Making headway

Recuperating in the hospital as I write this...got nothing better to do. 
 

So finally the chicken came to roost on the atrial valve side of things. I got a 29 mm Evolut Pro valve today! Doing OK so far but fingers crossed for sure… Already feeling very different… A feeling of warmth throughout my whole body that I have not felt ever before.
 

The doctor was joking if I could do all these things with pacemaker that has only one lead and heart  valves not working right, what will you do with a shiny big ass valve like this!!

Once we have some data and see how I feel and recover over the next few months, the next surgery will be to put in the second lead.

Can't wait to recover and get back on the bike and start running again! Fingers crossed…touchwood …evil eye stay out… Do not want to jinx myself

:-)


5 Comments

Nice!

by AgentX86 - 2021-02-24 22:45:40

It's great to hear of such success.  You sound like you're ready to get out of the hospital and kick some ass.  ;-)

Best wishes for a strong recovery

by Gemita - 2021-02-25 05:43:40

Dear Snortingdonkey,

Well your Evolut Pro valve looks most impressive so if that doesn't help, I don't know what will.  I really wish you lots of luck as you recover strength and get back to your activities.  A new lease of life?  Let us hope so, just in time for Spring, my favourite season.

Sounds great

by crustyg - 2021-02-25 06:11:24

You're rapidly becoming the $600k man - sounds like a wonderful improvement if you've already noticed better peripheral circulation.

Over here a lot of folk highly recommend formally structured cardiac rehabilitation classes - a bit like your local gym's SpinningTM sessions but organised by folk who understand recovery from heart issues, and this might be a good idea.

One of the biggest problems in amateur athletics is stopping the enthusiasts from over-training with all of the injuries that produces.  Tim Noakes talks about this in 'The Lore of Running', but it applies to all athletic effort and training.  The professionals have expert physios to tell them when to push and when to relax and recover - the rest of us don't.

Best wishes.

Aortic valve Replacement

by Selwyn - 2021-02-25 08:14:47

Wonderful news!  You should be a lot better with your cardiac output and you are already feeling the benefit.

It is important to be guided by your specialist as to when you can exercise as it can take some time for the valve to bed down and be incorporated into your aorta.

As for the chickens coming home to roost- best to be thankful for the three little pigs..!

All you need to do now is to get wired.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

.

Thx

by SNORTINGDONKEY - 2021-07-20 22:01:10

Hello again everyone,

Unfortunately, I got really bad anemia because of internal bleeding caused by Eliquis the doctors prescribed after the aortic valve replacement. Lots of drama - rushed to hospital, blood transfusions, iron therapies, etc. Took a few months to recover from that and then two weeks ago, they replaced my single lead PM with a dual lead PM to remove the asynchrony.

So now my body's natural pacemaker (the SA node) is driving the pace. Of course, I am still recovering from the surgeries but I tried to run today a little bit...I was winded after running a few yards...I know I am out of shape due to not exercising, about 8 additional pounds, etc. 

But I had a question if anyone knows the answer - is it normal to expect to be winded after all this and it will take some time to recover? Is it possible that the PM might need adjustment? 

Frankly, feeling a little despondent...

 :-(

You know you're wired when...

You participate in the Pacer Olympics.

Member Quotes

At age 20, I will be getting a pacemaker in few weeks along with an SA node ablation. This opportunity may change a five year prognosis into a normal life span! I look forward to being a little old lady with a wicked cane!