I am now 9 weeks post open heart surgery to replace my calcified aortic valve with a shiny mechanical one. My Consultant would describe my recovery as uneventful. Fortunately I have not experienced any post op complications but certainly I  have worried about them. Recovery for me has been more of a mental challenge than a physical one but this week was all about taking the next step to my former fitness.

At the beginning of the week I had my first post op Consultant appointment. My husband came with me just in case there was any bad news although there was nothing to suggest that there would be. And of course I was right. My valve is clicking away merrily and my sternum is healing well. The pain I continue to experience is normal for my stage of recovery. The only disappointing thing is having to stay on the betablockers for at least another 6 months.

The beta blocker is an amazing multi-tasking drug. I am on it to stop my heart beating too fast while it recovers. But they are also used to treat depression and anxiety. Could account for why I haven’t cried since my op. I certainly sobbed for England when I was first diagnosed.

The beta blocker does lower your maximum heart rate. An important number when you are exercising. Normally my maximum heart rate is 164.This is calculated by subtracting your age from 220. Now that I am on this drug my maximum heart rate is 100.

After the consultant visit I felt I had turned the corner. The only way is up. I felt good. That lasted for about 24 hours. I then started to feel hot and cold with a slightly elevated temperature. Before I would have discounted this as a ‘bit of a virus’ but now it was the first signs of endocarditis. I have to face the truth. I am now a fully paid up hypochondriac.

Anyway my endocarditis didn’t last long which was just as well as I had my first cardiac rehabilitation class to attend. I was suppose to have started two weeks ago but it had to be delayed due to the continuing issue of getting my warfarin level right.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a combination  of exercise and education. It has to cater for all ages, levels of fitness and awareness of healthy living. I was now the youngest in an exercise  class. That hasn’t been the case for decades. But no burpees, no assault bike and no dead lifting. Instead I  did a million toe taps, bicep curls with 1.5kg weights and stand up push ups. All very tame compared to my previous training experience but it did raise my confidence to do more and it gave me the opportunity to speak to a physiotherapist who gave me the go ahead to start jogging.

At the start of the class we were told that a dietician would be speaking to us about healthy eating. Sad to say I was quite excited about this as I had a number of questions on my diet. I was to be disappointed. It didn’t bode well when an overhead projector was wheeled in. I can’t remember when I last used one but it must be well over a decade. Does it say something about how important the NHS places on education that such old kit is being used.

The session then progressed through a very bland presentation on healthy eating. At its conclusion I asked the dietician about an anti-inflammatory diet. She hadn’t heard of it! I was fairly shocked by this as there is a fair amount of research of how some foods can cause an inflammatory response in the body. Fortunately, the physiotherapist confirmed the link between some foods and arthritis. Hopefully the dietician became friends with Google after the session.

So 9 weeks post op I am well on my way to my normal self. I have turned the corner. Hopefully it is now onwards and upwards but I am prepared for the occasional dip.