Well I’m pleased to say that I’m now on Week 10 and life is most certainly getting back to normal.
On week five I returned to work which I found hard work to begin with so I just did half days. However the NHS Recommends at least 8 weeks. My employer was very understanding and half days were absolutely fine.
On week 6 I started driving again, my insurance company insisted that my doctor agreed for me to drive. My doctor was not happy seeing me regarding this, to say the least. Your insurance company actually have no right to demand you see a doctor. All the details are written on the DVLA Website which basically says you can begin driving whenever your ready (from memory). I also at this point returned to work full time.
Since then I’ve just been having fun, I think I’ve been out every weekend since week 6 for beers whilst also working hard to improve my diet and doing the odd bit of photography.
At the start of Week 10 I signed up to fitness first and started doing some cardiovascular training to try and shift some weight and keep my heart healthy, I intend to do this 3 times a week. I will be moving onto some weights as well later into my recovery. I must also add that Fitness First is the best gym I’ve ever been in, they have so much gear and the changing rooms are nice. Not to mention free DVD Rental, Steam Room etc.
On another note, my shortness of breathe has gone completely and tiredness only happens after hard days at work, I think going to the gym will also help to reduce this further.
My scar is healing nicely and runs from the bottom of my ribs to the top of my chest.
If you have any questions feel free to get in touch, especially if your sat at home worrying about having it done.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Anthony,
Intersting article. I have a bi-cuspid aorta valve with mild to moderate stenosis, first discovered 2.5 years ago during a routine medical. I haven’t suffered any effects as far as I’m aware other than tiredness but that might just be the result of long hours and middle age (mid 50’s). However, my consultant is keen to have the valve replaced next year. He wants me to think about the sort of valve I would like - mechanical or tissue. Just interested in what you chose (if you had a choice) and why.
November 26th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your comment! The tissue valve will only last 10 years so I would still be pushed towards the Metal Valve. The only down side is having regular blood tests (4 - 6 weeks), taking warfarin and the ticking.
The prospect of having the operation done again was enough to put me off a tissue valve. It really is a choice you have to make for yourself, but I am sure the Metal Valve was the right choice for me.
I hope that helps,
Anthony
December 3rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’ve be dianosed w/ severe regertation in my aroitic valve and a 50% blockage in one of the major arties feeding the heart, I’m going to see a cardic sergeon tomorrow who will schedule surgery. I’m worried about the amount of pain I can expect to have following the surgery… what was your experience? I just need to ask someone whose been thru this.
thanks,
Mark
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your comment. The pain is absolutely terrible, just kidding. Its actually a lot less painful than I expected it to be.
I had the surgery at about mid-day and woke from it about 11pm that night. At this point I was pretty out of it from all the drugs, absolutely no pain, atleast none I can recall.
Just the day after I was taken off Morphine and put onto Paracetemol. Again, very little pain its quite awkward to move. Whilst there is minimal discomfort I was very aware my chest was weak, your not allowed to lift on your arms, even to help yourself out of a chair, for 6 weeks. But you will have plenty of people to help you.
Within 3 days I was walking, showering. The only thing I would be aware of (that I wasn’t before the operation) is that they collapse your lungs which will make your breathing very shallow, this will take some time to improve. Mine is still repairing now after 3 months.
What this mean is, after a short walk you will be extremely out of breath to begin with. The more you do it, the quicker it improves.
I hope this puts your mind at rest. I was absolutely terrified before having it done. Hence why I took the time to write this.
Anthony
December 3rd, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Sorry, that sounded a bit weird at the end. I mean hence why I took the time to write about my experience, not the reply. Best of luck Mark and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Hi Anthony
I am scheduled to have my aortic valve replaced this April. My consultant has pretty much left it to me to decide which replacement I go for.
My original thoughts have been to go for the tissue valve as I like a beer or three and my job means I’m often cutting myself. Neither of which seem to go well with warfarin.
Interested to hear you have been out for beers at weekends. To what extent has this affected your warfarin. I look forward to a beer at weekends but this seems to put me in the binge drinking category, as I understood alcohol destablised warfarin due to the peaks and troughs of alcohol.
Time has moved on for you, have you reached a point that you feel back to normal. My job albeit part-time is house maintenance and this gives me some cause for concern when I might be fully fighting fit and if I will have a job to go back to.
Nigel
January 5th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for your comment, I drink every weekend, just make sure your regular blood tests are for a Friday (i.e a week before your next test from when you go out).
With regards to cutting yourself, if your INR is too high it can make bleeding a real problem. If you look after yourself and keep your INR reasonably stable it should be fine.
That said either way, in a manual trade you shouldn’t be returning to work for 6 months because of them cutting your sternum bone.
I can honestly say my choice hasn’t prevented me from living a perfectly normal life. The only real problem I have noticed is bruising. I only have to do something like bang my arm hard, lift something on my shoulders and they mark pretty badly.
Its your choice. It will go fine though. The thought of going through the operation again was enough to put me off having a tissue valve.
Best Wishes,
Anthony