Pam's Guestbook

Forgot this. Get an Apple Watch and track heart rate and ekg if you feel it necessary.  I kept a log, it helped cardiologist titrate meds,  I still use it when necessary.  I went to cardiac rehab for 3 months it was a big help.  Plus I connected with lots of other heart people.  

Hi Pam!   I’m Liz and I had open heart three years ago. I had aortic replacement, mitral repair and tricuspid repair. So 3 repairs.  I had a very difficult post ok period with cardiac arrest, Fluid in lungs and a very tough time. 11 days in hospital in Scottsdale.  Here’s my take away which might help you.   Take it slow and mostly rest.   Your heart was just cut open and it does not have a sense of humor.  I was very slow to recover.  Told it would be 6 months but really a full year.  It will be what it will be.  Rest, rest, rest.   Watch lots of movies.  Sleep propped up on back.  side sleeping came much later for me. Call doc whenever necessary do not worry about bothering them.  Biggest of surgeries.  hydrate and reduce salt.  No bra for sometime..  my quads were weak for 6 months.  Don’t know why but they were.  Met with super smart doc at Mayo.  He said it can take several years for heart to return to normal at a cellular level.  So give yourself some slack.   If you get down,  each morning say blessings for everything starting with your feet.  You get idea.  Can be depressing when you’re not sure you will ever feel better but you will, I promise.  Please keep in touch.  I’m good for questions.   

Glad to hear you are doing good. I’m 44 years old and I have gone through my 2 open heart surgery this January. My aortic valve was replaced with a mechanical valve. This 2nd surgery I think took a bit out of me mentally but luckily because of the love of my wife and her support I continue going. God bless you! Take care 

Hi Pam, my name is Theresa Palmer. I went through the exact same thing you did I was living in Florida and I went to New York and had the Ross procedure done with Dr. Stelzer now that you’re home and recuperating. I just want you to know that every day you will get better and better, and in a couple months, you won’t believe how good you’re gonna feel you’ll be ready to get up and start moving again. You are very blessed to have all of those wonderful family members taken care of you. It really made it big difference for me as well. Having somebody waiting on you hand and foot is wonderful and much needed. Tomorrow is my one year anniversary and I feel incredible and I know you will too, just wanted to say God bless you with good health and happiness.

Pam, good luck to you, and let us know when you're done and have regained your coherency. I'll be eager to hear your experience. Yours is exactly 2 months after mine and I will follow your journal entries. 

Pam, Hope everything goes well. Sounds like you are a strong person. Please update us after your procedure and are feeling better. I myself, was upgraded to an Severe Aortic Stenosis and had the Aortic Valve replacement procedure. You will be fine.

Hi Pam, I just completed the Ross due to bicuspid valve on Aug. 22nd at the Cleveland clinic.I also am physically active ride my peloton 3 days and weight training 3 days a week and 48 years. Did your doctor talk to you about after the procedure you cannot lift heavy weights..like body builder stuff?

Also, you will be on blood pressure medication for 1year as the aortic valve gets stronger? They want our blood pressure under 115.  I just wanted to share as I feel the surgery was the easy part the recover is long. 



You will do great.l!  Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Let me know if you have any other questions. 

Dr Christopher Burke at University of Washington in Seattle has a fantastic Ross program. They did an absolute amazing job for me on my Ross procedure and Dacron graft. I can’t say enough good things about the program and the entire team that worked on me. The follow up for the first few months afterwards… phone calls to check in, Mychart messages with replies that were super quick, you always have someone to ask a question and perhaps adjust meds, or they listen to any certain question/concern you might have. 



anyways. It’s a lot closer then New York! 

hope this helps! 

-Andy