Guestbook of Ercan Afacan

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Ercan Afacangot a new guestbook post

11 days ago

TAIHAO LI reacted to this

TAIHAO LI posted a note for Ercan that says:

Hi, thank you so much for sharing your experience — it really means a lot to me and honestly gives me a lot of encouragement. My peak gradient was 73 mmHg ...Read more

Hi, thank you so much for sharing your experience — it really means a lot to me and honestly gives me a lot of encouragement. My peak gradient was 73 mmHg and my mean gradient was 42 mmHg. I’ve already completed a cardiac catheterization, and I’m currently waiting for a cardiac MRI. I still don’t know exactly when my surgery will be, as I’m in Manitoba where there isn’t a Ross center. I’m 33 years old so a mechanical valve is not something I can accept, which is why I’m strongly hoping for the Ross procedure. So far, I haven’t had syncope like you did, but I do have significant chest tightness and discomfort, which is becoming harder to ignore. I’m trying to understand what the timeline usually looks like — from being placed on the surgical waitlist to actually having the operation, especially when referral to another province may be needed. If you’re comfortable sharing anything about how that process went for you, I’d really appreciate it.

Ercan Afacangot a new guestbook post

69 days ago

Tammie Frizzelle posted a note for Ercan that says:

Thinking of you Ercan. Praying all goes well for you. 💯

Ercan Afacangot a new guestbook post

110 days ago

Harry Neumann posted a note for Ercan that says:

Thanks for sharing.... your story sounds much like mine.

Hang in there my friend

Ercan Afacangot a new guestbook post

111 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Ercan that says:

Hi Ercan ,
Welcome

Ercan Afacangot a new guestbook post

115 days ago

Grace Mason posted a note for Ercan that says:

Hi Ercan,
Welcome to the blog. I read your story and yikes that sounds scary and painful. Hope you can get slotted in soon for your surgery. Sending well ...Read more

Hi Ercan,
Welcome to the blog. I read your story and yikes that sounds scary and painful. Hope you can get slotted in soon for your surgery. Sending well wishes for your recovery from both your injuries due to your fall and your upcoming surgery.

Ercan Afacan Thanks Grace ❤️‍🩹 The waiting is very difficult. How did you manage the waiting period?

Grace Mason I concentrated on preparing for the after surgery by practicing sternal precautions before surgery an ... Read more

Grace Mason I concentrated on preparing for the after surgery by practicing sternal precautions before surgery and working on building up my core muscles.
Things like getting up from seated positions without using my arms, sitting up in bed and getting up without using my arms. Squats are extremely helpful, if you are able to do a few sets of those each day. I also did some leg lifts. I would just check in with your doctor to see what level of activity is good for you before doing anything too strenuous. I found doing those things helped me after surgery. I didn't need assistance doing basic things for myself after surgery.
I was also extremely anxious, not sleeping and having trouble concentrating, so I asked my GP for something to help. He gave me the lowest dose of lorazepam to use, as needed. I found that it took the edge off my anxiety without affecting my work and I appreciated having it on hand, even if I didn't use it every day. I also asked for a sleep aid and that was also helpful both before and after surgery.
I found some meditations on presurgery on Spotify and used those too.
Otherwise, I just tried to keep busy with various activities with my family, that I would probably have to put on hold after surgery.

Ercan Afacan Thanks for the great suggestions Grace.

Grace Mason ❤️👍🏻