Week 5 post op. I have transitioned from days. Feeling great. Getting my step goal in everyday. I am able to do easy yard chores now but nothing crazy like... Read more
Week 5 post op. I have transitioned from days. Feeling great. Getting my step goal in everyday. I am able to do easy yard chores now but nothing crazy like mowing the grass that my son does. You start getting better and forget sometimes that oh I shouldn't try and move this! Still told that I can't ride my bike yet they tell me after 3 months. Eating and sleeping are back to normal however I'm still about 8lbs less then my pre op weight but doesn't seem to be a concern. All the best Heart Warriors stay positive and stay strong 💪
Daneen Douglas You are rockin it Darrell! What is your step goal, BTW? So happy for you and your progress! Keep up ... Read more
Daneen Douglas You are rockin it Darrell! What is your step goal, BTW? So happy for you and your progress! Keep up the great work!
Valerie Allen You sound good! Keep up the great work!
Rose Madura Wonderful update. Listen to your doctors. You'll be able to ride that bike soon.
Darrell Malone @Daneen my goal is 8000 a day now. The reason I dislike walking and prefer to ride is actually due t... Read more
Darrell Malone @Daneen my goal is 8000 a day now. The reason I dislike walking and prefer to ride is actually due to a hip issue I have around 10000 steps I usually start to feel my hip acting up. also I don't do it all at once.
Daneen Douglas Yeah that makes sense. I can understand riding your bike will be helpful when you’re able. Hope you ... Read more
Daneen Douglas Yeah that makes sense. I can understand riding your bike will be helpful when you’re able. Hope you’ll be able to do that in the next couple weeks. I’m doing 3,000 steps right now and also not all at once. Was going to bump it up to 4,000 but have to get rid of this vertigo first! Seeing the docs today for my follow ups so we shall see.
Darrell Malone Hope that your appointment helps get your vertigo figured out. I have not had to deal with that. Keep ... Read more
Darrell Malone Hope that your appointment helps get your vertigo figured out. I have not had to deal with that. Keep doing what you can.
Yumiko Ishida Do you have access to a stationary bike? I imagine the bike restriction is similar to the driving res ... Read more
Yumiko Ishida Do you have access to a stationary bike? I imagine the bike restriction is similar to the driving restriction, in case of an accident, or maybe it has to do with the twisting motion? I’ve been having a foot issue that predates my surgery, so I can walk, and I did walk in the hospital, but mostly my form of exercise is on a stationary bike.
Darrell Malone @Yumiko I do not have a stationary bike but I do use an elliptical from time to time. It's nice and ... Read more
Darrell Malone @Yumiko I do not have a stationary bike but I do use an elliptical from time to time. It's nice and smooth I use it on the lowest setting. They don't want me to ride until 3 months in case I fall, I understand that. It's great to have an alternative though I'm glad you do also. Take care
Sue Maize You’re making wonderful progress Darrell! Well done! Think about a nice ride about mid-summer—I ... Read more
Sue Maize You’re making wonderful progress Darrell! Well done! Think about a nice ride about mid-summer—I’m sure there’s lots of great trails near KW. 😊
Day 28 Post Surgery Yes things move fast. I have mentioned before that walking is not a favorite activity for me, however I am walking everyday ...Read more
Day 28 Post Surgery Yes things move fast. I have mentioned before that walking is not a favorite activity for me, however I am walking everyday between 6000-10000 steps. Some I will do on the elliptical only on the lowest setting. Sleeping is getting better since I can side sleep sometimes so that helps. My energy is very good maybe because my appetite is much better and sleep is better too. I can't wait to get the thumbs up for getting back on the bike even if it's just the flat community trails. Take care Heart Warriors and good luck with your journey.
Sue Maize Wow, time flies! Wonderful progress Darrell—appreciate the update! You sound like you’re having a ... Read more
Sue Maize Wow, time flies! Wonderful progress Darrell—appreciate the update! You sound like you’re having a model recovery! Keep posting—need to hear these encouraging reports! 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Rose Madura You are doing great. Make sure your legs are strong for the bike ride. I had issues on my first ride ... Read more
Rose Madura You are doing great. Make sure your legs are strong for the bike ride. I had issues on my first ride and when I was crossing our busy street, I didn't have strength in my right leg and I just fell over (like Arte Johnson on Laugh in) I'm showing my age! I laugh about it now but wasn't laughing then. Plus you want your sternum to be healed. But I'm sure you are in much better physical shape than I was. 🪖❤️🩹
Daneen Douglas Sounds great Darrell! You’re doing awesome! I’m 16 days post op but only walking 3,000 steps righ ... Read more
Daneen Douglas Sounds great Darrell! You’re doing awesome! I’m 16 days post op but only walking 3,000 steps right now, but trying to increase a little each day. Maybe I’ll make it up to 6,000 by my 28th day!
I have been walking about 7500 steps a day now will try and increase a little as long as the body says so. I still do not ...Read more
DAY 21 after surgery
I have been walking about 7500 steps a day now will try and increase a little as long as the body says so. I still do not enjoy walking however! Appetite is almost back to normal and my senses are almost back to normal too. I found I was still foggy but it has seemed to cleared up. My focus is much better now. Sleeping at night is terrible yet. I'm not sure why? maybe the meds? I have an appointment with cardiologist this week so maybe I should ask him!
Overall I feel that I am improving everyday so that's the goal.
I hope everyone's journey goes well. Stay positive and the best advise here that is repeated many times over. Listen to your body.
Marie Myers Glad to hear things are going well with your recovery. Sleeping was tough for me also. It took months ... Read more
Marie Myers Glad to hear things are going well with your recovery. Sleeping was tough for me also. It took months for me to get back to better sleeping, and I think that happens to a lot of us..
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Darrell! I’m 21 days post-aortic valve “redo”replacement (full sternectomy) and I am taking ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Darrell! I’m 21 days post-aortic valve “redo”replacement (full sternectomy) and I am taking two pleasant .7 mile outdoor walks a day. My meds were causing fatigue and thankfully my cardiologist removed one and split the dose on another. Maybe ask your cardiologist? I feel so much better during the day. Sleep is gradually getting better but my left back shoulder pain is the main cause along with side effects from the meds. I will begin 3 walks a today. You are motivating me!
Daneen Douglas That’s awesome Darrell! Continued recovery. Onward and upward! ❤️
Rose Madura You are doing great! It wouldn't hurt to discuss that with your cardiologist. Sleep after OHS does ta ... Read more
Rose Madura You are doing great! It wouldn't hurt to discuss that with your cardiologist. Sleep after OHS does take time to get back to normal. Keep up the good work.
Sue Maize That’s amazing Darrell! Kudos to Dr. Ashe and to you for doing the work! Keep checking in! 🙌🏻 ... Read more
Sue Maize That’s amazing Darrell! Kudos to Dr. Ashe and to you for doing the work! Keep checking in! 🙌🏻
Awesome job!! I am also having a hard time sleeping. Thanks for sharing that. Glad you are doing gre... Read more
Awesome job!! I am also having a hard time sleeping. Thanks for sharing that. Glad you are doing great with everything else
Day 14 after surgery I am now able to walk further without stopping My appetite is better My senses are coming back to normal, taste, smell Had ...Read more
Day 14 after surgery I am now able to walk further without stopping My appetite is better My senses are coming back to normal, taste, smell Had a minor setback last week but got that all sorted out with a visit to the family doctor. Incision is healing really well. Still not sleeping great at night. Things move fast in recovery and I can't wait to get back on my bike because I really am not a fan of walking.
I hope everyone's journey is going well.
Ana Brusso Congratulations Darrell. You will be riding your bike in no time, just be patient and take it one day ... Read more
Ana Brusso Congratulations Darrell. You will be riding your bike in no time, just be patient and take it one day at a time. God bless you 🙏❤️
Grace Mason Great post Darrell. Glad to hear you are doing well.❤️
Sue Maize This sounds amazing Darrell—you are definitely getting better with each day and it won’t be long ... Read more
Sue Maize This sounds amazing Darrell—you are definitely getting better with each day and it won’t be long before you’re back on your bike. Just be patient with yourself. ❤️🩹
Robert Miller Sounds like you are doing well. Looks like you are doing mountain biking. That's harder on your chest ... Read more
Robert Miller Sounds like you are doing well. Looks like you are doing mountain biking. That's harder on your chest (lots of vibration) and falls can be bad. So make sure you wait 12 weeks or whatever your doctor tells you.
Hello HVS I got to come home yesterday and it felt great. Since my surgery I have definitely had good, bad and ugly days. The ugly for me was the ...Read more
Hello HVS I got to come home yesterday and it felt great. Since my surgery I have definitely had good, bad and ugly days. The ugly for me was the bowels but finally seems to have worked out (no pun intended). The bad I would say was just being at the hospital I was inching to get home. The good I would say was great to. I had a great support team in the hospital who new what they were doing. My surgeon I would say has great knowledge and instincts who is very reassuring when sometimes you might feel overwhelmed. My family support was great too always by my side. My wife especially even dealing with her own challenges is literally my strength and rock.
Side Note- Has anyone experienced their senses being super sensitive. Smells can be overwhelming, temperatures, taste, sight like can't focus long with phone (maybe a good thing) and even just emotions?
Hello HVS. Doing pretty good. Sure takes a lot out of you. I've have been up for walks. I did have some nausea but I think I'm on the right track.
Susan Dunne Heart valve warrior. Glad to see you are doing well. I had my surgery FEb. 19 and I am doing great ... Read more
Susan Dunne Heart valve warrior. Glad to see you are doing well. I had my surgery FEb. 19 and I am doing great ...so will you be. Take things as they come. Don't try to rush them. Time has really improved things with me and it will help you heal too. You made it. Keep us posted on your recovery. 👍🙋
Have catheterization scheduled March 8. Boy am I nervous about this due to the fact I will not be knocked out. Although I have read the information booklet ...Read more
Have catheterization scheduled March 8. Boy am I nervous about this due to the fact I will not be knocked out. Although I have read the information booklet it doesn't really help with my anxiety because it's just a booklet after all!
Pam Dahl My husband had this last week and did great. Luckily they went through the wrist. He said he didn ... Read more
Pam Dahl My husband had this last week and did great. Luckily they went through the wrist. He said he didn’t feel anything and the procedure itself was only about 20 minutes. Best of luck to you.
Darrell Malone Thank you. All the best to both of you as well
Darrell Malone Well that step is done. All went well. Easy Peasy. Was worried for nothing. Staff was great. Didn't ... Read more
Darrell Malone Well that step is done. All went well. Easy Peasy. Was worried for nothing. Staff was great. Didn't really feel anything.
Hello, I joined here a
little while back. So grateful to have a site like this. I have been
hesitant to post anything. I am getting much closer to having ...Read more
Hello, I joined here a
little while back. So grateful to have a site like this. I have been
hesitant to post anything. I am getting much closer to having my bicuspid
valve taken care of. Still have some test to do. Because of this
site I have a much better understanding and have been able to make more
informed decisions a long the way so far. Thanks to all the Doctors here,
Adam and all the other folks having gone through or are like me starting this
journey.
Hello, I joined here a little while back. So grateful to have a site like this. I have been hesitant to post anything. I am getting much closer to having ...Read more
Hello, I joined here a little while back. So grateful to have a site like this. I have been hesitant to post anything. I am getting much closer to having my bicuspid valve taken care of. Still have some test to do. Because of this site I have a much better understanding and have been able to make more informed decisions a long the way so far. Thanks to all the Doctors here, Adam and all the other folks having gone through or are like me starting this journey.
Feeling great.
Getting my step goal in everyday.
I am able to do easy yard chores now but nothing crazy like... Read more
Feeling great.
Getting my step goal in everyday.
I am able to do easy yard chores now but nothing crazy like mowing the grass that my son does.
You start getting better and forget sometimes that oh I shouldn't try and move this!
Still told that I can't ride my bike yet they tell me after 3 months.
Eating and sleeping are back to normal however I'm still about 8lbs less then my pre op weight but doesn't seem to be a concern.
All the best Heart Warriors stay positive and stay strong 💪