On February 9, 2012...
Still praying for you, John. I feel something big is coming your way.

Sheila Garrison
john madonna  God Bless You
Thank You
On February 3, 2012...
Praise God that He has opened your heart and mind. May He bless you with a new job so that you may be a blessing to others.

You had a rough start with your recovery, but it sounds as though you are doing great now. Keep up the hard work with healing yourself inside and out.

Keep us upodated on your journey. I feel something big and great is coming your way.

Hope to see you at the One Year Gathering of those of us HVJ folks who had our surgery last summer.

Sheila Garrison
On January 3, 2012...
ooops...sorry didn't sign my name....Janis Kielbasa
On January 3, 2012...
Happy New Year to you too!! Your post made me laugh, which hurt like heck...LOL. "Elite Club"....John, why couldn't we just join a bowling league? I'm glad you are recovering so well and I want to thank you for the thoughtful posts. They were a comfort. Have a awesome 2012!!
On January 2, 2012...
THANK YOU LINDA
On January 2, 2012...
Hi John, I just read your question about class action suits involving phentermine. There was a class action several years ago, however the deadline to file has long passed. I have a friend who developed valve problems after taking the drug and the only thing she was able to recover was the amount she spent for the drug. She also found that cardiologists were very reluctant to officially blame the drug, didn't want to jeopardize their relations with the drug company. So long story short, I believe it is too late to file a claim and if you are still able, it is extremely difficult to recover any monetary compensation, or at least she was not successful.

You are indeed truly blessed. My father has a thoracic aortic aneurysm that is so large(9cm) no surgeon will touch it including those at Johns Hopkins. God bless you in the upcoming year.

Linda Dixon
On December 22, 2011...
Thank you Sheila....Merry Christmas..GOD BLESS
On December 22, 2011...
What a lovely post, John! You have a good heart....in more ways than one.

It gives me chills to read that you are desiring another career. I pray God opens those doors for you. You will be a blessing to others...follow your heart.

Merry Christmas to you, my HVJ friend!

Sheila Garrison
On December 10, 2011...
4 months already??? Way to go, John!! I'm happy to read you are finding your peace. Life is a blessings and He continues to hand it to you.

Sheila Garrison
On December 3, 2011...
Dear John, Thank you for your encouragement.I feel very strong now. Of course my mind wants to do more than my body wants to tolerate. However, I am doing quite well. So glad you are too. I guess it just takes time and patience.. I'm not too good at that. Doris
On November 22, 2011...
Sorry John that last post was from me.
Jim Davis
On November 22, 2011...
John,
I hope you have a good return to work. I noticed that it was a little difficult to turn and look behind me when I first started to drive after surgery. Take care and God Bless. Have a great Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!
On October 4, 2011...
THANK YOU SO MUCH...JOHN
On October 4, 2011...
Hi John,
I was cleared to get in my pool after 6 weeks. My scar was completely healed.

I'd like to know the answer to the airport metal detecter also. I have a mechanical valve. Will it show up on the body x-ray? Maybe they have a stethoscope to hear it with.
You sound great. I'm happy to read you are doing better.

Sheila Garrison
On September 27, 2011...
BILL,
Thank you so much for the input.
I am going to make a serious effort to stop my day naps.
Thank you
JOHN
On September 27, 2011...
Hi John,

I to had that problem. I had my surgery on June 24th about 2nd week in August I started rehab at the hospital and they advised me to start limiting my naps so that I could sleep at nights. So I did snice I wanted to back to work at the end of Augustthe 29th. Since you have 8 more weeks you could wait until the last before you are scheduled to return to work or you could start now.

Bill
On September 8, 2011...
THANK YOU....your input is much appreciated
On September 7, 2011...
Hi John. It's been almost a month since your surgery. Not so long. And look, you are taking good walks and going on outings. That;s huge! Your job is to recover and then some - not so mundane, though it may seem so from time to time. It is important stuff, and if part of it is 10 hrs of sleep a day, chalk it up to the work of getting better. It's certainly not lounging around. And hey, you are getting better, so it's working. As your activity level increases, and your healing progresses, you'll have more energy and slowly return to your normal sleep period. There are lots of ways to deal with the blues, one that works for me is to set a reasonable goal and meet it. In this case, having to do with recovery. Rinse, repeat until funk is gone. Keep us posted, even though we're just words on the page we can help. Corragio! -- DVB
On September 6, 2011...
THANK YOU Rae x.....I went out today for abour 90 minutes it was a beautiful time, my wife and I went grocery shopping, got healthy sandwiches and I got my blood draw.
Thank you for you input I truly appreciate it..
4 weeks ago at this time I was just waking up in ICU.....also i am down 12 pounds from my surgery date......
The depression is understandable, I can be emotional about almost anything, just cant produce tears....dont know why.
THANK YOU SO MUCH...JOHN
On September 6, 2011...
Hey John,

Everything you said I can totally relate to. I'm now 8 weeks post surgery number two...and I'm still in need of a lot of sleep. I sleep a good 10 hours at night and then nap for a few hours in the day. So worry not, it's totally normal. I'm 31 and in fairly good shape too. The way I think about it, is that your body has been through a lot and it's healing all the time...just think of the energy it needs to do that...that's why we need so much sleep. Our bodies repair while we're sleeping, and ours have a lot to repair!

As for feeling down, that's also totally normal. It's termed cardiac depression. It's where your body and mind realise what you've been through and you're coming to terms with it. It's also to do with being on the machines during surgery, and the blood flow to the brain patterns (I'm no expert, I'm going off what I was told by my doc). It will get better. I was in a horrible depressed state for about three weeks, starting at week five. I'm only now getting out of it, but I am getting out of it.

I hope you feel better everyday. Keep up the walking!
Rae x
On September 5, 2011...
Thank you, Sheila, your experience is exactly mine........I appreciate your feedback..THANK YOU..JOHN
On September 5, 2011...
Hi John,
I remember finallay being able to sleep through the night, waking up with happy energy, then crashing a few hours later because I over did it, then napping for 2-3 hours, then up again and feeling a bit sad that I wasted some hrs. resting and then going to bed early because everybody else was outside playing and I was left home alone....In other words, it's normal to go through the ups & downs and sleep more and feel a bit sad that you're not back to hanging with other like you use to. It comes back.
I wish you better days, my friend!

Sheila Garrison
On September 5, 2011...
THANK YOU , KENT'
I am glad to hear from you and your reassuring thoughts...THANK YOU
On September 5, 2011...
Oops. That should read "now almost ten weeks" not "not almost …"
Kent
On September 5, 2011...
Hey John.

It sounds like you are progressing on schedule. I'm not almost ten weeks past the aorta valve replacement. I think it was around 3 and 4 weeks I would feel great one day and bad the next. I just kept telling my self "baby steps" and that things would change big time week to week.

Your body is going through big changes. Even while you are resting your body is working hard at the healing process. Hang in there and take it easy. You'll be amazed at how good you feel in another 4 weeks.

Blessings,
Kent Kersey,
Salem, OR
On September 3, 2011...
Hi John, I had my surgery on June 24th. I have been Cario Rehab for about 3 weeks. I have been foloowing the their diet plan Lots of fruit, Peanut butter sandwiches, stay away from enriched flour products, they tend to put the pounds on. I have a tread mill which I use daily for 60 minutes each day. I have a the mech. valve and I sure have sweated alot. I have lost 25lbs. I started at 239 and my goal is 180. Just remember baby steps!

William Keefer
On September 2, 2011...
You're doing good, John .It's all about the baby steps.

Sheila Garrison
On August 27, 2011...
John, I'm a year out from my AVR on Aug 31. Regarding your cough, are you using the spirometer? Seriously that thing while weird and annoying really does help move air and fluid through the lungs. If you don't have a fever and you haven't gained weight it's probably just fluid in your lungs. I hope that helps and congrats on making it to the other side.

Jerry H
Louisville, KY
john madonna  I will admit I stopped usig it once I got home but I will be back on it....THANK YOU
On August 26, 2011...
John - I've been home 5 days and have yet to get back to my bed. But it is encouraging to see that you have made it. I don't know what you can do about the coughing. It is painful when it happens.

Rob F.
john madonna  Let me tell you....I was actually fearful of getting in bed......but decided it had to be done so two ... Read more
On August 26, 2011...
John

The weight gain is normal.It will get better the more you walk around. Are you wearing the support stockings? Those help too. Also if you are taking lasix, that will help you with the fluild build up.
As for the coughing, I have that too. Very annoying, but it does slowly get better. Be patient you have made great progress.

Wendy

On August 25, 2011...
Hi John,

The same happened to me regarding the weight gain. I realize the weight gain in the hospital was "fluid" gain. But, once home, I didn't have an appetite for a week until I stopped the pain pills. Then, I slowly kept adding weight because of being non-active and mindlessly eating because of being a bit restless & bored. Don't let that last part happen to you. I've now nipped that in the bud.
I was hoping the surgery would kick-start my "vanity" weight loss.....you know, that last 20 lbs. that would finally get the opposite sex to turn their heads. But, it appears I'm going to have to do that on my own.

Are you doing okay, though?

Sheila Garrison
On August 21, 2011...
Great update John.

My thoughts remain with you!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick
On August 20, 2011...
Oh,my, John....now that was a "heart stopping" story. I was wondering where you were in your post-op.
I pray & wish for your recovery to now be uneventful.

Sheila Garrison
On August 7, 2011...
Hi John

Welcome to the best support group/site...HVJ. Lots of great people here and you'll receive lots of great info.

I'm 2 1/2 weeks out from having a mechanical aortic vavle and am doing great. Have already been driving and went swimming today. But, don't tell anyone...I sort of push the envelope, if you know what I mean.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers. The time before surgery is the worst (anxiety). I look forward to following your recovery.

Sheila Garrison
Apple Valley, CA (One desert to the other)
On August 7, 2011...
I am one day behind you - I have my heart valve replacement on Wednesday at 7:30. They will also be doing a maze procedure for Afib. I have good feelings about it but will be glad to be on the other side of the surgery.

In my physical process pre op I had an infection and am hoping it's all cleared up so they can do the surgery.

I will be watching your journal and praying for you!

Connie Mowrer
john madonna  GOD BLESS YOU...I look foward to hearing about your rapid recovery.
On August 7, 2011...
Hi John,
I was wondering what type of valve you are getting and why that valve? I am trying to get some opinions from people on this site so I can make my decision. One dr. wants me to have a mechanical and one dr. wants me to do tissue. I am 53 aned very healthy except for my aortic valve problem. I am worried what taking coumedin will do if I choose the mechnical valve. Any info you can give will be very helpful.

I will follow your journal and pray that you do very well and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Julie
john madonna  Hi Julie,
I am having my AOTRA replaced. My doctor who has 40 years experience in this field says M ... Read more
On July 30, 2011...
Hi John. Welcome to HVJ! I had a bunch of aorta work done June 30th. Feeling pretty good now. It's a crazy ride but you'll be just fine.

I look forward to following your progress.

Kent Kersey
Salem, OR
On July 22, 2011...
Hi John,

Welcome to the wonderful world of HVJ! There are many people here to offer support and answer your many questions.

I had my arotic valve replaced back inJanuary. Doing great enjoying summer! I really didn't know back then how I would be feeling by now. You will be amazed of the medical advances and what they can do.

Best of luck!

Lori Wakat
john madonna  Thank you for the encouragement. Visited a friend who had a 5x bypass and aneurysm on Monday. He lo ... Read more
On July 22, 2011...
John,
My name is Jim Davis. Sounds like you and I have similar stories. My surgery is set for September. Check out my page for all the details. Hang in there John. This is very scary, but we help each other through this. I had my heart cath today and should be ready for surgery now. My valve is bicuspid but may not need to be replaced. We'll see. Take care and God Bless. Keep me posted
Jim Davis
john madonna  Thank you......we all can help each other
On July 22, 2011...
Hi John,

Nice to meet you and welcome to Heart Valve Journals!

Glad to hear this website has been helpful for you.

Keep us updated!

Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick

My
john madonna  Thank you Adam, came across your book online....it has been a blessing....I do believe we all can fin ... Read more