Hello Marie, hope all is well with you, hubby and dog and family. I am now over six months post op. Had my first appointment with my new cardiologist. It was a little of a scary time as I have not been close to anyone outside of my family I live with. There was not enough social distance in his office but everyone was wearing a mask. I had a mask, a shield and gloves. Changed the gloves three times in there. Dr. Was very nice and have very good bedside manners. Explained that my heart valve and aneurysm were very well taken care by my very well known surgeon Dr. Starnes who is one of the best. I asked if I should get a new Ecco and he said no. He read the report of the one I had in January 2020 and he didn’t see the need for another one unless I had any new issues. His nurse check my heart but he didn’t. He didn’t check my scar. Told me that I need to check my bp in the next two weeks and go back to see his nurse and bring my log and machine to make sure I am using It properly before prescribing bp meds. Also that ache on my left breast on and off he stated is natural after the surgery I had. Referred me to Cardiac Rehab and will wait for insurance approval. My next appointment is in one year with him. I feel a little confused as I don’t feel I got a thorough exam and maybe expected more after six months without seeing a doctor. What do you think my dear angel? God bless you and stay safe.

stephanie arnold posted a note for Marie that says: hi, marie... i just spent the last hour reading all your journal entries and the comments. it gave me a lot of insight, and i feel as though i can relate. i learned a lot from reading all the discussions. in a way, i was probably lucky, being asymptomatic, and the ka WHAM! delirious, pretty well slept thru the tests, a colostomy( omg) and the initial part of the surg. i only remember waking up while the tube was being pulled. i was alive, but totally flogged. the time in hospital was actually fun. I liked all the helpers. i felt so saved by the Lord. it is still a foggy dream...bopping all over my little community on my bike, then falling out. all i remember is thinking i had food poisoning, crawling on hands and knees to go feed my dog. that's all. the ambulance...barely. i still am not totally clear on my calamity, except it involved 11 hours on the table, total valve replacement, what ever they did to aortic aneurism, which i think was pushing 5cm. plus gastric ulcer bled on top of whatever else may have sprung a leak...4 units of blood worth. I've had ibs all my life, always the kid with the horrible tummy aches, so i just figured any gastric stuff was gerd. fooled me, huh. so, thanks to your really beautifully detailed journal, i am feeling a little more oriented to the ups and downs of ohs. i do look forward to feeling my old self...eventually. at 76 i am NOT over the hill. i want to ride my bike, and eventually get ahold of a horse.
btw, my therapy animal is my russian blue with cattitude, like ' Simon's cat'.... rayford.and brushing big wads of under fur from my dog

Hello Marie Myers. I wanted to ask you what you think of a nagging ache that has pop out on the upper left side of my back, sometimes it goes down my upper arm. It was going up my neck but my daughter has been massaging lightly and the neck pain went away. I know that whole area is still sensitive and I hurt myself cleaning my shower three weeks ago when I think this started. Hope you are keeping strong and safe. You are still one of my angels. Thank you and God bless you

Linda Roberts posted a note for Marie that says: Congratulations on your 3 year anniversary! Stay safe and at home. You are such an inspiration to others and a very caring person. Wishing good health to all my heart sisters and brothers during this pandemic.

Tarek Agiza posted a note for Marie that says: Thanks Marie ,

Marie I’m very pleased that you mentioned (Plaque regression is possible if you follow a plant based diet and take a statin that can keep your LDL under 70 ) – are you sure Marie ,

my Cholesterol Level is perfect in Blood , there is NO any Symptom at all , No chest pain , but doctors scaring me from this Blockage in Left main - I don’t like to do surgery or Stent as long as I can cure / minimize the Blockage in LM , Marie give me details or Links about the plant based diet – Cholesterol Treatment is LIPITOR® (atorvastatin ) plus Plavix and Aspirin - Please gave more advise , am not comfortable – doctors Learned in College any blockage must be Sugary or stent - Thanks ,
Tarek
0971569166200

Chris Smith posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie.

Small world. I too am a CRNA with an upcoming AVR surgery in the not too distant future. Reading your posts is comforting. Thanks for sharing.

Chris.

Marie, you are full of wisdom my angel, can you read my latest post and give me your opinion? Thank you

Rose Madura posted a note for Marie that says: Marie, you are awesome! You always seem to know what to say and you were a huge help to me during my surgery and all the complications. Thank you!

Mike Roskowinski posted a note for Marie that says: Hello Marie - I think it a previous post you wrote that you were in Clearwater Florida. I am in Florida with my family for a few weeks and we are planning to go to Clearwater to see the aquarium and the beaches. Do you have any recommendations on restaurants near the beach to eat at with kids?

Deepak Khanka posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie
I thank you for replying to my earlier post . God bless

Peter Eglinton posted a note for Marie that says: Thank you for all of your journal entries. I am scheduled for surgery on April 29, to fix my BAV and aortic aneurysm, and have wrestled with many of the same issues you did. I had to read all your posts and the comments! Very helpful.

shir mucc posted a note for Marie that says: Dear Marie:

I just reread your previous post reply. You had aortic root replaced. Is it David procedure? I was told that David procedure is for aortic root replaced.

Many thanks!

Barbara Blackwell posted a note for Marie that says: Marie, thanks so much for all the good pointers! Will see what I can do....even if I can't rent a recliner, some of your other ideas are wonderful. Riding in the back seat.....never would have thought of that!! Hope you are feeling good and send you lots of best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. 🎄🎄

Nancy Luth posted a note for Marie that says: Thank you, Marie, for you insight. It gives me a boost of confidence to hear success stories from patients who had their surgeries at regional hospitals.

MARIE PICUN posted a note for Marie that says: Hi, how did you keep your anxiety down before surgery. Trying to be busy, but I go there. It is really a rollercoaster ride.

Carmel Robertson posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie. I see on one of your posts that you had daily ocular migraines after surgery. Can you tell me how long did this go on for? And are you having any now? Many thanks.

Maria Rios-Ramos posted a note for Marie that says: Hi, Marie. I will soon start my journal, but I don't know how to go about it.
can you tell me what I should do?
Thank you.
Maria A Rios-Ramos

Amy Minto posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie,
Although I created a profile months ago, this is my 1st time really interacting with this site. I just scheduled my mitral valve repair on Friday out of town. I 'll be heading 3-4 hours away for surgery with my hubby, my 4 year old, and aging cat in tow. I am an emotional, anxiety ridden mess. I read in one of your responses that you'd mentioned some calming you tube videos that helped you. Could you please share what they were? I'm really having a very difficult time, not so much worrying about my survival, but really all the logistics with no family to help during the surgery itself out of town and then also recovery with just my husband to take care of our four year old and me and work at the same time. Any advice would be wonderful. Thank you so much!

Amy

Lisa Courkamp posted a note for Marie that says: Thank you, for sharing Marie! Hearing from the patients in this community is very helpful. =)

Mark Hall posted a note for Marie that says: Hello Marie!

Thank you for welcoming me here! I am facing either TAVR/bioprosthetic valve or open heart/metal valve/MAZE for severe AVS/Afib. I knew about the Afib since '08 but the AVS was discovered this July. Needless to say, it sent me into a tail spin, and I am now just getting myself back to flying level again. My prayers and thoughts are with
you. Tennis is something I used to enjoy, reading about you playing tennis made me smile. I hope I can do it again one day too.

From Oklahoma

Mark Hall, LPN

frank romo posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie, :), I am going to look into your suggestion, but what they are calling it now is eye tremors like I am having an active seizure, except no seizure, my next event will be an MRI if I have the right sternun wires, then a neurologist, I am honestly starting to believe it is caused by the numbness I got from the line they had in my neck during surgery, My cardio Doc thinks I may have had a minor stroke and there is a partial blockage of blood flow to my eyes...I will let you know, smiley face...

Debbie Goff posted a note for Marie that says: Marie....did you decide on a tissue valve or the mechanical? If mechanical was it the ONX or St. Jude...if I can ask?

Civita Fahey posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie. Just wondering dince you and I both had issues with being really tired. I find that even at 4 weeks out I still a get a bit short of breath when walking avd talking at the sane time. When did you see a difference? I think it's part of the process but I wanted to check it out. Thanks

Rose Madura posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie. Your surgery is very similar to mine. How long did the surgery itself last? I've been following you and appreciate all your positive comments. It's been encouraging.

Jeanette Davidson posted a note for Marie that says: Hi Marie glad you are doing well. Who was your doc at JFK?

Noreen Kitchen posted a note for Marie that says: Sending you positive thoughts for a speedy recovery. All will be fine just do as you are told. Get lots of rest. Can't wait to hear your success story

Jane Welp posted a note for Marie that says: Many blessings for your big day tomorrow. When you return to the community site again, I am praying you find it comforting to know others are thinking of you.

Joseph Freeman posted a note for Marie that says: God Bless Marie.
I have us all in prayer.

Joseph Freeman posted a note for Marie that says: Marie,
My prayers are with you. I am a fellow traveler on this journey. My date is rapidly approaching on April 4th for mitral valve repair. This is my 1st major surgery at 61, so I'm anxious but managing.
I believe the Good Lord has plans for all of OHS warriors. After surviving this, how much better all of us will be as compassionate, loving beings!
Many Blessings!

Betty Frydrychowicz posted a note for Marie that says: All the best, just keep thinking positive, the best medicine ever.