Guestbook of Molly Ivers

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Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2521 days ago

Molly Ivers reacted to this

Patricia posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly. Sorry to hear about your eyes and having to wait for an answer. You mentioned having similar episodes prior to surgery. I would have one or two ocular ...Read more

Hi Molly. Sorry to hear about your eyes and having to wait for an answer. You mentioned having similar episodes prior to surgery. I would have one or two ocular migraines a year 3 years prior to AVR (Nov 1). Now, post surgery sometimes it's a bright pin spot shooting from one side to the other with a bright "tail" arching behind. Other times, lots of geometric patterns around edges of vision. They go away by closing my eyes for 10 minutes or more. I noticed that using the computer longer than 45 min could bring it on. I have read that vision can be affected by OHS and almost always returns to pre op normal. Checking with doc next week. I'll let you know if I find out any more than you did. Hope it's better soon for you.

Molly Ivers The geometric patterns are called scintillation headaches - I've had those my entire life (1 or 2 a y ... Read more

Molly Ivers The geometric patterns are called scintillation headaches - I've had those my entire life (1 or 2 a year). After surgery I had them one after another after another. It was weird, but they are leveling off as time goes by. The new thing I had is called PVD - partial vitreous detachment and luckily it heals on its own.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2540 days ago

Molly Ivers reacted to this

Linda posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly I had mitral valve repair in October. I had a history of ocular/optical migraines since 2006 but after surgery I had around 25 of them. The doctors ...Read more

Hi Molly I had mitral valve repair in October. I had a history of ocular/optical migraines since 2006 but after surgery I had around 25 of them. The doctors suggesting seeing a neurologist but after researching online its from the heart lung machine and patients reported having them for several months. I am gettingng less but bright lights and glare have always been triggers. Hope this information helps you.

Molly Ivers Hi Linda, thanks so much for sharing your story. The first thing I thought of was the heart-lung mach ... Read more

Molly Ivers Hi Linda, thanks so much for sharing your story. The first thing I thought of was the heart-lung machine and I brought that up in an email to my surgeon's assistant and she said -- "you're too far out from surgery." I disagree, it's only been about three months. It was such a bizarre episode I almost feel like I dreamed it and have actually been wondering if it was a perfect storm of an ocular headache (which I have a history of) and a panic attack. My eye sight is slowing getting normal again. Next week I see the specialist and I hope it's nothing because I was finally starting to feel "normal," meaning "not a patient." Keep me posted on how you are doing.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2626 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, so good to hear from you! I was beginning to worry. And so happy you did not injure your sternum....As for the itching, it is natural in the healing ...Read more

Hi Molly, so good to hear from you! I was beginning to worry. And so happy you did not injure your sternum....As for the itching, it is natural in the healing process. Gently wash your incision with soap and water, with your fingers, and then also rinse without letting the direct stream of water hit your incision. Pat it dry. Do not use creams, lotions, or powders as this will cause an infection. And, please try not to scratch it.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2629 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, it's so nice to hear from you. Try not to raise both arms above your head at the same time as you need to let your sternum heal. You don't want anything ...Read more

Hi Molly, it's so nice to hear from you. Try not to raise both arms above your head at the same time as you need to let your sternum heal. You don't want anything to pull the sternal wires out of place. Also, no lifting, pulling, or pushing anything for the first couple of weeks. And when you use your walker, just use it for balance without applying your weight on it. Take it easy....the housework will get done. Eventually. Take care of Molly. Please keep us posted. And please remember, we care!

Molly Ivers Thanks Fay, tomorrow I see the surgeon, I hope he can tell if I have done any damage with the walker. ... Read more

Molly Ivers Thanks Fay, tomorrow I see the surgeon, I hope he can tell if I have done any damage with the walker.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2629 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Molly, your complaint is common and as Bradley says, everyone is different. It takes about eight to twelve weeks for the sternum to heal. After the surgery, ...Read more

Molly, your complaint is common and as Bradley says, everyone is different. It takes about eight to twelve weeks for the sternum to heal. After the surgery, the surgeon aligns the bone in the proper place and it is held together either by sternal wires or by a plate and screws. Diabetes and obesity can delay the healing of the incision and anything can place pressure on the sternum. I don't think a bigger bosom affects the incision. Be patient....give it some time.

Molly Ivers Thanks for your input Fay. I was healing so well and rapidly in the hospital and now I have hit a big ... Read more

Molly Ivers Thanks for your input Fay. I was healing so well and rapidly in the hospital and now I have hit a big bump with pain (mainly on the right side of my incision). I am beginning to think it is related to my right arm. On my first full day home I helped my husb do laundry. He did most of the heavy lifting, but I did hang a few things up and I remember it really hurt to do this. I am very short so everything seems like the land of the giants to me. Also my first time using the walker hurt (we have been adjusting the height ever since). Anyway, I now think what my brain thinks is incision pain is some kind of muscle pull. I plan on doing a lot of walking today to help loosen up.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2633 days ago

Tracy Fallu posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, I notice you are from Detroit. Mi. I also live in the Detroit area,Livonia. Where did you have your surgery? I had mine at Royal Oak Beaumont ...Read more

Hi Molly, I notice you are from Detroit. Mi. I also live in the Detroit area,Livonia. Where did you have your surgery? I had mine at Royal Oak Beaumont

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2634 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, I can imagine how you felt after getting all that info. Take it one step at a time. You may not need another surgery down the line. For now, rejoice ...Read more

Hi Molly, I can imagine how you felt after getting all that info. Take it one step at a time. You may not need another surgery down the line. For now, rejoice at the success of your surgery!

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2638 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, so happy that your surgery is over and that it went well. Take it one day at a time. Your appetite will improve. Maybe you can have an ophthalmologist ...Read more

Hi Molly, so happy that your surgery is over and that it went well. Take it one day at a time. Your appetite will improve. Maybe you can have an ophthalmologist look at your eye and take care of the problem while you are in the hospital. Just a thought. Keep us posted.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2642 days ago

Heather Brown posted a note for Molly that says:

Good luck Molly! You can do this.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2646 days ago

Molly Ivers, Molly Ivers reacted to this

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, I understand your anxiety and your concern. Don't worry about "pump head". Years ago the filters were not as developed as they are today. We are talking ...Read more

Hi Molly, I understand your anxiety and your concern. Don't worry about "pump head". Years ago the filters were not as developed as they are today. We are talking about "cutting-edge" technology. And, yes, you will be stronger after your surgery. I agree with you there--get lots of hugs, give lots of hugs and sing at the top of your lungs. Let me warn you--after the surgery, you will be belting out tunes even louder than before! :) Try and relax....soon you will be on the road to recovery.

Jennifer McInerney I was really concerned about “pump head” too. Didn’t happen to me. I was a little disoriented ... Read more

Jennifer McInerney I was really concerned about “pump head” too. Didn’t happen to me. I was a little disoriented from all the meds the first day but by day 2 I was back to my normal feisty self. I totally agree with everything Fay said above

Ellen Leng Agree with Jennifer and Fay. Had my surgery 2 years ago and was worried about the "pumphead" issue. N ... Read more

Ellen Leng Agree with Jennifer and Fay. Had my surgery 2 years ago and was worried about the "pumphead" issue. No issues other than short term anesthesia brain :)

Molly Ivers Thanks Jennifer, Ellen and Marie for your encouraging words. I will try not to focus on it.

Molly Iversgot a new guestbook post

2648 days ago

Fay Kozas posted a note for Molly that says:

Hi Molly, you are under a lot of stress right now and understandably so. Everything is magnified. It is not easy to be facing OHS. Everyone's healing process ...Read more

Hi Molly, you are under a lot of stress right now and understandably so. Everything is magnified. It is not easy to be facing OHS. Everyone's healing process is different. Years ago, the filters were not as developed. Now they are so developed; it is cutting-edge technology. Try to relax. Don't worry. Just think, next Friday around this time, you will be on the road to recovery with the risk behind you. I will be thinking about you and you will be in my prayers.