Julia's Guestbook

Julia, I am so happy to read your post - surgery journal entry, because it gives me hope, and the pre - surgery, because it confirms a lot of the things I've been wondering about as far as symptoms. Your entry made my day. Thank you!

Julia, I have finally decided I needed to come back and see how my favorites in the Heart Family are doing. I recall so much your gracious recommendation of Dr. Ryan (whose office I did talk to), and also the myriad of issues you went through post-op as you had not only a single valve replaced that the majority were experiencing, but from my perspective a huge operation and upset to your system to get used to and come back from. I am glad to see from your pre-Christmas post that you appeared to be doing quite well and had gotten past so many issues, I, too, had trouble with the metoprolol. Initially I was to take 12.5 mg twice a day. My blood pressure was extremely low and the vertigo from my head injury was triggered. Thankfully, a few weeks of documenting BP. HR, and weight daily made it evident a dosage change was called for. Ever since I have been taking 6.25 mg twice a day in the morning and at bedtime. Fortunately, I am pretty adept with my pill cutter. It is definitely sharp, which makes cutting a small tablet into four pieces easier. Hope to hear from you and please continue to take good care of your precious self. Thank you for the information, love, and encouragement you gave me during those Pre- and Post-op days. I am more grateful than I can say, Love and hugs, Ginger

Glad to hear things are going well at the 4 month mark. Was courious about the swimming part. Use to do alot of it before but the thought of swimming kind of scares me with all that upper body motion. If you have time tell me more about what the first experience was like and if there is anything I need to be careful of. Thanks Tony

Hi Julia, As we discussed yesterday, our programming team just implemented the Guestbook Response Notification system for logged in users. That said, I thought you might like to be the first user to test it. Simply respond to this email asap and I will let you know!

Happy Birthday Julia and many Happy Returns! I enjoyed reading your very informative account of recovery, I am starting 8 weeks post op aortic valve replacement, and can relate to your journal. In one of your earlier writing you mentioned when b.p. is high heart rate is low and if b.p. is low heart rate is high, years ago my husband's cardiologist said that is true or to that effect a fact, I notice it with my own record keeping I have not had leg swelling and realize you have varicose vein problem, however I was seriously considering an international trip involving 15 hrs. of travel to visit a dying relative but I now realize my legs may get swelling or other problems may result so will not take the trip at this time, I don't feel strong enough to handle the stress of international travel, thank you for writing about the swelling, I would not have thought of it until you mentioned it. Best Wishes

Happy Birthday Julia. Haven't seen you post in awhile and it is good to ready you are doing so well. Hope your Birthday was good for you and wish you many many more and continued good healing. Terrie from California!

You seem to be doing great Julia. Since we tend to "favor" parts of our body after the surgery, perhaps it takes a while to re-engage with them, like your shoulder. It is great that you can get back to your exercise routine, I miss yoga but at only one month post surgery, too soon for me to think about that just yet. For now I am walking and looking forward to cardiac rehab soon. Thank you for your posts, they help those of us coming in your foot steps. For now I am still on the recliner, but really do need to try my bed again, as I may have more success now than last time I tried. Best wishes to you as you continue to regain strength and health.

Hi Julia glad to hear you are recovering and driving, I also fear the lack of fitness effect my physical condition, I am 4 weeks post op, feel ok but tire easily, I must be patient and confident that recovery and healing take a while I will try going for a walk soon before the dreaded humidity strikes here in Virginia, actually we've been blessed with wonderful cool weather best wishes to you and thanks for the update

Julia, the only time my chest hurts is when I cough or sneeze and that's new. Didn't have it in the beginning.i think it may be from the exercising I do at re- hab. Can't wait to feel better than I did before surgery although to look at me you would never know I had surgery. People are amazed. Do you still restrict how much you lift? My scar is mostly red. Getting lighter at the top end. I started using bio oil to help yet he scar fade. Might try Mendez. It is crooked and I am not happy about that but if that's the worst of it so what. Take care!