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HCM-ers: Introduce yourself or just say hi
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) | Last Active: 4 hours ago | Replies (1054)Comment receiving replies
I’m a 73 year old woman who was diagnosed with HCM two years ago.
In one year it got much worse and my Cardiologist gave me three options. Camyzoes , ablation or open heart surgery. I felt like a bomb dropped on me. I went to Mayo for a second opinion and after many tests, decided on surgery. I scheduled it for September 26th. Prior to that, I started walking 3-5 miles a day for 6 months so I would be as strong as possible going into it.
I had very little pain, just very tired . I was surprised how tired I was. My surgeon, Dr Dearani was AMAZING.
I was sent home on day four. Had I “pooped” on day 3, I would have been sent home then. Thank goodness for small miracles, lol.
I wanted to stay longer, but was told “fatigue” isn’t a reason to stay.
I am supposed to walk , starting out at 4 five minute walks daily and increase it as I feel stronger.
I chose surgery because I didn’t want the restrictions of medications or the possibility of having to redo an ablation.
After surgery you need to use your leg and stomach muscles a lot to move and get out of bed. If I’d known that, I would have tried to strengthen them more also.
I’m so thankful for Dr Dearani’s skill
and happy it was so easy.
Replies to "I’m a 73 year old woman who was diagnosed with HCM two years ago. In one..."
@mbi, thank you for sharing your open heart surgery story! Dr Dearani is amazing, isn't he?
How wonderful you sailed through the hospitalization so quickly and are home in the recuperating phase. The care team at Mayo Clinic is like no other. The food? Not so much 🙂
Making the decision to have open heart surgery is not an easy thing to do. It strikes fear in HOCM hearts of us all, and many are so fearful they just can't imagine going through it.
I liked your statement that you felt "Like a bomb dropped on you" Great analogy! It is shocking to learn open heart surgery is in your future. But you did a good thing by walking and taking care of yourself as best you could before surgery.
Is is tough? Oh yes! But you are tougher!
It has not been that long, so do try and listen to your body. If you are tired, take a nap. You just had open heart surgery!
If you walked today, try to go a little further tomorrow. Walking is the best thing you can do to get back to your best self. Take care of your sternum too, and remember the weight/lifting restrictions.
Thank you for coming back and sharing your experience with others. By doing so you may have helped someone else make the same choice you did, and to not be so afraid.
Was Mayo Clinic Connect able to help you before your surgery? Did you read any posts that may have put your mind at ease a little more?
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@mbi I am so glad to read your great report! I am impressed that you were discharged so quickly! Yes, I think those who are more fit recover quicker - core and sit-ups help as you pointed out, I discovered that going to the gym and walking paid off. I remember the fatigue you describe which may be more from the anesthesia, on day four I noted (I kept a small journal) that it was the first day the desire to nap disappeared. I was discharged on day 5, at home a week after surgery. Like you, I was no spring chicken at almost 76, but here we see age is just a number. Wishing you a continuing great recovery and I hope walking becomes a permanent activity for you.