Kate's Guestbook

Kate, I can tell you are smart and strong. Three years since my surgery and life will never be the same. My journey has been a hard one and I cannot find the person I use to be. Knowing that my hear issues have been resolved is comforting and I am grateful for that. But other parts of my life seem to have a continuous shadow that does not lift. So I am also trying to embrace the new normal PEACE

Hi Kate, welcome back! I experienced many of the same emotions and feelings u battled with following my OHS for mitral valve regurgitation and afib. Had 2nd surgery for septum separation 6 months later. Thanks so much for sharing your story which has helped so many more deal with the postoperative emotional depression and mental trauma that the medical folks do not tell you about. I had thought I was alone until my husband and I were told by my primary care provider that this is often a side effect to the OHS. Took me two years to get back to the me I know even though I will never be the same person I was (which is ok). I am a retired RN and have decided to help our local rural community mental health needs by joining our hospital’s “patient and family advisory committee” . This has helped me too along with some antidepressants, ha. My docs know that I am always available to spend time with someone who is pre or post OHS. Also, I have tried to enlighten my own docs regarding need to listen to their patients postop healing complaints as it took me many months and a scan to convince them that there was something wrong with my “septum” healing and they just chalked it up to usual postop complaints. Finally took 2nd visit to my cardiologist that he finally ordered a scan that showed my septum had never fused back together and wires had completely penetrated the bone. Help me remind docs and patients who have had past radiation therapy to breasts or chest , or history of osteoporosis that plates and bands may need to be used instead of wires to reconnect the sternum halves during open heart surgery. Will close this long note and wish you continued positive experiences and healing with a bright future. Thanks, Jeany Clarke of North Dakota.

You sound great and life is going well for you. Everyone's journey through this heart maze is indeed different. As we survive and have years added to our lives, I remember those who did not live in the era of high tech heart surgeries and treatments. We probably will have those who follow us say the same. But is it not great?

Hi Kate: I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. I, too have had two OHS...Mitral & Aortic Valve Replacements (1994). I've been on Coumadin since 1976 - INR checked at the Coumadin Clinic once a month; for peace of mind, I purchased a machine and monitor my INR weekly at home. Please read my Journal -- it's always good to connect to others traveling the same Journey. Be blessed, continue to do well and 'keep moving to keep moving.' Enjoy life to the fullest, even while tickin.

Hi Kate, good to see you are doing better. I myself had biscuspid aortic valve replacement June 24, 2016. Was doing well until last fall Oct 2018. My heart was fluttering and we don't know why. Been to ER a few times. They just sent me home with a heart monitor for a month. And my cardiologist didn't say much. Said it was ok. Then 4 months past...it flutters again and more frequently. So tomorrow I'm going to the Cleveland clinic. Hope we get to the root of it. It's been making me anxious. I know I need to calm down. Everyone tells me so. So I guess it's a journey that we all have to go thur. So wish me luck.

G'day Kate, I am preparing for my 4th ohs in the coming months to replace my st jude medical heart valve which has a severe leak. I have the CT , TEE & angiogram all in the next few weeks. It has been 12 years since my last aortic valve replacement. Researching what valve I should consider I stumbled upon this site and have gained huge insight in reading people's experiences. I just read your journey & found it very honest and raw & have great respect for your strength and resilience. All the best for a long and healthy life ahead.

Hi Kate, I hope you had a lovely Christmas, taking it easy 😊 How have you been going? I'm thinking of you 💕 Thank you for your lovely comment on my recent post xx

Hey Kate , hope you are doing fine . Haven't read your post since a few months . Just wanted to make sure you are doing alright . My prayers are with you always . Cheers