Gerald's Posts

It took almost thirteen weeks but the numbness in my left hand is finally better. After the pacemaker surgery I was told I could not raise my left arm above my shoulder for 8 weeks. It seems once that restriction was over the numbness started going away with me being able to raise my left arm so I figure there was something in my left shoulder pinching the nerve. I've been in cardiac rehab for about three weeks and they are just starting to push me. I'm sure they have their protocol on how much to push their patients but I was hoping to be doing more by now. I'm doing well except for another bout of diverticulitis. My G.I. Doctor wants to do a colonoscopy but my surgeon says unless it's an emergency I have to wait six months. Except for those minor issues I'm doing well. I'm back to work and I can sleep on my belly. The only thing that still hurts from the valve replacement surgery is when I sneeze. I feel very lucky and blessed to be where I am in my recovery. If a 61 year old out of shape guy can handle this surgery I'm sure those still anxious about having their valve replaced should feel confident in your ability to have the surgery and recover in time. Just do what your doctors tell you to do, educate yourself and don't be afraid to be a strong advocate in your recovery.

I'm just past 10 weeks AVR and 8 weeks from pacemaker surgery. To be honest I was hoping I'd be a little better off than I am at this point. I'm probably back to where I was before surgery but I can't seem to improve from where I am now. I still have tightness around both surgery sites but it's only uncomfortable not painful. I started cardiac rehab last week since I wasn't getting anywhere further on my own. They are starting out like I hadn't done any previous exercise. I hope they start pushing me more. I'm sleeping well at least and I'm back to work in two weeks so I hope things improve quickly.