Heartvalvefix
Member
Hi All,
I have not posted since before my surgery as I had complications after and it was quite a while before I was on my feet again. A bit of background. I had a very odd case of endocarditis that ruined my tricuspid valve. Even more odd as I had no risk factors. Cardiologist and surgeon figured that I had a defect on the valve since birth that I did not know about and that is how the bacteria were able to attack it. Had it replaced with a tissue valve on Feb 9th. They tired to repair it but it was too badly damaged. They started with a minimally invasive approach but unfortunately they could not finish that way (I was very tiny in terms of the space between my heart and sternum). I ended up with a thoracotomy and a sternotomy. Afterwards got a staph infection and needed 6 weeks of iv antibiotics - fortunately the new valve is fine and working well. Also developed heart block - 3rd degree and needed a pacemaker (another small surgery on April 7th). I was in the hospital for 61 days. I was warned that it would take a long time to recover from such a long hospital stay.
Current status - valve is fine, infection is gone and heart block is actually resolving. I am back in a sinus rhythm for the most part since July 9 and it seems to be getting more stable - so I made not need the pacemaker long term. I am starting to participate more and more in life. Walking my dogs in the dog park, playing some golf (though in a cart - don't have the energy to walk the whole course yet), going to yoga and mobility work out classes. Doing some light weight training. Going out for dinners etc. I am not on any meds. I am a 53 yr old female.
I am hoping that some of the members can give me some perspective on the following:
- after 6 months I still get stiff and a bit sore around the sternotomy after I work out. Not really pain, more like muscle stiffness and soreness. Not sure if this is normal or not?
- I find my biggest problem is fighting the fatigue. Some days I have energy and other days I am still really wiped out. I am eating well and getting lots of sleep. Not sure if this is a result of the long hospital stay and the loss of so much muscle mass? I was always a very high energy person so I find this very difficult. I certainly don't feel anything close to my normal self in terms of energy level.
- this may be completely unrelated but I feel like since the surgery I have noticed that I seem to have phlem in the back of my throat that bugs me. Could be completely unrelated but just curious if others experienced this.
Thanks in advance.
I have not posted since before my surgery as I had complications after and it was quite a while before I was on my feet again. A bit of background. I had a very odd case of endocarditis that ruined my tricuspid valve. Even more odd as I had no risk factors. Cardiologist and surgeon figured that I had a defect on the valve since birth that I did not know about and that is how the bacteria were able to attack it. Had it replaced with a tissue valve on Feb 9th. They tired to repair it but it was too badly damaged. They started with a minimally invasive approach but unfortunately they could not finish that way (I was very tiny in terms of the space between my heart and sternum). I ended up with a thoracotomy and a sternotomy. Afterwards got a staph infection and needed 6 weeks of iv antibiotics - fortunately the new valve is fine and working well. Also developed heart block - 3rd degree and needed a pacemaker (another small surgery on April 7th). I was in the hospital for 61 days. I was warned that it would take a long time to recover from such a long hospital stay.
Current status - valve is fine, infection is gone and heart block is actually resolving. I am back in a sinus rhythm for the most part since July 9 and it seems to be getting more stable - so I made not need the pacemaker long term. I am starting to participate more and more in life. Walking my dogs in the dog park, playing some golf (though in a cart - don't have the energy to walk the whole course yet), going to yoga and mobility work out classes. Doing some light weight training. Going out for dinners etc. I am not on any meds. I am a 53 yr old female.
I am hoping that some of the members can give me some perspective on the following:
- after 6 months I still get stiff and a bit sore around the sternotomy after I work out. Not really pain, more like muscle stiffness and soreness. Not sure if this is normal or not?
- I find my biggest problem is fighting the fatigue. Some days I have energy and other days I am still really wiped out. I am eating well and getting lots of sleep. Not sure if this is a result of the long hospital stay and the loss of so much muscle mass? I was always a very high energy person so I find this very difficult. I certainly don't feel anything close to my normal self in terms of energy level.
- this may be completely unrelated but I feel like since the surgery I have noticed that I seem to have phlem in the back of my throat that bugs me. Could be completely unrelated but just curious if others experienced this.
Thanks in advance.