I'm Back!!

[brocansky]

HELLO THERE! I apologize for the delayed update. I got home from the hospital late yesterday and I've thought about you all so many times. The surgery was on Monday, 1/9 and went beautifully. I had a couple of very minor set backs in the hospital including a "small" amount of fluid drained from my right lung and I had low blood count of 7.7 which required a blood transfusion the evening before my discharge. After five days, I am now in the comfort of my home surrounded with my family. I have neighbors and friends bringing dinners every night for the first month. My sister is an RN and slept in the hospital with me for three nights. She's checking on me continually and did such a great job staying on top of the nurses in the hospital. She's an angel.

I am honestly shocked at how great I feel. As usual, you all were right, waiting truly is the hardest part. I just returned from a nice walk through the neighborhood. The only thing bothering me now is the ticking of my new St. Jude valve. I know I'll get used to it though. Sleeping comfortably is also a challenge but an expected one. I bought a wedge for my bed which seems to help.

Thanks to you all!! It's so amazing how much you have helped me.

Cheers to the "other side"
Michelle

ABV and Aortic Root Aneurysm
St. Jude Valve and Aortic Root Replacement 1-9-06
Sutter Memorial Hospital, Sacramento, CA

[Mary]

You look look and sound great, Michelle!:)
Congratulations on your successful outcome, and best wishes for an easy recovery.
Mary

[PJmomrunner]

Welcome back Michelle! You DO look great...and that picture IS worth a thousand words! Thanks for posting.

[hpuehler]

Michelle,

I just had my surgery on 1/4/06. I had a BAV replaced with a 23mm St. Jude. I understand what you are saying about the ticking and the sleeping. Last night was the first good night of sleep I had since coming home. My mom bought me a wedge but I have trouble laying back on it even with pillows. The couch seems to be doing the trick for now. I just returned from a walk around the inside of the grocery store across the street. It's to cold here, I can't wait to walk outside but it may be awhile. They said don't walk outside unless 40 degrees or above. That could be March here in Ohio.

Glad to know I have a fellow ticker!

Heather

[Praline]

Wow!! You look so good. And I envy you so much!!! I go in on Wednesday, January 18th for mitral valve repair/replacement, maze procedure, and one bypass. I am so scared but posts like this make me feel better. I just want to keep looking at your picture because you look so happy and like you feel so good. It is reassuring to me.
How did they drain the fluid from your left lung.? I hope you don't mind me asking..Was it very painful?
I hope your recovery keeps progressing nicely. I am sending positive thouhgts your way.
Rest now:)

[perkicar]

Michelle,
thanks for the picture, you look GREAT. Isn't it good to be on this side of the mountain??
I found it easier to sleep on my side than my back, but that was probably because of my effusion....LOL. Plus I"m used to sleeping on my stomach so that was the closest I could get. It probably took me at least 6 weeks to be able to lie fllat to sleep and not feel like I was suffocating.
Walk walk walk and take good care of yourself. You'll get used to the ticking, I notice it but it's tolerable. Better than that loud whooshing I always heard with my stenosis!

[geebee]

Michelle,

So happy to hear from you and, as the others have said, you look great. Waking up after surgery always put a smile on my face as I knew I had made it. I never really minded pain other than when they made me cough.:mad: :mad:

I hope you continue to do fine. Your own private catering group sounds like such a luxury and you sure have good people around you.

I am sure the wedge pillow will help you. I had a wedge for my last surgery and it worked most of the time. Occasionally I would not use it and sleep partially on my side with pillows propping me from the back (a trick I learned in the hospital). I seemed to want to be supported from all sides. Maybe it was just a security thing.

Take care and keep smiling.

[tobagotwo]

Getting home is a big part of the battle. Stay on top of the breathing, and try to have your head and shoulders up when you relax, as well as your feet.

Walking and other movement is good. Remember, you don't have to power walk to get benefit from it.

Glad you're on this side of the mountain.

Best wishes,

[Karlynn]

Welcome home! What a great picture - you look so healthy!

I'm glad you are feeling so well, just be careful not to overdue it. Our bodies are pretty obnoxious in the ways they let us know when we've done too much. You can just be going along nicely and BAM, it's sucker-punched you. Do what you feel up to doing without getting worn out.

[ultimategirl63]

Welcome back home!!

Well you look absolutly GREAT!! so glad your doing good...

Hugs Carolyn

[joanne6]

Michelle,
You really do look great. I hope you still have that big smile on your face. As everyone has said-rest, breathe, walk and don't do too much too soon.
It is so nice to see a picture of someone on the site. I have no idea how to post a pic.

[Phyllis]

Welcome home Michelle and keep that beautiful smile on your face. Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery. Hugs to all your care-givers too!:)

[jkn2kids]

Michelle-
Glad to see you made it back!!! I hope my surgery comes out as well as yours since we both had about the same things wrong.Congratulations on your successful surgery and I hope the rest of your recovery will be nice and smooth.How long was your surgery?

[Jims]

Hi Michelle,

I guess Dr. Ingraqm took good care of you too! What size valve did you get? It is really good to know that you will be getting better and better evey day. Remember to take it easy. I had a lot of problems with a-fib during my recovery and it lasted for more than 4 months. Usually it came on when I tried to over do things in cardio rehab.

I feel great now...You will too and soon! I wish you a quick and restful recovery.

Jim

[gadgetman]

Michelle,

Maybe we should make that picture our poster for the "Post Surgery" forum. What a smile!!!!! Good to see everything went so well. Breathe, walk, eat, drink and sleep, sleep, sleep. Did I mention REST????:D Take things a little easy for a while.

May God Bless,

Danny

[hensylee]

you sound great. you look great. Welcome home. Blessins.....

[aussigal]

I am SO thrilled to see your lovely smiley face,,,I have been checking each day in anticipation of your posting...


How marvellous you look and sound...you look better than me and there you are all tied up still with lil tubes..


how are the kids Michelle?

They are probably fine seeing how well you look,,,

BIG CONGRATS....

now be a good girl and rest !


bet is awful nice to be home...

love and gentle hugs
ton

[BDMc]

Michelle, You've raised the bar for posts after surgery! The picture is terrific! Wonderful to see that smile! Take care, Brian

[PamO]

Meals for a month? Can I come live with you????

Congratulations! You look great!

[Dustin]

Best wishes and health for many years to come. That smile and thumb are fantastic. :)

[catwoman]

Michelle:

You look great!! You should be a poster person for valve replacement surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just think, you could probably recoup what your surgery cost. :D :D

Seriously, you should become used to your St. Jude valve ticking away. Mine was very noticeable at first. The only time I notice it now is when I'm in a small, tiled room, i.e., a bathroom.

[bvdr]

Michelle, it is so nice to see you post-op and know you are safely home and recovering. I hope all continues to go well for you. Your smile says it all.

[Paul117]

Congrats on getting home!!

It gets better every day

great picture.

Paul