Jennifer's Guestbook

Jennifer Winslow  Thanks Lea for writing to me. Yes, I still struggle with some back pain....it has changed into my upper back and I assume it's from the way I am posturing now with having my sternum repairing. they did finally give me a couple muscle relaxers in the hospital that helped a bit!
I am definitely thankful to be on this side of things now and looking forward to improving everyday and starting rehab.
Houston was amazing. I am so thankful that I took the trek there and found Dr. Lawrie. I will forever sing their praises!
Cheers to our continued recovery and good health!

Jennifer Winslow  Thanks Lea for writing to me. Yes, I still struggle with some back pain....it has changed into my upper back and I assume it's from the way I am posturing now with having my sternum repairing. they did finally give me a couple muscle relaxers in the hospital that helped a bit!
I am definitely thankful to be on this side of things now and looking forward to improving everyday and starting rehab.
Houston was amazing. I am so thankful that I took the trek there and found Dr. Lawrie. I will forever sing their praises!
Cheers to our continued recovery and good health!

Jennifer Winslow  Thanks Sally. I’m sorry you had to endure two surgeries. I was just telling my hubby earlier today that i don’t think I could do this again. So glad you are doing well the second time around. I’m definitely looking forward to my chair!

Jennifer Winslow  Hi Pamela! thanks so much for taking the time to post to me!!! Today is Monday the 3rd and I'm only 3 days away and a bundle of nerves at the moment. My stomach is churning!!! Trying to keep myself busy doing other things so I don't focus. One moment I'm confident in my own health and reading success stories then the next I'm super worried. I'm wishing I was on the other side like you at this moment!
I pray you continue in your excellent recovery and we both live long full lives!

Mike Roskowinski  Hey Jennifer hold in there. The waiting is the hardest part. These surgeons are experts at what they do and do it often. It can be a head game but know you will be out and into recovery soon!

Sherry Boleslawski  Hey Jennifer, The waiting is the hardest. I am 5 days past my surgery and now at home! You got this and please use this website as a form of support it's done wonders for me. All the best to you, prayers and thoughts Sherry

Jennifer Winslow  Thanks Mark! I was just telling someone today that I am fortunate that I’ve known about this my whole life and have time to prepare for this moment. I am stricken with empathy for those who are blindsided by it or in an emergency situation like yourself. I’m so glad it all worked out for you! I am hoping I will feel so much better afterwards too. I can’t imagine what it will feel like to have a perfectly functioning valve. Maybe I will be able to run all those 5k’s that I love without feeling like I’m dying! Lol

Jennifer Winslow  Hi Ian, thanks for your input. I was willing to go anywhere and even looked into go to Plano. Unfortunately, my research revealed that Houston Methodist far outranked anything we have here in San Antonio. They ranked #1 in Texas and #16 in the U.S. I found my surgeon through my own research (although I was looking in Houston) and when I met with my cardiologist and told him what and who I had found, he indicated that was the surgeon he had selected and he refers all his patients to Dr. Lawrie. I was upset upon meeting with Dr. Lawrie when he indicated that he no longer performs the minimally invasive. He told me that he used to do them years ago but found his patients had a harder time recovering. I'm still upset at having to have complete open but am confident of my selection in surgeons and hospitals. So did you have OHS or TAVR? I was a little confused on that.
My cardiologist sent me for the TEE but my surgeon sent me for a CTA the day I met with him. He also ordered a sono of my carotid arteries. I have been given the all clear on both of those.

ian browne  I had OHS on May 6, 2015 - so just about 5 years ago. (You can hardly notice the scar). At the time TAVR was on the radar but had not been approved yet. Also, I opted for a porcine tissue valve. Did not want to have to take meds and on a specific diet for the rest of my life. Yes, I will need another surgery down the road...some 15 years more-or-less. But, I hope that by then the TAVR would have been improved. The type of valve was strictly my decision to make as the surgeon said he was fine with either - so it became a matter of life-style for me. For whatever is worth (and yes, we are all different) I started feeling "well" a few months after surgery. But, to get back to that point in which one feels at close to 100%, it took me about 4 years. By that I mean energy, clarity of thought, excellent memory, etc. Like a normal 62 year old guy.

Marie Myers  Don’t fear the full sternotomy. I can honestly say that the pain was not a huge factor for me, and I was back working part time in 8 weeks. Just gotta go slow and easy for 6-8 weeks, and it will heal up fine.
BTW, I had 2 CTAs prior to surgery, along with a TEE and cardiac cath in the months before surgery. You are going to a super surgeon at a super hospital, and I am sure you will do well!

Jennifer Winslow  Ian....I am doing a bio valve with the same reasoning as you! Nice to know I’m not crazy for that decision!

Jennifer Winslow  Hi Geri, thank you!!! I won't be driving. I plan to be in the backseat with my mom while my hubby does the driving.