One week after open heart

I am still amazed that I was home 3 days after open heart aortic valve replacement. That is unreal to me! Although when I left I was still short of breath and in a lot of pain it was far nicer to mend on my own sofa.

The worst for me is the back and arm pain. It is horrible and constant. I can't lay down or sit in one place long. Home health nurse thinks it's gas, surgeon thinks it's muscular and someone else said damaged nerves from surgery. Whatever it is needs to stop. Anyone else have these spasmodic type pains in the back, shoulders and arms? Of course the sternum hurts too, but this is a different animal!
Overall, I'm happy the surgery went well and truly happy to be alive since they found the stenosis just in time. "open like a cocktail straw" is what they said after the catheterization last wednesday..2days later I'm filleted open getting a new mechanical valve. I am grateful to be here. I'd be even more grateful to be rid of the back pain tho!

Good luck and blessings everyone,
Pam