Hip, hip hooray! Welcome home Lorie! Stay well & take care! Have a Happy Life! 
Home at Last
- Thread starter harleygirl528
- Start date
Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:
Ah, home sweet home and how sweet it is..!!
So glad to hear of your success and a repair.....well, you lucky ducky you.
Easy does it for a while and then you'll be back in motion in full force Lorie.
Take care,
Janie
So glad to hear of your success and a repair.....well, you lucky ducky you.
Easy does it for a while and then you'll be back in motion in full force Lorie.
Take care,
Janie
You are home.....GROOVY
Danielle, welcome to the group.daniazar said:
Start a new thread under "PreSurgery" with this intro and everyone will say "hello".
harleygirl528
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for all your wonderful words of support and encouragment. I have continued to thrive and actually yesterday I took a 40 minute walk in the mall and then went to Olive Garden and had soup and salad with my two best girlfriends...I was out for 2.5 hours and probably overdid it but it was heavenly to get out of the house and to feel a little "normal" for a while. Waiting three months to operate on my aneurysm was probably too long in retrospect because the anticipation was the worst...but it did give me the time to find the best surgeon possible!
I am continuing to walk 1 hour per day and eating well (thanks to my mom) and feel remarkably good. I have had more than one argument with my husband about my activity level....he seems intent on insisting that I limit my activities but I feel fine and I want to get better quicker. If I laid around as much as he wanted me to I would probably develop blood clots and pneumonia! My doctor says that I am young and healthy and most of the restrictions (like only going up and down stairs once a day) are geared toward older people. So, he says that as long as I am not feeling dizzy I can go up and down the stairs as much as I need to. I know my limits, and the most interesting part of this is my blood pressure has actually been getting really low when I overdo it so I can feel it and I instantly lay down and drink a couple of glasses of water. I have been able to discontinue the Norvasc and Cozaar and I am only on the Atenolol now and my systolic bp is staying 105 or lower.
I really can't wait for everyone to just go back to work and go home and stop doting on me so much...sometimes I just want to be left alone and it is really starting to drive me crazy. I know they care but I am not a child and I didn't get through this whole ordeal with this much success without knowing a thing or two about what is best for me. Just because I have had OHS doesn't mean I have been relegated to the status of invalid or child. I know they care but for crying out loud....I am grown woman fully aware of my abilities as well as my limitations. I hope my marriage survives this because as well-intentioned as he is, he needs to learn to just back off and let me make my own decisions.
So sorry to have vented so much! I know I have much to be thankful and happy for and I am....anyone have a similar experience when they were recovering? Anyone ever feel like saying "Just leave me alone for a bit!"
Thanks everyone....I really am doing well and I sent you a personal message Danielle...would be more than happy to chat with you and I sent you my phone number as well.
Take care all...thanks again!
I am continuing to walk 1 hour per day and eating well (thanks to my mom) and feel remarkably good. I have had more than one argument with my husband about my activity level....he seems intent on insisting that I limit my activities but I feel fine and I want to get better quicker. If I laid around as much as he wanted me to I would probably develop blood clots and pneumonia! My doctor says that I am young and healthy and most of the restrictions (like only going up and down stairs once a day) are geared toward older people. So, he says that as long as I am not feeling dizzy I can go up and down the stairs as much as I need to. I know my limits, and the most interesting part of this is my blood pressure has actually been getting really low when I overdo it so I can feel it and I instantly lay down and drink a couple of glasses of water. I have been able to discontinue the Norvasc and Cozaar and I am only on the Atenolol now and my systolic bp is staying 105 or lower.
I really can't wait for everyone to just go back to work and go home and stop doting on me so much...sometimes I just want to be left alone and it is really starting to drive me crazy. I know they care but I am not a child and I didn't get through this whole ordeal with this much success without knowing a thing or two about what is best for me. Just because I have had OHS doesn't mean I have been relegated to the status of invalid or child. I know they care but for crying out loud....I am grown woman fully aware of my abilities as well as my limitations. I hope my marriage survives this because as well-intentioned as he is, he needs to learn to just back off and let me make my own decisions.
So sorry to have vented so much! I know I have much to be thankful and happy for and I am....anyone have a similar experience when they were recovering? Anyone ever feel like saying "Just leave me alone for a bit!"
Thanks everyone....I really am doing well and I sent you a personal message Danielle...would be more than happy to chat with you and I sent you my phone number as well.
Take care all...thanks again!
K
Karlynn
Not knowing just exactly how much you are doing, keep in mind that you don't want to do things to prove you are superwoman to yourself. There are some things that just don't heal more quickly, even if you are feeling good. Your sternum is one thing that more activity just won't heal. Sewing rings and such are also not going to heal more quickly by pushing yourself. Please continue to be careful - I hope you are not walking an hour all at once. I think if you were to see a video of just exactly what they did to you during surgery you would probably be a made more aware of just what your body is healing from.
We have had members push their first few weeks and then have a total backslide from exhaustion at about week 3 or 4. Please be wise, I'm not saying you aren't, but it does sound like you may be overdoing it.
We have had members push their first few weeks and then have a total backslide from exhaustion at about week 3 or 4. Please be wise, I'm not saying you aren't, but it does sound like you may be overdoing it.
B
Bridgette
Hey Lorie
It sounds as though you are doing great, but I have to agree with what Karlynn said and just caution you to take it easy for a while longer.
Enjoy having your family fuss over you because it won't last, lol
Re your husband: remember that he was beside you when you came out of surgery, and saw you with all the tubes, lines etc - he spent that first night (when it is always a pretty rough time for a heart surgery patient) with you, and probably his concern for you relates back to that - seeing you when you were so fragile, he maybe doesn't want you to overdo it when it has only been such a short time since that stage.
Keep up the good work with your recovery but don't push it too hard, and try and accept that your family's concerns are a sign of their love for you.
Bridgette
It sounds as though you are doing great, but I have to agree with what Karlynn said and just caution you to take it easy for a while longer.
Enjoy having your family fuss over you because it won't last, lol
Re your husband: remember that he was beside you when you came out of surgery, and saw you with all the tubes, lines etc - he spent that first night (when it is always a pretty rough time for a heart surgery patient) with you, and probably his concern for you relates back to that - seeing you when you were so fragile, he maybe doesn't want you to overdo it when it has only been such a short time since that stage.
Keep up the good work with your recovery but don't push it too hard, and try and accept that your family's concerns are a sign of their love for you.
Bridgette
D
Der Biermeister
daniazar said:
Danielle - Do a search on my posts -- when I went through this I kind of
asked a bunch of questions, and got great answers. Plus I gave a pretty detailed journal of what all took place in the hospital and afterwards. The time frame you are looking for with my posts would be Dec., 2005 through May, 2006.Philip B
Well-known member
Limits & Recovery
Limits & Recovery
Hey Harley,
Your vent sounds familiar. The folks who are making you crazy really do have good intentions, but they still can drive you nuts if you tend to want to be somewhat self-reliant.
When I returned to work after my AVR surgery one of my students dropped by my office and proceeded to give me a lecture about coming back to work too soon. I thanked her for her concern and explained that I was following the guidelines my surgeon and cardio doc had given me. I then asked her whose advice I should follow, a concerned high school senior's or the advice of a group of medical professionals? I really did appreciate her concern and made sure she knew that. I had to have multiple conversations like this with concerned staff members and members of the community.
The reality here is that most people don't realize how quickly some of us can bounce back from OHS. That desire to be self-reliant, in my opinion, helps with the recovery process. Maybe it's a personality flaw, but some of us tend to be driven by this self-reliance thing. I don't think this is a bad thing. Unfortunately, other people who aren't built this way don't understand it.
My wife kinda made me crazy too. We finally had to have a conversation about the level of support I really needed. She still worried, but did lighten-up. By-the-way, she still worries and fusses. I just smile, tell her how much I appreciate her concern, and go about doing what I need to do.
It would be nice if all of us could adapt to enjoy being fussed over, but some of us are simply not built that way. As noted in a previous post, your body will tell you if you are moving too quickly. Just listen to what your body tells you, stay within the guidelines your doctors recommend, and keep moving forward with your recovery. You're going to be okay.
-Philip
Limits & Recovery
Hey Harley,
Your vent sounds familiar. The folks who are making you crazy really do have good intentions, but they still can drive you nuts if you tend to want to be somewhat self-reliant.
When I returned to work after my AVR surgery one of my students dropped by my office and proceeded to give me a lecture about coming back to work too soon. I thanked her for her concern and explained that I was following the guidelines my surgeon and cardio doc had given me. I then asked her whose advice I should follow, a concerned high school senior's or the advice of a group of medical professionals? I really did appreciate her concern and made sure she knew that. I had to have multiple conversations like this with concerned staff members and members of the community.
The reality here is that most people don't realize how quickly some of us can bounce back from OHS. That desire to be self-reliant, in my opinion, helps with the recovery process. Maybe it's a personality flaw, but some of us tend to be driven by this self-reliance thing. I don't think this is a bad thing. Unfortunately, other people who aren't built this way don't understand it.
My wife kinda made me crazy too. We finally had to have a conversation about the level of support I really needed. She still worried, but did lighten-up. By-the-way, she still worries and fusses. I just smile, tell her how much I appreciate her concern, and go about doing what I need to do.
It would be nice if all of us could adapt to enjoy being fussed over, but some of us are simply not built that way. As noted in a previous post, your body will tell you if you are moving too quickly. Just listen to what your body tells you, stay within the guidelines your doctors recommend, and keep moving forward with your recovery. You're going to be okay.
-Philip
WayneGM
Well-known member
I just want echo what's been said....it is very easy to overdo it and then pay for it later when you don't expect it...been there, done that.
Also, I understand your vent. I think my wife would have cut my meal into bite sized pieces if I let her . That said, I think it's part of the your family and friends' therapy to dote over you. I think it lets them feel useful. After all, during this whole heart problem and surgery thing they probably felt totally helpless. Savor it while you can as once you're better, all this attention will probably be a thing of the past. (I miss it some times )
Best wishes.
Also, I understand your vent. I think my wife would have cut my meal into bite sized pieces if I let her
. That said, I think it's part of the your family and friends' therapy to dote over you. I think it lets them feel useful. After all, during this whole heart problem and surgery thing they probably felt totally helpless. Savor it while you can as once you're better, all this attention will probably be a thing of the past. (I miss it some times )Best wishes.
cp172
Well-known member
Evening Lorie,
Glad to hear you seem to be doing so well.
While I have a fear about undergoing my surgery I think it would be harder on me if it was my wife that would be having surgery. The fear of possibly having to go on with life without someone who has been by your side for years has to take a terrible toll.
Keep in mind us males are good at handling situations that require brute strength or a socket wrench to fix. But when it comes to something we can not fix involving a loved one we are pretty shallow and tend to fall apart on the inside (we will never show it as it may indicate we are weak). We just do not have a lot of inner strength compared to the female species that seems to be able to gather the fortatude to handle most any situations. My guess is that your husband is proably having to go through a mental healing process.
Anyway..glad you are doing well. You and hubby go do something fun over the weekend if you feel up to it. Don't push yourself. Frankly I am envious. You have climbed over the mountain! When I make it over the mountain I plan to eat ice cream, I want my pillow fluffed and I want lots of attention (its a male thing).
Glad to hear you seem to be doing so well.
While I have a fear about undergoing my surgery I think it would be harder on me if it was my wife that would be having surgery. The fear of possibly having to go on with life without someone who has been by your side for years has to take a terrible toll.
Keep in mind us males are good at handling situations that require brute strength or a socket wrench to fix. But when it comes to something we can not fix involving a loved one we are pretty shallow and tend to fall apart on the inside (we will never show it as it may indicate we are weak). We just do not have a lot of inner strength compared to the female species that seems to be able to gather the fortatude to handle most any situations. My guess is that your husband is proably having to go through a mental healing process.
Anyway..glad you are doing well. You and hubby go do something fun over the weekend if you feel up to it. Don't push yourself. Frankly I am envious. You have climbed over the mountain! When I make it over the mountain I plan to eat ice cream, I want my pillow fluffed and I want lots of attention (its a male thing).
G
Guest
WELCOME HOME!!!!
Thoughts/prayers coming your way for a continued SUCCESSFUL recovery.
Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
CDshowcase=www.WRMN1410.com*SATURDAY.january26*2p-5p.and.8p-11p.CENTRAL
"Let freedom ring" ... Martina McBride ... 'Independence Day'
Thoughts/prayers coming your way for a continued SUCCESSFUL recovery
.Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
CDshowcase=www.WRMN1410.com*SATURDAY.january26*2p-5p.and.8p-11p.CENTRAL
"Let freedom ring" ... Martina McBride ... 'Independence Day'
Hello Lorie,
Hooray, you are home! Isn't it a miracle...all the thinking and planning and worrying and then BOOM, the surgery is over and life begins anew? So happy that your experience was a smooth one. Your courage and optimism are inspiring to us all. Keep up the great work and REST, REST, REST.
All the best, Betsy
Hooray, you are home! Isn't it a miracle...all the thinking and planning and worrying and then BOOM, the surgery is over and life begins anew? So happy that your experience was a smooth one. Your courage and optimism are inspiring to us all. Keep up the great work and REST, REST, REST.
All the best, Betsy
Resqrn
Well-known member
I'm so impressed.
I'm so impressed.
Lorie,
I am so happy that you are doing so well. As others have said let the body relax when it needs it, cause when it gets "upset" it will strike back. I agree with the statement that someone else made that your husband saw you at the ultimate worst. My wife and family saw me at my ultimate worst and I still think got the better end of the deal, it was a relative cake walk compared to what they must have gone through (I was asleep for that 5 days) and they had to watch me in that condition. So I think he is very concerned about you and doesnt ever want to go through that again, as neither does my wife. Oh by the way my family still asks me "are you ok; or feeling alright". They see us from a different perspective (external) which we may not see, cause our brains are really happy that we are alive and able to be up and doing stuff. just a bit of thought. I am really really glad you are doing well.
mike
I'm so impressed.
Lorie,
I am so happy that you are doing so well. As others have said let the body relax when it needs it, cause when it gets "upset" it will strike back. I agree with the statement that someone else made that your husband saw you at the ultimate worst. My wife and family saw me at my ultimate worst and I still think got the better end of the deal, it was a relative cake walk compared to what they must have gone through (I was asleep for that 5 days) and they had to watch me in that condition. So I think he is very concerned about you and doesnt ever want to go through that again, as neither does my wife. Oh by the way my family still asks me "are you ok; or feeling alright". They see us from a different perspective (external) which we may not see, cause our brains are really happy that we are alive and able to be up and doing stuff. just a bit of thought. I am really really glad you are doing well.
mike
K
Karlynn
Philip B said:
Philip - you are right, some people can bounce back quickly. And certainly a desire for self-reliance does help. But I want to emphasize for those who haven't had surgery yet that there are things that don't bounce back quickly, no matter how much self-reliance a person has. There are some things that just need to heal and will do so on their own time. Energy, some lung function and certainly large muscle capabilities can be things that are recovered more quickly in certain people than others. Things that are cut, broken and sewn are self-reliance immune. They don't heal any more quickly no matter how much you push, and placing stress on these things by pushing is not a good thing. Signs like blood pressure dropping when you over-do are things to watch out for in this regard. We've had members who's self-reliance has put them back in the hospital. It can be hard to discern where to draw the line and certainly laying around and doing nothing is not good either. Everyone needs to give themselves 2 weeks after they're home to just walk, sleep, eat and breathe.
Ross
Well-known member
Psst....Why for you give away all our secrets?cp172 said:Evening Lorie,
Glad to hear you seem to be doing so well.
While I have a fear about undergoing my surgery I think it would be harder on me if it was my wife that would be having surgery. The fear of possibly having to go on with life without someone who has been by your side for years has to take a terrible toll.
Keep in mind us males are good at handling situations that require brute strength or a socket wrench to fix. But when it comes to something we can not fix involving a loved one we are pretty shallow and tend to fall apart on the inside (we will never show it as it may indicate we are weak). We just do not have a lot of inner strength compared to the female species that seems to be able to gather the fortatude to handle most any situations. My guess is that your husband is proably having to go through a mental healing process.
Anyway..glad you are doing well. You and hubby go do something fun over the weekend if you feel up to it. Don't push yourself. Frankly I am envious. You have climbed over the mountain! When I make it over the mountain I plan to eat ice cream, I want my pillow fluffed and I want lots of attention (its a male thing).
cp172
Well-known member
Ross said:
Ross,
Please forgive me for I have sinned.
Humbly,
Lorrie, I'm glad your feeling so well. But I do have one question for you. Are you able to wipe your kitchen counter without any pain? You may not be as strong as you think you are. Please give yourself time to heal. Enjoy life one or two steps below normal.........for now. And let your husband tend to your needs, cause it won't last long. Just try to understand how he his feeling and give him a hug.
Relax, eat, rest, breath and walk (but not a mile okay)
Relax, eat, rest, breath and walk (but not a mile okay)
Philip B
Well-known member
Self-reliance
Self-reliance
Karlynn,
Yes indeed, with AVR surgery, things have been cut, replaced, sewed, stretched, wired, and glued that self-reliance cannot heal. Like most members of this forum, I've been there.
My point is simply that some of us are not built to enjoy being fussed over. This is certainly not said to encourage anyone to exceed limitations to the point of intereferring with healing. Personally, as noted in previous posts, I'm a proponent of listening to what one's body says during recovery. Those who don't listen could, as you stated very well, suffer serious consequences.
Following my surgery last March, I heard numerous comments about my quick return to work. Some of my collegues and several community members didn't understand why I didn't take advantage of my circumstances to take more time off. A quick return to work probably was much better for me mentally than sitting around. I pushed the envelope a bit because I needed to.
How much fussing one can stand is a very individual thing. My lovely, caring wife would have helped me with everything that I needed to do when I was recovering (i.e. from eating, walking, going to the bathroom, etc). I simply didn't need help with everything and eventually we had to have a conversation about what I really needed help with and what I could do on my own.
Is it bad advice for folks to tell others to enjoy being fussed over because it won't last? Not in my opinion, but it's simply not advice some of us can follow.
Much of the advice we offer and most of the responses we post are based upon our personal experience. These experiences and our perspectives are often very different because we're not built the same way. That's probably a good thing as it keeps this forum interesting. I appreciate your perspective.
-Philip
Self-reliance
Karlynn,
Yes indeed, with AVR surgery, things have been cut, replaced, sewed, stretched, wired, and glued that self-reliance cannot heal. Like most members of this forum, I've been there.
My point is simply that some of us are not built to enjoy being fussed over. This is certainly not said to encourage anyone to exceed limitations to the point of intereferring with healing. Personally, as noted in previous posts, I'm a proponent of listening to what one's body says during recovery. Those who don't listen could, as you stated very well, suffer serious consequences.
Following my surgery last March, I heard numerous comments about my quick return to work. Some of my collegues and several community members didn't understand why I didn't take advantage of my circumstances to take more time off. A quick return to work probably was much better for me mentally than sitting around. I pushed the envelope a bit because I needed to.
How much fussing one can stand is a very individual thing. My lovely, caring wife would have helped me with everything that I needed to do when I was recovering (i.e. from eating, walking, going to the bathroom, etc). I simply didn't need help with everything and eventually we had to have a conversation about what I really needed help with and what I could do on my own.
Is it bad advice for folks to tell others to enjoy being fussed over because it won't last? Not in my opinion, but it's simply not advice some of us can follow.
Much of the advice we offer and most of the responses we post are based upon our personal experience. These experiences and our perspectives are often very different because we're not built the same way. That's probably a good thing as it keeps this forum interesting. I appreciate your perspective.
-Philip
harleygirl528
Well-known member
Thanks everyone for your input. I do very much appreciate the various perspectives on healing and advice given. I do realize that a sternum takes 12 weeks to heal fully, regardless of how much one pushes oneself, etc. however, my surgeon tends to lean on the side of being as active as possible in order to boost ones immune system, avoid blood clots, and to encourage return of normal lung function. That being said, I know when I have pushed it and I have the good sense to listen to my body and to rest accordingly. As active as I have been, I have also spent far more time just lounging, watching tv, taking naps, etc. so please rest assured I am taking the time to listen to my body and to allow it the rest it needs to heal. I do have a hard time being waited on and having someone do everything for me so perhaps that is part of the impetus that has pushed me to get moving and be proactive about my healing. If that is the case, then I am thankful for it because as good as I feel now I am still a long way from being 100% so anything I can do to get closer to that is what I want to be doing.
To answer your question about wiping the counter...truth be told I wouldn't know since my mom is in the house and she would scold me if I even tried to do any housework. I did, however, walk about 40 minutes at once today and total walking time was almost 2 miles. I did walk over one mile at once. My surgeon seemed pleased with this and did not discourage me. I was so sedentary prior to surgery due to aneurysm and fear associated with that, it feels really good to be able to walk and be confident that I will be fine. All that being said, I do have continued issues with low blood pressure, which my surgeon does not feel are associated with over-activity. If anything, over activity would generally tend to cause high blood pressure I would think. Basically, it is just a matter of fine tuning all the bp meds and the fact that my body is doing so well that I have been able to discontinue almost all bp meds after only 10 days post op I think is a testament to the success of my surgery!
Mike: I am so glad to see that you have joined the VR.com community! Thanks so much again, for your phone conversations prior to surgery and the encouragement and inspiration you provided me. I know you are going to be a great asset to this group!
Anyway, I do understand the concern that someone would read my posts and think my recovery is typical and push themselves in a way that isn't safe for them. Generally speaking, I have only followed the advice of my surgeon and I would say that my recovery has not been typical but with that being said I am thankful for everything and am hoping to continue to move forward. With that being said, time to listen to my body...going to jump in the shower and hit the sack! (I am finally able to sleep on my side a bit so have been sleeping better)
To answer your question about wiping the counter...truth be told I wouldn't know since my mom is in the house and she would scold me if I even tried to do any housework. I did, however, walk about 40 minutes at once today and total walking time was almost 2 miles. I did walk over one mile at once. My surgeon seemed pleased with this and did not discourage me. I was so sedentary prior to surgery due to aneurysm and fear associated with that, it feels really good to be able to walk and be confident that I will be fine. All that being said, I do have continued issues with low blood pressure, which my surgeon does not feel are associated with over-activity. If anything, over activity would generally tend to cause high blood pressure I would think. Basically, it is just a matter of fine tuning all the bp meds and the fact that my body is doing so well that I have been able to discontinue almost all bp meds after only 10 days post op I think is a testament to the success of my surgery!
Mike: I am so glad to see that you have joined the VR.com community! Thanks so much again, for your phone conversations prior to surgery and the encouragement and inspiration you provided me. I know you are going to be a great asset to this group!
Anyway, I do understand the concern that someone would read my posts and think my recovery is typical and push themselves in a way that isn't safe for them. Generally speaking, I have only followed the advice of my surgeon and I would say that my recovery has not been typical but with that being said I am thankful for everything and am hoping to continue to move forward. With that being said, time to listen to my body...going to jump in the shower and hit the sack! (I am finally able to sleep on my side a bit so have been sleeping better)
