11 week post mechanical AVR update (32M. On-x)

Hello everyone! I just wanted to give everyone an update on my recovery from my mechanical AVR on 1/15 after posting about some complications I ran into. My surgery itself went well and was out of the hospital in 4 days - had surgery on a Thursday and was out by the following Monday. Unfortunately, I then had to go back the next day with fevers of 103 degrees. They almost immediately suspected MRSA bacteremia (blood infection). I was in the ER for roughly 30 hours where I was battling intense fevers and PVCs. Almost at the same time I got a room, my fever broke with the correct cocktail of antibiotics. That was some of the worst hours of my life.

After 5 days in the hospital with a heparin drip in one arm and dueling iv antibiotics in the other arm, I woke up with a bunch of swelling above my incision going into my neck. They found that fluid was building up behind my incision and I needed to go back to the OR so they could open me back out and wash out all the fluid. I then received a wound vac and was in the hospital for another 6 days. All in all it was about two weeks in the hospital.

After getting home with the wound vac it was smooth sailing for a couple days until my first dressing change when something began to clog the machine and I had more fluid building up. I then snagged my vac on a door knob and started bleeding significantly which led to them taking it out all together. I’ve since been doing dressing changes 3 days a week outpatient at the hospital and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Should be all closed up here in the next week or two.

In addition, I had 8 weeks of at home iv antibiotics through a PICC line which I had removed two weeks ago and the latest blood cultures came back negative.

Even with all these things going on, I (physically ) feel fantastic. I started cardiac rehab at week 6 and it’s been a huge confidence boost. The last few weeks I’ve been walking at rehab/the gym about 2.5-3.5 miles and adding in 1-2 mile walks with the dog 5-6 days a week. I was pushing it a bit and got my heart rate up to 160 one day and my cardiologist said no way until I’m at least 12 weeks out so he wants me in the 130-140 range while working out.

My providers (and Apple watch) are telling me I’m pushing it a bit too hard but I really don’t feel like I am. I’m trying my best to not push it too much, but I’m typically a very active person and like seeing the progress week to week.

The one bugger has been my INR. Since becoming more active (and reintroducing salads and leafy greens) my INR has dipped to 1.9 and back to back 1.6 readings. Because I have a newer on-x my range is 1.5-2 after 12 weeks, but they want me above 2 until we get there. Happy with the consistency but it’s a pesky game to play.

I go back to work next week which gives me some nerves, but overall I’m feeling great and almost back to “normal”. I would say I almost feel better than I did pre-surgery. To all those approaching surgery, even with complications, you’ll feel stronger than ever so have confidence that while things do happen, you’ll be on the right track for sustained health regardless.

Grateful for this community and all the support. I would have felt a lot more alone and anxious without this group. I appreciate you all.