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I'm so glad to read your post. I've had some shortness of breath that's been getting a little worse and was wondering if it was just the way things were going to be, or if it was in my head. I had a pretty bad case of bronchitis a few weeks ago and I've noticed the major difference since then...

Sorry about the multiple posts. I kept getting an error saying my message couldn't be posted! Grrrr...

I noticed it right after surgery too. I was sitting up in the chair a couple of days after surgery and was literally rocking because my heartbeat was so strong. The nurse told me the same thing BigL said...your valve is larger...you have a normal heartbeat again. I really hadn't noticed it...

I noticed it right after surgery too. I was sitting up in the chair a couple of days after surgery and was literally rocking because my heartbeat was so strong. The nurse told me the same thing Big_L said...your valve is larger...you have a normal heartbeat again. I really hadn't noticed it...

I noticed it right after surgery too. I was sitting up in the chair a couple of days after surgery and was literally rocking because my heartbeat was so strong. The nurse told me the same thing Big_L said...your valve is larger...you have a normal heartbeat again. I really hadn't noticed it...

I'm curious to know how long, post-op, are you all experiencing this? I'm 4 months out and have had increasing shortness of breath and can't seem to get past the fluid retention. I saw my cardiologist on Friday and he said my heart sounds great, but has ordered an echocardiogram to try and...

Blue Sue, you said so many of the same things that went through my head. But I would also echo everything that's been said here. I too knew someone who didn't make it, and I also used the same surgeon he did. But I came through the surgery with flying colors. You really just have to come to...

I didn't have any restrictions on what type of bra to wear. One of the doctors suggested that a sports bra might be the most comfortable route to go. But I was able to go straight back to wearing my regular bras. The drain tube incisions were low enough that my bra rested above them. At times...

I saw your other post, Anne. Thanks. I didn't know if anyone else might have some info on this and thought a topic specifically about it might be helpful for others in the future who may have questions. I talked to my surgeon's nurse this morning and she said to give it another week. As...

Wanted to get some feedback from everyone about fluid retention and what you experienced after you returned home from the hospital. My ankles are huge! I'm taking the meds per my doctor and will start watching my sodium a little more closely, but the fluid I was expecting to lose pretty...

Hi Rick! I know you read my other post-surgery post, but I wanted to post something for you here. I too reached the point of being very calm by the time I was about a week away from surgery. I was still very aware of the scary possibilities, but I tried to focus on the positive. I encourage...

Today is a week since I had my surgery and I have to say that I'm feeling so much better than I ever thought I'd feel after having had open heart surgery. My surgery was in the afternoon, so my "fun" didn't begin until late Monday evening. I really have nothing good to say about the...

I haven't been on here in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the information everyone has shared since the last time I posted. I just got back from Vegas and it was a pretty rough trip for me. I knew it was going to be hard, with the shortness of breath that I've had more and more of lately, and...

I'm assuming I'll have a sternotomy only because that's what they initially told me. That being said, I was told the heart catherization test would be done through my groin, but then the doctor came in and said, "I think we'll do this through your arm instead." So I'm just going with the flow...

Ok. That sounds similar to the tubes my mom had following lung surgery. Doesn't look too bad, but I'm just going to be one giant scar. Good thing I can keep a sense of humor about some of this!

You all are just a wealth of information, which is exactly what I was hoping for and appreciate! Anne, that sounds terrible with your pain killers. Granted, I could afford to lose a few pounds, but I don't want to do it that way. I didn't have drainage tubes with the surgery I had 30 years...

Michelle, thanks so much for more info! As I know you know, it helps so much ot hear all of these little details. I could see how the incisions from the drainage tubes would hurt. The incision I have already went through all of my abdominal muscles. Talk about a joy! I'm having a sternotomy...

Ugh...sneezing. That'll be a fun one. Once I start sneezing, I usually sneeze about 10 times in a row. It's not fun even without having my chest cut open. I'm a little prepared for the pain. When I had surgery for my Hodgkin's years ago, one of them was to remove my spleen and check my...

I didn't get a chance to say a big thank you to all of you last night. I read each of your posts a couple of times, just letting it all sink in, and I appreciate you all so much! The countdown to surgery day is enough to drive a person bonkers. So many things to think about and plan for...

I had radiation treatment for Hodgkin's Disease when I was 16. Now, 30 years later, the damage from that radiation treatment is causing the need for my aortic valve to be replaced. Am I scared to death? Of course. Am I trying to stay positive? Yes. Is that harder some days than others? You...