8th October 2006
Something I have been meaning to add to this website is the fact that approx 2 years after the operation, I received details of a Carpentier-Edwards Annuloplasty Ring that was used to repair the Mitral Valve, together with a credit-card sized card to carry with me in case of an emergency. There are several different types of these rings, and after checking with my consultant I discovered that it was a Carpentier-Edwards Classic Annuloplasty Ring that had been used for my repair.

24th April 2005
Still going strong. I have included some new feedback received recently from various people. It certainly makes me feel that this website has been worthwhile, and it is a pleasure to read emails from people that have found it very useful.

5th Dec 2004
I had a check up a while ago with the Consultant, and the Murmur was completely repaired with no traces of any leaking.
On 6th Dec it will be 1 year since my operation. Everything is fine, though I still get quite tired after work and quite often I have a sleep after work.

29th May 2004
Feedback from South Australia.
Still get a few twingles with chest muscles after 6 months. Occassionally need a sleep after work for an hour or so.

18th April 2004
Everything's going fine. I've seen the doctor last Friday, and it's OK to come off the Warfarin, I am to phase it out and then take a small amount of Aspirin daily. My chest wound is completely healed. Last week I went swimming and did 5 lengths of the pool. Finally almost back to work full time.

29th March 2004
The second week I worked a little longer. Today I had an appointment with the Cardiologist, who checked my pulse and carried out an ECG, and was pleased to report that everything is still OK. I should be able to come off the Warfarin in about 3 weeks, but will have to reduce the dosage by about 1mg per 2 days. Once I have come off the Warfarin I have been advised to take a small amount (0.75mg) of Aspirin daily, which will protect me against going back into affibrilation (irregular heartbeat).

I started back to work this week on a gradual return, starting with 3 half days, working Wed to Fri mornings. Thursday evening went swimming, and did a length of the pool, it felt much better on the chest this time, as previously it had felt quite tight. I have also had a couple of bike rides late afternoon to get some exercise.

13th March 2004 (14 weeks after operation)
This weeks visits to the Cardio Rehab had me working harder for the full session. Today walked up Cunswick Fell, and found it easier than ever before. Starting back at work next week on a gradual return basis starting with 3 mornings (Wed - Friday).

8th March 2004
Manage to get out on my bike at the weekend, including a ride out of Kendal on the Sunday.

4th March 2004
Resting at home following the Cardioversion. Below is a copy of the reading showing the irregular heart-beat before the procedure.

3rd March 2004
A funny thing happened on the way to the hospital. I decided to go by train from Kendal to Lancaster and I met Kate Ford on the platform (aka Tracy Barlow from Coronation Street), and got her autograph.
Later at the Nuffield Hospital I had a Blood Test (to check my INR level), Blood Pressure, Weight taken and an ECG prior to the Cardioversion. I was wheeled into the Theatre, and a drip was put in my wrist and 2 large pads (defibrillator paddles) put onto my chest. After being anaesthetised, at 4.30pm about 30 seconds later everything went a blur, and I woke up less than 10 minutes later still in the Operating Theatre, and the procedure had been completed. About 160 joules of charge had been administered to me.
I experienced a slight burning sensation where the pads had been which is normal, but this soon wore off. My wife came to pick me up, and I had left by 7pm.

28st February 2004
The Cardio Rehab course this week move up another level, I was asked to work hard for the first 10 minutes and easy for the last 10 minutes, the time went quickly, I think this rehab course is excellent, it gets you doing relevant exercises that are beneficial to your recovery that you would not otherwise consider doing. Driving the car is getting easier without any noticeable amount of aching chest muscles.
Received new excellent feedback from Sara Quickfall of Cardiac Surgery Redesign Manager (see Feedback page).

21st February 2004
This Thursday, the Cardio Rehab course was slightly more difficult, moving up a level so that each exercise was slightly hard. Also went swimming, but took it really easy for the first time, only swimming almost 2 widths of the pool, the rest of the time socialising with people I know. Friday I cycled around Lytham St Annes in the sunshine visiting some friends, by the time I got back to my flat in St Annes I had cycled 8 miles. I have also now got a date for the Cardioversion, to correct my heartbeat rhythm, which will be at Nuffield Hospital in Lancaster on 3rd March.

15th February 2004 (10 weeks after operation)
Walked up Winder and Higher Winder near Sedbergh in the Howgills, being my most adventurous walk so far with my wife and the dogs, taking it very steady on any steep inclines.

12th February 2004
Today was my first time going to the Cardio Rehab course at Westmorland Hospital (this is to run for about 4-6 weeks). We did warming up stretching exercises for the first 15 minues with keeping walking on the spot all the time, followed by different exercises one after the other. About 20 of use stood in a circle and there were different exercise sheets on the floor in front of us, every 30 seconds or so we would move to the next exercise. After about 20 minutes of this we then walked slowing in a circle to cool down, changing direction every now and then.

10th February 2004
Today I got notification of an appointment with the Cardiologist to discuss the electrical cardioversion. The appointment is set for next Monday 16th February. After my first rides on my bikes for over 2 months, my calf muscles were aching a little the next day. I am taking it very steady with driving and cycling, not trying to do too much too soon. The other day I bought some healthier Marmalade to try, the only problem is, the lid is too tight and I can't open it, even my wife couldn't open it! - My Mother-in-law came up with a solution to hit the top with a spoon, and it worked!!

7th February 2004 (9 weeks after operation)
After driving to Lancaster University from Kendal to pick my daughter up, (a return distance of about 60 miles), my chest muscles were aching quite a bit. It just goes to show why you shouldn't attempt to drive before having your check-up, even with power steering! I also managed to go for a ride on the recumbent tricycle, and even though I was very relaxed, I could still feel a little discomfort in my chest. The next day I had a go on my 2-wheeler (Vision), and felt a lot better this time. I start on the second-part of the Rehab course next week which is more cardio-vascular exercises.

3rd February 2004
I've had a few blood tests, and the results decide what dosage of Warfarin I should be taking. I also started taking Sotalol to slow my heart rate down, but this had an adverse effect on my asthma and after only 3 tablets was taken of these. A few days later and I'm just getting back to normal after being quite out of breath. Since being advised that I can drive and cycle, we've had snow, ice, rain and floods in Kendal, so I haven't had the chance yet to have a go cycling. I hope to try swimming again very soon.

26th January 2004 (7 weeks after operation)
Appointment at Lancaster Royal Infirmary to see the Surgeon for a check-up. When I arrived I had a Chest X-Ray and an ECG (Heart tracing). The X-Ray was fine. However since the operation I have developed a slightly irregular heart beat, which is actually quite common after this sort of operation. The heart is actually beating a little to fast, and I am likely to sense some palputations, I hadn't really noticed them before, but now I am more aware, I think I can detect them now and then. What is required is a simple electical charge carried out by the Cardiologist which should correct this. In the meantime I am being taken off the 300mcg of Aspirin and put onto Warfarin for the next 3 months. I believe this procedure is called a electrical cardioversion.

22nd January 2004
This weeks visits to the Rehab course were to do with Diet and Risk Factors. It has been a bad week; weather wise, and due to constant rain for several days, I not got out for a good walk on a few occasions.

16th January 2004
This weeks visits on Tues and Thursday to the Rehab course have been learning all about the Heart especially about the values and arteries, and also How to cope with Stress, and it's management of not letting it build up over a period of time. Each session ends with a period of relaxation.

Today I went on my most adventureous walk so far walking from the High Dam Car park to High Dam Tarn and on to a peak overlooking Lake Windermere. By the time we got back to the car 2 hours had passes and about 3 miles had been covered. I slept well this afternoon.

8th January 2004
The Cardiothoracic Liaison Nurse, phoned me today to see how I was progressing. She said that it should be OK to try to sleep on my side as long as it was not painful, and that I should hear very soon about my check-up at the hospital (normally 6 weeks after the operation).

7th January 2004
Yesterday I started my Rehab course at Kendal's Westmorland Hospital which involved around 10 of us listening to a talk on general things to do and not to be doing on your recovery. At 49 years old, I was the youngest person there, by at least 10 years, many were in their 70's, and all of them were looking very well. Today I walked into the outskirts of town (Kendal) and back.

2nd January 2004 (4 weeks after operation)
Went for a walk along the beach at Lytham St Annes today, walking briskly for about 30 minutes, my wife and daughter had difficultly in keeping up with me, though I didn't think I was walking that fast, just at a steady pace!

New Years Eve 2003 Today I walked up Cunswick Fell from the top of Scout Scar with my wife and the dogs. As you can see I was well wrapped up, the temperature was pretty cold, according to the signpost just up from the car park, it was 1.25 miles to the summit. That made it a round two and a half miles walk for the day. I had a good sleep in the afternoon. Happy New Year.