Guestbook of Katherine Berry

My Guestbook

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1379 days ago

Dan Rhoden reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Katherine that says:

Welcome home Katherine

Sugar free gum , just kept in the mouth helps suppress the cough reflex .
If you feel as though you have something you need to... Read more

Welcome home Katherine

Sugar free gum , just kept in the mouth helps suppress the cough reflex .
If you feel as though you have something you need to expectorate , you ‘ll just have to listen to your body and cough carefully - holding your cushion to your chest . Drink plenty of fluids .

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1381 days ago

Kathy Applegate posted a note for Katherine that says:

Welcome to the recovery side of things Catherine. This is the better side in my opinion! Hope your recovery is going well!

Holly Wale Katherine - hope you are feeling a bit better each day!

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1386 days ago

Fran Jones Meehan posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hello. I am new to this site. I hope your surgery went well and your recovery will be smooth. I am a 67 yr old female with bibuspid aortic valve. I live in ...Read more

Hello. I am new to this site. I hope your surgery went well and your recovery will be smooth. I am a 67 yr old female with bibuspid aortic valve. I live in oklahoma. I have an appointment with Dr Harrington next thurs the 28th. Did they open your sternum or were you able to have a minimally invasive technique? I have been reading your posts and I want to say thank you for sharing your story. I know you just had your surgery yesterday. Please use all your energy for healing. Maybe somewhere down the road you will feel like responding. God bless you! Fran Meehan

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1386 days ago

Fran Jones Meehan posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hello. I am new to this site. I hope your surgery went well and your recovery will be smooth. I am a 67 yr old female with bibuspid aortic valve. I live in ...Read more

Susan Blake I am facing this surgery, praying I am a candidate for the TAVR procedure!Which did you have?

Fran Jones Meehan No surgery yet. I see Dr Harrington in Plano Thur. My symptoms have rapidly been getting worse. I jus ... Read more

Fran Jones Meehan No surgery yet. I see Dr Harrington in Plano Thur. My symptoms have rapidly been getting worse. I just want to feel better. It is beautiful outside and there are so many things I want to do but can't. I want a valve that will last me the rest of my life. (I'm 67) Hoping for less invasive surgery like the mini or or thoracotomy. But will accept the big incision sternotomy if that needs to be done. Do you have a surgery date?

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Patsy Stewart posted a note for Katherine that says:

Today is the day! Woke up in the night with you on my mind. Sending prayers that your surgery goes well today. ~❤️

Richard Munson Patsy, i actually thought about you when i woke up in the middle of the night hungry. I ate a cupcake ... Read more

Richard Munson Patsy, i actually thought about you when i woke up in the middle of the night hungry. I ate a cupcake and fell back to sleep. It was store bought but hit the spot.

Patsy Stewart Aww! Richard, that made me giggle out loud! I’m glad you thought of me and that the cupcake ‘hit ... Read more

Patsy Stewart Aww! Richard, that made me giggle out loud! I’m glad you thought of me and that the cupcake ‘hit the spot!’ You’re pretty special in my book! 🧁~❤️

Richard, that is so cute, you and Patsy are some of my favorite bakers. Love ❤️ you both. 🍰� ... Read more

Richard, that is so cute, you and Patsy are some of my favorite bakers. Love ❤️ you both. 🍰🎂🥖🍞👨‍🍳🙏🙏❤️❤️

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Timothy Andre posted a note for Katherine that says:

Sending you all the best for your surgery Kathrine. You got this!

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Holly Wale reacted to this

Miriam Alejos posted a note for Katherine that says:

Wishing you the best tomorrow. Praying for a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Heather Kelly posted a note for Katherine that says:

Best wishes for a great surgery tomorrow. After reading your story I am confident you will do well. Be patient with yourself and do exactly as the doctors tell ...Read more

Best wishes for a great surgery tomorrow. After reading your story I am confident you will do well. Be patient with yourself and do exactly as the doctors tell you. I am two months from 52 and chose a bovine valve. I can relate to your age and small aortic opening. I also have a small opening and it went great ... sounds like you are in wonderful hands with your doctor and remember recovery takes a little time; I kept thinking I should be doing more but it will come. My surgery was 4/4/21 and 9 weeks post op I am feeling great. Prayers for you Katherine. God Bless.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Rose Madura reacted to this

Ginny Turner posted a note for Katherine that says:

All good wishes and prayers for a successful surgery tomorrow, Katherine! We're cheering for you and look forward to welcoming you to recovery.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Rose Madura posted a note for Katherine that says:

Best wishes tomorrow. May your surgery be successful and may your recovery be uneventful. Godspeed.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1388 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hi Katherine ,
Wishing you good luck for your surgery .

Katherine, keeping you in prayer for your successful surgery tomorrow. We will be here to welcome int ... Read more

Katherine, keeping you in prayer for your successful surgery tomorrow. We will be here to welcome into recovery. God bless you 🙏❤️

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1389 days ago

Dan Rhoden posted a note for Katherine that says:

Katherine, good luck to you with the surgery. Your job is to go to sleep and then before you know it you'll be in recovery mode! Listen to your surgeon, nurses, ...Read more

Katherine, good luck to you with the surgery. Your job is to go to sleep and then before you know it you'll be in recovery mode! Listen to your surgeon, nurses, and technicians. They're working to get you home soon.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1390 days ago

Tony F posted a note for Katherine that says:

You are going to do well Katherine. Glad you listened to your intuition and got that second opinion.Keep us updated :-) You'll be surprised how ...Read more

You are going to do well Katherine. Glad you listened to your intuition and got that second opinion.Keep us updated :-) You'll be surprised how quickly your recovery is !

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1391 days ago

Miriam Alejos reacted to this

Erica T. posted a note for Katherine that says:

Wishing you the very best you will be so much better. I had a re-operation replacing a tissue vale with a mechanical valve at age 51 and doing great. Cardiac ...Read more

Wishing you the very best you will be so much better. I had a re-operation replacing a tissue vale with a mechanical valve at age 51 and doing great. Cardiac rehab helped tremendously. Best wishes for a successful procedure, you got this.

Donna Vedovelli Good luck Kathy I two am having surgery 4/13 it should be a good week for all. I need 3 valves replay ... Read more

Donna Vedovelli Good luck Kathy I two am having surgery 4/13 it should be a good week for all. I need 3 valves replayed Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Holly Wale Katherine - prayers for you and your care team!

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1391 days ago

Adam Pick, Holly Wale reacted to this

Sandra Graham posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hello Katherine,
Best of luck with your upcoming procedure. I had my aortic valve replaced in 1994 when I was 42 years old. I opted for a mechanical ...Read more

Hello Katherine,
Best of luck with your upcoming procedure. I had my aortic valve replaced in 1994 when I was 42 years old. I opted for a mechanical valve, and the surgeon chose the St. Jude's valve. I am 70 years old, and the valve is still working reasonably well. I had a bi-cuspid aortic valve, and I always knew I had a heart murmur, but I was an adult before medical technology was advanced enough to say exactly what was wrong. I was quite ill by the time I had the valve replaced, but several weeks later, I felt better than I had ever felt. I take Coumadin every day, and I monitor my INR levels with a home monitor. I still work full-time and I am enjoying life.

Adam Pick Hey Sandra! 28 years!!! Downright awesome!!!

Katherine Berry What lovely encouragement, Sandra! It’s great to hear this as I feel like week one of home recovery ... Read more

Katherine Berry What lovely encouragement, Sandra! It’s great to hear this as I feel like week one of home recovery is a very exhausting process. Hanging in there and focusing on the blessings.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1391 days ago

Chris Murray posted a note for Katherine that says:

Katherine, good luck with your surgery. I had mine a year ago, aortic stenosis, aneurysm, and aortic stem replaced with a mechanical ony-x valve. Take it one ...Read more

Katherine, good luck with your surgery. I had mine a year ago, aortic stenosis, aneurysm, and aortic stem replaced with a mechanical ony-x valve. Take it one day at a time and definitely do the cardiac rehab later. I was back to work in 8 weeks. Thoughts and prayers🙏!

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1391 days ago

Rachel Tapia posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hi Katherine! Just wanted to send you a quick note…I had my On-x valve replacement surgery with a mini sternotomy back in October of 2019. Dr. Harrington ...Read more

Hi Katherine! Just wanted to send you a quick note…I had my On-x valve replacement surgery with a mini sternotomy back in October of 2019. Dr. Harrington is the absolute best, you honestly could not ask for a better doctor!

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1392 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Deena Z posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hi Katherine, thinking of you. I know how it is as your day is soon to come. (Cant wait to get it over with). We are all rooting for you!

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1398 days ago

James Conway posted a note for Katherine that says:

Katherine i had AVR two years ago last Thursday.

Everything for me went really well.

Because of the drugs frankly you wont be in any pain.

Although ...Read more

Katherine i had AVR two years ago last Thursday.

Everything for me went really well.

Because of the drugs frankly you wont be in any pain.

Although everyone worries my surgeons told me that the procedure i was about to have they had done over a 100 times in the last 12 months and had not lost a single customer.

They thought describing me as a customer hilarious.

The only negative and one you should be aware of is the drugs they give you can cause delirium.

I thought the ICU nurse was trying to kill me when i woke up.

Of course she wasn't!

Anyway if you do become delirious its just the drugs and after 12 hours you are completely clear headed.

I wish you the very best of British luck.

Jamie

That was a great post Jamie for our heart warrior Katherine. Glad you are doing well. I also had AVR ... Read more

That was a great post Jamie for our heart warrior Katherine. Glad you are doing well. I also had AVR two years ago and feeling well. Blessings

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1399 days ago

Rose Madura reacted to this

Sandy Harvey posted a note for Katherine that says:

Katherine - I know you are from AR and are having your surgery in Plano. Please let me know if you need anything at all when you come to Plano for your surgery. ...Read more

Katherine - I know you are from AR and are having your surgery in Plano. Please let me know if you need anything at all when you come to Plano for your surgery. We are in a surburb a stone's throw away from Plano so feel free to contact me. Dr. Harrington did my full sterenotomy. I am healing nicely. I quit the pain medication because of the side effects so I have some pain still but am able to tolerate it. Hang in there!

Rose Madura How sweet!

Susan Lynn Sandy - You are truly an angel! What a generous and kind offer! Hope your recovery is going well. ... Read more

Susan Lynn Sandy - You are truly an angel! What a generous and kind offer! Hope your recovery is going well. All the best! ❤

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1400 days ago

Miriam Alejos reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Katherine that says:

…..It will become your " friend " always there , reassuring but a bit annoying sometimes

A Scottish women , Anne bell , has just gone into the Guinness... Read more

…..It will become your " friend " always there , reassuring but a bit annoying sometimes

A Scottish women , Anne bell , has just gone into the Guinness book of records as “the longest surviving recipient of a single , artificial heart valve .” She ‘s had hers for nearly 50 years
So that ‘s very good going !
A very lovely lady , Christine , we were in hospital at the same time - her valve was 25 years old .

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1401 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Katherine that says:

Hi Katherine ,
I slept on my back , slightly propped up .
I was wary of how my sternum would heal . I wanted to make sure the two edges were in alignment... Read more

Hi Katherine ,
I slept on my back , slightly propped up .
I was wary of how my sternum would heal . I wanted to make sure the two edges were in alignment as they healed , just the same as any other wound as it heals . I did this for a few weeks and it healed really well .
Now I slept on my right side , it is quieter , away from my st. Judes heart valve tick

Katherine Berry Thanks, Ruth. It sounds like Team Recliner has some competition. I’m practicing using our adjustabl ... Read more

Katherine Berry Thanks, Ruth. It sounds like Team Recliner has some competition. I’m practicing using our adjustable bed to reduce chest pressure and it seems like it will be fine. Yes, I’m already wondering how I’ll even adjust to the ever-present ticking!

Miriam Alejos I've been wondering the same thing about the ticking. I know my son will love to hear it.

Katherine Berrygot a new guestbook post

1411 days ago

Adam Pick posted a note for Katherine that says:

Katherine, Great question. I'm not sure I could offer just one piece of advice.... Maybe that is why I started this website...

But, here are a couple... Read more

Katherine, Great question. I'm not sure I could offer just one piece of advice.... Maybe that is why I started this website...

But, here are a couple thoughts:

(i) Have complete faith and confidence in your medical team. You have done this by finding Dr. Harrington and Baylor, Scott & White. Excellent surgeon and medical team.

(ii) Do not rush your recovery. Take the time to let your body heal. I'm not sure if you are getting a sternotomy or minimally-invasive... Either way, please don't rush to get "back to normal".

(iii) Have a recovery plan in place BEFORE surgery. That's right. Ask Dr. Harrington about their cardiac rehab program. For me, cardiac rehab was the saving grace of my healing and recovery.

Well, there ya go! If you surf this website, you'll see that there is a lot of information here to guide you along you journey. All the best!!! Adam

P.S. If anyone wants to learn about Dr. Harrington, Katherine's surgeon, please click https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Katherine+-Harrington-Plano-Texas.php.

Dr. Katherine Harrington - Heart Surgeon in Plano, Texas

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Katherine+-Harrington-Plano-Texas.php

See patient reviews, physician biography and contact information for Dr. Katherine Harrington, heart surgeon, in Plano, Texas.

Katherine Berry Thanks so much, Adam! Yes, this blog/website is a godsend. I've ordered the book, read the posts, et... Read more

Katherine Berry Thanks so much, Adam! Yes, this blog/website is a godsend. I've ordered the book, read the posts, etc. Everyone is helpful, encouraging, supportive in practical ways, and inspiring! There's just so much to process. I was hoping to distill it down as I make my recovery plans in advance of my surgery — just as you suggest.

As for trusting my care team, I am so grateful for the guidance here on finding a world class heart center and surgeon. I live in a rural area and have been most concerned about finding the quality of care I need through this experience. After much work, I believe it's lined out fairly well.

Thanks again, Adam! Your work is helping us all heal and helping us help others heal. What a beautiful contribution to the world