Hi Jag and welcome to the forum,
You don't tell us how old you are, but you have to give it a lot more time I think. Remember you went through major surgery and the healing process takes about a year.
Do what feels right for your body. If you feel tired go to bed and rest, and if you cannot walk more than 1/4 of a mile than so be it! Don't wear yourself out. That'll only set you back. Do what feels good, and what you are able to do, and that's what will make you stronger.
Have you thought of going to Cardiac Rehab? That would be a big help as well. There they teach you what to do, and what not. They have you start out slowly, and every week you do a bit more, all customized to your comfort level. There are other patients like yourself, and it is a real good thing. Some people keep going for years afterwards, just for the companionship and the exercise.
Ask your cardiologist for a referral.
I am one year post-op and it took me quite a while to feel better. I also had times when I felt on top of the world but it did not last.
I have a thick ugly 9" keloid scar that was and is at times still painful, although it is lots better than even 6 months ago.
I still feel little jabs of pain at times going through the chest/incision, and top left arm, but it is not a real chest pain. I think I'd recognize the real thing.
Several times over the past year I've had little setbacks because I did too much too soon, and pulled muscles in my chest. That doesn't feel good, believe you me!
I am going for check-ups to the cardiologist every 6 months and they are on top of it all, so they say. So I have to let go, and let God otherwise it would drive me nuts.
Take it easy my friend, and keep in touch. We are here to help you through this. Ask anything you want.
Christina
Aortic Stenosis
AVR 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
St.Jude's mechanical
Coumadin