Bonnie's Guestbook

Bonnie Stone-Hope  I had a mitral valve prolapse (my Mom also had mitral valve prolapse, at same age, and had a successful replacement) so repair was a difficult surgery 

Bonnie Stone-Hope  My Mother had a mitral valve replacement 21 years ago. As soon as she was able to speak, she asked “where’s my lipstick”. Keep smiling💜

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hi Judith,
I was advised after surgery at discharge, by my surgeon and NP, that I should wear a Medic Alert bracelet, because of the mitral valve repair and mitral valve prolapse. It has the serial # of the Edwards ring, and also advises that I need antibiotics prior to procedures, such as dental, accidents, etc.
I seriously did not like wearing it as it is a constant daily reminder of the surgery. So, finally decided to make it into a "custom" piece of jewelry, and had a jeweller attach the pendant to a gold bracelet I had received years ago. This bracelet was a gift from a previous employer so is a positive memory. Now, I quite like wearing the Medic Alert info:)
Likely, most folks do not mind wearing the standard bracelet, but it was just something that seemed to bother me so wanted to advise others that it is possible to wear something "discreet" if one wishes.

Glad to know you are enjoying summer. So to learn you fell ill while away. Hope you are all good now:)

judith monti  thanks Bonnie. They have never mentioned it to me. The antibiotic issue is very important Don't know if I told you one of the Dr's in cardiac rehab had dental work after heart surgery. They told him no need for antibiotics. He has a regular dental cleaning and bacteria entered his heart and he had to repeat surgery. My dr's told me no need for antibiotics but I thought I would want them and after hearing this story, I certainly had antibiotics prior to my dental cleaning!

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Yes, cannot be too careful. In February, my 8 yr. old friendly dog, decided to bite me......not much of a bite, a nip, really, but the skin was broken. Was actually still on blood thinners, due to Afib., so looked like a big bruised mess. Had to go to the clinic to get antibiotics, just in case.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hello Vicki,
Thank you for your post and well wishes.

My Mother had the same surgery for mitral valve regurgitation 20 years ago so she is the one who showed me how to recover. She sailed through the surgery, and had no problems at all. She had an excellent quality of life after surgery and no further issues with the valve. The only difference is that back then, valve replacement was done, rather than repair.

I had a mitral valve repair but the surgeon did not have to do anything about the tricuspid valve, which was nice. The atrium was enlarged from working too much so I wanted the surgery done ASAP while my heart was still strong.

I am not brave, but when faced with the fact that surgery was recommended, even though I had no symptoms other than fatigue when going up stairs, felt it had to be done, so let's just do it!

I do feel that this site, with personal stories, words of encouragement, sharing of information, plus reading Adam's book, allowed me to be fully prepared for the task of having surgery. As they say "knowledge is power" and learning from others is a great help.

Had a few "issues" post op. For example, needed a blood transfusion and did get atrial fibrillation (expected that from the videos on this site) But, surgery was successful and no infection so no complaints.

I had read that the surgical procedure was not really painful, but had a hard time believing that. Please to report that my discomfort was minimal. Biggest issue for me was having to sleep on my back while the sternum healed.

It is now hard to imagine that I had surgery. Just nice to know my heart is now as strong as before this valve issue.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Bonnie

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hi J P,
Thank you for your comment. Will follow your posts and wishing you a successful surgery and easy recovery.
The surgery seems like it was a long time ago. Feel fine now, so happy that the valve is now "fixed" so life can once again be normal. It will be the same for you. Once your surgery is done, you will be great!
Regards,
Bonnie

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hello Emily,
Thank you for your post. I feel fine, no problems.
The surgery seems to be a long time ago.
You look great! Best wishes and God bless.

Emily Rowley  That's great you are sailing along smoothly 🙂 Aww thank you for your lovely compliment. May God continue to bless you with a smooth journey and good health 🙏🏼 Look forward to hearing your updates.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hello Carmel,
Nice to hear from you.

Pre-op I had no symptoms other than fatigue, which I attributed to age. Also felt exhausted when going up stairs. This I attributed to being out of shape. Would never had gone to the family physician with these symptoms, and hardly ever went to family physician other than annual checkups. That is probably why he jumped at the chance to listen to my chest when I requested a renewal prescription for arthritis meds:) He had "thought" he heard a murmur so sent me for an ECHO.

Results were normal heart function. BUT

left atrium was moderately enlarged
severe mitral regurgitation
mitral valve prolapse


I spoke with the surgeon as a result of an urgent referral sent by my family physician and surgery was booked ASAP. Wanted to go into surgery with the strongest heart function possible.

The surgery was successful and I feel great. Find it hard to believe that I even had surgery. Still do not have my pre-surgery endurance back yet, but that will come:) However, can tell already that going up stairs causes less "puffing".

Post op, the worst part for me was having to sleep on my back while the sternum healed.

Also do not like taking Amiodarone 200 mg. daily for 6 weeks (8 pills left) as it makes me very tired for about an hour afterwards. This is for atrial fibrillation I developed after surgery (on Christmas Day)

Do hope this has answered your questions. Please feel free to ask any questions. Hope you have an easy time, and speedy recovery.

God Bless

Carmel Power  Many thanks Bonnie. I’m in Australia and I think we are behind the US in terms of early intervention possibly because our surgeons don’t specialise in one area. All the very best.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  I am sure that there are members from Australia who might be able to provide referrals of surgeons.

Best wishes and good luck to you.

Carmel Power  Hi Bonnie. Another question. How does your heart feel? Does it feel different or the same as before the operation? Many thanks.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Hi Carmel.

I feel exactly as before, just not as able to go for a very long walk without resting yet. Upon walking up our stairs, my heart does not seem to be pounding so much at the top. (14 stairs)
The body is so interesting, in that we accommodate to whatever our situation is. I was so used to being exhausted after going up stairs, that it eventually because my new "norm" to feel that way. Now, I am slightly fatigued and soon, that feeling will go away totally also, I assume. Taking it "slow and steady" at this point.

Carmel Power  Thanks Bonnie. All sounds really good so pleased for you. I have a severely leaking mitral valve and speaking to you reassures me I am making the right decision to get it repaired sooner than later. Have a friend coming today with the exact same problem as us but he has been in heart failure and I think only now they are recommending surgery. All the best. C

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you, Linda, for your post. Just glad the surgery is done. Have you had your surgery or are you still waiting?

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you so much for your concern.

Just returned home yesterday from the hospital yesterday afternoon. So this is the first time I have really had adequate time to post the experience.

Firstly, the surgery went fine. Surgeon did a mitral valve repair, which is nice.

Post op pain: totally manageable with the meds provided.
However, first day post op, needed to have a blood transfusion.
Also, needed to have 3 days of respiratory therapy as my lungs would not respond to the breathing exercises I was doing.
Results were that I felt very exhausted for the first 4 days.

Then came the atria fibrillation episodes, which are being controlled with medications. Glad to know that on this site, it states that 94% of patients who experience A fib have it gone in 6 weeks!

Now gaining strength each day.

Felt all the prayers being said on my behalf and wish to thank everyone on this blog and all my friends and family.

So, to summarize, I would say that this site properly prepared me for the surgery, and I was able to deal with the few setbacks.

Life isn't always easy, but it sure is sweet!

God Bless!

Phil Wutz  Bonnie

I'm so happy you made it out and remain with us! My prayers have been answered. Much praise! Now you must be a motivated patient in recovery! As a former RN, you know that how quickly and well you recover depends entirely on you. Keep up the breathing exercises and the walking. You'll get a little better every day. I'm 16 days post surgery and I finally moved from my lounge chair to the bed. Things are slowly getting back to "normal" but with one exception - my heart feels WAY better!

I'll keep you in my prayers for a quick and full recovery. May God bless.

Therese ODell  Hi Bonnie! So happy you are home and the surgery was successful! Have been thinking of you and praying for you daily. God is good and He is faithful! Rest and recover and please keep us updated on how you are doing.

Therese ODell  Hi Bonnie, I've been thinking of you all morning and praying for your surgery tomorrow. Please keep us posted on your recovery and any specific prayer needs you have. Praying for a quick and easy recovery due to a successful surgery!
Therese

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you both so much for thinking of me.
Did get the "call" so on for tomorrow.
So ready! Let's just do it!!

Appreciate your kind wishes and prayers.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you, Anna.
Hope to write post quickly after surgery to assure others that all is OK.

Enjoy this holiday season.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you for your nice post.

I have decided not to stress until there is something to stress about. So, until such time as they wheel me into the OR, I will remain calm.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you! I am hopeful this is the date!
Totally packed, just want to get it done:)
Appreciate your kind message.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  I have been given instructions from the hospital to bring only a housecoat and slippers as storage is very limited in ICU. Slippers have rubber soles and velcro strap.

However, on day 2, I can have toiletries, including dry shampoo, and comfy clothes. I have a lovely burgundy bamboo poncho, nice and loose, which will go over my head easily, and easy to lift up for surgeons' rounds to inspect incision. Want my phone there too, of course, with charge cord. And, travel pillow (tip from this site)

Hope this information is helpful.

Lisa Hunley  Bonnie, I too bought a travel pillow because as you said, I read where it was recommended. Is it for the bed or chair? Just curious if you knew. I will be praying for you and look forward to an update.

Bonnie Stone-Hope  From what I have learned from this blog, it is for both bed and chair. Have a sore neck most days since a car accident so think that having my head tilted during surgery for several hours might cause more neck discomfort than the sternum. Not taking any chances:)

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Thank you very much. You are very kind. Have been following your progress, and wishing you good health.

Phil Wutz  Bonnie - you're two days out and I'm two weeks out! I'm trying to keep my nerves in check. I'll pray for peace for you leading up to the surgery and a perfect outcome. We have to trust in the surgeon's skill and experience. We are living in an enlightened time regarding heart surgery. You'll do fine. You're on my prayer list!

Bonnie Stone-Hope  Phil, I truly appreciate your kindness and prayers.

My Mother had this surgery 20 years ago when she was at my age (69).
She had no problems, no infection, had a replacement valve (pig). And now, there is even more expertise in this field of medicine. I am expecting no problems with the surgery, and feel confident that in a few days, you will be reading my post regarding recovery. At that point, you will be receiving my prayers as your surgery day approaches.

I'm not a particularly "brave" person, but when you think about it, I do not have an option about this surgery.
Got to be done, so want it done ASAP :)

Regards,
Bonnie