divya's Guestbook

Hi Divya 
Hope you and all the family are keeping well. Even though I did not message you have always been in my Prayers. A lot happening on my end. Karishma had her TOE. She has now stepped back from her job as her fatigue was just too much to cope. They just keep saying it is nothing to with heart. All a bit worrying they have also found a little lump at the valve. Difficult to explain. Now Prayers from loved ones has to protect her. 
I just wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy Deepawali. Take care love loads xxx Aruna

Hi Divya! How are you doing? I think you're about 2-½ months out from your surgery. Are you doing Cardiac Rehab? Is your voice back to normal yet? How do you feel overall?

Hi Divya, I understand your voice issue . I had a subclavian aortic bypass that left me speechless for months ! They warned me that it was a possible outcome. I had no voice and would choke when I drank . It took a good 6 months to get back to normal. It was not a quick or overnight process. I started taking magnesium citrate as it said it was good for nerve damage. I know the frustration you are experiencing. I hope you heal quickly and fully!

Hello Divya

so so happy to hear you are making good progress. Hope your voice is getting better. Hope the children are doing fine. Thank you so so much for your Best Wishes for my daughter. I have R arthritis so been having a bit of trouble. Hence the late reply. Yes, it is called TOE here. We have not yet heard anything yet. So keeping our fingers crossed. Sending lots of love and light❤️

I am so sorry to hear about your complications after surgery. I am sending you good wishes and hopeful thoughts your way. And, I am so happy that you were able to rest through the night the other evening. That is a huge accomplishment and I remember the day that I could finally sleep on my side. What a seemingly small hurdle, but, nevertheless, a huge accomplishment for me! 

Om SAI How are things hope you are feeling a little better with each day. We are waiting for dates for TOE for my daughter. Our Prayers are with you ALWAYS. Sending lots of love to all the family

Hi Divya, I had mitral and tricuspid valves repaired in Dec 2023 at Keck USC where I stayed hospitalized for 7 days. During that time, I lost my voice and developed dysphagia. I could not whisper loud enough, and communicated with nurses by typing on my phone. I was not able to swallow anything without choking and coughing, eventually having had a feeding tube down my nose and throat. I was only intubated during surgery for about 6 hours. But I noticed the swallowing problem right before surgery which could have been due to TEE done a few days before. I was seen by an otolaryngologist while hospitalized and treated. I honestly cannot describe what the treatment was in my health state at the time. It involved puncturing a side of my throat and inserting a needle of some sort. My voice came back slowly after that. I could not swallow thin liquid for a few weeks after discharge.  I took gound up meds mixed with apple sauce. I learned to swallow on one side of my throat that was not affected. This problem also went away eventually after a few weeks.

My HR was also high, around 100, initially with BP around 95-100. I was on a beta blocker. I recorded my BP and HR everyday. HR went down to the mid-70s after about 8 months. It helped that I went to cardiac rehab and still continue with the exercise and walking. So it could take time. Hang in there. Recovery could be a long journey.

So glad to know you are back home. My Sincere Prayers to SAI to help you to find solutions for the post op complications and return you to complete health soon. Sending loads of love xxxx

You are showing enormous courage after your op.

i hope you return to your complete life soon.

i had open heart surgery in 2020 to replace my aortic valve, I recovered easily.

every day I walk my beautiful do in Epping Forest in London and I am so grateful for that

best if Luck

Hi Div:

I had Mitral and Tricuspid repair four years ago. 

Prior to OHS I already had a little dysphagia which did worsen post-op.   I still cannot swallow tablets so I crush or use liquid.  Pretty much the same routine as prior to surgery.    I have had a few speech evaluations which show ‘delayed swallow’. 

Regarding my voice.    Prior to OHS I was a normal speaker.    Post-op my voice was scratchy.   Everyone said it was from the intubation.    The first phase lasted about four months but never returned to normal.    Two years later my voice became much worse.    

I was seen by a sub-specialist in Otolaryngology who diagnosed a ‘Permanent Paralyzed Left Vocal Cord’ due to ‘laryngeal nerve damage’ during OHS surgery. 

The specialist said the reason it happened in two phases is because the damaged cord was hanging on and finally just gave out. 

This is most likely not what happened to you but I would see a SUB-specialist who can scope your throat.   It’s a two minute exam.   Nothing to it.  

Good Luck!


Hawkeye

Hi Divya, I did not have the same issues that you are after my aortic valve surgery but I wanted to swing by your guest book and wish you well with this. I am confident that all will be well for you!

Hi Divya 

Om SAI Hope pain less now. In our thoughts and prayers. Hope you are able to go home soon but it is always better to take it slow and steady. Lots of love to the children. Love ❤️ aruna

Hi Divya Good Luck for your surgery from all the family. After I posted my message I saw the details but you look so so young.  Our Prayers are with you. Looking forward to celebrating with you after your successful surgery. Take care sending lots of love ❤️  

Hello there, I had mitral valve replacement surgery 2 years ago. Counting the days down to the surgery day is the hard part. But, soon it will be a distant memory. You will be surprised how strong you are and how resilient you are. You can do this! I wish you all the best.