Jane's Guestbook

So encouraging to see you doing so well after your aortic root replacement. I speak with my surgeon on may 11 th to discuss my upcoming surgery for aortic root replacement. I am a 67 year young female. I will follow your progress for my own encouragement. Kind Regards, Nancy

Jane, Thank you for the well wishes and prayers. They are all needed. I am a bit nervous, but I'm asking God to walk right with me. The unknown is what gets to me, but we have no way but to go forward. I plan on cardiac rehab as well. So glad to hear you're doing well.

Hi Jane, I know what you mean about dreadful, de-motivating weather, I live in Ohio where it's been so wet and gray. I walk an indoor track at a gym. You might consider a more vegetarian diet while thinking of heart disease. When my husband was found to need a double bypass on top of the valve repair ( I thought we ate quite healthy) I was mortified and decided to do everything possible to prevent clogged arteries. No more burger or regular cheese pizza on Fridays. We gave up any meat that comes from 4 legs and ask for light cheese on pizza. I'm also getting him off a lot of sugar, another bad, addictive thing. So I learned to make vegetarian meals and if you want to try an excellent meat flavored product, Gardein brand makes burgers, beef and pork chunks for stew or stir fry. I use tofu in place of ricotta for lasagna. Many easy substitutes. I feel much better, lost 7 pounds right away. He enjoyed the 18 weeks of rehab by the way, hope you do too. My best to you, Mary

Hello! Jane, Thanks to a heart murmur, and an inquisitive doctor who wanted to find out the cause, I started having echocardiograms about 25 years ago, which led to the diagnostic of aortic stenosis years later (bicuspid valve). When I went for the catheterization procedure (heart dye test) in May 2016, I was told I had two heart murmurs (I had never heard of anyone having more than one heart murmur). You will be thankful for your support team as we do need help with certain things, at least for the first month (I also live alone). I wish you a successful surgery and speedy recovery…your faith will help you breeze through this.

Hi Jane... Just wanted to drop a 'hi'. Your surgery is on my birthday, so I know things will go just fine! LOL... I had AVR on 2/6/17 and seem to be recovering just fine. As I've mentioned in my own journal entries, the anticipation is worse than the recovery. My pain/discomfort has been much easier to manage than I'd imagined it would be. Just take the recovery one day at a time, listen to your body...be patient...and your body (and God) will do the rest. Will be thinking of you on the 14th... And sending out prayers to you and your medical team!

Hello Jane, Ever since my husband had valve repair, Maze procedure and double bypass in summer 2015, I vowed to give support to anyone who has a health scare. I was age 55 and did not drive; we had lived in large cities where I took public transportation prior to living here in Ohio. So when he was to have surgery at the Cleveland Clinic only 45 minutes away but not having any relatives to drive me back and forth, I stayed at a hotel near the hospital for a week. After that I would get a ride from a friend or take a bus or limo service since he had to return to the hospital due to ongoing A-fib and finally a pacemaker. Well I learned to drive during that summer, overcame my huge fear. Anyway, I learned tremendous strength is possible even when you think you can't take much more! My husband is very well now, just a bit emotionally unstable at times. He was very "moody" 6 months after the surgery and went through a very angry period of about 6 months duration. So if people who know you notice you may be suffering a mood disorder, listen and find a therapist. I went to counseling to deal with him - he never admitted there was a problem, instead he'd blame me for his anger. I wish hospitals would automatically schedule psychological counseling sessions with patients as routine follow up. Well you are going to be taken good care of, I was sure thankful for all the wonderful healthcare workers. Keep a diary to write questions, thoughts, I did and was glad because it helped keep things clear under the stress. My best to you and I will be thinking of you often as your surgery date arrives. Mary in Ohio