Naomi's Posts

Naomi - I am sorry to hear that you are frustrated, and in pain. Are you pushing yourself too much? It seems to me you are doing good, so take a little time to pat yourself on the back and celebrate the good work you are doing. Everyone heals a little differently, its true. Based on the pain you describe though, have you talked with your doctors about this? Maybe it is some sort of reaction to the wires as you said. Is the pain constant? Does anything seem to help ease it? If you haven't already, I'd just let your doctor know, just make sure that you are not having some reaction. :-) Do something extra nice for yourself - you've come a long way! Maybe a foot massage or a pedicure or heck - both!

Hi Naomi - so sorry your are in such pain and are discouraged. Recovery is a roller coaster and the first 4 weeks were VERY challenging for me. I am 7 weeks post op from Mitral Valve Repair... I get the burning sensation in my chest wall when I have had too much activity in my upper body and arms. Today I drove my car too much and am having difficulty getting the burning to settle down. This happens every time I do too much. It doesn't seem like I am doing much at the time, but my body says I am. This could last for a few days, we will see. At 3 & 4 weeks I was taking the narcotic type pain killers. My hat is off to those who take Tylenol and it works for them. It did not for me. Have you asked your Doctor about the pain? Aside from overacticity, he might be able to address it. At 4 weeks I got into a similar funk. My expectation of healing (or as you say, "normal) as presented by the Doctor at 4-6 weeks did not match how I felt. And I was so discouraged. Read my first Journal entry, as that was my first entry here in this community. (Note I mentioned doing some stretching with my arms). I thought I would be feeling pretty great at 4 weeks, and I wasn't... I had lots of pain and couldn't do nearly what I thought I SHOULD be able to do. That expectation set me up for disappointment. The Doctor was very pleased with my progress, and at 4 weeks I was able to do most basic daily activities, which I guess equates to "normal." And in retrospect was tremendous progress when I looked back at how much more I could do compared to previous weeks. So be easy on yourself and check to see if your activities are beyond your healing progress of your sternum and muscles. I don't know what wires you speak of unless it's the wires they put in to hold the sternum together. I am not aware of any pain related to that for me. And as far as the healing going slowly... It seemed like those first weeks were the longest weeks ever. I empathize with you. Hang in there. You are doing better than you think. Rest and pat yourself on the back for the progress you have made!!

There is no problem in being down. I'm sorry that the doctors told you you'd be "normal" (whatever that means) so quickly. Mine told me that it would take months to get over surgery and then more months to get to a point where one isn't tired so frequently. The pain and sensations of the chest come and go (5 months after surgery). Be careful of pushing yourself too much and let a doctor know what you are feeling.

It makes me CRAZY that surgeons are telling people that they will be "back to normal" in such a short period of time. I do not know what their definition of normal is, certainly not completely healed, or if they are completely divorced from REALITY. Send a message out asking who was "back to normal" in four weeks. I do not think that you will have any takers. I hope that you can get in front of the pain. Pain tends to pull anyone down. Any pain meds that you can take?

I would call the surgeon's office, or cardiologist or family physician. It might be nothing more serious than healing muscles pulling together, but it could also be some type of infection or lung thing. Let them check it out. I never had anything at all in or around the incision, but I had a lot of pain in the ICU and recovery unit, as one of the chest tubes must have been lying on a nerve, and no pain med would move it. Otherwise, doing well a year after. I wish you a speedy recovery too.

So wonderful to hear from you! Hallelujah that the infection is cleared, heart sister. We are all different, but it sounds like you are being extremely ambitious in your walking. I am nine weeks out, just started rehab and am only allowed to get barely out of breath, if at all while exercising. Only 18 minutes on the treadmill. Be kind to yourself. I pray that the rest of your recuperation is smooth. Sending hugs.