Hi Melany,
Thanks for signing my guestbook. Yes, My rheumatologist did run the CCP test and it was negative. My Ferritin was high, so something is going on. ...Read more
Hi Melany,
Thanks for signing my guestbook. Yes, My rheumatologist did run the CCP test and it was negative. My Ferritin was high, so something is going on. Just have to find out why. Time will tell I suppose. Otherwise, I\'m feeling very good right now.
Diana
Hi Menany
Great news on the echo and bp being under better control without medication! Too bad it took so long to diagnose the fibromyalgia. Usually they test ...Read more
Hi Menany
Great news on the echo and bp being under better control without medication! Too bad it took so long to diagnose the fibromyalgia. Usually they test your trigger points and if most of them are positive, that\'s another way to come up with a diagnosis. Hopefully the treatment will work and you\'ll feel 100% with your active life.
Fran
Hi Melany
Hope the next echo gives he doctor a clue as to what treatment will be best for you. On my one year anniversary (last month) I re-read my journal ...Read more
Hi Melany
Hope the next echo gives he doctor a clue as to what treatment will be best for you. On my one year anniversary (last month) I re-read my journal and 90% of my guest book. It is amazing to realize how far we have come and remind ourselves how blessed we are. I also realize a lot of the issues have faded from my mind. Right now am especially praying for Ruth who had her surgery last week and is having a complicated and serious recovery. Wishing you a beautiful spring.
Fran
Hey Melany....I am so sorry about this new problem. We did put you on the prayer list at church last night. God can answer prayers as you well know. Just ...Read more
Hey Melany....I am so sorry about this new problem. We did put you on the prayer list at church last night. God can answer prayers as you well know. Just wanted to let you know that you guys are in my thoughts and prayers....Love, Pam
Melany,
It is so great to hear from you. My blood pleasure was low after the surgery for quite awhile, but I had no symptoms so it was not considered a problem. ...Read more
Melany,
It is so great to hear from you. My blood pleasure was low after the surgery for quite awhile, but I had no symptoms so it was not considered a problem. I hope yours is a medication issue as others have stated. Your family sounds happy and healthy.
Happy Easter and let us know how this works out.
Theresa C.
Hi Melany!
Good to hear from you, but sorry to hear you have some residual or continuing issues. I think the Heart Valve Journals have now been around long ...Read more
Hi Melany!
Good to hear from you, but sorry to hear you have some residual or continuing issues. I think the Heart Valve Journals have now been around long enough for us to follow enough patients to see that many of us have issues after heart valve surgery. Seems like everyone\'s issues are different. Thankfully there are those with no issues at all post recovery. I have not had any blood pressure issues, though mine tends to run on the low side (say 90/60). BP has never been an issue for, well, so far. 13 months post-op (mitral valve repair) I developed pericardial effusion symptoms, and an echo revealed that sure enough I was a pericarditis repeat customer. Even more surprising was now I am having some aortic insufficiency and am under watch for that. Echos every 3 months. So I am also in the camp of those with issues.
Your doctor is on track to do another echo on you but it could just be a medication issue. I\'ll be praying it\'s not a big deal.
Glad your family is growing and doing so well. Happy Easter to you guys!
Duane in FL
Hi Melany!
I\'m happy you checked in but not happy to hear you\'re having blood pressure problems. Are you taking any BP meds? Other than having very low ...Read more
Hi Melany!
I\'m happy you checked in but not happy to hear you\'re having blood pressure problems. Are you taking any BP meds? Other than having very low BP for about a week after surgery, I haven\'t experienced this problem so I have no words of wisdom. I hope they figure it out soon.
It sounds like the kids are doing great and other than BP issues, so are you! Big difference from a year ago.
Please keep us posted on what happens.
Ricki
Hi Melany
Good to hear from you but sorry to hear of your ongoing blood pressure problems. What is your blood pressure? Do they have you taking it every day. ...Read more
Hi Melany
Good to hear from you but sorry to hear of your ongoing blood pressure problems. What is your blood pressure? Do they have you taking it every day. I take mine twice a day per doctor\'s orders and after many changes in my meds, it\'s finally in a great range. Hope it stays that way. Wonderful news about the kids and your schooling. You are a busy wife and mom. Don\'t wait so long to write again.
Fran
Melany & Family,
Beautiful post. All of us HVJ family members know exactly how you feel. I am so thrilled for your recovery. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas ...Read more
Melany & Family,
Beautiful post. All of us HVJ family members know exactly how you feel. I am so thrilled for your recovery. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas with your beautiful family!
Duane in FL
Hi Melany
Yes, I have the hair loss problem. Apparently from what I\'ve read, it\'s fairly common after OHS. Some of my medications also have this as a side ...Read more
Hi Melany
Yes, I have the hair loss problem. Apparently from what I\'ve read, it\'s fairly common after OHS. Some of my medications also have this as a side effect. Can\'t say I have any new hair growth---good for you that you are. I guess the trade off is my heart is healthier. Will be curious to see if anyone else chimes in. Wishing you the most blessed Christmas.
Fran
Hi Mel, Thanks for your note. After seven weeks I feel like I have finally turned the corner and am heading back up hill. I had a favorable visit with my ...Read more
Hi Mel, Thanks for your note. After seven weeks I feel like I have finally turned the corner and am heading back up hill. I had a favorable visit with my local cardiologist today. I\'m happy for you and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Gary Vice, Cincinnati, Ohio
Good to hear from you, Melany. Life goes on and it\'s a healthier life, isn\'t it? What a wonderful Christmas you will be able yo look forward to.
Fran
Thank you Melany, I read your entire journal and I appreciate your empathy as you have been through alot. I remember after my 1st open heart repair when I was ...Read more
Thank you Melany, I read your entire journal and I appreciate your empathy as you have been through alot. I remember after my 1st open heart repair when I was about your age and I had small children, they are such a comfort. I am glad to see you are doing terrific. I had to laugh in one of your entries when you are hospitalized for a a bout with a cold and said at least it was not your heart. That is about how I feel at this time as so I have a partially collapsed lung at least it is not my heart, we become experts at putting things in the proper prospective. I cont to try to believe as you things happen for a reason and with God and his bigger plan all will be well and I have peace with that. My husband through my heart surgeries has been terrific and yes we sometimes forget in their toughness that they are also under a great deal of stress, your Mom too, being a nurse. I too many years ago was a nurse. Take care and thanks for taking the time to send me such a thoughtful note.
Susan V NC
Hi Melany
So wonderful to hear from you and know how you are truly enjoying your family and life. God made our bodies so perfectly that we are able to heal ...Read more
Hi Melany
So wonderful to hear from you and know how you are truly enjoying your family and life. God made our bodies so perfectly that we are able to heal after the surgeries we endure. Continue to enjoy life. This Thanksgiving we will have many reasons to be thankful.
Fran
Melany,
Everything sounds wonderful with you. I am so happy you are feeling so great. You are right ..we have to be patient and trust it to God. Thanks for ...Read more
Melany,
Everything sounds wonderful with you. I am so happy you are feeling so great. You are right ..we have to be patient and trust it to God. Thanks for posting.
Theresa C.
Hi Melaney
From a fellow North Carolinian. I am fairly new to HVJ and just caught up on your pre, post and recovery. You are amazing considering all you are ...Read more
Hi Melaney
From a fellow North Carolinian. I am fairly new to HVJ and just caught up on your pre, post and recovery. You are amazing considering all you are dealing with ie small children which are such a reason to get up and get better and move back into the path of life and family. Your zest for life prevails. I bet you are looking forward to returning to work
Susan V
Melany,
So glad to hear your good news. Going back to work full time is a huge re-entry into normal living. And that\'s great! Indeed God does work miracles! ...Read more
Melany,
So glad to hear your good news. Going back to work full time is a huge re-entry into normal living. And that\'s great! Indeed God does work miracles! Prayers for your continued strengthening and healing.
Duane
Hi Melany
What wonderful news that a drug change made such a good improvement. Great that you\'re well enough for full time. Hope you do get to relax and put ...Read more
Hi Melany
What wonderful news that a drug change made such a good improvement. Great that you\'re well enough for full time. Hope you do get to relax and put your feet up for awhile when you get home. Know that\'s hard to do with little ones. Glad you\'re doing so well.
Fran
Hi Melany,
Sorry to hear about the BP issues, but very good to hear the positive spirit in your note. Hang in there, and I am sure it will continue to improve ...Read more
Hi Melany,
Sorry to hear about the BP issues, but very good to hear the positive spirit in your note. Hang in there, and I am sure it will continue to improve over time. Best wishes..
Mark
Keller, TX
Hi Melany,
Glad to hear from you......but sorry to hear you are having bp and heart rate issues. I had a fast heart rate after the surgery and have been on ...Read more
Hi Melany,
Glad to hear from you......but sorry to hear you are having bp and heart rate issues. I had a fast heart rate after the surgery and have been on meds to correct it. The meeds have lowered my heart rate, and also my bp to 90/60.....my cardiologist said this is ok as long as I do not have symptoms.....and I do not have any. I hope they can get your problem under control.. You have been through too much.
Keep us posted,
Theresa C.
Hi Melany
What great progress you have made and will continue to make. I imagine your heart breaks when your son cries but you know what, in the future I believe ...Read more
Hi Melany
What great progress you have made and will continue to make. I imagine your heart breaks when your son cries but you know what, in the future I believe he will have no memory of this. He\'s really too young. Keep that thought in mind and hopefully that gives you some kind of consolation. May I ask what kind of work you do and do you think you\'re up to part time? Prayers continue for you.
Fran
I am from: Ruffin, North Carolina
