Patricia's Posts

I am almost 6 months post aortic root and ascending aorta repair. Was doing well until I found out a couple mos ago my post op moderate pericardial effusion is slightly bigger. Has anyone experienced a lingering pericardial effusion (fluid in the sac around the heart)? Were you treated w/ Colchicine? It's not unusual to have a pericardial or pleural effusion after surgery, but my surgeon said it is usually absorbed within a few months. I was on colchicine for pericarditis after my first surgery. Did great on it. Currently experiencing atrial flutter but sorting that out in next couple wks. then likely a pacemaker in near future. Small hurdles in the big picture. :)

I am a little over 4 wks post aortic valve sparing aortic root and partial ascending aorta replacement. (David procedure) Performed at Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Roselli via sternotomy. Left appendage clip done as well. I am very fortunate my aortic valve was spared. I am s/p Robotic mitral valve repair 5/2022 which was done locally. I ended up getting a total of 4 opinions for this surgery. Getting extra opinions is definitely overwhelming, but will provide much needed clarity on what is the best route. I needed to be in a high volume aorta center and a center that performs more second open heart surgeries. We live about 10 hrs from Cleveland. It is definitely more challenging to do a surgery far from your hometown, but it is doable and feels good once all the moving parts are figured out. My family stayed at the Residence Inn which was .5 mile away. Easy walk. I even walked to hospital on my surgery day. (I was afternoon case). CC has a shuttle that can take you to nearby hotels, so leaving the car at the hospital some of the time was a cheaper option than hotel parking. I had excellent care at CC. Only in ICU around 16-18 hrs. Had some arrythmia issues on back end of admission so ended up inpatient 11 days. Traveled home by plane that night. Very little pain. Airport wheelchair on departure and arrival ends were vital. This surgery is definitely tougher in some ways. More restrictions till the 6 wk timeline when sternum is considered fused. Although my robotic surgery was longer from start to finish. I returned to work 3 1/2 wks s/p robotic surgery in 2022, but it was definitely too early. We all recover at different paces so my advice is listen to your body. It will be ok. It takes energy even if you primarily work at a desk. This week has been so much better for me. Making slow progress w/ walking, but progress always feels good. Compression socks helped w/ post op swelling and circulation. Used medium which seemed to be best. High grade socks would have been too hard to get on and off first several days. Oversized button up shirt is easier to get on and off for first couple wks following discharge. I also had the pain in the back that others have spoken about. Felt like a golf ball size knot by my shoulder blade. Heat and massaging it seemed to help. Nearly resolved at 4 wks. I am fortunate and have not needed to sleep in a recliner. I figured out at about day 5 or 6 post surgery that I could lay down w/ a couple pillows pretty comfortably. The first few days are a little rough bc of tubes and needing more help getting out of bed/walking. But it wasn't as bad as I expected. Having tubes pulled and temporary pacemaker pulled weren't bad either. The provider talks you through it. I do remember being extubated in the ICU but it was not traumatic. I was told to breathe out as they pulled it out. Went fast. My first surgery I was extubated before leaving the OR. Nausea, vomiting, and a parched mouth/throat were my biggest problem in the ICU this time. N and V resolved in a few hrs or so. I am so relieved to have this surgery behind me. Waiting is the hardest part. I did not know about this community and website till several months after my first surgery. Can not echo enough how valuable it has been to me. I am humbled by others (especially those that are much younger) and have found strength in journeys others have been on. The webinar educational opportunities on this site prepare and empower us and help ease the fear that sometimes creeps in. I hope some of my experiences can help someone else. Be well.