After two weeks at Mayo, I was discharged home. Within 3 days I was struggling to breathe and wound up admitted to my local hospital for another 9 days. I’m finally home and improving every day. There were two surgeons who performed my 8.5 hour surgery during which my aortic and mitral valves were replaced and my tricuspid was repaired. Recovery has been a bumpy road, but I think I’m finally on the mend. Just don’t ask me yet if it was worth it 😊

I chose tissue valves rather than mechanical, and must take Coumadin for three months. Apparently the risk of blood clots following this type of surgery is significant. My greatest challenge lately is finding a dosage which keeps my INR in the 2-3 range. Turns out that is not easy - at least not for my body.

I have some arrhythmia that didn’t exist before the surgery, but other than that I’m told that my heart’s in good shape and my valves are working beautifully. The hope is that over time the arrhythmia will resolve on its own. I look forward to the day when I feel better than I did before the surgery. For now I’m happy to have progressed enough to shower, dress, and toilet on my own without assistance. A lengthy hospital stay definitely destroys your dignity. It is good - if nothing else - to once again feel like a grown-up.