrats!!

congrats!!

You sound so happy and healthy! Love to hear that. I need to hear the positives. This is a life saving surgery and I just had it but feel very good, the heart bounces back fast it seems.
Glad to hear your story.

 

[WayneGM]

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure it'll be an inspiration to those in the waiting room. All the best! Cheers.

 

[Perry]

18 months ago......

18 months ago......

Great news Robert!

I've been off of the website for a while. I had OHS on 3/8/2006, back to work nearly two months later (could have been quicker) and a new job offer two weeks after that. I have not been on the computer nearly as much as before surgery and since the job change.

Recovery is, as was said, not that bad looking back on it. Once home it was just a process to motivate and keep doing a bit more each day. For the first month - slightly overdoing it would lead to a low grade fever the next day. But I tried and I blew into my lung toys and it all get better. After that overdoing it made me feel a bit rundown - just needing rest. It was just over a year when my body seemed to 'click' and it let me jog without feeling restricted. That is one area where everyone differes and it seems many can get back into it much sooner.

Perry

 

[halleyg]

Thanks for posting - I am 3 weeks post-op and starting to feel frustrated with feeling awful. I try to remember how it was the first time around but it's hard when you're in the middle of this. I am up (1:30 am), still can't get on a good sleep schedule, so came downstairs to log on and saw your post and it made me feel better.