Joan's Guestbook

Richard Munson  Never fear, richard is here. I had about same time frame everything you had less the clip and i was pushing 80 at the time. So far i am feeling good knock on wood. Doing treadmill and walking dog briskly every day plus working full time and trying to enjoy life all at the same time. Not easy but so what. I try to eat healthy like m and m’s only every other day ( i’m due for a handful today),  libbys corned beef hash only twice a year now when i am forced to cook for myself ( ugh) and the occasional ice cream bar . After recently reading the positive future of mitral valve surgery i sent it to my kids thinking genes has something to do with it. My advice is to you is keep working out, get your annual echo and pray every day. I thought more about god as he relates to me after the surgery.  If and when it happens it happens and only he makes that final call. Hopefully not for awhile. Every time the phone rings and its not him i breathe a sigh of relief. Keep the faith. 

Susan Lynn  Great advice from Richard. My surgery is 5 1/2 years behind me and I wish I felt more energetic. I'm just shy of 63, so I'm not young, but I also take 100 mg of metoprolol succinate/day. This medication can make heart patients feel sluggish. I'm curious if you're taking anything since surgery that could be affecting you in a similar way. Hope you are able to identify the cause and resolve it.

Susan Lynn  Thanks Richard and Ana!  There are days I feel like I'm 30 - but others where I feel every single one of those 63 years!  😱

Joan Diamond  Thank you for the feedback.  I am taking Diltiazam 240 mg.  Does anyone know if this causes less stamina?

Joan Diamond  Thank you for the feedback. Do you know Hartzel Schaff at the Mayo Clinic? Also, do you know if Gillanov is still at the Cleveland Clinic or moved to Case Western? How do I contact other members of your blog who have had this surgery?

Joan Diamond  I am 3weeks post surgery and recovering. On a chest X-ray yesterday they found small bilateral pleural effusions, probably from the sternotomy. I have not seen my cardiologist yet but primary care doc . I do not know what this means. Have other people had this same condition after open heart surgery? Does it resolve on its own?

Joan Diamond  I am 12 weeks out of mitral valve surgery and am hiking 5 miles. Cardiac rehab is the best and so glad that I was able have 36 sessions to get back all my strength and energy.

Joan Diamond  I am 9 months post mitral and valve repair. I have not had a fib since surgery but it was neither yesterday on a primary care visit. What explains afib reoccurring after valve repair 9 months ago.