Darlene Sorensen - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2469 days ago

It's been six weeks with my new aortic valve. This week's accomplishments: My muscle strength is improving so I'm able to roll over in bed without going scoot, ...Read more

It's been six weeks with my new aortic valve. This week's accomplishments: My muscle strength is improving so I'm able to roll over in bed without going scoot, scoot, scoot; I don't sleep with my red heart pillow; I was able to pull down the hatch door on our van; I walk a little over a mile in our neighborhood now; and I started cardiac rehab on Friday. I am very excited to be in rehab. But my legs were wobbly yesterday after my workout on Friday 😏. That can only get better, though. I'm helping with cooking meals, doing dishes, laundry, some cleaning. Almost no naps. So....progress is being made. One of my vague symptoms of aortic stenosis was not having enough breath to sing an entire line of a song at church. I'd have to take a breath in the middle of a line, when I didn't used to need to do that. Last Sunday, I discovered I could sing an entire line again. Yea!! God has been so good during this uneventful recovery!

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2480 days ago

Sue Sanchez Grela, Tamika J and 4 others reacted to this

Tomorrow, it will be 5 weeks since my aortic valve replacement. Every day has brought progress. I had a home health nurse come twice a week for 3 weeks. ...Read more

Tomorrow, it will be 5 weeks since my aortic valve replacement. Every day has brought progress. I had a home health nurse come twice a week for 3 weeks. I saw my surgeon, Dr. Damiano, on June 27. He has released me and I don't have to go back. I can drive now, which has been a big step. I am more sore after driving, though. I will start cardiac rehab next week and I'm very excited for that because I have lost a lot of strength, stamina, and flexibility. I'm eager to get back to normal. Larry has been wonderful and has taken such good care of me. He's been back to work for a few weeks now. God has been so good, and my recovery has been very uneventful.

Steven A Husted it does get better one day at a time i am three years out and doing fine

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2507 days ago

Bridget Supple, Sasha Saldana, Debby Morgeson and 3 others reacted to this

It's hard to believe it's been a whole week since my AVR. I came home on Monday, post op day 4. My appetite is picking up. I don't seem to have anymore swelling ...Read more

It's hard to believe it's been a whole week since my AVR. I came home on Monday, post op day 4. My appetite is picking up. I don't seem to have anymore swelling in my hands or feet. I go for a walk 3 times a day and make it around our block. Larry still has to position me with pillows in bed but I'm able to do more of it. I actually went on a brief Walmart run with Larry this afternoon. I found a chair and sat part of the time. Every day brings progress.

Bridget Supple Hang in there. I'm 9 weeks tomorrow and those first few weeks were tough, partially because I'm prett ... Read more

Bridget Supple Hang in there. I'm 9 weeks tomorrow and those first few weeks were tough, partially because I'm pretty independent. It's great that you are able to make it around the block! Take care and go easy!

Debby Morgeson Great news! I hope I do as well as you. Keep up the good progress!

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2511 days ago

Jill Krajnovich, Debby Morgeson and 6 others reacted to this

Im off oxygen now. I've walked 4 times in the hall with Larry. My pacemaker wires were removed today. Possibly going home tomorrow but definitely by Tuesday. ...Read more

Im off oxygen now. I've walked 4 times in the hall with Larry. My pacemaker wires were removed today. Possibly going home tomorrow but definitely by Tuesday. I feel weak as a kitten thoug. . My worst paini is my back, especially between my shoulder blades. But progress is being made. Praise God.

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2512 days ago

Debby Morgeson and 2 others reacted to this

Yesterday I moved out of ICU. I had my arterial line and central lines removed. Today my chest tubes and Foley catheter were removed from. Still have2 IV sites ...Read more

Yesterday I moved out of ICU. I had my arterial line and central lines removed. Today my chest tubes and Foley catheter were removed from. Still have2 IV sites and pacemaker wires still in a place. Progress is being made. Still tire easily and get winded from talking much.

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2514 days ago

Debby Morgeson and 4 others reacted to this

This is Elizabeth, Darlene's daughter. She is just finishing surgery! We spoke with the surgeon a few minutes ago, and everything went well. She did have a ...Read more

This is Elizabeth, Darlene's daughter. She is just finishing surgery! We spoke with the surgeon a few minutes ago, and everything went well. She did have a bicuspid valve. She received a cow valve. The surgeon was very happy with the results, and remarked several times how small she is, even stating hers was the smallest sternum he had ever seen! They're waking her up now, and working on transferring her to ICU.

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2515 days ago

Debby Morgeson and 2 others reacted to this

My surgery will be second case tomorrow. They'll come get me between 10-11, to put in all the lines and tubes. It will be 4-6 hours before I'm in ICU. Thank ...Read more

My surgery will be second case tomorrow. They'll come get me between 10-11, to put in all the lines and tubes. It will be 4-6 hours before I'm in ICU. Thank you for all your prayers.

Laurie Baglio Hi Darlene! You have been through the worst. All the tests and unknown that lead up to this surgery. ... Read more

Laurie Baglio Hi Darlene! You have been through the worst. All the tests and unknown that lead up to this surgery. When you wake up tomorrow from surgery, you will be on the other side and will then have one job to do and that is to heal.
I had my aortic valve replaced January 30 this year and just went back to work on Monday.
The worst part, as I'm sure you have heard, is the sternotomy. Keep a pillow close by and don't be afraid to use it. I took a small pillow everywhere I went for the first month or so. One day you will forget the pillow at home and you'll know your really on your way to full recovery because you didn't think to take it with you.
Be patient... it is a journey but the destination will be worth it. As for the scar, it's not a big deal. I'm proud of it and it has already started to fade a little. I purchased a necklace for myself from a company in California called Unbroken Heart which I found on Etsy. I wear my necklace to remind myself that I am stronger than I think and to remind myself of just how far I've come in just 4 months. God will take care of you tomorrow so give your fears to him and you will be fine. God Bless!

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2515 days ago

Wade Clark, Debby Morgeson and 3 others reacted to this

I still am not sure when I will have my surgery. Most likely tomorrow. They added on a heart transplant today. I had a very sleepless night due to my roommate ...Read more

I still am not sure when I will have my surgery. Most likely tomorrow. They added on a heart transplant today. I had a very sleepless night due to my roommate who had the TV on all night as well as her light. About 5am the nurse told me our toitoilet had quit working. So I have just been moved to a new room. God can even work through plumbing issues.

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2516 days ago

So the surgeon just came in and said there's been a possible add on for tomorrow so now I may not have surgery until Thursday. I'll know for sure by 6am tomorrow. ...Read more

So the surgeon just came in and said there's been a possible add on for tomorrow so now I may not have surgery until Thursday. I'll know for sure by 6am tomorrow. 🙁

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2516 days ago

Debby Morgeson and 2 others reacted to this

I had my heart cath. My coronary arteries are clean. So I won't have to have Bypass surgery. Just the aortic valve replacement tomorrow. Praise God.

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2517 days ago

Debby Morgeson and 5 others reacted to this

We're loading up the car to head down to St. Louis for my heart cath in the morning. Laundry is done, plants watered, dishes done. I think I'm good.

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2519 days ago

Debby Morgeson and 3 others reacted to this

My heart cath has been changed to 8am. Not much of a change. So we'll still go down Monday night. We're having fun connecting with Larry's cousins this weekend ...Read more

My heart cath has been changed to 8am. Not much of a change. So we'll still go down Monday night. We're having fun connecting with Larry's cousins this weekend at the wedding in Nebraska.

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2521 days ago

2 people reacted to this

I got my pre-cath phone call today. It is scheduled for 7am on Tuesday, May 30. So at this point we'll have to go down the night before to St. Louis. That ...Read more

I got my pre-cath phone call today. It is scheduled for 7am on Tuesday, May 30. So at this point we'll have to go down the night before to St. Louis. That kinda stinks. The nurse did say that if a later opening becomes available, she'll move me to later time. So I hope I find out in time to cancel the Monday night hotel. It's in God's hands. I will call tomorrow, though, and see if they will make any changes to the schedule over the holiday weekend. My surgery is the second case of the day, listed as "to follow the first case." So I don't have a specific time. I'll be admitted after the heart cath, once a room opens up. Until then, I'll camp out in the holding area of the cath lab. We're heading to Nebraska tomorrow for the wedding of Larry's cousin's son. So it will be a fun time.

Rose Madura Hi Darlene. We share surgery dates. I wish you the best and will be praying for a positive outcome. ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Darlene. We share surgery dates. I wish you the best and will be praying for a positive outcome. God bless!

Darlene Sorensen Thank you, Rose. I'll be praying for you too. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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2525 days ago

6 people reacted to this

Pre-op labs done. Check. I don't know yet what time my heart cath or surgery will be. I should find out by the end of this week.

Darlene Sorensenposted a journal

2533 days ago

3 people reacted to this

Hi everyone. I am just trying out this journal site. Can you let me know if you receive this? If I don't hear from you, I'll assume you can't receive my ...Read more

Hi everyone. I am just trying out this journal site. Can you let me know if you receive this? If I don't hear from you, I'll assume you can't receive my posts. Thank you, Darlene