Home on my BIRTHDAY

[LeakyUK]

AVR Fri 27th, Home today 1st June.

Only the coughing hurts.

Usual Bumps, Minor Heart block, Intermittent A-fib, Airlock in drains, double vision, nausea.

Before surgery I determined that since I had no choice I would make the most of every minute of it and I was amazed that after 48 hrs I was fully independent, and after 5 days was home. My 58 years seemed very young in a ward where my my new friends were 70 to 81 (CABG not Valve).

I will post the details later, I am delighted with my valve choice (27mm Sorin Mechanical), My INR had to be between 2 and 3 for release and today was 2.6. Will test again on Friday.

Already feel better than before. My depression was so severe I seriously considered not having the OP, and making the most of my remaining time.

Most of all a very big thank you to everyone on this forum for your advice, support, friendship and prayers. I would not be feeling as good as I do today without you.

And after several days of nausea followed by pleasant (but healthy food), I have celebrated with Pizza and chocolate cake.

 

[pekster11]

Leaky !!!
Well done mate ! Glad the surgery went well !!! Seems as if you're making a quick recovery.
Did the NHS give you a choice of mechanical valve ? If so, why did you go for the Sorin ?
Did you have any other aorta problems fixed, such as dilation ?

Which hospital did you have the surgery done ?

There's a few questions for you to keep occupied with ! lol

 

[epstns]

Leaky - You're back, and so soon! Wonderful!

Got any pizza left? How about the beer that goes with it? (My cardio says it is OK to have a brew or two with warfarin, just don't over-do it. . . )

 

[nngbwh]

Welcome back. Remember you are still in recovery mode so take it easy.

PS: Happy Birthday !

 

[Greg a]

What a birthday

​

 

[ottagal]

Happy Birthday on THIS side of the mountain! Take good care of yourself and one day at a time.

 

[Jeri]

So happy you are getting along so well so soon. This is really wonderful news. Thanks for letting us know so soon. I certainly couldn't post too soon. God bless.

Jeri

 

[Natina13]

LeakyUK
Welcome to the other side of the mountain !!! Wishing you a speedy recovery.....and a wonderful birthday ( I am 59). God Bless.
Go Team 2011 !!!
Renee

Dx BAV 11/2010 w/severe stenosis Surgery 4/14/2011 AVR with Edwards "Magna" Bovine Tissue Valve and a Triple Bypass at St. Agnes. Fresno, Ca. Dr. Richard Gregory no complications.

 

[Chris M]

Leaky! Good to see you through the worst bit now! (Though I thought your surgery was supposed to be on the 7th?)

Sorry to hear you had some pre-op depression, I had a good few months of that myself, accompanied by terrible anxiety, I was so frightened by it all, but I never contemplated not going through with the surgery. That waiting period is the pits - I'm sure you'll agree with me that it is so much better on the other side.

I too found my fellow valve patients were largely much older than myself - average age about 80 I would say. Aside from that there were a few younger fellows who had been admitted as emergencies following heart attacks etc. Being in a specialist cardiac centre was a bit of an eye opener in some ways... these (surviving) guys were the lucky ones!

Anyway, good to see you posting and I hope to read an update soon when you're feeling up to it. I'm ten days ahead of you on this OHS journey and can tell you that I feel a little better every day (though there are ups and downs sometimes) so I'm sure you will too. As I get stronger/fitter I feel more optimistic too, which is nice.

Take it easy!...

PS.... oh, and a happy belated birthday to you! :thumbup:

 

[Paleowoman]

Happy Birthday for yesterday Leaky ! I'm 58 too !

I'd love to know which hospital you were at and how you were given the choice of valve - when you're feeling up to it ! Sorry to hear about your pre-op depression - I know I'm getting a lot of anxiety now, been prescribed Lorazepam for occasional use and I'm months, maybe a year or more away from surgery. I hope you were offered some support to deal with your depression ?

Talking of being the 'younger' patient and the rest in the ward being older and having bypass, the British Heart Foundation sent me a DVD about heart surgery, patient's experiences etc. Both patients in the DVD were having bypass, caused, according to the little film, by poor diets and smoking, both were elderly and both immigrants from India ! Talk about stereotyping heart surgery patients ! I shall give the DVD to my cardiologist in case he knows of an appropriate patient !

Anne

 

[RunMartin]

Leaky, Good to hear from you. As others have said take it easy for a while.
Martin

 

[Jason]

Great to hear you are at home, and happy birthday!

 

[WandaW]

Hi Leaky, so glad you are on this side now, getting ready for my OHS was the most terrifying thing I have ever been through. I found this group after surgery and their positive support and good info has made the bumps or low days so much better. I wish you a smooth road ahead.

 

[LeakyUK]

Pekster, I had a choice of Mechanical or Tissue. The Sorin was 'the valve on the shelf' and many UK centres use it. I was happy because it is the one my surgeon uses all the time. It seems very quiet and when I do hear it, it is a pleasant tick. Surgery was at James Cook University Hospital Middlesbrough. Feel free to contact me with any questions on the UK experience, it was very different from that experienced in the US.