Mary Ann's Heart Valve Journal

Geri posted a note for Mary Ann that says: Hi Mary Ann
I just read your Story and noted the similarity of our pre surgery decision to have the surgery, my cardiologist and second opinion cardiologist plus two surgeons over five years said I needed the surgery asap or could drop at any time, one said I was playing "russian roulette" with not having the surgery, I guess I over analyzed the cons, analysis/paralysis, finally decided on following thru and I couldn't wait to have it completed, post surgery I hardly had any pain, doctors said I had rapid recovery used term like a rabbit, I partly attributed it to the devoted prayers of some friends, I am 13 weeks post op and have resumed almost everything pre surgery
Only negative I find is my b.p. previously very low is now fluctuating from normal to slightly high, probably a result of new heart valve
best wishes

Geri posted a note for Mary Ann that says: Hi Mary Ann
I am in my seventies and took photos before surgery and after at 2 week intervals, just the mini sternum bit since I'm no Marilyn Monroe
my sons didn't like seeing the photos like your Dad (I guess) the one living in L.A. said my Mom takes selfies, I was overly sensitive and upset before the surgery and didn't like his saying that, I'm glad I do have the photos to record my progress
good luck in your recovery

Meredith Bray posted a note for Mary Ann that says: I paid a lot for my scar, I'm gonna show it off! :) I've noticed it makes some people (my own father!) uncomfortable to see it. TOUGH PATOOTIES!

About the stiff neck and sleeping on your back - maybe a little extra support under your neck? Maybe a massage of some sort? I had an upper body massage at about 5 weeks and it was glorious.

Eleanor posted a note for Mary Ann that says: I didn't have any coronary artery disease which would have called for a bypass, so the surgeon did was is called a mini sternotomy, which is opening the chest and sternum about 3-4 inches. My surgery was an aortic replacement, and that's his preferred method for getting in and out. It is supposed to heal "easier" since there is less involvement, and to be honest it has never ever hurt. What DID hurt a bundle were the chest tubes, which he had coming out under my right breast. They think one tube hit a nerve, causing the pain and resistance to pain killers. A difficult 26 hours, so I was really relieved to have them taken out. Too bad, for the rest of the surgery was really easy. I guess we are all different, everybody's body and reaction and surgery itself is a little different, like we all are.

Eleanor posted a note for Mary Ann that says: Like you, when I first came home at night I would think back over the surgery,, almost reliving the preparation before being wheeled out. I had to tell myself to stop doing that, it was OVER and no need for an early re-run or replay. Somehow I was able to quit thinking about it (mainly by listening to audiobooks when trying to sleep). I also couldn't find the right position in bed and have been sleeping in an electric recliner in my bedroom. I probably could try the bed again now that my chest is stronger, but I sleep so cozy in the recliner I'm reluctant to give it up just yet. Soon!

Eleanor posted a note for Mary Ann that says: One of the weird things I had was just before surgery. I was seeing flashing lights, unlike floaters that I had had before. Knowing myself, and my propensity to attribute one thing to another, I made myself see a retina specialist before surgery, just so I would know the two events were not connected. Turned out to be related more to aging eyes (not as young a 68 as I had thought myself to be). I was told that the gel behind our eyes plays an important role while we are embryos, but after birth, it is not really needed anymore, but of course it stays there again, kind of like our gallbladder. The flashing lights was the gel pulling away from the back wall of the eye. "Sort of like wallpaper" was the specialists terminology. Once pulled away, the gel may or not float into the line of vision, causing "floaters". Good to know it was both normal and harmless, and totally unrelated to the heart surgery. Hopefully the auras and migraines are the same. The tiredness and feeling sometimes more "blah" that before, yep that is related, and hopefully will go away as my body recovers and my mind catches up with what all went on while it was "sleeping". With all the bruises and scabs and bits of adhesive I had when I came home, I looked like I had been abducted by Alien Body Snatchers, each one doing something weird to a different part of my body. Today, day 38, I don't have anything left except for a small scar. Glad to read how you're dealing with the scar, a healthy approach I believe. Best wishes to you.

m in cornwall posted a note for Mary Ann that says: Hi mary ann its interesting that you have had an increase in aura migraines. i have had full blown migraine all my life however into middle age, these became generally just migraine with aura and no heaaches. since my surgery, i have had many aura migraine sometimed with the headache. its something i will raise with my cardiologist at six week checkup however i think with me its my body just adjusting to the assault its had and the drugs/anaesthetic. i do get migraines post stress. like to remain drug free and manage my migrains as best i can but i was hoping once my bicuspid issue had been resolved that the migraines would go too ! optimistic i guess. will be interested to hear if others note changes in their migraine post surgery good luck and keep healthy.

Ginger (in the Land of Oz) posted a note for Mary Ann that says: Mary Ann,
I am nearly three weeks out. My history is a bit different than yours. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, so have had a murmur all of my life. About ten years ago my PCP noticed a change in the murmur with a click added. She thought a cardiologist ought to be brought in. He followed me for ten years and over that time my valve really deteriorated to the point where is was finally past severe stenosis and was now critical.

I did not want to be one of the people for whom the first symptom is to drop dead! And I believe my cardiologist felt the same way. No symptoms to speak of but the area of my valve was getting close to closed!

So I am thankful that there is a way to take care of this with valve replacement and now am relieved that all of the years of waiting and wondering when are over.

I, too, have had migraine problems, and today I had my first post-op migraine. The triptans that are now available to treat migraines are a huge improvement from all of the ergot alkaloids and other things that were given years ago and almost made one as sick as the migraine itself. I have a classic aura and today pulled out one of the tablets (I take Relpax with one Tylenol) and took it with a few crackers. I had an in home OT coming to do an evaluation, and did not want to be flailing with a headache. It never got to a full blown migraine thanks to the early Relpax.

Sometimes caffeine will stave off a migraine when one is still in the aura state. It is available over the counter in 200 mg tablets. The dose to prevent migraines is 100 mg (1/2 tablet) and I keep one with me. I have a doctorate in pharmacy, which is why I am fairly well versed in this.

Another thing to avoid if you want to decrease migraines are things with tyramine in them. You can Google for a list, but it includes red but not white wine, some aged cheeses, and a variety of processed foods. I try to eat fresh and stay away from processed foods when possible, and it along with avoidance of most items with high tyramine content has lessened my migraine frequency.

One interesting relatively new piece in the medical literature notes that migraines occur more often just after times of high stress, when one finally has a chance to unwind. I have not seen a cause for this, but it is sometimes helpful to log what you have been eating and/or doing in the day or two before the migraine hits. Many migraine sufferers can identify their "triggers" in this manner and as a result reduce the incidence of their migraines. It is worth a try.

If the migraines start to become full blown, I would consider asking your PCP for a prescription for one of the newer migraine meds. I cannot begin to tell you how great it is to have one that is, from experience, going to be full blown stopped in its tracks with one of the newer migraine remedies.

Hope this is of some help.

As for your anxiety, again to write what has been going on to try to identify what triggers this may indeed help you.

You have been through enough with valve replacement. Getting something like a way to stop your migraines become trouble is just as available to you as was a way to care for your stenosis.

Hope you find ways to relax and focus on more positive things in your life.

Warm regards,

Eleanor posted a note for Mary Ann that says: I was a little nervous when I first came home, and worried about "symptoms" that turned out to be nerve reflexes (left hand "asleep" one day, rib cage twitches, etc.). I haven't been anxious but I am much more aware of my body than I was before. I, too, went through the tests and the decision quickly, but mine was due to suddenly learning about the severe stenosis, and developing symptoms. I think our minds take a while to process all that our bodies went through while our minds were out of it. I hope yours passes soon, as you get back to your starting point, and maybe even surpass it healthwise. I'm 68 and a young 68 I think too, and I can see an improvement already at 6 weeks, since I had developed symptoms. I hope you continue to improve.

Meredith Bray posted a note for Mary Ann that says: I had some nervousness and anxiety as well, post-op. I kept wondering if that little twitch in my chest meant anything. I wondered if something else would go wrong. I'd stay up all night because I was afraid to go to sleep - something might happen! And one day it stopped. Maybe you could talk to your doctor or nurse about it - they're sure o have some helpful suggestions.

Aural migraines? Ug, I hate those. Fortunately they don't come with pain (well, some do). I would say that mine are not caused by anxiety, but rather a perfect combination of many things - not enough sleep, too much caffeine, low sugar. Mine seem to pass along more quickly if I sit down, close my eyes, and taste some chocolate. :)

My first post-op memory is also, "I'm alive! Thank God!" but I missed out on the anesthesia trip. I think that stuff stays in your system for a while, maybe you're still feeling after effects?

A new view on life is a resounding YES! I let a lot more things just go by without worrying about them. I've learned to say, "OK!" with a smile when it won't really affect my life.

I also worry more about the health of my loved ones. I'll be really mad if they get sick so soon after me getting better!

Geri posted a note for Mary Ann that says: Hi Mary Ann
I am starting 5th week post op, am able to walk for 35 min. or more, slow down on inclines, have done some weeding and trimming azalea bushes, but light work, no pulling or tugging
I found it interesting reading your post re migraines, I have been a headache/migraine sufferer for years, lightened up when I aged, however, since the surgery have hardly had a headache, see some visual gray things moving around at times, not constantly, but the headaches have greatly diminished. I just had two glasses of wine, headache followed, caused by sulfites or fermentation in the wine, otherwise miraculous decrease in headaches
thanks for the update and wishing you the best in a good recovery
p.s. which hospital did you have the surgery at, L.A. has some world class facilities