Hi Olga,

I just want to wish you luck tomorrow getting that Holter Monitor. Hang in there, I know things are happening fast for you. Remember, I'm here for you.

Karen Pineda

Hi Olga,

I think the email notifications are fixed. Let me know if you get an email advising you that you have a new message here.

Karen PIneda

Olga,

So on your page, I found a button on the menu bar that says, "Follow Me". I clicked on it and it says if you want updates to put in your email address. So I put in my email address so I'll see if I get updates now. If you go to my page, do the same thing and then we'll see if that helps.

Eleanor posted a note for Olga that says: Don't worry about it Olga, let the specialists work it out. I think the cardiologist should go for it, but it means they have to fit in all the tests to accommodate the date. Hope it can all be done, because for me at least the waiting was the hardest part, the nerves and wondering. I had to make a very big effort each day, and especially each night, to not think about it. In my case it was me waiting for the surgeon that I wanted. Could have gone with another, but I had my heart set on one in particular, literally! Glad I waited, but even gladder that it is over. I am now waiting with you and hoping yours is successful and behind us soon.

A Wendy posted a note for Olga that says: Boo to the cardio, why would it be a too quick date? sure hope they don't change it on you. when do you have the anesthesiologist's consultation ?

Maron Faulkner posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga - sounds like you're taking care of business. I had a Holter for 24 hours a couple of appointments ago. Good luck with that and the lung test.

Thinking of you!

Maron

Karen Pineda posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga,

I certainly understand your frustration. It's very difficult when one medical professional tells you one thing and the next one tells you something different. Getting pulled in different directions when things are already scary and confusing, you are left not knowing who or what to believe. I've been in that situation more times than I care to mention.

If you are ready and you don't want to delay the surgery 3 to 6 months and the surgeon is willing and feels it can and should be done in September, then regardless of what the Cardiologist says, you should get to decide. I mean seriously, what's the difference in getting it sooner? You need the surgery, the doctor already said 3 to 6 months so what difference does it make to him if you have it done in September or November?

Good luck with the Holter Monitor Olga. I will be thinking of you. And good lucky trying to get the doctors all on the same page.

Mary Ann posted a note for Olga that says: Hello, Olga. I had the aortic valve replacement surgery on June 4. Once the date was set and all the preliminaries were done. I had a resolute feeling and surprisingly to me, I was calm. I was ready. It was finally going to get fixed. I postponed the surgery for 10 years. I wanted the wait to be over. Everything went well and the doctors and nurses were wonderful. They know what they are doing. I am back to work and almost back to my normal activity. Don't worry. You'll feel weak and tired but day by day you will see progress. You're going to get your strength back. Good luck to you and I hope your recovery is smooth and uneventful.

Maron Faulkner posted a note for Olga that says: wow, Olga, that was a bit of a change, huh? I thought I would be first but now maybe you will be? I still need to call my surgeon's office back to schedule...okay, keep us updated.

(And I think Mia has a point in "sooner is better"!)

Mary (Mia) posted a note for Olga that says: My dearest Olga,

I am so happy.that your surgery will be soon. I truly believe the sooner you have the surgery the better you will feel.

Its bee over three weeks since my surgery. Everyday I get stronger.

I am so glad thay I scheduled the surgery and got it over with. The firsy few weeks after I scheduled I just worried.

I finally came to a point where I relaxed and had faith in Our Heavenly Father to watch over me. All our heart family made me feel at ease too. I am so thankful thst Adam set up the heart valve journal site.

So my sister, I will be right thete with you i. Spirit as you have the procedure done.

Just start preparing things for your big day!

Write when you can, and if I can be of any help please let me know.

Hugs and kisses

Sandy Wummer posted a note for Olga that says: Olga. Hello My name is Sandy and I just had my one year anniversary last week. I remember the feelings you are having. when i got my date I used to wake up in the middle of the night and cry... all you need to do is take one step at a time and try to use the support of this group. we have been where you are. The waiting is the hard part. few tips: If you can get a "wedge" pillow for your bed it will make sleeping at home easier after surgery. I bought a cotton comfortable sports bra (with hooks) one or 2 sizes too big. it gave good support for my chest and incision after surgery. I got PJs that button down the front. slippers that you can slide in easy for the hospital. lastly and most important is to turn it all over to the doc and hospital and dont listen to those people that are negative. Like all of us, you can do this. keep your sense of humor. i still smile at some of the crazy times I had. Oh and lean on those who love you... :) keep posting. education reduces fear.

Eleanor posted a note for Olga that says: Wow, that must have been such a shock! I had taken in that you would wait for 3 to 6 months, but I was feeling that you might get tired waiting for such a long time. Now, you are going to have to get hopping to prepare for September. I am glad it is coming soon, less time to worry. You are right, read over the journals, now that you know you have a date. There is a lot of information about how to prepare yourself and your home. Best wishes to you, keep us informed step by step.

AUNTYIE WENDY posted a note for Olga that says: Oh my goodness that is a shock! What a surprise. But how wonderful to get it over and done with before winter approaches.
Good Luck Olga, and don't get too tired out rushing around to get all the pre-appointments done in time for September. That surely is good news. But a bit scary for you I am sure. It is very good news also that you do not have any heart disease and have strong lungs.

Eleanor posted a note for Olga that says: This is good news Olga. You are lucky to have a doctor who calls you in the evening after working all day. Sounds like you are getting things lined up to take care of your valve. I wish the very best for you. Let us know as you progress.

Maron Faulkner posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga -

That's cool we're in the same place. I have a friend - a guy I used to teach with - who had Tetralogy of Fallot too.

I have a VSD - which is a hole in my heart - and a sub-aortic membrane, which is an extra flap of tissue at the bottom (I think) of my aorta. I also have moderate aortic stenosis.

Will they replace your pulmonary valve when they go in, I'm assuming? Where will you go for surgery?

I live in Portland, Oregon, down here in the US. But I am going up to Seattle for my surgery bc I like my (woman) cardiologist up there.

Stay in touch - great to get to know you!

Maron Faulkner posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga - Sounds like we're in the same place almost! I am supposed to be talking to my surgeon's office sometime this week to schedule surgery too.

I just had a CT scan yesterday and found out that my arteries are okay so it will be "just" the valve and the sub-aortic membrane to focus on.

I am aiming for a November surgery date since I'm a teacher. Let me know what you find out when you talk to your surgeon's office!

Karen Pineda posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga,

Sorry to hear you are still hanging in limbo on the surgery date. I hope you get a date settled soon. It's hard waiting for the surgery, I'm sure, but even harder waiting for something that you don't know when you will get it. The unknown can sometimes be very frustrating. I was all ready to be scheduling surgery before the year is over and now I'm told it's not time to schedule and that we will continue to monitor. So all of you will be way ahead of me by the time I have surgery. The not knowing when leaves a person with the big event always hanging over them. So I think once you get an exact date, then you'll be able to enter the next phase of the process. Until then, I'm sure it's frustrating. Hang in there!

Mona posted a note for Olga that says: Wishing you all the best Olga. I will be praying for you. I will be watching and reading you journal.

Love from George & Mona

Eleanor posted a note for Olga that says: Hi, Olga. I remember the waiting part all too well! On the one hand, I wanted it to come sooner and be over with, on the other I was dreading it. At long last, when I had a date, things seemed to fall in place, and I was less anxious, more at peace with the operation and with myself. Since I had begun to have symptoms by then, I really wanted it done, on what they call an "elective" basis, as opposed to an emergency. I took forward to you also telling us that you have a date, then that you are home again and recovering, and even your first year anniversary!

Ginger posted a note for Olga that says: Olga,
Great to hear from you! You are so correct that many of us have found quite a bit more than we thought possible when we started journaling. It is a rather unexpected place to find a family, but the heart valve replacement is so unlike anything most other people have experienced, and Adam had a lot of wisdom when he got all of this rolling.

Take care of yourself and glad the word from the doctor was good! Hugs,

Terrie posted a note for Olga that says: Hello Olga, Terrie here!
Glad to hear that the soreness from your cath is going away. Pretty soon it will be all gone!
I won't be posting for awhile as my surgery date is this Wed. the 20th. My husband Gary will give me any messages from our site and post for me so you know how things are going. I will get back to tell you about it myself as soon as I am able. You take care and eat healthy and try to keep moving around and getting ready for your own surgery! Think healthy thoughts Lady.
I intend to keep in touch with all of my heart sisters and brothers for as much time as I feel that we are all continuing to help one another get the support and comfort that each of us needs to keep this community of good "Hearts" going!
Olga, we are like family, our own little village! Take care and I will watch for your journal entries! Love, Terrie

Sherry posted a note for Olga that says: Thanks for your call and letting me know what is going on with you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Mary (mia) posted a note for Olga that says: Hello sister Olga,

I have been thinking of you too! I am doing welll. I am on day 19 postop. I feel better each day. The nasty cough that I have had for so long has disappeared.

My incisions are healing well. In had the more non invasive procedure. Butbitbis still invasive. The area in my groin where they hooked the heart and lung machine is swelled and sensitive. But is going down in size.

Otherwise I am feeling like a new women.

Yes I want to keep in touch with everyone in our heart community. You can even write me directly kidsjunction@gmail.com

Hope you are doing well. What is your estimated surgery date,?

How is work?
I miss my preschoolers.Hope to go visit them this week.

Take care and enjoy each day. Please try not to worry about the surgery. You will be fine.

Hugs from my heart to your heart!

Eleanor posted a note for Olga that says: Hi, Olga. I am doing great! Today is day 35 post surgery and I am surprised at what I can do easily now: pull tee shirts on and off, get pans out of the bottom cabinet or bowls off the top shelf, I even cooked a lasagna this evening. I can walk for almost an hour without getting tired, and little hills with their ups and down no longer leave me out of breath. I feel so much better.

I am glad your incision healed up, sometimes it makes quite a bruise and a "goose egg" of a lump. Mine was hardly noticeable, but where they started the incision on my chest, there is a lump, which the nurse says is tissue and muscles, which will go back into place over the next month.

Yes, let's stay in touch, it is a healthy practice for all of us, I believe.

Best wishes to you,

Angie Galang posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga, I'm glad you are recuperating well, I wish I could take away all your discomforts. But I know it's not possible, its good to see a lot of support from people who have been through the same procedure and know what advise they could share with you. I am grateful for all of their kindness. Hope to talk to you soon.
Love, Angie G.

Karen Pineda posted a note for Olga that says: Absolutely Olga. It looks like for me the surgery is a bit down the road yet so I am starting to feel like the lone wolf here who doesn't have a surgery to share yet. But when my time comes, I'm definitely going to draw from all of your experiences. Yes, let's keep in touch. I think you subscribed to my journal so is that an email that I can use to contact you?

And I totally agree about the support here. This place is so special. We all came here at one point or another because we wanted to learn more about this surgery. But once here, we found a community that has become a lifeline of sorts. What a great bonus.

Let me know if the email you subscribed with is an email I can use and I'll send you a note so you will have my email as well.

Kels posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga glad all went well with your procedure. It took a good few weeks for mine to settle over two weeks for my groin to heal and no pain or bruising. My wrist were he tried to go in was a complete mess. He had damaged my nerve. I was off work 10 days. My wrist was badly swollen and bruised couldnt use it for a week. I felt the whole procedure twice. It was horrific something I will never forget. The pain in the ward all that afternoon was bad. Glad yours went well take care

wendy gorst posted a note for Olga that says: Maybe you need to rest it more, the groin area can be very painful and even if you stretch it a bit can make it hurt more. Try not to move it if you don't have to. If you lie on a couch be sure and not lie on the side that means you have to move that leg to get on and off the couch. also, like someone here also said, cold pack. And do not shower using hot water right.

mum posted a note for Olga that says: Glad it's healing well. You were always a fast healer Love, Mum

Terrie posted a note for Olga that says: Olga. I forgot to mention to anyone going in for a heart cath to ask for written instructions upon leaving but most hospitals provide you with them as you are discharged. You shouldn't put anything hot on the cath site opening when just home as it can heat up the area that the clot is forming and loosen it the first couple of days. Cold pack would be better/ ice bag.

Mia posted a note for Olga that says: Hello Olga,

Its Mia (Mary) The area where the cath was inserted was very sensitive. I bruised a lot. I believe by one week post op that the area had healed.

Is there any puffiness around that areas? Redness? Warmth? If its really uncomfortable and exhibiting any of those symptoms maybe call your doctor.

I went to doctor today. Am eleven days post op. My energy level is improving daily. Still waking up in the middle of the night. This is when pain meds wear off. My doctor today suggested I increase my dosage at bed. That is what I am going to try tonight.

How are you doing in regards to the surgery,? Can you have the date moved up?

Wishing you a very quiet night with lots of calmness and relaxation.Sending loads of butterfly kisses and eskimo hugs. (The preschool teacher comes out in me.

Night!
Love,

Terrie posted a note for Olga that says: Hello Olga.
What you are experiencing is pretty common for a week after the cath. I had the same area, same procedure and it wasn't a problem from start to finish other than like you said, sore for awhile afterwards. I was careful to follow the instructions you are supposed to follow upon leaving for home. I found using a warm water bottle in a pillow case about a week after for a short time helped the groin area. When I first got home I placed an ice bag within a pillow case again on the area which made it slightly cool and didn't sit for long periods where the groin area could be in a twisted position and didn't sleep on the right hand side for over a week too. It just takes time kiddo and you will be feeling better soon. Glad you are over that part of your journey! You take care!

Michael Culpepper (Mike) posted a note for Olga that says: Olga -

Sorry to hear about your soreness and bruising after the cath. I did not have a cath before my surgery -- the surgeon was happy with a Cardio CT scan.

However, I did have some soreness (not pain) in the groin following surgery where they hooked me up to the heart/lung machine. Took about two seeks for the incision to heal (about 1.5 inch long). I also had a bruise about the size of two grapefruits that formed on my right thigh. That took about 3 weeks to fade away.

Hope you are not too uncomfortable and you get your surgery scheduled relatively soon. For me, the waiting to get scheduled (about 60 days due to insurance review) was the worst part of the whole procedure.

Best wishes.

Miab posted a note for Olga that says: My dear Olga,

Can you talk to unit surgeon and see if your surgery can be moved up?

Why wait if you can speed it up! Of course that is my opinion. I reached a point that I mentioned in my journaling(where Inewss ready to get the show on the broad.

Today is my count up day of 42! Ginger and I counted up to our approximately ,42. By the 42nd day we both are home sweet home

Am so thankful for our heart sisters and brothers.

Looking forward to reading your posts. Write whenever you can.
Keep posting.
Love,
Mary(,mia)

Karen Pineda posted a note for Olga that says: Olga,

I'm glad the catheterization went well. I have not had one yet, not sure when I will. My doctor did say though that they will go through the wrist instead of the groin. It think it's supposed to be less of a bleeding risk. A friend of mine had it done though the groin and I understand from her that it's so difficult having to be still for so long with something heavy on her leg to prevent bleeding. It doesn't sound like fun. So I am glad you have that behind you now. Do you have a surgery date yet?

Rest when your body tells you to rest. I have been dealing with fatigue for a long time and I find that when I fight it, it only gets worse. People always tell me to listen to my body and when your body says to rest then rest. Unfortunately, that's not always possible because a person can't just get up from his or her desk at work and say, "hey boss, my body says rest so I'm going home to rest". LOL But if the opportunity to rest is there, then go for it.

Hang in there Olga.

Have a great day.

Kels posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga

Glad all went with your heart catherazation. Had mine on the 18th was a horrific. My wrist nerve was damaged in the process badly bruised and in a mess.. They then went into my groin and that was ok.

Wishing you all the best a day at a time. the op will come soon enough. Keep positive take care

louise dalton posted a note for Olga that says: hoping all the best for you . You are in my prayers. God will give you the strenght that you need and everything will go fine. Love Louise

Mary (Mia) posted a note for Olga that says: Welcome home my heart sister Olga,

Just wanted to say welcome home. Thank thou for all the thoughts and prayers for all of our heart family!

Sorry that your catch was not as smoothe as we would have hoped.

I am very tired and heading to bed and wanted to wish younba beautiful nights sleep!

I am in the healing mode!
Butterfly kisses and Eskimo hugs.
Check out the photos that are posted.

Sandy Crane posted a note for Olga that says: Thinking of you both, Olga and Daniel, as you go through this, and thank you for keeping us all updated on how Olga is doing. Olga- you have our thoughts, prayers and healing wishes being sent your way each and every day! Sending love and hugs

Janice Groves posted a note for Olga that says: Thanks for sharing this experience with us Olga and Daniel. I hope everything goes well. XoxoX

Wendy Gorst posted a note for Olga that says: It means if they can wait 6 months then they are confident you are doing OK even though the valve seemed to be leaking. Maybe that is why they did the cath. to prevent more leakage. What will be will be, if it is 6 months, it would not be middle winter maybe more like spring, an easier time for dressing and clothes etc. A shame they had to mess around with your leg and your neck both, what a complicated procedure it must have been. Thinking of you Olga, and thankyou to Daniel for posting news about you. Take care. A. Wendy.
xxx

Mary posted a note for Olga that says: Dan, thank you for posting for Olga. Glad that she is doing well. I am thankful to have Olga as my heart sister.

Please give her butterfly kisses from Mary and all her heart brothers and sisters.

I came home today! My surgery was July 29th.

Olga will do fine with the valve replacement or repair. Have her write any questions that she may have and I can share my experiences. I was very nervous up to a week before. Then I just had faith in God and focused on enjoying each day instead of worrying. Our heart sister Ginger mentioned that worrying is heavy on the heart.

I am looking forward to chatting with you and Olga again.

Karen Pineda posted a note for Olga that says: Fantastic news. Glad it all went well. Like Eleanor said, step by step. You're getting there.

Rest well, Olga.

Eleanor posted a note for Olga that says: I am glad this test went well. Step by step, towards your health recovery. We are with you in spirit and thoughts.

Terrie posted a note for Olga that says: Daniel and Olga-
Forgot to mention. Follow the orders given when you leave!! Tell her not to do too much and have a good rest! I am sure she is used to taking care of everybody else. Take it easy! Rest
I am sure Daniel will make sure you behave! Love, Terrie

Terrie posted a note for Olga that says: Hello Daniel and Olga.
Great that you are through another step for making your heart healthy. Thank you to Daniel for the update. Please tell Olga we all here continue our prayers and send her our love and best wishes for her journey forward! Now you will be one of the heart community who will be able to help others with questions on how their Heart Cath. went! Bee Well
heart-sister. Love, Terrie

Jacob Lundquist posted a note for Olga that says: Dear Olga,

Hello, it is Elder Lundquist. I am keeping you in my prayers as you go to the hospital to get your heart surgery. I hope that all is well! If you're in the hospital for a while I'd love to come and visit.

Your Friend,

Elder Lundquist

mia posted a note for Olga that says: Olga,

Good luck tomorrow. All will go perfect. Remember all the beautiful things we have focused on. I am finding.that.the relaxing music helps me when I feel anxious and stressed.

All of your heart brothers will be praying.and thinking about you. Sleep.well
tonight . I am glad that our amazing heart family.have helped out

Sean Dixon posted a note for Olga that says: Hi Olga!

I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you today. I will be praying that your procedure goes well and that it does what it needs to do for you to be healthy. You have always been such an amazing friend to me and my family and I will forever be grateful that you and Daniel have come into our lives. May The Lord be with. Love, Sean

Karen Pineda posted a note for Olga that says: Olga,

Good luck tomorrow. Lots of prayers coming your way. Take good care of yourself and soon this will all be behind you.

I will keep you in my prayers.