I love your picture, JuliAnne (did you steal MY PILLOW)??? Your smile says it all. It will be reassuring to many following this blog that your experience is positive. I was a 75 year old with a very active life (much walking, paddling, gym), when I finally needed a septal myectomy. I still do all of those things and you will most likely resume your active life in due time. Terror does not begin to describe how we all feel about open heart or any major surgery. Within 24 hours I was on Tylenol and off completely upon discharge. To those considering surgery, surprisingly, amazingly, there was no pain! It was a 2 day drive to Rochester, on the way home we stopped at countless rest areas where I walked easily but slowly with a walker (used temporarily). Everyone is unique, I did have a blood clot complication (quickly resolved with Eliquis for 4 months), and developed arrhythmias (dizziness and vertigo) which necessitated a pacemaker/defibrillator, both very short detours managed by my home cardiologist. Two and a half years later, the only meds are Metoprolol 50mg and the atorvastatin I had been taking for decades. Wishing you a continued flawless recovery!