Rob's Posts

Hi, it is three weeks since my operation and I thought that it may be helpful to others worried about "the other side" to explain where I am at the moment regarding the whole recovery. Of course everyone is different, as are the operations and circumstances and I can only speak from my point of view. I had a lot of advice from doctors and nurses whilst in hospital, but none of them had been through the actual operation - although they were quite correct on a lot of points. On the 19th September I had a replacement aortic valve (Edwards Inspiris) and a replacement rising Aorta. Originally I had banked on a Mini Sternotomy for recovery reasons but due to a change in surgeons was advised on a full sternotomy which I was quite worried about. The hospital where I had my operation had recently carried out a large study which indicated far less post operative complications with the classic full sternotomy as opposed to the Mini option. Anyhow - these are far wiser people than I, and although my inner self was shouting a bit about changing the situation - I went for it and gave myself over to the professionals. The morning of the operation with surreal, and I went into the operating theatre positive and submissive. Whatever the guy gave me just before I went under made the world seem a pretty good place. Waking up in Intensive Care was pretty abstract with no pain. I remember the breathing tube, it was like dreaming I was just under water with a snorkel. But like I say, I was quite sedated, so really not an issue. As I came to my wife spoke to me on the phone that they had by the bed, that was nice - I dont remember the pipe being removed. One thing was for sure, I wasnt in pain from my sternotomy, and I was not distressed. As I came to more and more, my main issue was that my lung capacity was low and it hurt to breathe in deeply. This carried through for a couple of days, which was combatted with pain killers. I was out of IC within 20 hours, and onto the ward, within 48 hours I was in much less pain in my breathing. Not pain free, but nothing regular paracetemol and Codeine wouldnt solve. The bottom line here is that it wasnt a great couple of days, but it was way better than the little picture I had hidden in my mind - the one I didnt really want to look at. Anyhow, I got steadily better and was out 5 days after surgery. My wife picked me up and drove me home one and a half hours. I was a bit pale as I was aneamic from the operation, but I could walk and easily handle the drive sitting down. My wife said I was a little withdrawn. The next week was about doing a few walks, popping a few pills, and sleeping on a large cheese wedge shaped cusion in bed. Appetite was fine, could get around no problem. We are all shielding as a family due to the operation, and I have a 4 year old son. I could interact with him, but playing was too much. Making a cup of tea no problem, handling plates and making a sandwhich all possible. The recliner I bought on ebay has been a great help, would reccomend to anyone. By the end of this week I stopped taking any painkillers. If I am totally honest, I didnt need them. I said I did, but it was more like a just in case, or some kind of comfort. I had been on them for a couple of weeks and felt one day of slight withdrawl. Things could get a bit much for me at home in the first week or so, and I would just take myself off to bed. Getting dressed and showering etc all totally manageable, although at a very slow pace. Into week 3. Able to cope around the house with most things and walk a couple of miles per day (although I was pretty fit before the operation) The chest feels like it is getting better and stronger, although I get clicks and twinges here and there. I can walk the dog, take my son out on a limited basis. Some days I feel much better than others. I feel so much better than I would have expected considering I had just had open heart surgery. I work every day for a couple of hours, although that can be tough because mentally I feel very woolly at times. The full sternotomy for me hasnt been anything like as bad as I expected. I am 46, which helps, but if anyone is wondering how it feels, I can only say that it is uncomfortable, but nothing like you would imagine. I am weak in the upper body, and have to be careful in what I do, but I can function easily as a human being. That said, it is still a challenge, no doubt about it - but the thought is worse than the reality. Anyhow 3 weeks from the operation and I am feeling very positive about things. I hear my heart louder than normal, and still know that I have had a major operation, but I can do far more than I had imagined. My only issues are with night sweats which hinder my sleeping, doctors have checked this out and its not an infection. It just breaks my sleep up through the night which can be tiring. One thing I would like to point out is that I have a lot of help from my wife. I cant lift anything over 5 kilos, I get tired easily, without her support it would be a tough tough journey. I write this to perhaps offer some comfort to people going into the operation, and if anyone wants to contact me directly they can at rob@icls.uk - I will be totally honest about my experience and offer any help I can. Good luck to you all!

Many thanks all, In my hospital room having various visits from different characters, consents, ecg's and all that jazz. The Queen opened this hospital last year, the Royal Papworth in Cambridge. I think over there in America you have the edge on technology and advanced healthcare but I would like to think I am being looked after by Royalty this weekend! If anyone is reading this is worried about going in for the operation, thinking that the closer you get the more worried you become - I can only speak from my experience, it gets better esepcially towards the end. It helped me to just let go. Speak to the staff, do your best to enjoy the process. The easiest part has been actually once I am in the hospital and all the fussing stops. My enthusiasm my be somewhat subdued however in the next 24 hours, but hey - it needs to be done. Operation is at 8AM, which is great. The next you will hear from me will be on the other side. Now, time to start watching Marvel movies in date order.