Kerry's Heart Valve Journal

Joseph Freeman posted a note for Kerry that says: Dear Kerry,
Like you, I was a runner. I took up my "magnificent obsession" at 52 yrs. old and completed 4 full marathons by the time I was 58, with numerous half marathons and shorter races in between.
Once my mitral valve markers progressed from mild to moderate to severe. My joy of running was severely curtailed and self-preservation trumped everything.
I'm giving myself a complete year of rehab and training-then once cleared by the Docs, it's back to the trails. Lord I can't wait!
Many Blessings!

Mom posted a note for Kerry that says: Just "WOW!" Love you, Superwoman.

Brian Walsh posted a note for Kerry that says: Fantastic news! I was just checking in an all of Team HVJ and saw your recent completion. Nice Work!

You are a fighter - great that you even had desire to run again. Sounds like you had a very positive attitude before & it shows now. Stay strong.

Congratulations on your half-marathon!

As a former marathon runner, I can imagine how amazing it was to cross the finish line.

My surgery was 4 years ago. I am doing great...still jogging, but way too slow to do any more races!
So I took up kayaking instead!

Good Luck with your running!

Hi Kerry!
Congratulations! That is awesome! I am three weeks post op today and so far I've walked with my husband 1.25 miles at one clip. I ran my first 5K last July before I knew I had severe MVR and was diagnosed in October. I am looking forward to seeing what it is like to run with my valves repaired!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with all of us who are behind you!
Take care and keep on getting stronger, better, faster!
Sophie Marsh

Thanks so much for sharing! Very encouraging to see the path back. I'm 3 months out and itching to get back to running, but trying to listen to my heart. Keep on running and getting stronger!

Brian Walsh

Monstrous! -- DVB

Hi Kerry!
Congrats on your half marathon! That's awsome!
So glad to hear you're feeling great.
Just curious...what do you set your max heart rate at?
I'm feeling really good too. My BP has been a little high so we're watching that. my max heart rate is usually around 140 (I don't wear a monitor though) .

Nancy B

HI Kerry,
Good for you! Great job with the race. From 1 runner to another I can assure you time will be your friend. You will be kicking your running mates butts soon. Once I hit 10-11 months my heart completely normalized and can now run pre-surgery speeds with a lower rate than ever. I am thrilled about your race. 13.1 GREAT!!!!! AWESOME!!!
"RUN YOUR OWN LIFE"
Stephanie Cole

Congrats on your half! I have not been on in awhile and, ironically, I saw your post when I checked back. Why ironic? Because I finished my second half today (13 months post op, 1st was 8 months). Isn't it a great feeling to be able to do this after all we have been through?!?!? May there be as many more half marathons in your future as you want.

All the best,
-Mitch Friedman
AVR 2-2-12

Hi Kerry, I forgot to sign my name, bc I thought it would come thru. I joined but did not get the confirmation email so now I don't know what to do. I don't see any way to contact the site administrators and I can't recreate the account bc it says there's already an account with that name. I was so looking forward to using this site. And creating my own journal. My email address if you'd like it: tojacig@yahoo.com. Thank you, Jaci Gallman

Hi Kerry! I just read thru all your journal entries. You can imagine how excited I was to find them. Thank you so much for them. I am having exactly the same surgery and Dr. Massimiano is my surgeon. My date is April 4th and I live in Purcellville. I have so many questions I would love to ask you. How are you now at 11 mos. post surgery? Looking forward to talking to you!

Way to go Kerry! I know how you're feeling, I forgot my six month anniversary as well. :)
Best wishes for continued health and happiness.
Jeff Shebovsky

Hi Kerry!
So glad to hear you're feeling great.
I'm a little concerned that now the days are getting shorter and colder that I'll slack on my exercise regimen. I'd tend to hibernate in the winter.
Hope your winter is a mild one in VA compared to CT!

Nancy B

Mud run! Monstrous! -- DVB

Happy Birthday Kerry! You have every right to celebrate and brag about it, especially now. Each one will be cherished from this point out, at least for me!!! I too, have that nagging little voice that keeps asking, "am I really healing like I am supposed to?" I wonder about every little ache and pain, and every "funny" little heart beat. There will always be the fear of returning regurgitation/leaking. I try to focus on the positive, and enjoy every day God chooses to give me! Hope you were able to celebrate in a special way yesterday!!
Holly P

Hi Kerry,
For some reason I have not been getting your journal update notifications. The same thing with Chris Dixon...I don't get his either. Sorry I haven't "been there" to help support you through your recovery.
I've been going through your journal this morning and I just want to let you know that you are not "alone" in the recovery process and it can indeed take some of us longer than others. Me for example...I aced the surgery itself...was practically a non-event for me. I was so happy to survive, relatively pain-free (never got over a 6 or 7 and that was only 1 time...I think, lol). I get home and the "recovery gremlins" take up residence. For me there have been 2 issues mainly. Neck/shoulder discomfort for about 6 or 7 weeks and scar sensitivity. The shoulder discomfort is finally gone but there is still scar sensitivity. I also developed bronchial pneumonia 3 weeks ago and am just now feeling human again. So...word of caution...be careful. We want to "get back to living" again, but I think our immune systems are still working on taking care of our repaired hearts, so those nasty bugs out there head straight for us! I fought the depression as well. Even though I had a great surgery experience, the isolation of not being able to drive for 6 weeks and my reluctance to "ask for help"(yes, I'm one of those) really gave me the blues. I was all set to start cardiac rehab and here came the pneumonia...another bummer!
So Kerry, don't fret about all of the feelings of depression, don't worry that you aren't progressing as quickly as some. You are completely normal!Just remember...you survived open heart surgery...you will survive recovery as well, lol. And by the way....HAPPY BIRTHDAY IS COOL!!!

Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KERRY! Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend. Very hot here in Georgia too.
- Jim Smith

Happy birthday! it's never tacky to celebrate your birthday, specially now.

Patricia D. L.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I agree, if EVER there was a year to wish yourself a Happy Birthday, this was it!

Enjoy your day!!!!!

Nancy B

Happy birthday Kerry.

I hope you have a great day and continue on your road to full recovery.

Jerry V.

Happy Birthday Kerry...hope you have a wonderful day and a super & healthy year!!! You are so inspirational that's for sure!!
Best wishes,
Barbara Michalick

Happy Birthday Kerry!

I'm new here - mostly just reading & learning so far - I can't speak from experience on the after-surgery adjustment - but, I can imagine it is difficult. It sounds to me like you are doing great, but am sure it is hard.

Take care & have a great week! ...Vicki.

Happy Birthday Kerry, And it is ok, but you have 2 birthdays so enjoy both of them.
For the long haul
Linda H

Kerry, everyone is different, and remember that cardiac depression is very common, especially in women because our hormones take a huge hit! It's easy to try and compare ourselves to others on this site, (I do the same thing) but in reality, we need to pay attention to OUR bodies and our doctors, they know us best! Glad you are able to go back to work, I'm looking forward to it and yet dreading it at the same time!
Holly P

Everybody heals diffrently, you'll get there just be patient, don't rush, it's been a year for me and am finnaly feeling like am getting back to normal. I had crying spells too, I did get emotional many times, it was hard for me, being a single parent of a very active twelve year old, loosing my job while I was hospitalized last year and facing the surgery on my own while worrying about loosing my apartment and medical insurance, being in menoupause didn't help me either. It has been very emotional for me, many here talk about waitting being the worst part, well for me recovery has been the worst part, it took too long, it was too painful in so many levels, am still going through cardiac depression but improving every day.
You are not alone.

Blessings

Patricia De Leon.

You are a superstar already. You don't have to prove anything. Again, this is one of those times when slow & steady wins the race. Listen to your body, relax & enjoy your healing. Hugs!

Congratulations!
Six weeks? Wow, time flies.
Happy to hear you're doing well and that your irregular heart beats were just your body telling you to take it easy.

Nancy B

Happy 6th week. I'm heading into surgery in the next few weeks, so it's good to hear that it does get better, keep taking your time, and listening to the doctors, please keep posting.

Thanks
Donald Lee

I just heard back from my surgeon that he uses the On-Q pump routinely and will be "installing" one for me. I'm so relieved. Thank you so much for reminding me to ask. I'm not just relieved to know he uses them, but to know he's up to date on the latest technology.
Thanks again.

Nancy B

Hi Kerry,
how's rehab going?

I was reminded of your On-Q pump by your mentioning it in another post. I just emailed my surgeons nurse about it. She's going to get back to me about whether or not he's willing/able to use it. It's funny how they can be set in their ways about how they go about doing things. I'll let you know what his response is.
Thanks for bringing it up again, I wouldn't have thought to ask.

Nancy B

I'm so happy for your wonderful progress Kerry. Still thinking of you often and your boys. Sending continued well wishes.Cathy Davis

Hi Kerry, good to hear you were able to start cardiac rehab. I'm supposed to start tomorrow, which will be 2 weeks post-op for me. I've been trying to walk a couple miles a day to get ready for this. I was wondering if your incisions are still "numb" and if you are still stiff and sore on your right side? It's getting better for me, but just wondering how long it will be before feeling normal again?!
Holly P

Hi Kerry,
I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed your first day at rehab. I'm really looking forward to it and am hoping it gives me confidence and a lasting attitude toward good health. I really try, but always end up falling back into bad eating habits.
We're you surprised that they told you about needing to cut three inches from your waist? I'm at the top (but within :)) of the allowable weight for my height. I have a feeling I'll be needing to cut a few inches too. I just hope I work up and can sustain the motivation.
Good luck to you..I hope you enjoy it!

Nancy B

Good the hear that you are thriving!

Keep up the good work.

Jerry Vernhout

Hi Kerry, great news that you are recovering so well and I pray that your BP and Heart rate clear up soon, you've done so good so far, Keep it Up!!!

Cindy Pastrano

Hi Kerry,
Glad to hear your recovering well.
What do you do for a low heart rate? does it pick up if you move around? 37 is very low, that must feel creepy.

Nancy B

Hi Kerry,

I had mitral and triscupid valve repairs six months ago, and my blood pressure is still low (usually in the 85 over 45 range). No one seems to worried about it though. My heart rate also jumps all over the place. Sometimes it is 37 beats per minute and other times it will be 100 or more. I also get dizzy once in awhile, but not often. The low heart rate drives me nuts more than anything else (and the lower it is, the lower my blood pressure is).
Glad to hear everything else is going well.
Deb Ziegler

Congratulations Kerry,

Glad to hear you are healing well. I'm certain you are experiencing how fast a lot of the endurance comes back.

My biggest hinderance is what I can do with my arms due to the sensitivity in my chest. My surgeon has now cleared me to lift up to 25lbs for the next week, then I'm on my own.

As you do stuff around the house, move slowly to see what your body is comfortable with. There were certain motions with my arms that were difficult, however that is mostly gone now - just over a month out.

Heal well Kelly.

Chuck Holmgreen
3/20

It was sad also for me to leave you yesterday. However, your loving family & friends will see you through the rest of the way. You've done a remarkable job so far. Your will to be well & your excellent outlook on life are your strongest assets to a full recovery. You'll soon be there.
Love & gentle hugs,
Mom

Sounds great Kerry. Keep up the positiveness.
Sounds like we had the surgery about the same time frame. Man, are my incisions getting itchy. Did you get the rash thing from the stuff they paint you with. I still can't get some of that stuff off me. LOL. Good luck, and keep us updated.

Paul and Kathy

Hi Kerry,
So glad to see your doing well.
I don't blame you for not posting your incisions. I don't plan on it either.
It's great to hear you're getting by on Tylenol. Presc pain meds are fine if you need them, but they make you so sleepy. I remember after my wrist surgery that I just got sick of falling asleep every time I'd sit down. I was afraid to be in pain, so I started on ibuprofen during the day and the presc stuff at night.
I'd like to talk meyer doc into doing a boob job while he at it. Whatever he does on one side he'd better do on the other. I don't want to come out lopsided! :)

Nancy B

Hi Kerry,
I also throw-up in ICU with the tube still in. I was just grateful for the fact that I hadn't eaten for so long. I had my eyes closed and wondered where that suction came from so fast.
Great that this is just a memory now. The time goes very fast during recovery.
Jane 12/5/11 Mitral Valve repair

Hi Kerry: bit by bit. Hopefully with the lung thing on the mend it will be clear sailing. Keep letting us know how it's going. Pretty soon you are going to be feeling wonderful -- DVB

Throwing up with a breathing tube does not sound like much fun! I think I'd rather be waiting for surgery. :)
I'm happy your cough is nothing serious.

Nancy B

Good luck, Kerry. Even people without allergies and pollen sensitivity are complaining about how bad it is this year. I can't even imagine how miserable it must feel when you're already feeling fragile. This too shall pass.
Selma K

Good luck at the doctors tomorrow hope it all goes good.

Cindy P.

Hi Kerry, Best wishes to you, hope it all works out for you. That must be rough just after surgery. Make sure you turn on the AC and the filters are all clean to keep that bad stuff out of your house. Good luck to you.
For the long haul
Linda H

Kerry,
I had the same problem. The doctor said to use the spirometer all day. I probably Did the exercises 4 or 5 times an hour. My congestion cleared after several days.

Good luck.