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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: February 15, 2018

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Deb Lewis posted a photo

8 years ago (April 16, 2018)

33 days post surgery and enough energy to start seeds and organize photo albums!

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Deb Lewis posted an update

8 years ago (April 11, 2018)

Today marks 4 weeks post minimally invasive mitral valve surgery. For the past few days, I feel much more like myself. The pain at incision sites has decreased to the point that I donâ€™t notice it as soon as Tylenol wears off. Yesterday, I ran up a flight of stairs... Read more.

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Michael Eichhorn

Thanks for sharing Deb. You bring up an interesting point. I have been battling anxiety for years. Never took medication. I didnâ€™t know I had valve disease. I was doing everything under the sun for natural anxiety remedies. Reiki, Massage, Meditation, exercise (seems that made it worse) and even Indian... Read more.

Deb Lewis

Michael, may your surgery bring you even more relief! I think the stories we tell ourselves about our bodies physical sensations is fascinating. If you want to really geek out on this check out the book How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett.

Anna Jones

I have been battling anxiety too. In fact everyone says if I am not worried about something at any given time, we need to call a doctor. I just figured it is because I have been traumatized. I'll look forward to having calm moments after I heal from surgery.

Kim Lonergan

I have been wondering if my heartburn, feeling of anxiety, chest tightness is the mitral valve symptoms or not. It's so good to read your pits and have hope that after surgery those sensations will be gone. Sometimes I feel like it's all in my head.

Deb Lewis posted an update

8 years ago (April 8, 2018)

I plan on going back to work part time five weeks after minimally invasive robotic assisted surgery. How has it gone for others going back to work?

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Civita Fahey

Deb, I worked part time at 4 weeks at home. I had a mini incision with a full sternotomy.. it was fine.. you get tired at first sitting at a computer, but,everyday is better.. Though when I went back full time at the office at 10 weeks, I was exhausted... Read more.

Barbara Wood

I went back 1/2 days at 7-8 weeks. My job was not too strenuous, but I was on my feet - not a desk job. I took 30-45 min naps every afternoon, that really revived me!

Don L

I work from home, and pretty low intensity....just emails and consultation phone calls.....so I was able to start back 2 weeks after Robotic. The first couple days back, after any long conversation I was tired.