Jeff posted a note for Cami that says: I am following your story and wish you the best of luck! I will need a similar surgery in the near future and am curious about where you are having the procedure done and what type of aortic valve you have selected. Take care!

Rick Holstein posted a note for Cami that says: Hang in there. Before long it'll be fixed, you'll feel better, and all of the worry will be a distant memory. I had my aortic valve replaced in October 2012 just after turning 50 years old and did my first bike ride in December 2012 (I was a bike racer before). Everyone is different, but my pain was never that severe.

This website was the best thing I found to get me ready for the surgery and the recovery. After consuming nearly everything I could on this site, by the time I got to the hospital I really had no questions. The only "surprise" I had was the amount of sweating that you will do at night the first week or two after surgery, and a lot of that is due to the pain medicine, which I was only on for a week.

So, read all you can on this site, prepare yourself and your family, and feel better soon!

david davis posted a note for Cami that says: I had the aortic valve replacement oct 23, 2013, and now I feel great. I went back to work part time after 2 1/2 weeks and full time at 3 1/2 weeks. The pain is not as bad as you would anticipate and the weakness you experience right after surgery goes away with exercise. I hope you do as well as I did with the procedure. Warn your family about how pale you will look in ICU so they wont be frightened. Once they remove the respirator in ICU, everything else should be a downhill slope.

Candy posted a note for Cami that says: Rolls you have it. How many dozen do we need. Without Ben I am never sure... I hear Bryan is following Dads footsteps. I will make sure you have some to take to the hospital with you. Will go good with the Jell-O.

Candy posted a note for Cami that says: That sounds wonderful. Just don't put yourself out. You need to be resting. What can I bring? I'll being the entire meal if you let me.

Candy Peck posted a note for Cami that says: Please give me a call. I wanted to check and see if you want me to come up to the hospital Monday night and stay with you. I will come up and check on you after work, but I will be happy to spend the night with you. Have done it with Ben and other family so much it feels like I should with you. Please let me know.

Meredith Bray posted a note for Cami that says: I know, right?! I'm looking forward to the after-effects almost as much as I look forward to a special vacation. To be able to sleep all night, go out on the kayak for a day, ride a rollercoaster, walk across a parking lot :) Glad your family is helping you keep it all together! This was an inspiring post for me to read, because I'm feeling the same way. WE GOT THIS!

Clare posted a note for Cami that says: Glad you have family around you. Try to spend the next few days enjoying them...I learned that the house doesn't fall down if I am not cleaning all the time. You are right, soon the pain will be a little blip on the screen and you will be feeling better. Prayers from Missouri.

Yvette posted a note for Cami that says: Yes, I feel very blessed to have found this site. I was searching other things and this popped up. Truly by the hand of God! I do not feel so alone in this now. I have plenty off caring family and friends that are wonderful. But they cant answer my questions, worry about pain, discuss the dreaded vent tube...

Hope you're sleeping better, I have the past couple days.

Yvette in Missouri posted a note for Cami that says: Wow...Can I relate!! Except that I have known about mine since I was 5. But this upcoming surgery has been a whirlwind of tests and such. I also am in panic mode about how we are going to make ends meet. I only work part time, but we need that part time income. Everyone says it will all work out, but it sure causes me worry. I also have not had a solid nights sleep since all these tests began 2 weeks ago. I have never been a good sleeper, but this is getting insane! My surgery is March 5th. I get a new valve and root.
Best wishes to you and I would say try to get some sleep...but it's just not that simple

Lynn Ennis posted a note for Cami that says: Hi Cami,

I had an AVR in November. I only found out I had a bicuspid valve a few months prior, so the whole surgery story was pretty shocking. I did much much better, in every sense, than I thought I would. I am going on 4 months post op and I have a ton of energy and strength. It was not an easy experience but there was no choice. Try to relax and concentrate on healing. You will be surprised how quickly you go from weak to strong. When it's all over, you will be in a much better place in many ways.

Clarr posted a note for Cami that says: Glad the cath went well. I will pray that you get some sleep soon. I know about the nsomnia thing...it is no fun.
Take care.
Keep us posted.

Karen Moffat posted a note for Cami that says: Are you feeling a little down because you know your scar won't be nearly as long as Dad's? We are really pretty glad you won't have the "bunny pajama zipper" length scar...and not just because he wants to retain the record.
All day I have been thinking how blessed you have been.Throughout your life you have always had such a big heart, soon it will be a strong heart! Faith and prayer and gratitude for the medical training and skills that will make this possible.

Mom

Meredith Bray posted a note for Cami that says: Good morning Cami! Many prayers and calming thoughts for your heart catch today. Mine's next week. Make sure you pee a lot. A LOT!

Tom in KC posted a note for Cami that says: Please use this site as an outlet to ask questions and share thoughts and concerns. I suspect your questions, concerns and fears are the sme as ours were.
My surgery was on Dec 27th in KC. Actually it wast the same hospital where I had a heart cath in 1965 to find out why I headache art murmur from birth. We were getting ready to leave the KC area or Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Which we not real close to good medical facilities.
At 6 plus weeks I feel pretty good. Still some soreness t he top of the sternum.

I'm going to cardio rehab 3 morning s. week. Been doing that for 3 weeks now. Plan to do that for 12 weeks. They add more time or more speed each session.
My surgeon was so backed up that my 3 week first visit was scheduled for the 4th week, but I had the stomach flu (that was exciting on the sternum) that day and had to reschedule. So I go next Wednesday, and probably will start back to work a few days later.
By the way, those green hills are white and have been that way all month. It is supposed to get to the 40 to 55 range starting tomorrow. We are tired of white yards, driveways, streets and 10 foot piles I the parking lots.

Clare posted a note for Cami that says: I should also say that my surgeon let me drive at the one month mark. I got to run errands today while all three kids were at school! It felt great to be independent again. I made four stops and then rehab and haven't had a nap today at all.
take care

Clare posted a note for Cami that says: My mother in law did "move in" while i was in the hospital. I did not have many symptoms pre-surgery. I was in the hospital seven days, released and then I went back in for three days because they thought I had an infection. I stopped the pain meds on day 10 post op and went to regular tylonal. Pain level was manageable with that. I started rehab last week. They have me on a treadmill for 30 minutes each day. I also walk at the gym here...about 2 miles on the days i don't have rehab. I empty the dishwasher, swith laundry and light cleaning. I can't lift anything yet, doctor ordered, but feel stronger every day. Hope that helps.

Tom in Kansas City posted a note for Cami that says: Cami,
In the bigger picture having he surgery can be scary, but the alternative isn't a good one. I expected to be very nervous, but my trust in God kept me calm and got me thru it. Most are in the hospital 7 days. And roughly 8 weeks off work.
My aorta and aorta valve replacement was on Dec 27th. A holiday present to make sure I see age 57 and many, many years beyond.
I know that God will keep you at peace, and I will pray for Him to watch over you, your surgeon, the medical team and your family. You'll have to deal with not picking up the kids and go easy with household chores for the first month.
Feel free to ask lots of questions.
Note: my wife and our adult daughters have visited your area about 6 years ago. Beautiful country.
Tom

Tom in Kansas City posted a note for Cami that says: Cami,
Welcome to our world, especially that of aorta valve replacements.
I have to believe that you will feel much better after recover.
I'm not an insurance expert, but I think the fact that you have the surgery in March is a good thing (on the old year). I is mine tht way, nd based on the number of people. On this site. That had them late in the year, I think others did it for timing.

Clare posted a note for Cami that says: I am 46 and had my bicuspid valve replaced on 1/9/14. I have 3 active kids ( ages 4,7 and 13). I was I the hospital for about 10 days but have been taking care of myself, with my four year old's help, since the so my husband could go back to work. You will probably feel so much better when it is over. Good luck with everything. Keep us posted.

Mom posted a note for Cami that says: When I look at what you have done functioning at 10% capacity I am truly in awe. You have kept going when it was so difficult to do so. How grateful Dad & I are for the knowledge & skill of those who found and can fix you up. Now you might be eligible for your very own heart poem from Kierstin!

Kari posted a note for Cami that says: There are easier ways to get Jello, you know:-p

Kar

Julie posted a note for Cami that says: Hang in there sis. Lots of people are praying for you all the time! You are the most wonderful person I know!!!

Brooke posted a note for Cami that says: I am the first one to sign your journal! I'm nervous for you, Cam. But you're an amazingly strong person, my sister! :)