Jill's Guestbook

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Civita, I am doing fairly well. I had surgery July 25. I began wearing the silicone strips in mid Sept and stopped in mid Dec as I ran out and in the drier weather they were not sticking as well. I switched to a silicone stick, Pro-sil, which I apply to my scar twice a day. My scar has stayed primarily flat except for the very bottom which is at the top of my cleavage and an area that the silicone strips did not adhere to well. There is a bump at the bottom and it is redder than the rest. I think that indicates the silicone strips do work as the areas that I got the best adherence, the top, are flat, while the area with the least adherence, the bottom, is bumpy. I would recommend using the strips for 3 months, 12 hours per day or more if you can get them to stick. Good luck, let me know how it goes!

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Michelee, I am doing very well! I had surgery 5 1/2 months ago to repair an ascending aortic aneurysm and replace my aortic valve. While it is a lot to go through, I did well! I did develop a-fib in the hospital and had several additional episodes, the last being in mid-Sept. I was placed on metoprolol and warfarin. After wearing an event monitor for 30 days, I was able to go off of warfarin in mid-December. I completed 7 weeks of cardiac rehab and am doing pretty much everything I was doing before the surgery with the exception of heavier lifting. Dr Svensson is a very knowledgable, skilled surgeon although do not expect to spend a lot of time with him. I had 1 appointment with him 2 months before the surgery and only saw him briefly the next morning following my surgery. CC is very well run and efficient but the surgeons do surgery and spend very little other time with you. While Dr Svensson was still in charge of my care, appearantly he has a certain step-down unit that he sends all of his patients to, other doctors will take over your care after he makes his rounds the following morning. The staff was great and my overall experience positive. I would recommend CC for anyone facing OHS. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Valerie, Nice to hear from you. I enjoyed your blog as always! I am doing well. Haven't had any new issues with a-fib but my INR levels were very high on Friday so my Dr told me not to take any blood thinners over the weekend, eat some salad and get retested on Monday. Hoping my numbers are back down! I am having an echo on Thursday to confirm whether the valve is working properly and if so, will be released to begin cardiac rehab. So all in all, I cannot complain! How are you doing? Hope all is going well for you and you are feeling healthy and enjoying time with your granddaughter!

Valerie Archual  That's awesome Jill!!! So glad you are doing well!!! I am doing ok! I am in rehab as well- got a late start. Now refresh my memory- you got a replacement- a tissue or mechanical? How are things going now??

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Janice, Thank you for writing to me. I think I am doing pretty well. I continue to feel better each day and am doing many things that I did not think I would be able to do so soon after surgery. My a-fib seems to be controlled with medication but still am a little concerned that it will return after I begin to wean off of the drugs. I have an echo scheduled for next Thursday so hopefully, it will show that the valve is working properly and all is good! How have you been doing? Hope that you are not having many symptoms from your leaking valve and that the leak does not get any worse. When is your next echo scheduled?

Janice Smith  Sure glad to hear you are doing well, and hope the Afib stays controlled. I, too, had it after surgery a couple of times, so stay strong and know all will work itself out in time. My leak is about the same. Per my cardiologist here in Springfield, Ohio, I went to Riverside McConnell Heart Hospital for another opinion. I saw Dr. Yakubov, Interventional Cardiologist, that comes highly recommended from the TAVR Center. We were greatly impressed with him and the Heart Hospital. When it comes time, I will have that procedure done there instead of CC. They were so forthright in answering all questions, and testing was very thorough. The Heart Hospital is located in Columbus, Ohio, and much closer to our home. I will have an echo done every 3 months to stay on top of things. Right now, I am doing pretty good. I will continue to check in on you. I am sure your echo will be good next week. Stay positive.

Jill Krajnovich  Glad to hear that things are ok for you right now and that you have found a cardiologist that you like and trust! We will keep in touch. Wishing you the best!

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Janice, I am now 5 weeks post surgery and doing well. My 1 month post surgery echo looked good and I was released to begin cardiac rehab. I had my evaluation today and will begin next week. I am still having a little pain that comes and goes on my right side but doesn't seem to be anything major, most likely muscular, so hopefully, will go away soon. Hope you are doing well and feeling good!

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Judy, I am overall doing well. I have continued to have a few problems with a-fib but have reduced the amount of both amiodarone and metoprolol that I was prescribed in the hospital. I am hoping that I don't have any further issues and can end the amiodarone in 3 1/2 weeks as planned. How are you doing?

Jill Krajnovich  So glad to hear, Judy. Yesterday, I was 5 weeks post and I am doing well too. Sure glad we have this behind us!

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Al, Thank you for the well wishes! While I am still a little tired, 12 days post op, I am overall feeling good and with the drugs have not had any further episodes of a-fib in several days. I will begin weaning off the amiodarone tomorrow so will see how that goes. I did not consult Dr Gerdisch although know he has an excellent reputation. I had 2 consults in Indianapolis before sending my records to the Cleveland Clinic. Dr Svensson's office reviewed my records and contacted me. I then scheduled a consult with Dr Svensson. Dr Svensson was the only one of the 3 doctors I consulted who could offer me a mini-sternotomy. The first surgeon said he would do a full sternotomy and a 2nd incision on my right chest to attach the heart-lung machine. The 2nd surgeon said he could do a full sternotomy without adding the 2nd incision. Dr Svensson could do the mini incision and that sounded much better to me. Going to Cleveland for surgery is like going through a fine tuned assembly line process. This is what they do. They have seen it all and they follow precise steps from beginning to end. I was not sure about traveling 5 hours away for surgery and then having to stay in Cleveland 2 extra days for my first follow-up but this worked out best for me and if I had to make the choice again, would do the same thing. Good luck to you on your heart journey. If you do consult Dr Gerdisch, would be interested in knowing whether he could perform this surgery using a minimally invasive incision. Please keep me posted.

Jill Krajnovich  Thanks, Lou! You sound like you went through quite an ordeal! Glad you are doing much better now! It is 10 days post surgery for me and while I am using metoprolol and amiodarone to control my heart rhythm, I am feeling better each day and am hoping that I can get off these medications and warfarin in the next few months.Thanks for reaching out to me and best wishes to you for a smooth recovery from here on out!

Jill Krajnovich  Thank you, Janice! I have been released but had 1 more episode last night. My follow-up is tomorrow morning and I will discuss it in more detail with them then. I am hoping not to have to stay on blood thinners long term or I would have just gotten a mechanical valve. I appreciate your prayers and will also remember you in mine.

Jill Krajnovich  Sorry, Judy, that we didn't get to meet. As Giselle said, we both have done well. I have had some issues with a-fib however, today I have been back in sinus rhythm most of the day after increasing my metoprolol. Hopefully, that will be the end of it!

Tamika J  Hi Jill!, I'm Taking things minute by minute, my date was pushed back to Aug 16th now. So so glad to see you are doing well, however the prayers don't stop here will continue for your speedy recovery 💞

Jill Krajnovich  Ok, I was wondering as I was kind of out of the loop there for a couple days. Thank you for your prayers! I appreciate them! I will also be praying for a successful surgery for you!

Craig Wise  I'm saying a brief prayer for you Jill. Wish you continued best. Please keep us posted as you feel up to it.

Judy Stokes  I feel great. No short of breath, have some energy just very happy . And it'll continue to get better

Judy Stokes  Jill you were still in intensive care when I was there Friday. Didn't want to bother you in there. Sorry was sure looking forward to seeing you and. Giselle. Wishing you a speedy recovery

Judy Stokes  I had a good report from pa yesterday. All is good. No restrictions. Walk,walk,walk. See dr 9/14 It's just amazing that 10 days ago I had major surgery and now doing so well. Not short of breath and getting stronger each day. God is good. Hope you continue to have a good recovery. Keep in touch!!!!!

Roger Bideleux  Nerves are normal I am sure, I was nervous too but the anaesthetic soon kicks in and the next you know it's all over. Believe in the staff who are there to care for you, you'll do well!

Marie Myers  Anxiety is unpleasant but normal. Wishing you a smooth surgery and uneventful recovery!! I remember that icky pre op anxiety well...

Craig Wise  thank you Jill. prayer, so kind of you. I've been praying for guidance. I hope you don't mind the truth, but I'm in a lot of pain. Laid up again, as my sternum seems loose and now grinds when I move or breathe deeply. I am trying to keep my mood from disintegrating, but it's very hard. thank you so much for writing. I have a CT scan later today, and perhaps some info in another day or two,

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Craig, No worries, sometimes I am confused by this site too! Certainly sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I will continue to pray for you and hope that there is an easy solution and most importantly, that the pain goes away! I don't think anyone can feel too positive about things when they are in pain. Keep posting so we know how you are doing! I am sure I speak for everyone on this site that we wish you well and that the problems you are experiencing get resolved quickly and easily!

Jill Krajnovich  Hi Valerie, Gotta say this upcoming surgery is pretty much taking over my life, kind of in the back of my mind all of the time! Thanks for your prayers, so appreciated!

Civita Fahey  Jill, it can do that, but believe me, after its all done, you will realize that the anticipation is worse than the real thing.. I couldn't think of anything but for the last week or so.. All turned out great and its been just about 12 weeks and I feel great and you will too.. Best of luck and prayers for a successful surgery.

James Maguire  Jill you will be alright if you read my journal you will see that I have quite a few surgeries myself. I believe that these doctors that are doing these heart and artery surgeries are almost miracle workers, But I also believe that prayer is also needed. I will keep you in my prayer list, God Bless

Jill Krajnovich  Civita and James, Thank you so much for your reassurances and your prayers. I need both! So glad that you are feeling so well, Civita. and so glad that things overall have turned out well for you too, James! I will pray that your upcoming surgery goes equally as well so that you can keep encouraging people with your story!

Valerie Archual  Craig I will certainly keep you in my prayers too! And Jill Civita is right-the anticipation is far worse than the actual surgery!!! I have you in my daily prayers!!!

Jill Krajnovich  Thank you, Tatiana! So glad to hear how smoothly everything has gone for you! Hope things go as well for me. Appreciate your words of encouragement!

Valerie Archual  I ditto what Bridget said- I "blogged" it all- I cannot say enough about the Cleveland Clinic and their staff! The best of the best!!!

Jill Krajnovich  Thank you, Bridget and Valerie! As I told Phyllis on another post, I am putting a lot of trust in them so it is always reassuring to hear from others who had good outcomes at CC. I certainly appreciate your stories.

Jan Persico  Jill, ditto what Bridget and Valerie said! No better place than CC. I had my aortic valve replaced in February. I had a mini thoracotomy. So happy with the outcome. Sending positive energy your way. Stay strong! ❤️

Judy Paul  Jill - I had an aortic valve replacement redo at CC on March 7, 2017. My first OHS to replace my bicuspid aortic valve was in May, 2012 at Univ of Pennsylvania. Sadly the valve began to leak 3 years after installation. For the redo I went to Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Svensson. was my surgeon. He, and his whole team, are the best!!! I actually walked back to the hotel from the hospital when I was discharged. And then we drove back to Philadelphia without incident. At 6 weeks I felt totally normal. The incisions were still a bit sore for some time after the initial healing process and recovery. I think that is to be expected since this was a redo. My experience at the Cleveland Clinic was so very positive. Best wishes for a good surgery and a comfortable recovery. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Jill Krajnovich  Thank you, Jan & Judy! I love all the positive stories. So glad that you are both doing well! Judy, on your redo, did you again replace with a tissue valve? This is what I am leaning towards but obviously am hoping it lasts more than 3-5 years. Glad to hear good things about Dr Svensson as I only met with him briefly in May and he was somewhat rushed so was unable to get much of an impression of him. I know he has a stellar reputation as a surgeon though!