Kathy's Guestbook

Kathy Ozio  Hi Doug! I didn't really have any symptoms that were out of the ordinary for me. Although my husband says he noticed me "going downhill" those last two months. I was in good health otherwise, but had complications after the surgery due to PVCs and VT. I didn't know about that (now I know what those strange episodes were I had for several years were). But it was a separate issue from the MV.
Minimally invasive will be a much faster recovery. I would have a good recliner you can sleep in the first few weeks. Walk as much as you can, but don't overdo it. It's major surgery regardless and you will be tired. Listen to your body-that was the best lesson I learned. ☺️
I can say don't stress, but that's hard not to do. Best of luck and ask me anything else. Sorry for the long response!

Douglas Merten  I’m about the same way with no major symptoms. Maybe a little fatigue at times and have had an ongoing cough. Thanks by the way for the insights you provided. It’s impressive to see the posts and stories of so many people brave enough to take on the surgery. Not sure if this is a strange question, but how is it dealing with a breathing tube right after surgery? That’s really kind of freaking me out. I think that’s my fear, other than something catastrophic, is waking up with tubes down my throat. Are you awake and aware in the ICU? 

Kathy Ozio  I wish I had found this site before my surgery! It is the best!
I do not remember having the breathing tube and I think most people do not. The first thing I really remember is being awake in ICU, it was night and had no clue what all has happened. It's amazing how in a few hours how you improve to being aware and talking and even getting up and moving. The worst part of all this is the week or two before. You're worrying about so many things,  but once it's over, you will be so much better. 🙂

Kathy Ozio  I cannot say enough about the care at the hospital.  There wasn't one person we came in contact with that wasn't nice and extremely helpful. I had a reaction to the tape used ( removal of central line on neck, chest tube and surgery site on side) and the nurse spent an hour with adhesive remover taking off the tape so it wouldn't rip my skin. She was awesome. No doubt on thehhigh volume, they run extremely efficiciently.
Not sure about robotic, because they do collapse your lung and move around. My husband says it's cosmetically more appealing, notrreally less invasive. I think there's  pros and cons to both. Since I had those problems during surgery, I had a tougher recovery time. My side is still so.ewhat numb and gets more irritated with exercise but really, the ICD implant is more bothersome. Hope that helps.  🙂

Kathy Ozio  Hahaha! That could possibly be it! I haven't had a donut in over a year. I love your posts - and your grandson looks like a real sweetie.

Richard Munson  Omg, a year without a donut. You need to make a dunkin run. My wife made me ginger bread for fathers day which i just had for breakfast with whipped cream on top. One of my all times. My daughter brought me sour patch kids. Are they trying to kill me? 2 pravastatin today. 

Kathy Ozio  Thanks! For the first month and a half, my rate was high (90s) but it started to go down. Then about a week or so, it has been high. I guess I just worry about every little thing now. LOL Keep improving!! Best of luck to you!

Kath Duggan  I am a worrier too….so bad for us. You will figure it out, but the blood pressure roller coaster is scary!

Kathy Ozio  Yes, I always was a natural at anxiety. Ha! Since the surgery, I don't stress about other things as much. I say it was because I realized what's really important and don't stress, but my husband says it's just the meds.

Rita Savelis  What you are experiencing is "normal" and it's too bad you weren't informed beforehand so that it wouldn't surprise you. Your heart has been through a lot. If your leg was broken you'd give it time to heal. The heart needs to heal as well even if you can't see it. Take care.

Paul Gill  Hi Kathy,
Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I thought I would get an email notification (but didn't ).
It is now almost 4 months after my MV repair, and I am still having issues. 
How are you doing ? (your issues were way wise than mine!)
Paul