Barbara's Guestbook

Barbara-God be with you on this healing day and may all go smooth and you enter into your recovery side of your journey in short time. Many prayers are with you.

Hello Barbara, I am one of the recipients of a tissue (bovine) valve to replace my old calcified one! I am in my 12th. week of recovery and doing well. I want to wish you the very best with your upcoming surgery on the 12th. I hope you will take advantage of the time you have(not much)before the "big day" to get it clear that if we can help with any questions there are many of us here in this community who will do our best to help give you support both now and when you are soon in recovery so let us know. I want to say that you will find that the surgery is not as bad as you can possible imagine so please have confidence that this is done many times a day and many people are given that new chance at a healthier happy life due to the advances in technology and the brilliance of the surgical teams who perform their work regularly with you as their only focus and concern. You will be for them a "Piece of art work", unique and special to them. When you emerge from surgery you will meet some of the most giving, nurturing nurses and techs. who will see to your every need and soon be escorting you from bed to walking the hallways with a smile on your face saying "Wow I am so glad that is over and each day and each step forward is with a new mended heart! And don't forget when you are up to it that there are many, many people here in this community who can help or share their experiences with you to let you see how very much you are not alone in this and who would love to share things we have learned to make your recovery time smoother! So stay strong and know in a matter of time you, too will be one of the ones making known how your journey is progressing. Take care.

Hi Barbara, Great to meet you and welcome to our community! Like you, I also had aortic stenosis. I'm hopeful that the information and the people at this website can you help you prepare for your upcoming procedure and recovery. If you need anything, please let me (us) know. Keep on tickin! Adam (patient & website founder)

Hey Barbara, I had aortic valve replacement with aortic root enlargement with Dacron patch 8 days ago. I chose the bovine tissue valve. I live in Northwest Florida and thanks to this site found Dr. Kevin Accola and Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute in Orlando. I can't say enough great things about my surgeon and hospital! I consider myself very blessed to have been able to get them both! It was actually not as bad as I had imagined. I am doing great! Very little pain so far and the pain I do have is very minor. I know it is scary, but just trust in the Lord with all your heart and He will take care of you. Love, Tammy

Hi, Barbara. I visit your part of Florida frequently as my brother and sister in law retired from DC and moved down near Clearwater (they live across the road from the beach, in Largo). I didn't know I had aortic stenosis either, was quite a shock beginning with "have you been told you have a heart murmur?". But I'm much older than you, I'm 68, but had never had a cardiologist, didn't know I needed one. I am now 12 post valve replacement, in cardiac rehab, and doing great. I hope the same for you, do you have a date for surgery yet? Best wishes, Eleanor

Hi Barbara, I am in same boat. That diagnosis comes as quite a surprise doesn't it? After my head stopped spinning (actually only slowed a bit), I wanted to find out what I was facing and promptly scared myself witless. Then I found this site and began to breathe again. I had to take it all in in small doses but I finally feel like I will be able to cope. This crowd is priceless. Keep reading and sharing and they will be right with you for support.