Hi All,
Yeah, I hit 6 weeks on Monday. I saw my Cardiologist and one of the Surgeon's PAs for a checkup. The cardiologist said I'm doing good and we scheduled an Echo. He talked to me about EF and what to expect, but he thinks the heart looks good. I had already cut my Metropolol in half at about 4.5 weeks post op, and the cardiologist said to discontinue altogether, so it's just Warfarin now for me. I'm really excited about that because I don't like medications in general. My heart rate did spike a little, resting rate went up to 82, but in 2 days it's already dropped to 72, so I'm happy. PA said scar looks fine.
Soreness: My chest still feels like it is bruised up, if I run my hand down the scar I can feel it. I can't sleep on my stomach either. I thought that it would be a lot better by now, but it's just a little better. Doc says to wait a couple more weeks.
Stiffness: Last Saturday I woke up with an incredible stiffness in my neck/back. My wife said I was sleeping with my head propped up too much and my chin on my chest, so I'm assuming that is why I was in such pain. I couldn't even turn my head all weekend, but 4 days later it's a lot better, but still a little stiff. I was wondering what it would feel like if I had a blood clot in my spinal column, but I'm not really a worry-wort, so I pretty much ignored it. If anyone has experience with blood clots, I'd like to know what it felt like.
Activities/Work: Still walking quite a bit. Cardiologist said 2 miles, 3X per day is good for me. I started a new role at my work and have some new co-workers that were doing a team builder at the golf course yesterday. Since it was my best chance to get to know them and become one of the team quickly, I went with them. I didn't plan on using my driver, just a little chipping and putting, but when I got out there it felt fine to lightly swing the driver, so I went with it. I couldn't get a 300 yarder or anything like that, but with solid contact I was able to go about 185. It felt like I was pushing it a little being out on the golf course this soon and my cardiologist said not to do much more than walk for 2 more weeks, so I was being a little risky. I feel good today though, so whatever. I'm not letting this hold me back. I start full time work on Monday, but I've been working about 20-30 hours a week prior to that.
Plans: I plan to start jogging in 2 weeks and when my chest stops hurting, I'll post on here how that goes. I also planned a VICTORY Carribean cruise in January to mark my expected full recovery with my wife and 2 other couples.
Questions:
1.) About the blood clot and how it feels as referenced above
2.) When did your chest feel normal again, how many weeks? Or, when could you sleep on your stomach?
3.) Jogging, how soon post-op were you able to start more strenuous activities?
4.) Echos and stuff, did your EF change much, if so how much?
Thanks everyone and keep on keeping on!
Yeah, I hit 6 weeks on Monday. I saw my Cardiologist and one of the Surgeon's PAs for a checkup. The cardiologist said I'm doing good and we scheduled an Echo. He talked to me about EF and what to expect, but he thinks the heart looks good. I had already cut my Metropolol in half at about 4.5 weeks post op, and the cardiologist said to discontinue altogether, so it's just Warfarin now for me. I'm really excited about that because I don't like medications in general. My heart rate did spike a little, resting rate went up to 82, but in 2 days it's already dropped to 72, so I'm happy. PA said scar looks fine.
Soreness: My chest still feels like it is bruised up, if I run my hand down the scar I can feel it. I can't sleep on my stomach either. I thought that it would be a lot better by now, but it's just a little better. Doc says to wait a couple more weeks.
Stiffness: Last Saturday I woke up with an incredible stiffness in my neck/back. My wife said I was sleeping with my head propped up too much and my chin on my chest, so I'm assuming that is why I was in such pain. I couldn't even turn my head all weekend, but 4 days later it's a lot better, but still a little stiff. I was wondering what it would feel like if I had a blood clot in my spinal column, but I'm not really a worry-wort, so I pretty much ignored it. If anyone has experience with blood clots, I'd like to know what it felt like.
Activities/Work: Still walking quite a bit. Cardiologist said 2 miles, 3X per day is good for me. I started a new role at my work and have some new co-workers that were doing a team builder at the golf course yesterday. Since it was my best chance to get to know them and become one of the team quickly, I went with them. I didn't plan on using my driver, just a little chipping and putting, but when I got out there it felt fine to lightly swing the driver, so I went with it. I couldn't get a 300 yarder or anything like that, but with solid contact I was able to go about 185. It felt like I was pushing it a little being out on the golf course this soon and my cardiologist said not to do much more than walk for 2 more weeks, so I was being a little risky. I feel good today though, so whatever. I'm not letting this hold me back. I start full time work on Monday, but I've been working about 20-30 hours a week prior to that.
Plans: I plan to start jogging in 2 weeks and when my chest stops hurting, I'll post on here how that goes. I also planned a VICTORY Carribean cruise in January to mark my expected full recovery with my wife and 2 other couples.
Questions:
1.) About the blood clot and how it feels as referenced above
2.) When did your chest feel normal again, how many weeks? Or, when could you sleep on your stomach?
3.) Jogging, how soon post-op were you able to start more strenuous activities?
4.) Echos and stuff, did your EF change much, if so how much?
Thanks everyone and keep on keeping on!
