Surgery went well and I'm on the mend

[Bike Writer]

Hello Dear ladies of TE, my heart valve replacement surgery went very well, I was released from the hospital on Wednesday of last week and am at my sisters home recovering. It's been slow going and I tire very easily but day by day get stronger. How I miss riding! I hope that some of you will put on a few miles for me? Yesterday was the Tour de Livingston a group charity ride in my neck of the woods that I've attended each year since I started riding again, I've followed it along on FB and today's article in the newspaper where the event drew a 30% increase this year over the 750 riders last year. It was warm but rainy all morning and early afternoon yesterday however you can read about the TdL here http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20121015/NEWS01/210150316/Bicyclists-go-extra-miles-help-neighbors?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage

Like most of you active ladies, recovery can be very frustrating and far too slow compared to what we want. Perhaps to help alleviate the frustration of the recovery journey I'll blog about it instead of complain about it. Maybe it'll give others who are facing similar surgery a sign of hope or something to commiserate about as they complete their own recoveries.

Thank you to all who have expressed concern and prayers. Prayer is indeed miraculous.

[maillotpois]

Glad things went well.

Yes, recovery can be frustrating, but good for you for recognizing that right off and channeling that energy into something specific. Heal up and take care of yourself - and listen to your doctors. You have many years of riding ahead of you.

[jessmarimba]

Good to hear! Hope you're up and going full steam soon. Recovery is mind-numbing, isn't it? Let us know if we can do anything!

[snapdragen]

I'm glad to hear surgery went well. Give yourself all the time you need to recover, you will be stronger than ever! Will you be doing cardiac rehab?

[Melalvai]

Thanks for giving us an update. I've been thinking about you. My husband's new-found stepmother is in a similar situation, she went in for one surgery and ended up having heart surgery first.

[uforgot]

Thanks for the update. I too was wondering how you were doing! I hope you continue to improve and keep us posted.

[OakLeaf]

I'm very glad it went well. Thanks for the update ... best to you for your continuing recovery!

[TrekDianna]

Yes, great to hear.Thanks for the update.I was beginning to wonder.

[Wasp]

That's great news everything went well, and the surgery is behind you. Best wishes and speedy recovery.

[DebSP]

Take good care of yourself and wishes for a speedy recovery!

[emily_in_nc]

Glad you are on the mend! Thanks for letting us know...

[shootingstar]

Take an easy.. but we'll hear about your cycling forays in a few months. :)

[solobiker]

Happy to hear!!! Take care of yourself and as Shootingstar said...Take it easy.

[marni]

best wishes for a quick recovery and the patience to deal with recovery in general. Take the time to plan a couple of goals for the tuture, and a couple of bike dream trips- do lots and lots of on line research-hang in there and before you know it, you'll be back to riding. Blogging is a good idea, too few people write about dealing with life difficulties like a healthy person recovering from something major. It will help to inspire other bikers who may need the adivce and thought.

best wishes and lots of healing light.

[ny biker]

I'm glad to hear that things are going well.

I've known several people who found that talking about their experience with major surgery helped them deal with the process. So I would think that blogging about it might be helpful for you, as well as any readers who might benefit.

Of course you're always welcome to vent here as needed!!

[Bike Writer]

Thank you to all for warm wishes and thoughts. I feel stronger a little bit each day. I long to be back on the bike but for now I'll satisfy myself with other pursuits like outdoor strolling. With knee problems and working on my feet most of my life I've not been much of a walker except treadmills for exercise before knee problems. Right now it's my only way to engage with the outdoors.

Snapdragen, I have no plans for cardiac rehab as the Dr. has not ordered it, however it's mentioned in the book the surgeons office gave me. Do you know much about this?

Muirenn, yup the bike is often given as a form of exercise for surgery recovery, the cardiac surgeon is a cyclist because when he asked where I live he mentioned that he often rode to Whitmore Lake from Ann Arbor and we discovered that we both enjoyed bicycling. The surgeon who did my knee replacement is a cyclist also and deals with his own arthritis as well. I would think that those are both good endorsements for the benefit to joints and heart health that a bike can deliver!

jessmarimba, mind-numbing, good description.

shooting star you made me laugh :D

[shootingstar]

Ok, BikeWriter. ..you must have read my latest blog post. (I don't think I said anything too funny..here. Just good wishes. :))

[Wahine]

I'm glad to hear that surgery went well. Cardiac rehab is a very helpful thing when it comes time to get back into activity and I would encourage you to ask your doctor about it since he hasn't mentioned it to you yet.

Good job keeping your head on straight! Continue to heal well!

[Crankin]

Nice to see you back, Bike Writer. I am sure that your recovery will progress nicely.

[roadie gal]

I'm so glad everything went well! Definitely call your doctor(s) and ask about rehab. Let them know you want to be able to do vigorous exercise in the near future. A lot of times doctors aren't clued into the fact that their patients want more than to just be able to get around. Heart docs, in particular, are used to older folks who aren't that healthy.

To use my own example... I got a pacemaker at the age of 45. Before getting it I had a LONG discussion with the doc about how I wanted to be able to run and bike and ski again. I think it was eye opening for him.

Make sure they set up a program for you that gets you going as soon as safely possible. I'm sure there are some rehab folks that are more keyed in to athletes that you could go to.

[pinsonp2]

When you are a bit closer to being back on the bike, maybe you could organize a TE ride/lunch (whatever) for those of us who live not that far away. I would certainly come to help you celebrate your return to the bike.

Best wishes for a quick recovery,

P2

[Tri Girl]

Yay! Glad to hear that the surgery went well and that you're on the road to recovery!!! Before long we will be hearing about your wonderful bike adventures again. Miss seeing you around, but glad to know that you're on the mend and that you'll be back on your bike soon! :)

[Crankin]

Yes, definitely talk to your heart doc. My DH's cardiologist gave him restrictions, which DH was intelligently able to discuss with him and prove why he didn't need to take such precautions. Cardiologists are not used to healthy people who exercise vigorously.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm glad you're doing well. On the bright side, our weather has been sorta crummy and if you have to be off the bike, better to have it happen in the Winter, right? Come Spring you'll be healed and ready to roll! :)

[Bike Writer]

Roadie Gal, Wahine and Crankin,

A good friend is a PT and I may also discuss this with her as she knows me well (former ski buddies), also another friend has a home health care staffing business and could discuss this with her also. Doc knows how active I am as we got onto the biking subject prior to surgery. He is a cyclist too. When we discussed the various procedures available for the valve replacement 1) mechanical lasts a lifetime but can have complications if you are a very active individual 2) tissue has a 10-12 year longevity before a repeat surgery is necessary and 3)Ross procedure, this is where the discussion evolved into activity levels. The Ross procedure is twice as complicated but has the best prognosis for longevity and is usually reserved for healthy, young and active persons. He had some patients who were well past 20 years and no repeat surgery in the near future. That is the problem with valve replacement, unless you go mechanical you are pretty much guaranteed to have to repeat the surgery in the future. He indicated that I was a candidate for this and he also wanted a back up plan in case once he got in there that was not a viable option. He was able to do that procedure and commented that the "procedure was made for you" which bouyed my spirits right out of the chute when we talked after surgery.

Today I asked the Doc office if I could ride a stationary bike and it was okayed with the caveat that I do not lean forward or use my upper body too much. My only restrictions are weight related, no lifting, pulling or pushing over 10 lbs. I have not had much pain at all but have been careful about the pushing and pulling. Prior to surgery the Doc said, you are strong and will tear the mesh that is used to help the breastbone heal if you don't follow the 10# limit. He indicated that that bone would take 8-10 weeks to heal. I take him at his word.

pinsonp2 , that sounds like a lovely idea for spring! I'm going to try to come up with something for that.

To all the others who have expressed well wishes, thank you.

Shootingstar, yes I have read your recent blog postings, however for some reason your comment here tickled me.

[Owlie]

Glad to hear recovery's going well. I hope it continues to go well!:)

[snapdragen]

After my father had his bypass surgery, he went in for cardiac rehab. He liked it, it helped him get his fitness back, while making sure he didn't over do it. I don't know a lot of the details though.

[AppleTree]

Bike Writer, glad to hear your recovery is going so well...lots to look forward to in the next season! Winter is a good time to recover and make small steps to get stronger and feel better. You'll get there.

[Bike Writer]

I received a book on bicycling from one of my TE friends Hebe from the UK, I read a few pages before drifting off last night and I dreamed of riding all night or so it seemed. Not any special place I normally ride but a mixture of terrain from cobblestone little streets (none of those around here), to paved roads and gravel roads, pieces of pathway and everything in between. In my dream I sailed up hills chuckling that I was no longer out of breath. In my dream I rode for miles and miles. Nice. Sweet.

[thekarens]

I received a book on bicycling from one of my TE friends Hebe from the UK, I read a few pages before drifting off last night and I dreamed of riding all night or so it seemed. Not any special place I normally ride but a mixture of terrain from cobblestone little streets (none of those around here), to paved roads and gravel roads, pieces of pathway and everything in between. In my dream I sailed up hills chuckling that I was no longer out of breath. In my dream I rode for miles and miles. Nice. Sweet.

Awesome dream and something to look forward to during your recovery!

[Scrappy]

Happy Trails in your dreams are better than none. I'm glad to hear you're on the mend :)