Dear Claudia , I ‘m glad that you are feeling a lot better . You are doing really well . You must feel very relieved .
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Ruth Joy….there are bumps in the road especially lung complications after heart surgery a ... Read more
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Ruth Joy….there are bumps in the road especially lung complications after heart surgery and I am staying positive and I will get through it.
Today I had the fluid drained from my right lower lobe and even though the pulmonologist said it will take a few days to get relieve, I feel a slight difference in my breathing….I also have atelectasis and a fracture through the fifth rib on the right side so that explains why I was having so much trouble breathing. How are you feeling?
Hi Claudia , At least you now know what was causing your symptoms . It's good that they are taking you back to drain the fluid , it will make a big... Read more
Hi Claudia , At least you now know what was causing your symptoms . It's good that they are taking you back to drain the fluid , it will make a big difference and breathing will improve . You are being very patient and taking things one day at a time . Take care and pace yourself
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Ruth Joy. Hopefully I will have the fluid drained today.
Patsy Stewart Claudia, what a trying journey you’re on! I’ve thought of you today, and I pray they got your lun ... Read more
Patsy Stewart Claudia, what a trying journey you’re on! I’ve thought of you today, and I pray they got your lung drained. You’ll feel a lot better once some of that fluid is gone.
Hi Claudia , Do you think you ?have a virus ? Do you think it could be a strain of covid ? Sleep very well propped up , drink plenty of fluids ...Read more
Hi Claudia , Do you think you ?have a virus ? Do you think it could be a strain of covid ? Sleep very well propped up , drink plenty of fluids . Drinking hot drinks might help too . You are doing really well , it ‘s still early days .
Claudia Kwalbrun I don’t think I have COVID or a virus. I think it is fluid in my lungs. I do sleep propped up but m ... Read more
Claudia Kwalbrun I don’t think I have COVID or a virus. I think it is fluid in my lungs. I do sleep propped up but maybe not drinking enough. Having a chest X-RAY on Monday. I will keep you posted.
Hi Claudia - Yesterday, a few minutes before I met with Dr. Douglas Johnston, the new Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, I saw your question ...Read more
Hi Claudia - Yesterday, a few minutes before I met with Dr. Douglas Johnston, the new Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, I saw your question about Amiodarone and Atrial Fibrillation after heart surgery. That said, I asked Dr. Johnston your question. Here is his response. I hope this helps you and the other patients in our community that are experiencing AFib. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QnylgUCT_E
https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - A common complication for heart surgery patients is atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heartbeat. To manage AFib...
After having open heart surgery 4 years ago to get a mechanical mitral valve, I had afib that sent me to the hospital several days after I left the hospital. ...Read more
After having open heart surgery 4 years ago to get a mechanical mitral valve, I had afib that sent me to the hospital several days after I left the hospital. There, I had an ablation that set things right (but could have been required again - thankfully, it wasn't). As I understand it, afib after heart surgery is quite common.
Hope today you are doing much better. I had the same operation resulting in A flutter. A similar but different heart issue. Mine was cured ...Read more
Hi Claudia -
Hope today you are doing much better. I had the same operation resulting in A flutter. A similar but different heart issue. Mine was cured by cardeovesion shock two months after the operation. It’s been a year and a half without recurrence. It’s a fast pain free procedure that’s usually helpful. You will feel better daily. Best - Jerry
Claudia Kwalbrun Thanks Jerry. I will talk to my Dr. about cardeoversion.
Adam Pick Jerry, Wonderful to hear that the cardioversion helped clear up your AFib after heart surgery. Tha... Read more
Adam Pick Jerry, Wonderful to hear that the cardioversion helped clear up your AFib after heart surgery. Thanks for sharing this with Claudia and our community !
Greg Lewis Hey, Claudia! Cardioversion also cured my afib, and put me back into Sinus rhythm. It is so fast, som ... Read more
Greg Lewis Hey, Claudia! Cardioversion also cured my afib, and put me back into Sinus rhythm. It is so fast, some times people ask when it will start, and its already done!
Hi Claudia, once you’re ready for rehab check out more than one rehab center. You’d be shocked at how much they can vary. I know this because I had two ...Read more
Hi Claudia, once you’re ready for rehab check out more than one rehab center. You’d be shocked at how much they can vary. I know this because I had two open heart surgeries—the first one failed—and after the second, I checked out three rehab centers before I settled on one, and it made a huge difference.
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Kelli. I certainly will do my research.
Stephen M Fowler posted a note for Claudia that says:
I had a-flutter. Zero problem before the surgery. I looked into it and about half of mitral valve patients have some sort of rhythm problems after ...Read more
I had a-flutter. Zero problem before the surgery. I looked into it and about half of mitral valve patients have some sort of rhythm problems after surgery, but most clear up in 6 months. Mine did. Best wishes to your continued recovery!!
Stephen Blaising Getting home is a big step. Keep walking that is what helped me recover the most.
Claudia Kwalbrun Yes. I have been walking outside everyday, Thank you for that great advice.
Mom, todays the big day! The day we thought would never come and anxiously awaiting to be over. By now your in the OR prepped for surgery. This is the hardest ...Read more
Mom, todays the big day! The day we thought would never come and anxiously awaiting to be over. By now your in the OR prepped for surgery. This is the hardest part, but i know you are strong and resilient and will come out of this better than ever. Im so excited for you to enjoy a fearless life with a healthy and strong heart ❤️. I love you so much! 💕
Cheryl Mann Danielle - what an amazing, encouraging post! claudia - you are blessed! Wishing you a successfu ... Read more
Cheryl Mann Danielle - what an amazing, encouraging post! claudia - you are blessed! Wishing you a successful surgery and fast recovery!
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Cheryl, I am blessed. . Thank you Danielle for your post. Love you so much
I'm so proud of you Mom! Your positive mindset and strength is inspiring! I love you so much and can't wait for the surgery to be over. You ...Read more
I'm so proud of you Mom! Your positive mindset and strength is inspiring! I love you so much and can't wait for the surgery to be over. You got this!!!! ❤️
Love, Danielle
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Danielle. I know I got this and I will be better than ever.
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Adam for posting that picture of my beautiful Sarah. It was such a difficult time for our f ... Read more
Claudia Kwalbrun Thank you Adam for posting that picture of my beautiful Sarah. It was such a difficult time for our family but Pam had so much support through this wonderful site from all over the world. I remember that everyday before Sarah’s surgery going on my computer to see all the supportive posts and it brought comfort to me knowing there were so many children who went through successful surgeries similar to the surgery that Sarah was going to have and I knew after reading all the posts and stories that Sarah was going to be OK. This site calmed me and now that I am going through the same surgery I feel the same comfort and calmness.
Hi Claudia , Welcome It is just over two years since I had my surgery . Try and stay away from busy places as much as possible the days before surgery . I... Read more
Hi Claudia , Welcome It is just over two years since I had my surgery . Try and stay away from busy places as much as possible the days before surgery . I think if I was due surgery I ‘d wear a mask if I was in busy places .
Claudia my love. You are a smart and strong woman. All the doctors you had seen say that you are in good physical shape and your heart is strong. Just stay ...Read more
Claudia my love. You are a smart and strong woman. All the doctors you had seen say that you are in good physical shape and your heart is strong. Just stay positive and before you know this will be behind you, your valve will be repaired and you will be better than ever.
Claudia Kwalbrun I am blessed to have such a strong support group. Thank you, David for your positive post❤️
I ‘m glad that you are feeling a lot better . You are doing really well . You must feel very relieved .