First Post on this forum

shop deals on amazon
Shop deals on ebay
Advertise with us
Valve Replacement Forums

Help Support Valve Replacement Forums:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Illinois Al

Illinois Al

Active member
Joined
Aug 16, 2008
Messages
38
Location
Wheeling, Illinois, USA
This is my first post on the forum. I had an "aortic conduit" replacement plus one bypass on August 8, 2008 --- heh, 08-08-08, I guess that will be an easy date to remember! It was a mechanical valve and a dacron conduit.

I came home from the hospital on Tuesday, August 12 which all my nurses and doctors said was very speedy. My biggest struggle right now is with muscle pain in the chest wall and getting tired very easily. This week I am working on walking 2-3 times a day of 15 minutes.

I am taking coumadin, still in the "adjusting stage" with my Primary Care Physician. I am Type II diabetic, was diagnosed in 1997.

Yesterday Monday 18th I had a followup visit with the surgeon, she listened to my heart and valve and said it sounded good. She mentioned that if anyone ever couldn't clearly hear the valve that should be a warning sign it was being coated with bacteria.

The next scheduled visit I have other than the coumadin tests is with my cardiologist on September 2, first to take a stress test and then a visit two days later to review the results. If I "pass" or qualify that then they want to send me a cardiac rehab program at the hospital, which sounds like a fitness center where they hook you up to heart monitors and have medical personnel standing by.

Any advice as what I can expect in the next few weeks would be appreciated. I am especaily wondering about when I should plan to go back to work, and what long term restrictions I can expect.

Thanks.
 
Hi Al and welcome.

Coumadin will be a pain until you get back into your normal routine, which isn't going to be for about 4 to 6 weeks or more. If you have problems with it, come on down to the anticoag forum and we'll get you fixed up.

Jobwise, depends on what you do for a living. I'd say not for at least 5 more weeks, but it depends on what you do. Your not going to be able to lift much for at least 6 months or so, but there again, depends on how fast you heal and what your Doc says.

Basically once your done with the rat race of Dr. appts, you'll slowly return to normal life with most likely no restrictions.
 
Hi Al, and welcome from another rheumatic fever brat.

Like Ross said, your ACT(anti-coagulation therapy) management will take a little while to get adjusted to you and your lifestyle. Work on getting consistent with your dosing at a time that is convenient for you. Skipped doses are a no-no. I am a big believer in "seven day pill boxes".

From your profile, your job doesn't sound physically demanding and you should be able to return to it when YOU decide....but take your time. It'l still be there :p;)
 
Welcome Home Al. My cardio also advised that I listen to my valve from time to time, one so that I know what is normal, and two if anything sounds out of the ordinary, I need to be checked.

I'm glad your surgery went smoothly, now rest, use the breathing thingy, and don't push too hard. :)
 
Thanks, everybody, for the quick replies. Good advice about the pill boxes, I actually have been using those previously for my diabetes and bp meds. I also take Coreg.
 
My surgery was at Advocate Lutheran General

My surgery was at Advocate Lutheran General

My surgery was at Advocate Lutheran General hospital in Park Ridge. Interestingly enough that was where my two sons were born, back in 1974 and 1976.

There are a lot of good hospitals in the Chicago area, i think Lutheran General is one of the best, I know it is teaching hospital. Heh, I did have a couple of interns brought in to listen to my heart before my surgery, I assume so they would learn what a bad aortic valve sounded like.
 
Hi and welcome to the forum! Glad to hear all went well w/your surgery. When to go back to work??? Don't rush it. The doc will probably tell you. When I asked when to go back, doc wanted to know what I did for a living. I think that has a lot to do w/the decision. Good luck to you.
 
Hi Al,

Cardiac was a blessing and condfidence builder for me. You will learn how much to push yourself and when to ease off. It will still take some time for the muscle pain to subside. Your muscles took a beating during OHS with the cutting and separating of your chest.

Karl
 
Welcome to our world...

What a lucky day to have your surgery!...

For the next 2-3 weeks walking sleeping and breathing is all you need to worry about. Cardiac rehab is a really good idea in a few weeks time when you are stronger.
 
Illinois Al said:
My surgery was at Advocate Lutheran General hospital in Park Ridge. Interestingly enough that was where my two sons were born, back in 1974 and 1976.

There are a lot of good hospitals in the Chicago area, i think Lutheran General is one of the best, I know it is teaching hospital. Heh, I did have a couple of interns brought in to listen to my heart before my surgery, I assume so they would learn what a bad aortic valve sounded like.
Click to expand...

I like Lutheran General (I knew it before it was Advocate LGH); it has been a teaching hospital for a long time. I did a subinternship there one summer in college, and split my time between LGH and Sherman Hospital in Elgin. It was a new program for those who were interested in the medical student experience before medical school. Since we were glorified scut monkeys as well as students, it offered a stipend plus lunch every day. I guess it worked, since I did go to medical school.

Lovely weather in Idaho,
-Laura
 
Hi Illinois Al ~ I'm still waiting for my bicuspid aortic valve to be taken care of, so i have no answers for you. I just wanted to welcome you to the VR Community. I'm glad your surgery went well and i hope you continue to have a smooth recovery! Take care, Dawn-Marie
 
welcome to VR. We have another member of long standing who had his 8th anniversary on 8-8-08 and everyone told him to play the numbers because of the date.

Glad to know you are doing well and the right things. It all comes together after while.
Did we tell you to watch out for the 'evil sneeze'? It's a bummer so do try to stop it.
 
PairoDocs said:
I like Lutheran General (I knew it before it was Advocate LGH); it has been a teaching hospital for a long time. I did a subinternship there one summer in college, and split my time between LGH and Sherman Hospital in Elgin.
Click to expand...

Hey Laura,

How long ago was this? Depending on how long ago...you probably wouldn't recognize Sherman Hospital OR Elgin, for that matter.... he he.


WELCOME, Illinois Al! You aren't that far away from me...and the gathering on September 6 in Geneva IL:
http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25020&page=2



Cort:34swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve&pacemaker
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Welcome me to stay overnight" ... Ingrim Hill ... 'Will I Ever Make It Home?'
 
Hello Al,
Glad you joined and pretty awesome date you have
to celebrate valveversarys...Good to hear your fine.

zipper2 (DEB)
 
skeptic49 said:
Welcome Illionis Al! Well, W O R K has always been a four letter word for me, but here's hoping you can get back to doing what you want A S A P!

Cheers,

Pennsylvania Jim, who retired early and never looked back!
Click to expand...

Just an update, I will be going back to work next Monday, September 15th, which will be about 5 weeks after my AVR on August 8th. Heh, I have actually enjoying NOT having to go to work but the flip side is I am so fortunate to be recovering to the point where returning to a normal life is possible.

I have a very sedentary job as a computer analyst, so at least I won't have any issues with heavy lifting required, etc.

I will have to work around Cardiac Rehab, I go on Tuesday the 16th to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for an orientation to their program, and have advised my boss my work schedule will have to be adjusted to accomodate the program.

I work for Navistar, Inc. (read: International Harvestor --> International Truck and Engine) which is a large (I think Fortune 500 class) company and I am very thankful for their very generous disability and insurance programs. I have been on disability leave since July 16th when I was sent to the emergency room so haven't suffered any interruption in pay or been forced to use vacation time to cover my absence. I don't know how individuals who don't have health and/or disability insurance cope with such a situation as facing OHS.

I am also very happy I discovered this forum; the information I have learned has been very helpful and as I continue "my trip down the mountain" I look forward to continued support from the group.
 
Hi there, Al. Welcome to the VR-family. Around here you'll get all the support and love and prayers and advise that you'll need. I am so glad that you feel well enough to almost return to work! Enjoy the rest of your "honeymoon", soon it is back to reality and before you know it, you'll tell us that you are celebrating your 1 year valveversary and you feel like a million dollars :)

Just listend to your body: if you feel uneasy about symptoms, get it checked out.

All the best and hugs ( )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top