Hi Sarah,

You are doing very well and looking good! It was two days before I had solid food, I was pretty tired of popsicles and jello by then! I was in a chair for several hours the day after surgery, but did not really do any walking until the second day. You are doing very well on the spirometer as well!!

Keep up the good work! You will be up and on your way out of there soon.

John Lund

So good to see the photo of you! You look great! Your mom has been calling everyday to keep us posted - she was so proud of you and the number of people who have stopped in to share their love and well wishes. We are so glad to hear that everything went well and your recovery is ahead of schedule!

Love you ❤❤ the luttinens

Hi Sarah!

I had a heart murmur most of my life and moderate regurgitation for years until 9 years ago, when it progressed to severe regurgitation. By that time I was 51 years old & "expecting" my first granddaughter, and believe it or not, surgery news came as a huge shock to me. Dr. Jeffrey Swanson (Portland, Oregon) performed a minimally invasive, mitral valve repair on Dec. 9, 2002, and my recovery was fairly rapid. I couldn't believe how much better I felt afterward! (when I really hadn't noticed any symptoms other than palpitations) Congrats to you and your team of Dr.'s, family and friends---for support to you for both surgery and your recovery. You'll do great! :)----~Jacquie

Hi Sarah,

You are in recovery now. It was great hearing the updates that were posted during your surgery day and hearing how well you are doing.

Just remember that your heart, as well as the rest of you, needs to heal now and that will take some time and patience. Based on your attitude, support group, and your physical condition, you should do well. I hope you will be in a cardiac rehab program. Mine has been very good about keeping track of my progress and setting up exercises that are appropriate for my progress.

Take care, I look forward to following your progress in recovery.

John Lund

Great news everything is going so well. We are all praying and thinking of you. Get well soon. Colt says hi and is praying "extra hard for Sarah dad" We will be checking in often. Love you

The Massie's

Sarah, I'm glad to read that everything seems to be fine. I will have my mitral valve repair in January... Hope that it will go as well as for you. Take care,
Christine

YEAAAAAHHHHHH SARAH!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Great news! Have been thinking of her all day and sending prayers. I am so happy all went well. Janis Kielbasa

Dear Sarah,

I had a mitral valve repair on 8/18/11. Everything went perfectly and recovery was great. I have a feeling your recovery will go well also. Good luck with everything.

Tim

Dear Sarah -
I had mitral valve repair surgery almost 2 years ago. Your post-op discomfort will be less every day. You may be surprised at how fast you recover. Best of luck to you during your recovery and rehab process.

- David

Dear Sarah,

I'm a 33 year old that will soon also need a heart valve replacement (aortic valve). Your positivity and outlook are inspiring. Wishing you a speedy recovery and a wonderful holiday season ahead!

-Sara Reitz

Dear Sarah,
When you read this, your surgery will be behind you and you will be well on the road to recovery. I am 9 days since my surgery and home 5 days. You will be amazed at how you progress. Take it slowly and let your support system help you.
Keep us informed. You are in my prayers today,
Jane

good luck tomorrow Sarah. Will be watching for posts of your progress.

I love your positive attitude...it will serve you well in your recovery. I hope you get the thrill I had in my first memories in ICU. It was such an incredible feeling, knowing I had made it and I was ok. The pain was there but very manageable. I am certain you will do fantastic.
Stay upbeat and keep us posted.

JH Mattingly

Hi Sarah,

Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow and your subsequent recovery. My Mitral Valve surgery and maze procedure was on September 14th, so I will be celebrating my 3rd month of recovery on the day you have your surgery.

You may have some long days during your recovery, but the three months will seem to have passed quickly once you get there yourself.

Take care, it sounds like you are well prepared and in good hands. This time tomorrow (7:06 PM EST), you will be in recovery!!

John Lund

Sarah,
God Bless and keep you tomorrow. I will be praying for you tomorrow. Today I am 12 weeks out today from my surgery. Recovery is filled with a lot of good days mixed in with an occasional trying day. Remember that each day gets easier. You will be stronger with each passing day, even though you may not realize that. I know what you mean about health care professionals. I'm a nephrologist and I'm sure I was a "difficult" patient. Keep smiling!
Jim Davis

Hey Sarah,

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Keep on tickin!

Adam Pick

Thinking about you and YES...you will do great! Keep in touch. Sending prayers and blessings for a quick recovery. Janis Kielbasa

Dear Sweet Sarah,
Many prayers are being offered for you and your surgical team. Please know that your presence and energetic, positive spirit will be missed by all of us that have the priveledge to work with you. Love and hugs are always with you. Cindy

That's good info to know about the ahh bra. I will get one. I plan on being in rehab for at least a week after surgery and will bring long hooded robe and house shoes, can i bring pj's to have there or should i have all brought to me when the time comes because wouldn't want them lost. I am learning a lot on here...Im gald this site exists . By the way I read the book Adam wrote, it was a good source of info also.

oh yeah my name is Brenda I forgot to put that in!!!!!!

Hi Sarah I hope and pray you are doing well.
I was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic stenosis and will have surgery on January 10th if all goes well. I would like to hear back from you and how well you are progressing. Hang in there!

I forgot to mention in my post below a suggestion about bras. I had a mini- sternotomy and I have little boobs. I doubt you will be wearing a bra in the hospital just because you will have so many wires and tubes attached to your chest. I can't imagine where all those things would go with a bra on! You will also be very sore just below your bra line where your drain tube was inserted. When I left the hospital, I started wearing an "Ahh" bra, and I am still wearing it seven weeks later. My regular bras hurt. The "Ahh" bras are very stretchy, so they are easy to get on and off, and they still offer a little support. I would get size smaller than you normally wear just because they are so stretchy. You can get them online or at CVC drug stores. They aren't very attractive, but they are very comfy.
Two things I was really glad I brought to the hospital were my nice flannel pj's and my comfy down pillow from home. The hospital pillows at Cleveland Clinic were horrible, so I was really glad to have my own. You spend a lot of time in bed, so try to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
I wish you all the best.....Godspeed and good luck!
Deb Ziegler

Hi Sarah, Thanks for sharing. I am having valve repair December 28th. You brought up some good points, I'm asking about bra...need one and will be less strain I would think on sternotomy. I don't even want to think of what my hair will look like after so many days of no washing. I'm buying some dry shampoo or a hat!! LOL. Take care & keep in touch. I know we both will do great!! janis kielbasa

Sarah, Sarah....such cute hair!! I can't give you any insights into how to make this go more smoothly only my observation from working with you over the years. You, my friend are a 150% person. You might have to settle for 100% until you recover. May you find comfort in knowing that many care. I am sure buddies big and small on earth and in heaven are cheering on "their Sarah." Thanks for keeping people posted. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Tell all to take extra special care of you all along the way.
Thinking about the kids I have known over the years who have had similar surgeries, I think they would tell you their best advice is to make sure you have a fun pillow for when you have to cough, make sure you do your deep breathing and laying in bed for days will just make it worse when it comes time to move(unless that is what the doctors tell you to do, then lay in bed all day). Have you seen Kelsey's Marshmallow Launcher (www.kelseyskids.org) maybe you need one to "help you with the deep breathing."
Peace and love from GR.....
Jodi

Very cute haircut! I wouldn't go too nuts getting things ready. I found I was able to do a lot more than I thought I would when I came home. I was able to blow dry my own hair my first day home and put on a t-shirt. I had read those two things wouldn't be possible for several weeks, but they were very manageable for me.
Lack of energy is the biggest problem when you get home, but hopefully you will have a helper. Don't sweat the small stuff.....you will just be so glad to be home!

Thanks for the encouraging words!

Hi Sarah,
Like those who signed below, I also had my mitral valve and tricuspid valve repaired recently. You are correct about the waiting being the worst part.....I waited a whole year and it worried me 24/7 for the entire year. While the surgery was not a pleasant experience, it was certainly tolerable, and far less painful than I was anticipating. It is an amazing experience, and it still seems surreal to be on the "other side" after all the anxiety leading up to surgery. Recovery is an adventure of it's own, and I have learned to take it one day at a time, and to expect the unexpected.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers on December 14th......Godspeed and good luck!
Deb Ziegler

Best wishes Sarah! I am not sure knowing is an advantage however I know I was afraid of the unknown so maybe not.
You are young and otherwise healthy so no doubt you will bounce back very quickly. Good Luck.
Rosemary Sutherland

Hi Sarah,

I had a mitral valve repair on September 14th of this year. I also had a Maze procedure to treat the Atrial fibrillation

Prior to determining I needed a mitral valve repair, my cardiologist had been treating me for atrial fibrillation. He discovered the mitral valve prolapse when he performed a TEE on me while he had me in for a cardioversion to shock my heart back into rhythm. The cardioversion was unsuccessful.

I have posted details of this and my recovery on my blog if you are interested in reading it.

Best wishes for your surgery and recovery.

John Lund