Beth's Guestbook

Hi Beth, I, too, celebrated my 2 yr anniversary of my surgery on June 2. It certainly has been an experience. I\'m doing well, too. Have one little hiccup, I have a Thoracic Aorta Aneurysum, so I have to be monitored every 3 months with CT Scans and Echos at least once a year for now. Otherwise, I feel wonderful. All my best, Diana

hi!!! its Lilet from Philippines, i was also a patient from 2010 and happy anniversary !!! for such a overwhelm life blessing... I was first diagnosed for MV repair but have suffered from anemia or my hemoglobin go low. I undergo again for operation, MV replacement ...now its two years happy and blessed.....congatulation to us....Would you mind if I ask what diet are taking?...Thank you very much

Hi Beth. Happy 1st Annniversary!!! I am so happy to hear that things are well and you are back on track and continue to make improvements a year later. My 1 year anniversary is also approaching (7/20). Wishing you continued health in the years ahead. Take care. Kellie

Hi Beth, I had my surgery the same day, and can\'t believe a year has almost past already. Time sure has a way of flying by. I feel wonderful, still have some ups and downs, but for the most part, more ups than downs. Truly amazing! Happy 1 year anniversary and I hope and pray that the next coming years are uneventful for you and live your life to the extreme maximum. Diana

Hello Beth. I just found your journal and we have a few similarities. I was diagnosed with aortic regurgitation in March and was married in April. I am in my early 40\'s and have no symptoms. My surgery is scheduled for June 2, which I believe is the anniversary of your procedure. I hope all is well for you and congratulations on the anniversary of your new valve. Jon Farmer

hi beth, im 2 yrs post op from an aortic valve replacemnt. i was diagnosed at 40 and had it done by 45. i also wondered why. i never had any symptoms but they found an anuerysm, so it speeded things up,no one in my family has had this,it was a surprise. so do you have a mechanical valve? my email is jeffstoveken@yahoo.com jeff

Hi Beth, Glad you\'re doing well. Based on your coumadin story, I guess you got a tissue valve. Is that correct? I\'m debating which to get, tissue or mechanical. I have to decide very soon as my surgery should be in the next 2 weeks. How did you pick which valve to get? Thanks, Art p.s. we adopted a 1 y.o. boy, from Russia, 16 months ago. Good luck with that process, also.

Hi Beth, great news I am so happy for you. I was adopted as child as well. I have had a rough recovery now 4 months out but I have faith that I will turn the corner. Take care and God bless your journey into taking a child into your home. Susan V

Hi Beth Great update, glad you\'re doing so well. Wishing you the best with the adoption and that it doesn\'t take forever till you get that new addition to your family. Keep us posted. Fran

Hi Beth. So good to hear that your return to work went so well - what great news! Sounds like your coworkers missed you. I\'m sorry the Ventura trip did not go so well & hope your tongue is OK now. Take care & keep getting better. Joy

Hi Beth, I am happy that you were able to return to work and gain back some more normalcy. I\'m sorry you injured yourself and that put a damper on your long weekend... I\'m glad it was easily resolved, although painful, I\'m sure. Take care! Kellie

Hi Beth Ouch, double ouch, getting stitches in your tongue. No Fun. Put a damper on your get away weekend, but glad your first week at work went so well. Keep healing and progressing. Fran

Hi Beth. Congratulations on your 10 month anniversary. What a year you’ve had! No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed. It’s good that you are seeing a psychotherapist to help you with that. Every step I take toward getting my life the way it was before provides some comfort. For you, that might mean returning to work, seeing your coworkers, reestablishing your routine. Since you work in a hospital, I hope there will be some understanding regarding limitations you might have after such a serious surgery. Sending positive thoughts your way – Joy

Hi Beth! Thanks for taking the time to write back!! I am relieved to hear that there haven\'t been any complications so far in taking the SSRI in addition to the asprin. I really do need something to help me better control dealing with the stress - which will be even higher when I return to work (still not sure when this will be). Take care and wishing you continued success in your recovery! Kellie

Hi Beth Wow what a story. I am a 3 X veteran my frist your age now 59 with mitral valve relacement 3 wks ago. I certainly can relate to some of your concerns. When I had a valve replacement with many complications postoperatively I too was really nervous about going back to work but I did while I cont in Cardiac Rehab This time I will be losing my 11 yr career as our corporate policy is regardless if you have full disability once 6 mo off work, automatic termination I had been ill with a virus lost 25 lbs after an international trip in Feb so timing is not my friend this time But everything happens for a reason and my only words are to take it slow. I know you probably feel like I am young, they expect me to return to life, emotionally and physically. We are all so different. My son when age 9 now 33 when he had his open heart first stop was counseling and postop a few visits. Thus far each age and open heart has been different for me and have not needed to see a counselor, but believe me if I need to I will. You have had a alot going on with MAJOR LIFE CHANGES in the last year. I do know that when I had children we did not know that the extent of my congential heart defects were as severe, enountered preeclamspia, but now you are structurally repaired and I am sure your Dr\'s will advise. Take care and keep in touch. I wish I HVJ was in my life last 2 times, I am so grateful that all who communicate truly understand each and everyday Susan VandenBussche

Hi Beth You were wise to realize you needed help and sought it, good for you. If you\'ve read Adam\'s book you realize that this is fairly common after our type of surgery. There\'s certainly a lot going on in your life but it sounds as if you have a wonderful soul mate and with that you can get through so much more. Birth child or adopted, sounds like you will have a child. Prayers for you for continued healing and peace and the knowledge that God does know our needs. Keep us up to date. Fran

Hi Beth, Sounds like you\'re doing wonderfully. I am just shy of 41 and had a bovine mitral valve replacement on 7/20/10. My doctor just prescribed 10mg Lexapro (one of the SSRIs) for me because I\'m not dealing with stress very well right now. This concerns me as I am also on asprin therapy. Was this also your situation and, if so, were there any complications? Thank you for any advice. Kellie

Hi Beth, It\'s a little over 10 weeks since I had surgery and I have a tentative return to work date of 9/7. Try not to push yourself. Remember you just had major surgery. I am not a doctor, but if you are not ready to return to work you need to let your doctor know. Everyone heals differently and you certainly do not need to stress yourself at this time. Take the time you need to feel stronger and better. Elaine

Hi Beth Just read your story and journals and guestbook.I am due to have my valve replacement at the end of August.I have met my surgeon and she has told me i will be out of work for at least 3 months and it will take a full year to fully recover.She has also talked to me about rehab and how important it is on the road to recovery. I feel that you a pushing yourself at to early a stage, you could do more bad than good.I also feel having read your story that you were trying to get pregnant and maybe this is why you are pushing yourself so you will be fit enough to go through pregnancy.As they say time is a healer,your time will come to have kids and you will want to be in the best of health to look after them. Best of luck for the future and my all your dreams come through. Regards Alan from Ireland

Beth, I too agree with the previous posts by Diana, Cheryl and Fran. I just finished cardio rehab, and have to say it was definitely an important step in my recovery. I am so glad I took part in it....it gives you confidence to push yourself harder. Mentally it is a real plus. Good luck, Theresa C.

Hi Beth can\'t add much to what Cheryl and Diana had to say. Do you know why the doctor felt you didn\'t need rehab. Have you read Adam\'s book he spends a lot of time writing about the value of rehab both physically and emotionally. I would definitely agree with him.I got to rehab a little later than some due to some post op fluid issues. The 90 minute round trip drive has been worth it. I am half way through my 36 sessions. You alone are the judge of whether or not you can return to week. You have an important position, but your health is even more important. You\'ll figure it out--good luck. Fran

Hi Beth, Today I\'m 6 weeks post-op, too. I\'m having quite a bit more pain today, then the previous days, and I think it has something to do with the dampness here. Its a grey day out there today. I still get tired very quickly, that\'s all part of the healing process. Maybe you can go back to work for 1/2 days to start, and ease into full days again. If you are able to do that, I would suggest that, for sure. You sound like your doing terrific, Beth. Don\'t be so hard on yourself. After all, you did have open heart surgery, you know. Your body has been through the wringer, and is going to take some time to get back to where it was before surgery. Did your doctor recommend cardiac rehab? I start tomorrow with that, and I\'m really excited about that and looking forward to that. Maybe something to look into. That will help keep the blue\'s away, as well. Keep up the great work, your doing really well. Diana

Hi Beth I think you are expecting too much from yourself right now. Most of us here have found that heart surgery takes a great deal of time and patience to get ourselves back to where we were and many of us have been somewhat disappointed that in a few weeks we are still experiencing pain, tiredness and frustration. But, that\'s what it is all about. Everything you feel is completely normal and even the personal doubts are very normal. I commend you in seeking outside professional help rather than letting yourself get too far down in the dumps. Beth, it will probably take a few months before you really begin to see signs of improvement and a few months after that before you feel you\'ve turned a corner. Unfortunately you just cannot rush your body in this healing process. I wish there was a magic pill but there isn\'t. Time, patience and plenty of it are what you need and I pray those around you encourage you to take as much of it as you require. Is your work schedule at all flexible? If not, then make sure you get as much rest as possible in the evenings and perhaps at lunch. You might prepare by bringing in some quick meals so that when you come home at the end of the day you can take the time to rest while hubby pops something into the microwave. Probably after being back to work a week or so you\'ll find yourself getting back into the groove and naps will become less frequent. If you find you need to nap, do it. Keeping you in my thoughts. Cheryl