Guestbook of Maureen Hoganson

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Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

149 days ago

Janet Gaffney reacted to this

Sue Maize posted a note for Maureen that says:

Dear Maureen,

i’m so glad Dan posted on your page or I may have missed your story!

I felt really encouraged reading about your experience—like ...Read more

Dear Maureen,

i’m so glad Dan posted on your page or I may have missed your story!

I felt really encouraged reading about your experience—like you, I had AVR in June 2024 with a bovine valve because I was not a safe candidate for the Ross, the procedure I hoped for. I was not in good shape, about 50 lbs overweight and that, no doubt, was a big factor. I’ve since lost close to 40 lbs and feel better than ever. I hope that means I might still be a candidate for the RP when my valve wears out (or whatever the best option for longevity is at the time—at 58 now though, that would be highly unlikely, but one never knows—they’re making great strides all the time! . I had no idea it was possible to get the Ross once your own AV was replaced; I’m so happy to hear this and that you’re doing so well! May it continue for many many years to come! Bless you! ❤️🙏🏻

Maureen Hoganson Hi Sue -- Sorry that I am just now seeing your message and responding! Thank you for reaching out and ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Hi Sue -- Sorry that I am just now seeing your message and responding! Thank you for reaching out and sharing part of your story! Yes, I had an AVR back in 2013 by one of the top surgeons, but he was not as confident about moving forward with a Ross Procedure at that time. However, they say over the past 10-15 years that many of those concerns about the Ross have been mitigated, so the surgeon I had this time (does most of the re-ops for my retired surgeon) felt I was a good candidate. And yes, I wasn't sure if I would still be a candidate for the Ross and even had a 2nd opinion scheduled with surgeon at Northwestern, but ended up having to move my surgery date to the same day as my consultation and moved forward with the Ross at Vanderbilt! My prosthetic Trifecta valve lasted longer than it probably should have, so really needed to be replaced. Thank you for your wonderful note and encouragement -- and I will pray that your valve serves you well and that you have the best outcome! Bless you as well!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4000 days ago

Karin Georgeson posted a note for Maureen that says:

Hi Maureen. I was reading your story and feel we have a lot in common. I also found out I have a bicuspid aortic valve and at age 40 was told I had moderate ...Read more

Hi Maureen. I was reading your story and feel we have a lot in common. I also found out I have a bicuspid aortic valve and at age 40 was told I had moderate stenosis. I will be 44 in July and I am planning to have valve replacement in July. I am married with 2 sons age 8 and 13, and have even very active as well. This has all happened so fast and unexpectedly. Reading your story has helped me find someone to relate to. Thank you for sharing. I am currently leaning toward the mechanical valve but I am very concerned about the blood thinner (I enjoy playing soccer and other sports). I am wondering if it would be too much to ask you how you made your decision on which valve to choose? Thanks and congrats on your successful surgery. Karin Georgeson

Maureen Hoganson Hi Karin, Again, please forgive me for not checking this in a timely manner! I sent you a message o ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Hi Karin, Again, please forgive me for not checking this in a timely manner! I sent you a message on your guestbook page -- so please let me know if you did not receive it. I would be glad to answer any questions about choosing a valve for BAV replacement, etc. Thank you! Maureen

Karin Georgeson Hi Maureen. Yes, I did receive your message. Thanks for getting back to me. I feel like I will go wit ... Read more

Karin Georgeson Hi Maureen. Yes, I did receive your message. Thanks for getting back to me. I feel like I will go with a mechanical valve but will probably be back and forth until I actually do it. I was scheduled to have my replacement on Wednesday of this week but it has been postponed. After my cath a couple of weeks ago they want to wait and compare my numbers to an echo again in October. I'm back to monitoring. Thanks for your offer to help and I will stay in touch. Karin

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Karin! Yes, please keep me posted. You have to make the decision that you feel is best for y ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Karin! Yes, please keep me posted. You have to make the decision that you feel is best for you and that you have peace about after researching. I was not a good candidate for being on coumadin, but there are many people who are able to tolerate it just fine -- and feel like the added longevity of the valve is worth being on the blood thinners. I don't look forward to having open heart again -- and am hoping that the methods are even more advanced by the time I have to think about it again (10-15 years or so...) Again, prayers for you and your family!

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4398 days ago

Marie posted a note for Maureen that says:

Hi Maureen, I'm over a year passed my double heart surgery the same day but did have my MV with REG. repaired. I was still having A-Fib on and off here and ...Read more

Hi Maureen, I'm over a year passed my double heart surgery the same day but did have my MV with REG. repaired. I was still having A-Fib on and off here and there, this past fall sometimes twice a week. My doc.had me take 1/2 metro each night which I did for a while. At the same time I searched it on-line and found out I may need to take some magnesium to help with arythmias, (sorry if I spelled it wrong).So I bought 500mg. and started it and told my Doc. office when I dropped off the 24 hr monitor he had me wear. So they seemed to stop and I only take the Metoprolo if I need it. Now I don't take the mag everyday but do take vitamins and that a couple times a week. I am older but young in my head. LOL Anyway I get my heart going pretty quickly so I know my limits so I stop in between stuff because I am not as active as I should be but I try. So check out magnesium and check with your doctor. Hope this helps.

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Marie! I can definitely resonate with that. When I took iron glycinate, my rhythm responded ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Marie! I can definitely resonate with that. When I took iron glycinate, my rhythm responded immediately. My magnesium levels may need to be adjusted, too, and I will talk to my PCP about this. He went to Vanderbilt and practiced at the Mayo Clinic, but is also very knowledgeable about supplements, etc. I'm pretty sure that my system is just trying to regulate itself, but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Glad to hear you are dong well. It's great to be able to correspond with other heart patients. And good to meet another woman who had a bicuspid valve disorder. I wonder if the # of women with BAV is underestimated--They say it is a very small percentage of women that have this, not to mention men with BAV overall. Thanks again!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4398 days ago

Keith posted a note for Maureen that says:

Hello Maureen - I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a ON-X Mechanical valve on 2.27.2013. I began having lots (>20,000 per day) of PAC's 3 weeks ...Read more

Hello Maureen - I had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced with a ON-X Mechanical valve on 2.27.2013. I began having lots (>20,000 per day) of PAC's 3 weeks post operation. My heart would pause approximately every 5 beats. I didn't really feel bad but it was disconcerting. Like you, my heart would behave perfectly while excercising. I was taken off my beta-blocker and began taking a calcuim channel blocker (Diltiazem) in July. It helped some. In early November, they went away and have very few skipped beats since (I might have noticed 5 total). The doctors are not worried about the skipped beats and I have searched the internet for hours and the concensus is that they are harmless. Hang in there. Your heart went through a traumatic event and needs up to a year to fully heal. God Bless.

Maureen Hoganson That is great information Keith! Thanks for posting this. You are so right about going through a tr ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson That is great information Keith! Thanks for posting this. You are so right about going through a traumatic event--and needing time to fully heal. I tend for forget that it's only been a little over 2 months. I really think a beta blocker would cause me more problems than benefits--and not even sure it would help with the early beats and/or skipped beats. That definitely makes me feel better, as I've scoured the internet, too. Glad to hear that your rhythm issues have resolved--and hopefully, you are feeling well! Thanks again!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4423 days ago

Jim Jones posted a note for Maureen that says:

I tell you Maureen it sounds like you are doing wonderfully. Congrats! Keep up your great progress. I look forward to your next post. Best!

Maureen Hoganson Thanks for the encouragement Jim! Yes, moving along--I certainly have my doubts some days, but looki ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks for the encouragement Jim! Yes, moving along--I certainly have my doubts some days, but looking forward to healing up completely! They say you can water ski once your sternum heals, but I'm still not too sure about that, LOL! Hope you are doing well--and will keep you posted!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4423 days ago

Tom in KC posted a note for Maureen that says:

Great to hear how we'll you are progressing. I had my surgery exactly one mon th after yours. I had my aorta valve replaced (bovine) and the aorta replaced ...Read more

Great to hear how we'll you are progressing. I had my surgery exactly one mon th after yours. I had my aorta valve replaced (bovine) and the aorta replaced with Dacron. Started rehab today. Cardiologist visit is next week and surgeon visit the end of the month. I am almost 57 and have known about it since age 8, but no significant symptoms. Although that will be interesting to see if I feel significantly different/better this spring/summer.

Maureen Hoganson Thanks for your response--it should get better as you go--as you are still in the thick of recovery! ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks for your response--it should get better as you go--as you are still in the thick of recovery! I feel significantly better now--and am thankful to be able to sleep on my side in my own bed--instead of on my back on the couch. I tried a recliner for the first few days at home, but my back got too sore. (It was a smaller ladies recliner...) Hope you continue to do well--and that everything is good at your surgeon's visit. It is a relief to finally see the doctor so that you can ask specific questions. My surgeon waits until 6 weeks to see you--and then waits to do an echo until 6 months out. May see if they can move it up a little just to make sure everything is working right! I am only required to take a baby aspirin at this point as long as my heartrate stays low enough. Don't want to wear out that valve any sooner, as I'm sure you don't either. Prayers go out to you for a good recovery!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4424 days ago

Dan Sinclair posted a note for Maureen that says:

Fantastic, keep up the good reports!

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Dan! As long as I don't over-do-it and pull anything! I think some of my muscles are still " ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Dan! As long as I don't over-do-it and pull anything! I think some of my muscles are still "angry" with me, but as long as those sternal wires hold together well, I'll be happy! It's scary some of the stories you hear...Hope you are doing well!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4457 days ago

Jim Jones posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen You are doing wonderfully in a very short period of time. This is more than terrific. I know what you mean about walking in the house- it does get interesting. ...Read more

Maureen You are doing wonderfully in a very short period of time. This is more than terrific. I know what you mean about walking in the house- it does get interesting. Great about cardiac rehab. Everyone says it really helps. I will start in Jan which will be about 8 weeks post op. I am looking forward to it. Keep up the great work!

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Jim! Yes, will let you know how the cardiac rehab goes. I am looking forward to it! And we ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Jim! Yes, will let you know how the cardiac rehab goes. I am looking forward to it! And we are having a slight break in the cold weather this week, so am looking forward to walking outside today! I was discouraged yesterday when i was really achy--but feel better today--and probably just over-did-it. Slept in a better position last night, so hopefully, that will help, too. Considering what they do to your sternum, I know I should be thankful that I'm doing as well as I am. I didn't have any other heart issues, other than the congenital bicuspid valve, so I can't complain otherwise. Thanks again for your encouragement!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4466 days ago

Carol Jackson posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen, Yes, I had a full sternotomy too....8 in scar but ...oh well it is healing very well. Just happy that I did not have any complications after surgery. ...Read more

Maureen, Yes, I had a full sternotomy too....8 in scar but ...oh well it is healing very well. Just happy that I did not have any complications after surgery. I finally was able to stack big pillows towards the middle of the bed, lay on my side using 2 pillows plus a hroseshoe travel pillow. I would lay on 1 side all night and carefully lean into the middle of the bed pillows. That seemed to help. After 3 nights then I would switch to the other side of the bed and set it up the same way. Do you have night sweats/ I had them for 3 weeks after surgery and then one night the sweats were gone. Everyday gets better unless you over due...I have done that several times. Take care

Maureen Hoganson Thanks for the advice! I was able to sleep on a couch 2 nights in a row now, but do wake up more fla ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks for the advice! I was able to sleep on a couch 2 nights in a row now, but do wake up more flat on my back, but guess it's okay. The recliner is fine for the day, but had a slight mishap yesterday--it is a smaller ladies recliner--and has an electronic control--it wasn't up the whole way and tipped slightly when i tried to scoot to the end. Luckily, my husband and boys were able to help me up to standing position. My leg muscles will be in amazing shape after all of this, LOL! However, that didn't feel very good. It's now day 9, and have realized that this recovery will take some time. As the discharge nurse said, "Your muscles are really angry at you right now." I can't wait until I am healed enough to go to my physiotherapist! Thanks again for the advice--and to answer your question--I have only had night sweats a couple of times, but I hear this is common. What did your doctor say? Well, hopefully, the pain will continue to subside--I'm looking forward to walking my first mile--and doing push ups again! Have a good week!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4466 days ago

Kevin Woodard posted a note for Maureen that says:

Glad to hear you are back home and everything went well! Good luck on your continued recovery!

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Kevin. I appreciate all of the encouragement and advice from this site. Very helpful! Hope y ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Kevin. I appreciate all of the encouragement and advice from this site. Very helpful! Hope you are doing well.

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4466 days ago

Carol Jackson posted a note for Maureen that says:

Glad to hear that your surgery and stay in the hospital went so well. Thats great that you didnt have to be on blood thinner. Take it easy and try to get some ...Read more

Glad to hear that your surgery and stay in the hospital went so well. Thats great that you didnt have to be on blood thinner. Take it easy and try to get some sleep. Look forward to hear of your progress.

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Carol! Had a full sternotomy, so still sore of course, but don't like the way the painkillers ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Carol! Had a full sternotomy, so still sore of course, but don't like the way the painkillers make me feel--and trying to just do tylenol. My recliner has been great for the day, but am trying to figure out a better way to sleep at night! I feel like I'm stuck in my chair!!! Thanks again for checking on me. Hope you are well, too!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4467 days ago

Sharon Madden posted a note for Maureen that says:

Glad to hear how well you are doing. What type of valve did you get?

Maureen Hoganson Hi Sharon--I decided on a tissue valve to avoid coumadin--and ended up with the Trifecta Bovine Valve ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Hi Sharon--I decided on a tissue valve to avoid coumadin--and ended up with the Trifecta Bovine Valve. It's supposed to have great hemodynamics--and mimic a healthy human aortic valve! I actually have one that works properly for the first time!!!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4467 days ago

Dan Sinclair posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen, Check the size of the photo you are trying to post, the site has a 1MB limit and that is a small picture by today's standards. Hope that helps! Take ...Read more

Maureen, Check the size of the photo you are trying to post, the site has a 1MB limit and that is a small picture by today's standards. Hope that helps! Take Care and Continue with your great attitude!

Maureen Hoganson Hi Dan--I will double-check the size of the photo--it says it is small enough, but will make sure. O ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Hi Dan--I will double-check the size of the photo--it says it is small enough, but will make sure. Once I hit upload -- I get an error page and it says "Page no longer available." Will try again. Thanks for your response and checking in on my journal!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4467 days ago

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Maureen that says:

Glad things are going well after a successful surgery. Continued good healing.

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Ernie! Getting a little sore on the recliner, so may try extra pillows and see if I can sleep ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks Ernie! Getting a little sore on the recliner, so may try extra pillows and see if I can sleep in my own bed! Appreciate your comments!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

Leslie Holtzclaw posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen, Looking forward to hearing about your surgery and that you are already on the road to recovery. Keeping you in thought and prayer. Leslie

Maureen Hoganson Thanks again for the prayers! Much appreciated. Will try to update as I feel better, but I am told ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Thanks again for the prayers! Much appreciated. Will try to update as I feel better, but I am told I am told I am doing very well!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

Joseph Kusiak posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen, I will say a prayer for you today that your surgery is successful (as I know it will be). Your support team will be there every step of the way.

Maureen Hoganson Again, I have been overwhelmed by the prayers and support of not just family and friends, but by fell ... Read more

Maureen Hoganson Again, I have been overwhelmed by the prayers and support of not just family and friends, but by fellow heart patients who I've never met! Thank you so much for your encouragement!!!

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

Tom Huskisson posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen: As Marie said below, you will be in my/our prayers and also each every person that will be involved in your surgery. God is faithful and will be there ...Read more

Maureen: As Marie said below, you will be in my/our prayers and also each every person that will be involved in your surgery. God is faithful and will be there to guide each action. I and others here are testimonies to that ( my surgery was 5 weeks ago Monday ). We are looking forward to reports after the surgery. God bless you !

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

Marie Mancini posted a note for Maureen that says:

Hi Maureen, just checked in and read your journals and that your surgery is today. I was in recovery still in the hospital at this time last year from my valve ...Read more

Hi Maureen, just checked in and read your journals and that your surgery is today. I was in recovery still in the hospital at this time last year from my valve repair surgery.So I missed my first Thanksgiving/Holidays with my family but I'm still here much better and able to be with them this year because the Lord brought me through.I will be praying He will be with you through this and for your steady and healthy recovery.

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

sharon madden posted a note for Maureen that says:

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am looking forward to hearing from you from the other side. God Bless.

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

cheree posted a note for Maureen that says:

prayers for a speedy recovery ....

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

Sophie Marsh posted a note for Maureen that says:

Praying for you, for a successful surgery tomorrow!!! Sophie Marsh

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4473 days ago

Ernie A.S. posted a note for Maureen that says:

You got this! No problem. Looking forward to hearing some good news after surgery.

Maureen Hogansongot a new guestbook post

4474 days ago

Dan Sinclair posted a note for Maureen that says:

Maureen, Wishing you the best and sending positive vibes. Know there is an entire community thinking of you as you begin your journey tomorrow. Every little ...Read more

Maureen, Wishing you the best and sending positive vibes. Know there is an entire community thinking of you as you begin your journey tomorrow. Every little thing is going be all right!