Ashley's Guestbook

Hi Ashley, My name is Lance and I have Mitral Valve regurgitation and Aortic Stenosis. I have interviewed with Dr. Trento and Dr. Raney at Hoag Hospital. I have an appointment to see Dr. Starnes. My question is how did you finally decided on Dr. Starnes and not Dr. Trento? I can\'t seem to make a decision. Happy to hear that you are doing much better.

Dear Ashley, Thanks for posting. I\'m 46, and have mitral regurg. Your blog is a blessing for me, as I wonder what young women experience. (you are a lot younger than me...) Thanks for taking the time. Hope you are feeling well now. -Jennifer Turner

Ashley, I returned to work at 11 weeks. I maybe could have gone back at 9 but I was scheduled for 12 weeks and figured whAt\'s the hurry? There\'s no right or wrong answer to your question. Listen to your body. Ricki Shine

Hi Ashley. I\'m 5+ weeks post op for same condition as you (at UCLA); had OHS, none of that minimally invasive stuff - give the surgeon a good view and lots of workspace I say. Going back to work next week at the 6-week mark after starting cardiac rehab 2 weeks ago. But everybody is different, everybody starts off from a different place, and everybody heals differently. Your cardiac rehab is making you stronger, those 2 hour naps just mean that it is affecting/changing/healing you. You can probably see progress already. The question I\'d ask about going back to work is will it slow down recovery? The answer may be yes if you would otherwise decide to push it during rehab and take the long naps, since that\'s at least half day right there and to do some kind of workout on the days you\'re not in rehab. I\'m with Barry: hard but non-injurious activity improves healing and recovery. It does this by recruiting specific adaptations generated by 4 billion years of evolution experienced by your ancestors. That\'s why they get you up out of bed and walking so quickly after surgery. Did you consider returning part-time if your workplace allows it? That might get you the best of both worlds. -- DVB

Hi Ashley, I took the full twelve weeks that my insurance offered and am not sorry I did that , because my body needed that time mentally and physically to heal. I also went for cardiac rehab in my eighth week and did about 25 sessions which helped me a lot. So don\'t worry about the norm just do what your body tells you to do. Everybody\'s recovery time is different. Sara

Hi Ashley....friend... In a way, perhaps doing the whole 12 wks for recovery may be good...in a way, maybe the work social environment may be good...may be good to be with people....it is really, I\'m sure, what works best for you. If I wasn\'t retired, I know I could have been back to work before 6 wks..that\'s me...not you or anyone else. At 6 wks I\'d started running, completed a Sprint Triathlon, and a 5 K (3.2 mile) running event, done a 50 mile ride on my bike, etc. ...but, I had this \"drive\" from somewhere to move, move, move. I think moving, doing, speeds the recovery and builds on itself. I\'m only telling you this stuff I\'ve done to try to tell you it can be done. I\'m and old guy and not at all a strong athlete. If I can do this stuff, dang, just about anyone can...especially young people. I\'m struggling with some stuff, for sure, like the mile hill that has been eluding me conquering it. It beat me again, yesterday...but what I\'m sayin\' is...gotta do stuff. I will tackle that hill once a week, at least, until I conquer it....won\'t quit \'til I do it. I\'m 12 wks post surgery now & I guess 5 wks into 12 wks of rehab. Rehab here for me is heavy sweat, I mean dripping wet...they are building my strength...but it is their program philosophy for their patients to work HARD because science shows the long term rehab results are better to produce healthier patients. If you want to see something that some say is motivational, inspirational, Google ...or easier..go to youtube, and search The Butterfly Circus. ...Barry on the mtn in NM.

Hi Ashley, It\'s ONLY been 2 weeks......you will be surprised how in a couple more weeks (and months) you will be feeling normal again! Be patient with yourself! Best of luck! Lori Wakat

Hi Ashley, I\'m glad that you have had the surgery and now can put that behind you. I\'m like you - mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation. Weeks ago my cardiologist told me I need to get my valve repaired soon, as in right away. I really appreciate your post. It is so good to see that your surgery was successful and you are getting stronger every day. Be good to yourself. You\'ll be feeling so much better really soon! Chris

Hi Ashley, It is great to hear you had such a great surgery with repair of your valve. I am sorry to hear about your med side effects. I am glad you are better now. I was not able to concentrate enough to read for over 2 weeks after my surgery. My vision was also a little blurry. I was gradually able to read and concentrate for longer period of time. It is frustrating to have to be confined and not be able to do things you would like to do. Give yourself the necessary time to heal so that you do heal properly. Discuss your symptoms with your cardiologist and/or surgeon to make sure everything is as it should be, just in case. It is better to rule things out than to let things go. If you notice anything unusual, call your dr. to check. I missed the signs of a bleeding ulcer about a week after I was home from the hospital after surgery, and I ended up back in the hospital needing blood transfusions. I don\'t think this is a usual thing, but just don\'t let something go without checking with your dr. If they say it is normal, then you will feel better. I wish you a great recovery. Just know that it takes some time. Let your family take care of you and do those things you aren\'t yet supposed to do. You will get there, one day at a time. My prayers are with you. Tia Phillips

Hi Ashley, Congrats on making it through with a repair!! I\'ve been wondering and waiting to see how it went for you. Thanks so much for the update, you have tons of support through your journal family, keep writing!!! Take care and take it one day at a time. Debby T.