Marie's Guestbook

The phrenic nerve. You never fail to impress me, nurse marie. Next time nancy accuses me of having a lot of nerve, i will say its my phrenic. I had my second a fib detector loop recorder installed monday. Previous model lasted 3 years. The medtronic rep was on hand during the procedure. It goes under the skin by my heart. It also allows nancy to find me if i get lost. I was hoping it would play oldies but sadly no. The rep said the new improved model might last 4-5 years. My thought was i will be sending signals from the grave. 

Marie, when i saw a stabbing in palm beach gardens i was happy to see it was not you. Is no place safe any more? A bookstore? We almost got wiped out just today crossing an intersection while walking shadow. Without thinking he could be armed, i did call him a few unprintable names. My repaired mitral valve was working overtime. It was only this summer that a lady was killed in the same crosswalk. We only got lip service from the town of course. 

A nice day at virginia tech. He is applying to veterinary schools now. Very competitive, not many openings and tough to get in. It used to be just about good grades but i guess that has changed. No comment. Nancy got to pet a cow today as he volunteers at the school dairy. I asked if she got to milk it but my question went unanswered. I must be the rodney dangerfield of richards. Now she and our daughter get to drive back in the rain. 

Nancy just left with my daughter for a drive to virginia tech to visit grandson. I am the designated dog sitter. Its a long drive. Not wild about them on route 81 death trap but 
its the way they go. 

Nurse marie, i apparently had something called nsvt that showed up on my heart monitor for 30 seconds. and they want to up my dosage of metropolol. I am not aware of any symtoms. Any thoughts? 

Dear, wonderful, smart and wise Marie, our angel, just wanted to say hi. So nice to see your replys to other people knowing  very well how helpful they are in fearful times. You will always have special place in my heart.

I filled out the pope application form but i failed everything including ring kissing. Back in my catholic school graduation ceremony the cardinal from boston sat on the stage. Before you received your diploma you were required to kiss his ring. I faked it. Germs. Of course we all drank out of the same bottle on the playground and nobody got sick. 

I thought maybe i would ask nurse marie this question. Aortic and mitral valve replacement and repair seem to take up most of the hvs site and occasionally the tricuspid valve but the pulmonary valve gets no air time. Does it never fail? I was lucky to have mitral valve repair but i never read about aortic valve repair only replacement other than maybe ross. If that is considered a repair.  Is there a reason? Just askin. 

My mom took Warfarin for AFIB only.  She never had heart surgery.  They found her AFIB in her 70s also.   She lived to be 92. It was discovered while she was having a colonoscopy.  In my case, I developed Shortness of breath.   Warfarin messed her up. She was black, blue and red all over.  I told my doctors, when they asked me what type of valve I wanted and that tissue valve was closer to the human heart valve and I would not have to take Warfarin, I told them "I am more of a quality of life kind of person than quantity".  In my opinion, there is no point to live a long life full of pain, bleeding and bruising all the time.   Since stopping the knee shots my skin is finally returning back to being somewhat normal and I don't bleed every time I bump into something.   I will be 81 on April 1st, 2025.  For the last 10 years, I have been just fine.  I may end up with another Aorta Valve, but so far this one is holding up just fine.  When he has told me for 9.5 years that I have AFIB then suddenly says, I didn't have it before but do now, I don't feel I can trust his judgement.  My heart problem is genetic, may of my family members have and had heart problems.  I was told in my 40s, that I had a problem that they could not give me anything for, that if it got worse, it would require surgery.  In school, I can remember not being able to keep up the other girls on track and I am 5'9" weighting about 130 at that time.  I started out ahead but couldn't maintain it.   So the problem got worse and thank God for TAVR.  For me it was easy, in on a Monday and out on Friday without all the step-downs, but the AFIB acted up, hence Metoprolol.  Also, I have always been a person to bonce back.  I don't fit at the profile the doctors are given in their books.  Some people don't.  I wish they would or could take the time to treat everyone as an individual as possible.  Then I could stop dropping them and disagreeing with them.  The best thing this cardio is he has a good bedside manor.  LOL  Thanks

He did murmur. Under his breath. He said you’re old. I went to a rheumatologist a few years back with foot pain and he said same thing. Age related. My second opinion said maybe gout. My uric acid level was through the roof. Put me on allopurinol and it went away in 2 weeks. That ‘you’re old ‘ diagnosis gets old. I call it lazy. 

I saw your comment about getting good help. Almost an impossibility in todays world. It was the # 1 reason my wife retired from her great job managing over 300 people. She loved it but It was killing her. Some of the employee stories would curl your hair. Now she is home every day killing me. Lol. 

Hi Marie I’m still trying to figure out how this site works and am wondering if I’ve missed posts. I’m scheduled to have surgery for aortic aneurysm that now measures 4.5. My regular cardiologist does not think it’s time but the surgeon does. That leaves me with a very uneasy feeling and I’m constantly wondering if I’m doing the right thing as well as constant fear and dread of the surgery. I have a hard time visualizing positive outcomes. I see you said you wished you didn’t worry as much. I wish I wouldn’t either! Did you do a lot of research before your surgery? I feel like I’m going down rabbit holes and making my anxiety worse! Thank you for sharing any of your experience. Much appreciated!

Thanks for your funny note about your filthy dog and filthy husband. You made me laugh. I've just taken a brief nap with the cat and that'll have to do, because tonight's the night. I'm trading rooms with my daughter and putting brand new laundered sheets on the bed for the occasion. 

Hello Marie, it really helps to read through all the stories and have some hope that things will turn out ok. I am filled with so much anxiety and fear about the upcoming surgery and have many questions. You said everything wasn’t as bad as your worrying made it out to be. I really hope that is true for me as well! Hope it’s ok if I reach out to you again! 

Hello Marie ,

I read your story and it is very inspiring to hear of your success in surgery and recovery !  
I’m struggling with deciding when to have the same surgery as you. I’m 48 , I knew I had a history from my grandfather dying from this at my age and my dad having 3 aortic valve replacements now.  I was told in 2016 that I have a bicuspid valve with mild regurgitation and an aorta measuring 4.4cm.  8 years later I’ve just been told I have moderate to severe regurgitation and an ascending aorta measuring 4.9cm.  They would like me to have surgery next month but I’m hesitant as I have no signs or symptoms and I would like to keep working as a Firefighter.  I’m trying to decide the best time for recovery and if it would be better in the summer here in Canada or during the winter months.  I realize the risk I am taking waiting but I’ve heard of people waiting years with over a 5cm aorta for this surgery . How long did you wait to have your surgery and were the doctors telling you to have it asap? 

I would love to hear your feedback. 

thanks, 
Angus