Maggi's Guestbook

Maggi Turner  Hi Ray - thanks for your message - I haven't been on the site for a while, but doing well - how about you? No, haven't done rehab - there is no facility local and no one has mentioned any alternative. Had an echo last week to give a baseline for any more that I might have in the future and stenographer said the valve was working well. A few twinges at times, but I am told that is just nerve endings.

Ray Farmer  Good to hear you are doing well. Rehab was was really an education about exercise and diet , (which I have always tried to do well). The other people on the course all had bi-passes and some how I felt not quite as relevant to me with a valve replacement.

Did you have a Echo Cardiogram since your replacement? I had an ECG but surprised they did not have a look at the actual valve. I get a few twinges mainly on the left side and also get a bit out of breath going up hill, this did not seem to bother the rehab people but a bit disconcerting.

I hope you continue to get better, I only have a look at the site every few weeks, (which is a good thing!) but this site was invaluable running up to the operation.

Maggi Turner  Hi Ray - have just posted in reply to your query about breathlessness. So you will see I also get out of breath, but it doesn't stay with me. I had my echo so that they had a baseline if need be for the future. Hope they don't need it. I'm sure I read or was told that you are given an echo whilst 'still under' so perhaps you have had one and didn't know.
I also get twinges occasionally which I also find a bit disconcerting, but my GP didn't seem to think it was odd - nerve endings finding their proper place again. When you think what the body has been through it is amazing we just have a few twinges.
Good to hear from you. Like you, I am not on this site like I used to be, but what a comfort it was in the days leading up to surgery. Take care.
Maggi.

Ray Farmer  Thank you that's useful. On Friday I received an appointment for a Gated CT Thorax in 6 weeks, whatever that is? I think is shows the heart/valve functioning but worried - did they have some concern? Anyway glad to hear you are still on the mend

Maggi Turner  Thank you Paula. Feeling much better now the medication is sorted. Hopefully it will stay that way.

Maggi Turner  Thank you Laurie. I can assure you the waiting is the worst part. Surgery is in the past now and I can recall very little. The only pain has been a tight feeling in the chest and even that is diminishing. I am taking short walks and that has to help. The drug 'cocktail' was sorted by the doctors and I felt a lot better. The hardest thing has been accepting my little dog being put to sleep last week - she was 15 year 9 months, but always my baby. Good luck in your surgery - I will look forward to hearing how you are and be thinking of you.

Bob Jensen  I am so amazed how quick I seem to be bouncing back. I was released three days after my surgery and was up the first morning cooking my own breakfast and enjoying every minute of it. Managing the pain and realizing that my strength level would change dramatically every day in a realistic way won't lead to disappointments. I made myself a deal that if I was out of the hospital that early I would walk into my office one week exactly to the time of the surgery I had the week before this past Friday I did exactly that middle of the day granted I was only there for 10 minutes came home I was exhausted and passed out but it was exhilarating for me. I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks of recovery spending time with friends getting out and about and learning to be very grateful that I'm no longer a walking Time Bomb because of dr. Bott and his team's work fixing what was a disaster that was undetected and found by a fluke I'm the most grateful person on the entire planet

Maggi Turner  Thank you Mary - horrible in Devon today too. Just getting ready to leave - phoned Derriford earlier no cancellations as yet, but no guarantee either. Just want it done now. Maggi in Devon

Maggi Turner  Ray - great to hear from you and good that you are gradually improving. Yes, the tube is a worry for me, but I shall discuss my fears with the team and I think nearly everyone has said they didn't feel anything, I was amused by you saying 'go with the flow' - half an hour ago my husband used those exact words to me when I was having a jittery moment. I think the idea of keeping a diary a good one - thank you. Just hope I'm not cancelled now.

Ray Farmer  I guess we don't have a choice other than to go with the flow! Hope your not cancelled too and when you read this your all done. What I find most frustrating now is I want to get back to 'normal' but there are good days and bad days and hate relying on other people but the cardiologist said 3/4 months recovery. I hope your more patient than I am.

Maggi Turner  Thank you Matthew. It's getting closer and closer - very scarey. Good luck on the 9th with your pre assessment - it's another step nearer

Maggi Turner  Thank you for that James. Are you still living in the West Country, if so, where are you having your op? It's getting very close for me now, but I am trying to keep positive and tell myself I will feel a lot better afterwards. This site and Adam's book have been so reassuring.

James Roberts  I've moved to Cambridge now so will be having mine at Papworth. I'm trying to be positive too and this site has helped. I've ordered the book as well.

Maggi Turner  Wow. Papworth is incredible I have printed off their booklet so much helpful info, including the exercises, in there.

Sophia Ridley  Papworth is fantastic. Wait to have a chat with the surgeon about the longevity of the repair. Best wishes to you both, and others awaiting surgery.

Maggi Turner  Hi Sophia - Thanks so much for getting in touch. My surgery for aortic valve replacement is scheduled for Tuesday at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. I'm just hoping it won't be cancelled, but what will be, will be. The waiting has really got to me especially as I have had no symptoms as such until today when the breathlessness this morning after looking for something in a cupboard was really bad and frightening, but then I wondered was I panicking as well and that's what made it worse.
I have read your journal and see you have had quite an uphill struggle, but worth it. So reassuring to read about others on here and feel you are not alone. This is all happening at a very bad time for me exactly a year since my youngest son, age 42, died with no warning from a cardiac arrest. I shall be in hospital for the first anniversary - not ideal timing, but I am sure some inner strength will get me through it.

Sophia Ridley  Maggi, I'm so so sorry to hear of your loss. And to be facing cardiac surgery yourself at this time. Words are not enough I know, and I can't imagine what you have been through. My thoughts will be with you and of your son in the coming days. You will be cradled by the wondrous support of this community and we will with you every step.

Maggi Turner  Just found this post Mary - have already replied to you. Not really found my way round the site yet so hope you pick up the other one.
M

Maggi Turner  Thank you Ray. Yes it all went well and no problem with any of my arteries which is good news. So just the valve replacement on the 10th Jan. Like you, I felt quite confident and the nursing staff were first class. Came home and slept for ten hours! Not done much today.
Maggi

Maggi Turner  Hi Ray - I see you are from Weston Super Mare - I'm further west in Tavistock. Which hospital are you attending? I will be having my AVR at Derriford, Plymouth. The surgeon hasn't been confirmed yet, but I've got an excellent cardiologist. Surgery should be early January. Like you, no symptoms so quite scary. Yes, what a fantastc site this is to be able to share thoughts and fears with others who are going through the same. It doesn't matter how many thousands of miles apart some of us may be we all have one thing in common - a heart. Have you read Adam's book? It's a must very reassuring. Cheers - Maggi

Sophia Ridley  Hi Maggi, Ray - I'm a fellow Brit, had my mitral valve repaired at the Royal Brompton close on a year ago. This site was a God send for me, honest information and compassionate, understanding fellow patients who knew exactly what I was going through. I don't think I would have made such a strong recovery without being a member here! Welcome!!

Phyllis Petersen  I'm not from the UK, although I have 2 nieces in Nottingham and 1 in Edinburgh. Because of this site, I went into my mitral valve repair with my eyes wide open and with confidence. I think it's wonderful that it is helping people worldwide through what is a very scary ordeal.

Maggi Turner  Hi Phyllis and Sophia - thank you for your welcome to this site. As you both say to be in touch with others who know what you are going through is wonderful. I know you will all be a great help to me over the next few months and I hope in the be future I will be able to help others.
Maggi

Ray Farmer  I'm at the BHI, meeting the surgeon & team next week. I know who the surgeon will be as I have 3 friends who have already been operated on by him and comes highly recommended. Not read the book yet it's something I must do. Was in two minds, let them get on with it or find out as much as I can, I took latter option and glad I did as I found this site. Stay positive!