Hi Aileen, congratulations on getting through to the other side and now with a proper functioning valve. Which is really what is important. I wanted to respond ...Read more
Hi Aileen, congratulations on getting through to the other side and now with a proper functioning valve. Which is really what is important. I wanted to respond cause of your comments about the scar and reassure you that they will continue to fade. I have a 3 inch incision from my ICD which is now bare noticeable and now 3 months post op from my MV Repair and have the pink/red line. It looks the same as my ICD scar used to right now, but I\'m sure by the end of the year it will be well hidden. I wanted to share with also the following link http://mendedhearts.org/storiesofinspiration If you scroll through the videos on the 4th page at the bottom you\'ll find a story \"Embracing your Scars\" by a friend of my Heidi Dohse. I worked with her for the past couple of years and we are working together with the Mended Hearts with another friend of mine who has a pacemaker. I hope this helps, and congratulations again.
Thank you for reading my journal and for sharing your experience about the scar. My 8" incision looks much better now, sometimes though it becomes fiery red (hope there's nothing to worry about that). I'll definitely check out the link that you sent.
Hi Aileen!
I\'m Sophie and I had my Mitral and Tricuspid valves repaired on Feb 26th. Two weeks ago. I really liked reading about the scar as I too have a 5\" ...Read more
Hi Aileen!
I\'m Sophie and I had my Mitral and Tricuspid valves repaired on Feb 26th. Two weeks ago. I really liked reading about the scar as I too have a 5\" centerline scar. Scars are just areas where God has allowed our bodies to heal. They leave us with a reminder of his grace to us. They allow us to show them to someone else and say I know how you feel, I\'ve been there. Jesus kept his scars to show Thomas after the resurrection. I had a few weak moments before surgery imagining how different I would look with a centerline scar. My wonderful husband said no matter what you will always be beautiful and the scar shows what you are willing to sacrifice for our family. For our quality of life will be better.
Blessings to you!
Sophie Marsh
Thank you for reading my journal. It really helps a lot to read about the experience of other patients and I'm lucky my husband says I'm still beautiful no matter what.
Hi Aileen,
I am 23 days away from having either a Mitral Valve repair or replacement. I\'m praying that the doctor can repair my valve so I don\'t have to have ...Read more
Hi Aileen,
I am 23 days away from having either a Mitral Valve repair or replacement. I\'m praying that the doctor can repair my valve so I don\'t have to have a replacement. I had the pleural effusion (fluid in my pleural cavity) on my right lung beginning in Sept 2012 and had to have surgery in October to keep the fluid from re-accumulating. It was extremely painful so I understand your pain. This caused my cardiologist to take a look at my heart sooner than my yearly check-up and when he said my Mitral Valve Prolapse had become severe and I needed surgery or I had maybe 6 years to live my husband and I were devastated. More tests followed and I also have severe regurgitation. I\'m scared to death to have this surgery but I don\'t really have a choice. I\'m just praying that everything goes as planned and my recovery is quick so my life can return to normal.
I just wanted to let you know that your not alone and this website has been a blessing for me.
Take care,
Michelle Wanke
Thank you for visiting my journal and for reaching out to me. Don't be scared. Had I known that my activities would eventually become limited I would've done my surgery much sooner. It's taking me awhile to recover but I now feel I have so much energy burning inside me and I can't wait to be fully recovered so I can enjoy life again with my loved ones. Will pray for you and good luck.