Terrie's Guestbook

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Marie and Everyone...Sorry, I have not reported in sooner..I had aortic valve replaced with a bovine valve April 24, 2017...Also an atrial clip put in....I ended up having to go back to surgery four hours after the first one due to unexplained internal bleeding...after not being able to eat without nausea or vomiting for 26 days, a bleeding duodenal stress ulcer was diagnosed by my primary care dr...amazing to me surgeon nor cardiologist didn't know what it was...there were lots of setbacks and suffering that could have been avoided had they been interested in why my hemoglobin was 9...why I was so fragile and why I kept dropping weight...primary care dr put me on Protonix immediately and had me basically confined to bed to try to prevent a return to hospital for more blood products...she arranged for an endoscopy...also she took me off Metformin immediately...my blood sugar went crazy due to stress of surgeries...previously blood sugar controlled by diet and exercise...I was not prepared for blood sugar issues...they even gave me insulin...I was shocked...I have completed 4 of 36 Cardiac Rehab sessions now...I was able to start when hemoglobin was 10.5...Dr. Hoffberger says he has to take about 1 patient in 300 back to surgery...1 a year....This has been extremely stressful...I thought it amazing that all the reading and research I did prior to surgery, I read not one word about blood sugar crisis from surgery and nothing about stress ulcers from surgery.....so maybe the telling of this will help someone be prepared...thanks for thinking of me...Terrie

Marie Myers  Sorry to hear about the complicated course! It sounds like quite a wild ride. Don't be shocked at receiving insulin. I am not diabetic, but they watch all patient's blood sugars closely and try to keep them reasonably normal. I received at least 2 doses of insulin as well during my recovery. And I am not diabetic!. The stress of the surgery , like all stresses can raise your blood sugar. Glad to hear you are in cardiac rehab; it helped me get back to (new ) normal. Hope the rest of your recovery is smooth!

Marie Myers  It means knowing I have to keep up with medical check ups, taking antibiotics for certain medical/dental procedures, keeping an eye on my BP, staying in shape. Before finding the aneurysm, I was pretty much a totally healthy, care-free, visit my doc once a year type of person. Had not even met a cardiologist yet...During the pre op screening, my carotid ultrasound showed some plaque build up in my right carotid bifurcation. Not enough to surgically treat, but enough to get my attention. Am getting my Ldl cholesterol down more, even though all my Bloodwork has always been in the normal range. I think it is knowing for sure that, at 63, I am no longer bulletproof. I am cutting down to 2 work days a week, and am making a real attempt to "stop and smell the roses". A big surgery like this has really brought the point home that life is short , and fraught with all types of medical /emotional hazards. Trying to stress less and enjoy more is my goal now. Hope that all makes sense...

Cathleen Weed  Hi Terrie,
I was just thinking about you last night ❤️. I almost sent you a late night email. I'm glad you were diagnosed and treated. What a nightmare. I know that all of this is life changing and can make you feel very vulnerable. Just remember you are a STRONG, HEALTHY woman and this too shall pass ❤️. You have a long amazing life ahead of you and lots of happy memories to go make. As the trauma of this experience fades with time you will get back to enjoying the little things again 🌴🌊☀️. xo Cathleen

Catie B  My goodness! I'm so sorry you experienced complications and for how stressful it's all been, Terrie. I wish they had caught your ulcer right away! I hope you are now on the mend in every way.

Terrie Hodges  What I am HAPPY about is having you in my corner!!! As someone said, "Cathleen is the bomb!!" Bless you for all you do to hold us together when we are fragile and when that is foreign!!!!😙

James Johnson  ps: I go by my middle name, Eric. This website's profile page just has first and last name for entry.

Terrie Hodges  Ok, Eric, I will remember you are James...first VA patient I have read about...my husband has VA medical care...and for the most part it has been good...thank you for support before surgery😊

Terrie Hodges  hi there, Lisa...I've already told Dr. Hoffberger how I want this done...quickly, correctly and without complications...he didn't promise...in fact he said, "I won't know how I'm going to do this until after you're asleep and I have another look." I'm glad he is taking another look...he does say, "I'm the type of man you only want to see once!" Actually, I could have done without once!😁🤣Thanks for covering it all in prayer...love you💚

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Joan...Glad I checked before bed and saw your post...thank you for praying for me and thinking about me...cardiac rehab is going to be great...you are on your way...prayers for you from me😙