Phyllis Scrimgeour posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Chris, I'm glad you are home and feeling better. I didn't know about this journal earlier as the notice went to my spam. However now I'm signed up and wish you the very best recovery. Love, Phyllis

Renee Radocaj posted a note for Christine that says: So good to hear of your awesome recovery (minus the needle thing). Enjoy being spoiled!!!

Linda Johnson posted a note for Christine that says: Welcome to the other side. I too had fluid drained (more than once) and it does get easier over time. Heartt surgery is a major event that increases gratitude exponentially!
Good luck.
Linda

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Christine, Glad to see you made it home ok. I had to have both of my lungs drained out with that fluid. He said he got about a 2 liter bottle. And I did feel a whole lot better to. Just remember to keep up with your spirometer. Right now that is your very best friend. I started walking around the house every so often not wearing my self out. The next day I would do just a little more walking. The I got outside and walked a little more. Your body will tell you hey I've had enough. Its a long road back but the worse is over now and its just uphill from there. Hope you have a speedy recovery, better days ahead.

Judy & Jack Aasen posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Chris (and Gord and Family),
Sooooooo glad all went well !!!!!!!!!! We are thinking of you - while enjoying wine on the back deck. Take it easy and let Gord do the "mothering" ! I'm sure he is an excellent cook and caregiver. If he needs some easy recipes, tell him to give me a call. All our love, J&J

Jim Jones posted a note for Christine that says: Christine
So pleased to hear the surgery went well! I hope for the very best over the next few days as you continue your recovery.
All the best

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Christine that says: Hey Christine, Glad to hear your surgery was a success. I knew it would be, so with that welcome to the other side of the mountain. It is wonderful over hear and the grass is good for your cow valve. Just take it slow but try and add a little more each day. Each day will be a better one and before you know it you will be up and running around. God is good to all of us.
Until later

Sharon and Gary posted a note for Christine that says: We are so relieved to hear that your surgery went well. You have always had a strong heart!

Sharon and Gary
Carmacks YT

Sue Stodola posted a note for Christine that says: So glad to hear that everything went well. I'm sure your recovery will go just as well. Hang in there and feel better soon.

Jim Jones posted a note for Christine that says: Great news, Christine. Here is to daily improvement in the coming days.
All the best

Ernie posted a note for Christine that says: I hope your surgery is great and your recovery as quick and painless as possible.

Debbie Cross posted a note for Christine that says: Christine,you will be in my prayers,can't wait to hear from you!

Jim Jones posted a note for Christine that says: Best of success tomorrow, Christine! Here is to a wonderful result.
All the best

Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12 posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Christine, Just want to wish you all the best tomorrow. You will do fine and be so glad when it is over. It will be a whole new day and each day after will even be better. It is a long road back but very doable. Just don't over do but rest and go a little further every day. I will keep you in my prayers. Keep us all posted. Hugs

Sue Stodola posted a note for Christine that says: I'll be traveling tomorrow but my thoughts will be with you. Good luck with everything and know you'll soon be on the good side of all this - recovery and a new Christine.

J. Alexine Law posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Sis,
I have returned from Northern Ontario and visiting my birth family. That was quite an pleasant experience.
But most importantly, how are you and have you had your surgery yet. Jordan thought you had but I thought it was the 8th.

I will call you later . Jordan and Cynthia thought you had been in already and the surgery was complete.

Hugs,
Alexine

jeff o posted a note for Christine that says: Hello Christine, sorry to read about your surgery being postponed, that had to be hugely disappointing. We're scheduled for same day now. Hope everything goes great for you.

Sherry Bradford posted a note for Christine that says: Chris - while I was on your stie, I looked at your June posting on your symptoms. That is one to print out and put someplace where you can see it after your surgery. You are going to be shocked at how amazing it feels to do things that you just thought you didn't have stamina for. Truth is, just a little less oxygen does some weird things and being able tnow to walk up and down stairs without getting out of breath, or actually running for little spurts with NO problems is just astounding! I thought I was a real wimp from a workout perspective and now I realize that, although my symptoms were not drastic, they were not "normal" either. Most healthy people actually have quite a bit of stamina, walk without thinking about where they are going to find to sit down, and get up and down without feeling the least bit dizzy! :-) Who knew!?!? :-) Hang in there! Recovery is not a cake walk but the rewards are MUCH more than you might be expecting at this point. Let us know when the new date is scheduled and try to just relax and enjoy this little bit of extra pre-pre-op time!

Sherry Bradford, AVR and ascending aortic graph on 10/23/2012 posted a note for Christine that says: Chris - I know this is disappointing but you definitely do not want your surgeon touching you until they are ready. This is "another" surgery for them - but for you it is likely one of the most important surgeries you will have and their peace of mind and being rested and ready is super important. Channel that disappointment into soaking up the additional time with your hubby. Try to rest and relax and remind yourself that your very best days with your newly reconditioned heart are coming and that is worth the wait! You are in the prayers of many many folks and after this is all over you will look back and be able to see how this weird timing glitch worked out in your favor and for the best! Hugs and best wishes!

Sue Stodola posted a note for Christine that says: I can imagine how disappointed you must be. Did you get a new date for surgery? It will all work out - hang in there.

Sue Stodola

jeff o posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Christine hope you're doing well. You have a lot of people pulling for you.

Lynn Ennis posted a note for Christine that says: Good Luck Christine! I will follow your progress.

Ernie posted a note for Christine that says: Love your smile in your photo. You're going to do great!

Sandy Wummer AVR 5/9/13 posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Christine, I am 11 weeks post Aortic valve replacement and i slept in be when I got home. On the advice of someone on this site, I bought a wedge pillow, about 18 inches height and it was wonderful. I used that for a few weeks after surgery. It was nice to be in my own bed yet elevated. I got button down the front Pjs cause hated having anything against the incision. also bought a comfortable cotton hook type sports bra a few sizes larger and that was a very helpful tip. at 11 weeks i sometimes forget i had anything done! I actually feel better than before.. keep posting, I found my fellow heart patients very helpful learning that my sometimes strange symptoms were actually normal. best to you!

Suzanne posted a note for Christine that says: Christine: I generally agree with Deb's comments, but every patient will recover differently.

For example, I slept in my own bed on my back and on both my left and right side on the 5th night post-surgery. However, because it took a lot of planing to change positions in the least painful manner (someone compared it to planning for the moon landing!), I usually only slept for 2-3 hours at a time.

On the other hand, I needed a shower chair (and my husband and dog as lifeguards) for about a week. I also appreciated having baby shampoo as that made the process much easier.

Most people will not need handicapped parking. Most OHS patients will be restricted from driving for 4-6 weeks. By the time they can drive, most patents can walk for 30 minutes.

I'm back at my desk job, more or less full time, at 6 weeks post-op.

Best of luck to you in the surgery and on a speedy recovery.

Deb Ziegler posted a note for Christine that says: Hi Christine,
You.willll be able to do a lot more after surgery than you think you will. Exhaustion is more of an issue than pain the first couple weeks. You will be able to sleep on your back as long as you are propped up with pillows (or a wedge pillow). If you are in average physical condition, you will not need a power lift chair....your legs should work just fine. I found a power recliner to be awesome because I could sleep in it or rest in it all day. A recliner with a lever to pull might be difficult/painful to pull. I didn't need a shower chair, but it might be useful the first week or so. All the meds you go home with can make you kind of light headed. All in all though, I was able to do a whole lot more than I thought I would.
Godspeed and good luck! Stay strong.....

gabrielle stinson posted a note for Christine that says: You and me both Christine! Me first though on Thurs then you on 29th. I also feel very calm and grateful too that something is gunna be done so I can get my life back. Hang in there girlfriend. (I am a 72 yr old woman) Keep in touch. Gabi x

Dr. Landry ;) posted a note for Christine that says: Glad you finally have a date for surgery. I'm guessing you'll be surprised at how much better you feel after your recovery. Best wishes for a successful procedure!

Ernie posted a note for Christine that says: I don't have a date yet for my surgery, so congrats on getting one for yours. I've read so many people comment that the anticipation was worse than procedure. I wish you well.

Marian H. posted a note for Christine that says: Hope the pre-op assessment went well yesterday. it's a great way to identify pts. needs before they have their surgery. The need for post op homecare is often identified as well as pre existing health adversity.
Watch some comedies, have some good belly laughs before all the happenings to your body!
Our soon to be two year old grandaughter has just arrived. They are attending a wedding of one of Tris's school friends, so are away just now. Anthony has been a physio and has recently commenced medical school. his soon to be wife is in the nursing program. It's a long rod of schooling for them!
Maya has grown so much. She looks like nurina' mother! tris calls her Minidil- after Adilla- the mom.
All is well here. We think of you-especially now. M&T

Hi Christine, Petunia is cute too. Maybe we could start a new club, I guess it would have to be a farm club. Good luck
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

Hi Christine Glad you are doing so good in getting eady for your surgery. Sounds like you have done all your homework and are ready. You will do just fine, but if something opens up and you can get it done sooner by all means do it. You wont be sorry. Like everyone says the waiting is the worse part of this process.

I am so happy with my cow valve "Elsie". I told the doctors that I couldn't have a pig cause we could not have pigs where I live. But now I look at cows in a whole different way lol. Good luck to you and I will keep in touch with you.
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

Hi Chris,
I'm very impressed with the way you are approaching this.But,Please don't wait too long as,there is no real benefit to it.I was asymptomatic for a long while and then ,it just snuck up on me kind of quick.
Best of luck and I'll be sending prayers to you along the way......
Al Zebal. AVR,maze, 1/1713

Hi Christine,

Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row, and I wish you all the best with your surgery. It won't be as bad as you are imagining. The waiting is the worst!
I think I can shed some light on why they don't want you to give your own blood. I went to Cleveland Clinic for my surgery, and I really wanted to give my own blood. They didn't tell me no, but they highly discouraged it. The reason is because heart surgery patients have better outcomes with blood that is less than two weeks old, and you cannot give your own blood within two weeks of surgery. At least that is what they told me at CCF. I actually ended up having a blood transfusion because I had very little urine output after surgery. They decided to give me blood to help the kidneys, but it turns out I had a malfunctioning catheter and as soon as they replaced it my urine output was fine. Not sure I really needed the blood, but I didn't have any ill affects from receiving it.

Godspeed and good luck......you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Deb Z

Hi Christine,

Great to hear your arteries are super clean and you are taking the steps to get your ticker fixed.

If you need anything, please let me know.

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

Sorry Chris..yes it was from your brother...I didn't realize I had to sign off. I ran out of room. .. Tom ..

Hey Chris..we have a common medical condition..stenosis!..Mine is in the lumbar spine...Yours is in the aortic valve. Unfortunately, I don't think there's a replacement program for me. I do wonder if I should have my heart checked, or do you know if any of us sibs. are at risk? Thanks for letting me share your journey. I will hold positive thoughts for you.
stenosis:abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structur

Hi Chris, Im trying to get mu email all caught up and saw this. I saw your post about putting on gowns. I want you to know that when I have to do it now, I ask them the opening in the front or the back. Not going to do that again. That was embarassing. I bet I turned every shade of red there is lol espically when one nurse was a male even if he was from ICU. Have a good day and hope all is going good for you.
Mooing all over
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

Hi Christine. Welcome to HVJ you have come to the right place. You will make so many friends they turn into family. I am now in recovery from AVR and an anuersym on my ascending aorta. I have a cow valve and about a 3 inch dacron graft to replace the anuersym. The surgery was 5 1/2 hours but I didnt feel a thing. The worse part of all of this is the waiting. Yes my surgery was long and complicated but I feel so much better now then I did. I am going slow and am just starting to get around some. The recovery will be a long walk but it is so doable just listen to your doctors and body. Dont overdo and you will be fine. Please read my journal and you will see it is pretty much like everyone elses. I have been pretty lucky with the full sternomy of 7 inches but I dont have a any pain at all. Keep us all posted. We are all here for you. If you have any questions you will get an answer. Good luck to you
Mooing all over
Linda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12

Hi Christine.

Your experience sound somewhat similar to mine.

I was diagnosed with stenosis about 13 years ago and did not feel any symptoms. The stenosis progressed very very slowly at first but rapidly in the last couple of years.

I had the surgery and must say that that it was not nearly as bad as I expected. The first week is a little rough, but things went very well after that when I was at home.

I feel much better now after the surgery so I guess that I was in a gradual decline and hadn't noticed.

Jerry Vernhout
AVR and double bypass May 31, 2012
St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener, ON

Sorry Chris I meant peace and not piece.
Cathy

Hi Chris,

I too am facing valve replacement. I have all my preliminary testing done and heart surgery in 3 days.

I can't tell you how great this site is. It is so encouraging. People I don't know praying for me and encouraging me.

I will be praying for you as you face your surgery. I know you will feel a piece as you begin your journey.

Please let us know when your surgery is.

God Bless
Cathy

Hi Chris, I just wanted to let you know that you came to the right place for support in your journey. I have the same thing as you and I just turned 63. I am having symptoms that I'm dealing with, mainly short of breath with any exertion, but I'm still moderate so just being monitored for now. I can't really relate yet to where you are, but can try to imagine.

But, many people here are where you are or have already gone through surgery so I know the site will help you.

Take care and hang tough!

...Vicki D.