Johnny's Journal

Sherry Nichols  Johnny I felt the same way when I first joined this community. I'm still a little nervous too about my up coming surgery ( 8/19 triple bypass and replacement of my mitral and aortic valve) I think that's normal. I do agree that this community is heaven sent. It is awesome and it has helped me with my fears by getting information and encouragement from those who has been through what we're getting ready to go through. I will be praying for you that all goes well with the surgery and for a speedy recovery. God bless!!!!!!!

Clare Auten  I agree with Sherry that freaking out is normal. I luckily didn't have a lot of time from diagnosis to surgery, only 10 days. I had too much to do to have time to freak out. Not sure how old your kids are. Mine were 13, 7 and 4 at the time of surgery. They each handled things a little different. Praying that you have a successful replacement and for your wife and kids. I think it is hard on the family too.

Naomi Ivker  I am with you. Avr in 4 hours. I should be sleeping! Worried more about the family than myself at this point. Our kids are 16, 12, and 8

Jeanette Davidson   I understand how you feel completely . It is really normal and important to feel your feelings. I found it helpful when I couldn't sleep I try to do some deep breathing visualize myself after the surgery well smiling and the doctor telling my family that everything was OK. Hang in there and continue to reach out ! We are here for you! Anticipatory anxiety is the worst ! ❤️

Jackie Owens  Good luck! I had my first surgery at 6 months, 3 years, 12 years and now at 38 I am having my 4th on 9/9. You will do fantastic! :) Just enjoy your weekend.

Jean Raber  Johnny, yes, I understand needing to vent and having no where for it to go. This site is where I try to leave it, too.

Problem with having a lot of info is that you have a lot of info, and it's hard to get those images out of your head. I've tried hard to avoid any photos of actual surgery, but they're hard to avoid.

I like Jeanne's idea: Visualize yourself post-op. Write a note to your post-op self and leave it in your sock drawer. Or get yourself a book or movie "post op present" for when you come home. Let your family help pick it out.

Or light one of those four-day votive candles before you go to the hospital, and remember that by the time it goes out, it'll all be over, and you'll be up and around, eating solid food.

I sometimes ask St. Martha, patron saint of worry warts, to "hold" my worries for me for awhile when I light that candle. Whatever gets your head out of the scary stuff and back to the future.

Bless you and your family.

John Noriega  Johnny I totally understand the fear and worry. BUT not to worry...this site is full of survivors and conquerors of that fear! These surgeries are more commonplace than I ever imagined. Doctors and technology are do far ahead of the curve that we can put worry aside. I am 10 months out from my AVR...going into it, I was actually at peace. I read Adam's book 3 times, watched videos and talked to a dear friend who has had multiple heart surgeries...this all put my mind to ease (a bit opposite you), but all turned out extremely well. I meet with a couple of heart brothers every month for lunch and we are all enjoying our new lives. All I can say to you is have faith, turn it over to the Lord and know that life will be better. God bless you...I'll be praying for you and from here on it is Onward & Upward!

Janice Powell  Let it all out and feel better about yourself because you will do just fine.. Just focus on having a fix or mended heart is the good thing your life will be restored and you will be here for your family and put a smile on your face once they start to pamper you with their kindness and sweetness just remember you will be able to do things you haven't had a chance to do,but when you heal up you will be able too take care and keep in mind God going to work it out for you with ease take care..

Tammy Pilcher  Prayers and best wishes, Johnny! Vent all you need to. We've been through it and understand. You'll do great! All you have to do is show up and take a nice nap. You'll wake up with a fixed heart! God bless you! Isaiah 41:13.

Pat Bluemel  Fill up your schedule this weekend. Keep yourself distracted, take a lot of walks with your family and keep busy. Sunday evening you will notice that a sense of relief comes about and by Monday morning when you wake up you do what you have to do. The checkin process and everything is orchestrated perfectly. Before you know it you will be alert and healing Monday afternoon. Take care.

Cheryl Batzing  Johnny, I think most of us so understand your feelings. I posted something before surgery about "peace & panic" at the same time. That's how it is. But as Tammy said, you take a nap and wake up ready for recovery. Prayers your way!

Steven A Husted  yes what every one here is saying vent all you want we are hear for you with prayers and support i remember i had to vent several times here and it helped alot

Janice Powell  Welcome Heart Brother I'm sure your question will be answer and sorry I can't help you with that bless you..

Tammy Pilcher  Hi Johnny, welcome to the group. I had my BAV replaced with a bovine tissue valve 9 months ago. I know there are many here that have the On-X valve though. I'm pretty sure Clare Auten is one member that has one. You can use the search feature here to find her journal. Let me know if I can help answer any questions about the surgery. Mine wasn't as bad as I anticipated it would be. I've had a great recovery too. Prayers and best wishes, Tammy

Clare Auten  Yes, I have an On-X valve. Yesterday was my 19 month anniversary of the surgery. Please let me know if you have questions.

Tammy Pilcher  Thanks, Clare, for responding. Yours was the only name I could remember of the members that I thought got the On-X. I hope you're doing well! God bless!

Steven A Husted  hi john i do not have the on x valve but it was my choice when i first started my research because of the longevity and the idea of not having a second operation but after a lot of reading i found out that with the on x you have to take a lot of blood thinners and i am afraid with blood thinners i might have a bleed out because i bleed internally because of kidney stones and just the idea of a blood thinner the rest of my life scares me and checking my inr every month special diets there is a lot to consider so i talked with a lot of people and with what i read i chose the bovine valve i heard of one case where the bovine valve lasted 31 years plus my doctor recomended it and know i am at one year out and doing fine also the ohs was not that bad i even did not know it had been done after the surgery i asked the nurse when they were going to start and she told me you are all done so if i do have to have another ohs i know it will not be that bad it really depends on each person and there situation but i would try to do as much reading as possible welcome to the community if you want to read more of my posts steven a husted what ever you decide i wish you the best your heart brother steve (popeye)

Meredith Bray  I've got an On-X aortic, and received a letter from On-X about the FDA ruling. I shared the letter with my cardiologist and the nurse. We've decided that we will make no dosing changes for now, as the lower range gives me a bit more wiggle room in case I want more green vegetables or more exercise. my understanding is the higher INR level is needed for the first 180 days post-surgery, then the range can be lowered. My initial goal INR was 2.5-3.5, then after talking with the surgeon was lowered to 2.0-3.0. After receiving the letter, my acceptable range on my file is 1.5-3.5. I can tell when I am nearing the upper part of the range - I bruise much easier. I'm 44 now, and my surgery was almost 18 months ago.

Johnny Gonzalez  Thank You Merdith! I'm glad to hear that you can lower your dose with this new FDA ruling and that your road to recovery is going great! The only reason I pushed for the On-X is for that exact reason of a lower dose on blood thinners and the studies that have shown the On-X mimics the natural valve opening better which gives a better blood flow through the artery. I also read about the very low possibilities of Pannus growth on On-X valves. Do you monitor your INR at home? Any recommendations for INR monitoring devices? Thank you my friend!

Meredith Bray  I go to the cardiologist's office every 5-6 weeks, and the coumidin nurse sticks my finger and tests it for me. With my insurance & deductibles and out-of-pocket limits and all that, I pay $3.48/visit. I could go to my regular doctor's office for no charge, but (A) it's out of my way, (B) they're not open convenient hours, and (C) it's a full blood draw and I'd have to wait 5 days for a result. When I see my nurse, I get instant feedback and we chat about what's going on in my life that could affect INR. I took about 6 months to get my INR consistent. I chose On-X because it's the only option my surgeon recommended. he's on the leading edge of valve surgery, so i didn't even look at other valves.