Penny's Heart Valve Journal

Muriel Cotterill posted a note for Penny that says: Just finished my packing. Going to be admitted to Walsgrave tomorrow, operation Monday.

Muriel Cotterill posted a note for Penny that says: Hello Penny, I'm still waiting for my valve surgery. Had it cancelled twice; due to be admitted to hospital on Sunday 19th operation on 20th February. I have telephoned Walsgrave hospital this morning to see if my appointment is still on. I am wondering is it's because of my age 80. I was so depressed last year when I had my 80th birthday and learned hat I had to have surgery.

Will be in touch with you again. Keep improving.

I do appreciate this site, we have nothing like this in England.

Regards
Muriel

Fran Zilko posted a note for Penny that says: Hi Penny
Had my valve surgery a few weeks after you and we corresponded for quite a while. I remember you have a daughter Georgie--right? I am begining to have more problems with my ejection fraction dropping, not a good sign. I will be 78 in May and do 2 1/2 hours a week of pool aerobics and I know that helps. Saying my prayers for several more years of living. Take care, good to hear from you.

Muriel Cotterill posted a note for Penny that says: Hello Penny. I'm due to have the same procedure as you, now due 5th March unless Walsgrave cancel again.

Get well soon.

Muriel

wen li posted a note for Penny that says: Penny,
Thank you for four encouraging note to the group! Great to know you have been doing well over the past 7 years. My mom, close to 75, is going to have the same surgery as you did. The only difference is her Afib has been chronic, it makes her tired but she doesn't have sudden bout of fast heart beat. How was the maze procedure?

Hi Penny, Saw Mr Wells yesterday (30th Aug) and passed on your warmest wishes, love and offered a hug too! Then said I would hold the hug if that was ok with him:-). He smiled, said yes and Hi to you.

Regards

Paul R

Penny,
So great to hear from you. It sounds like you are super fantastic! Great news, and inspiring for everyone...those that climbed that hill, and those about to start their journey! Enjoy your life!
Take care journal friend,
Theresa C.
NJ

Hi Penny, Thanks for the encouragement! I did not want to leave you with the impression that I was bemoaning my walking 2-4 miles per day, I am really happy but longing to get back to being really fit again and mountain biking, skiing, squash, windsurfing, SCUBA and golf ;-) I know it will take more time and seeing that you can now mountain bike for 15 miles will only drive me on. Frank Wells has given me the opportunity to join the club and I fully intend to grab it

I will pass your regards on to Frank when I see him - not sure he will like me hugging him though ;-)

Paul R

Hi Penny,

Good to hear that all is going well, jealous of the mountain biking, but that would be a push right now as I'm on 4 weeks post surgery and clocking up 2-4 miles a day walking. Looking forward to getting back into all the sports. Frank Wells and his team have done a great job so far. Not out of Afib yet, just hoping that it resolves itself with time.

All the best and keep path finding for me

Paul R (ex regurgitator & fellow Papworth patient alumni)

Hi Penny
Your update reminded me I owe you an email!. I am jealous of your "no medication". Sounds like life is great and am so glad for you. Hope Georgie is doing well. Hope you get to Florida one day. We could get Duane and the three of us can have a "heart" party.
Fran

Hi Penny,

Thank you for sharing your story!

My mom had the same two heart valves repaired that you did and also an ablation procedure for her AF. Additionally, they had to put in a pacemaker 5 days after surgery. She is 13 days post-op the open heart surgery and it appears she may finally be going home tomorrow. Reading your journal is helping me to prepare her to be patient! She is expecting everything to be 100% and doesn't realize she has a recovery period ahead.

Linda

Hi Penny
I am so impressed with your fitness routine. You are doing so well, congratulations. I walk vigorously for 1 or 12 miles a week with some evening strolls in between. Of course, I do have a few (lol) years on you!. Glad you found a local cardio you are happy with. We have a new grand daughter in California, born 10 days ago and we will fly out to visit next week, can't wait. I am curious as to what type of work you do as you fly often?? I agree 100% about the HVJ friends, they (including you) are the best. Be happy. God bless.
Fran

Hi Penny,

This site has changed a bit since my last visit and I was impressed by the "reply" button, but I see that it didn't write my response here.

Thanks for your kind words (and remembering me). In reading your story it seems like you've had a really wild ride of it, but what has always impressed me about you is your sense of humour and your sense of perspective. I hope that these are catching and that I can have some of the same as I start down the same road.

Enjoy Spain!

Steven (Calgary)

Dear Penny,
So nice to hear a great report on your cardiac health. I too would love to get off the meds someday, but all is going fine so doctor does not want to change things now. I have had them reduced a lot since surgery.
Good luck on your traveling, and keep us updated.
Take care,
Theresa c.
Nj

Hi Penny

Nice to see you are keeping so well. I hope you figure out your theory about flying and from now on will not have anymore incidents such as you had returning from the US. Great to hear you are off the Beta Blocker. Obviously your heart health has improved enormously.

I'd like to get off the Beta Blocker and will ask about that when I go for my annual in Sept. I'm thinking my blood pressure is just getting too low and am finding some days I'm experiencing dizziness everytime I get up from a sitting position. I try to not let on because those around me are still somewhat anxious and tend to start asking questions.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Hi to the family. Stay well.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hello Penny, I found this website because i was googling on your name and fitnut. (perhaps googling to much) I hope it gets better with you now and that you get the health problem under control. We wish you all the best.

Fam. R.Goedhart
The Netherlands

Ahoy Penny.. The Capatin has all his flags at full mast and saliing leeward to a much better spring and summer than last year at this very time. Thank for think of me. I am feeling better than I have in years. The key, so I have been told and confirmed is smoking a good cigar, some great Scotch and alittle exercise and diet. Ae you a Fasacebook kind of person?
If so look up William Thune in Tulsa OK and friend me.Sounds like you had a bit of bad luck. I hope everything is ok now????

Penny,
So sorry to hear of your recent health scare.....glad you are up and running again. You certainly keep busy! Please keep us posted hopefully this will be the last of any scares for you and your family. I just celebrated a year anniversary, and went out to celebrate. Time sure goes fast.....please be well!
Take Care,
Theresa C.

Hi Penny
So good to hear from you, but what a dramatic story. I remember reading about earlier ambulance rides during your recovery. You've done amazingly well. I hope your theory about flying as the cause of the a-fib can be verified. What does your doctor think about it? I've also had a couple of issues almost a year after my surgery. Can't help but wonder if these are issues that would have happened if we hadn't had our surgeries? Seems our hearts take a long time to recover from the trauma of the surgeries. Be well and keep us up to date. There are several of us from way back when who still follow each other. Cheryl, Duane, Capt'n Bill, etc. Give us a follow up, okay?
Fran

Hi Penny
That was quite a story and thankfully all seems well now. These episodes are just meant to try our resolve and remind us where we came from. I was going to send you an e-mail this week and I was surprised to see your journal entry. It's Sunday - I've been doing bookwork all day and am just getting ready to head out for my grandson's hockey game so will get to that e-mail this week for sure. Just wanted to pop in quickly and say I'm glad you are okay. Those numbers are frightening.

Cheryl, Ontario

Penny, All sounds very dramatic-but glad all is well-rgds,bill

Happy Anniversary Penny!

Can you believe it's been a whole year since your surgery? I hope you are continuing to do well!

Best,

Amy Machtay
Raleigh, NC

Just signing your guestbook, I am awaiting mitral valve surgery. Best wishes, Peter Kettle

Penny, All great the recovery has gone to plan and you are up and running as they say-all the best,bill

Hi Penny,

So glad to hear you are doing great. I can feel your enthusiasm and zest for life through the posting you left. It was nice you decided to visit once again. Keep us posted when you can.
Theresa Callanan

Sounds like a Lucky Penny. I'm having a Glenmoagie 18 just for you.
Happy Boating
Your Friend aboard the "See Whippet II"
Captain Bill

Hi Penny

I believe I owe you an e-mail so this will do just as well. Can't believe how far you have to travel for your check-up but I suppose the good news that came with it is worth the trip. Great news to hear how well you are doing. Sounds as if you have finally returned to your ole self. Feels good, eh? I'm really glad for you Penny.

Hope you had a great summer. I know it's not as hot there as here, but summer this year has to have been one of my very best ever. Mayhap I was just not taking my life for granted and stopped to smell the roses .... so to speak.

Stay in touch. Like you, I haven't completely dropped off the journal and now and then I will be popping up as well. Wishing you continued great health.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Penny,

So glad to hear you are doing so well.

Take care,

Melissa Boardman

Top Of The Morning To You, Penny
So nice to hear from you and know you are doing so well. I remember reading about those ambulance trips to the emergency room!! No a-fib, no meds, how wonderful. God, and your surgeon, have given you many more years to live and I can see you are grateful. I have my first echo this week as it's just 6 1/2 months post op. I will always be in a-fib and in need of medication but that's okay as long as my life is extended and my heart is healthier. So, is that a promise to post occasionally? Hope so.
Fran

Penny:

Thanks for your note. Are you still on amioderone? How much are/were you taking?
I was down to 200mg once a day and now none, but ny cardio says it stays in your system for up to 4 weeks.
I will wear a holter for 24 hours in 4 weeks to see if there is any a-fib. I have had none since the hospital, but while I was at Cardiac rehab on Tuesday, I had one pulse reading of 106 during exercise...the rest were normal 80's and 90's. But that one made me nervous.
Would not want to be on amioderone again...according to the internet, that stuff is wicked! And it sounds like you had some bad effects from it.
Sorry to hear about your continuing weather...I recall that you had a big snowfall in early April. Surprised that your weather is still that bad. We have had temps up to 106F here, and the high today is to be 103F, but cooling this weekend. But we have VERY low humidity...we all say "its a dry heat!"
Golf feels SO good,but a little rusty...hope you can play soon.

All my best--

Jim in Tucson

Well Penny, Richard and I are happy you are doing so well and "looking head." It is different for everyone when they chose to say Goodbye. Richard said he wishes you the best and we have enjoyed corresponding with you and truly appreciated your guestbook entries for him. It has been fun (if you can call any of this fun (ha-ha) to have had a Scotlander (is that Ok to say - Scotlander?) to share Mitral Valve journals with over the past 5 months!
Again, our best and may you live a long and happy life and enjoy every moment.
Sincerely,
Richard and Susan Ingham

Hi Penny

Rec'd your note. Thanks. I'm glad you are moving on and reclaiming your life with enthusiasm. Life does go on and it feels good to be able to grasp and hold onto it better than before. I thank the good Lord every day for my successful surgery. I'll be keeping you and your dear family in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you continued good luck in the future.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Penny,
It is so good to hear from you. I am glad your recovery is going so well. Be careful in those heels.....It is great to take less medication..my cardiologist says he wants to eventually get me off all of mine. Good luck and enjoy your new found energy.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Hi Penny. I'm a more recent Mitral Valve Repair/Maze recipient and have been following your journal. I couldn't bring myself to write one of my own but found yours to be most comforting given the fact that you had a similar surgery and are a woman and have a great/strong spirit. I saw you did a final post and once again it was uplifting. I am two weeks post - surgery and feel much better than I expected. I just wanted you to know that it was of great comfort to me going in to have read your journal and I'm now re-reading for my post-op "therapy". Thank you and good health to you with your new non- leaky heart! C.A.B.

My Dear Friend from Scotland,
Thank you so much for your kind suggestions for me and my healing process. Saw my internist this morning and the cough and chest congestion has cleared. She still hears some fluid in both lung sacs but it doesn't seem to be increasing, so we're in a wait an see mode. I still take my diuretic twice a day but had to reduce my potassium to once a day as that level was too high. Use the spirometer faithfully at least 8 times a day and all that seems to help. It has become too hot and humid here so there is a sports facility in our neighborhood and have gone a couple of times and walked on the treadmill in air conditioned comfort. Have only got up to 2 miles/hour and 15 minutes. The doctor says not to push myself too much while my lungs are trying to process this fluid.You, on the other hand have done so well even with your earlier ups and downs. Keep it up. Will wait for your next post.
Fran Z

Hi Penny, wow such good progress for you since I last read your journal on 4/12 (which by the way was Richard's birthday) - boy did we celebrate with a toast that he was having one!
The 90 minute walk is amazing - I am not even doing that without heart valve surgery (ha-ha).
I am glad you are doing well and Richard updates me on you and said you would not be writing again until 3 months, which will be coming up before you know it.
Take care and please ma you continue your great progress.
Richard's Wife, Susan

Penny,

It is always such a great pleasure to hear from you, my friend. Thanks for your recent guestbook posting.

Sorry you also had that dizzy spell, but I'm really glad you only had one. Mine have never lasted more than a couple minutes. But they are really something. I haven't had one since Friday morning.

I was on amiodarone for 2 months (stopped April 7) and I was told it stays in your system for 8 months. I've also been on Celebrex for almost 3 months now. Both of these can cause dizziness, so it is possibly medication induced. My stroke makes everyone--my doctors, my wife, me--a bit more paranoid and perhaps overly cautious. Thus my family doctor's referral to a neurologist, from whom I have not yet heard. I do welcome the check.

I pray that you are well and getting some of your normal life back. I understand what you say about keeping up with the HJV and tapering off posting. Even I have tapered a great deal, though I'm infamous for verbose postings. As life returns to busy normal, you just can't keep up with everyone.

Our best back across the Atlantic to you and Steve and Georgie. Hopefully spring has finally sprung in Scotland. I imagine that is so green and beautiful! Are you guys still planning to come to Florida next year?

All the best!

Duane

Hi penny, wow you look great cannot believe how long your hair is and how long your scar is but both very neat. I should think you are delighted to be as well as you are now and walking so far, you put me to shame you know im not a great one for exercise. Well the sun is shining here in Cala Mag so when the Doc says o.k. to fly i shall expect to see you but untill then keep up with the good work give our love to your nurse Steve
and see you as soon as possible. Still havnt seen the photo of Steve in his nurses outfit?

Love lesley and Ged. xxxx

Hi Penny,
Been following your journal and am thrilled to hear that you are making such a good recovery and that your surgery has been such a success. Neat scar too!!! You're an inspiration to everyone who is facing the same.
Love & best wishes, Susie

I wonder if I can take my boat with me to Rehab??? Some days are just way better than others. Today is a way better. I just have no patience......Now hand me the Scotch, chips with extra salt and my pain meds!!!
Thank you.. really I will be good......each day is better that the last. Thanks
captain Bill

Dear Penny,
You and I were operated on on the same day, except mine was done here in Puebla, Mexico, where I have lived for the last 30 years with my Mexican husband. I am originally from Lancashire England, not too far from you. Like you, I have had a bit of a roller coaster recovery period and I am not out of the woods yet. The operation itself went fine, but about 4 weeks after, I started to get dizzy every time I moved, with strong heart palpitations, dizzy feeling and generally having to stop moving in order to recover. I told my cardiologist. My thyroids were checked, like you, and they were OK (I have been taking thyroid medicine daily for 28 years) and there was no anaemia, so the doctor didn't know why this was happening. I had the Holter machine put on me last Thursday, and the result was that I have arrythmia all the 24 hours, sometimes with over 200 heartbeats per minute. I was put on something for the arrythmia, but that evening my heartbeats got faster and faster going from 130 to over 170 in 4 hours, we couldn't get hold of our cardiologist, and I got really frightened that my heart was going to stop under the strain! It was like having the London to Glasgow express train in your chest which was moving from side to side! So my husband ended up taking me to the hospital where the resident cardiologist, who was in my operation, sent instructions and the beats started to slow down, and I felt as right as rain in the morning, and came home midday. The medicine for the tachicardia was effective, I now have 130 beats which is still high but better, and my original cardiologist wants me to keep taking the arrythmia medecine, so I will see how my little heart gets on with both of them. Anyway, I do feel fine, and I am planning to go back to work next week, 8 weeks after surgery. Of course, all my friends say, "Don't go back to work till you're 100%", but I think I will be fine, especially as I am not now feeling dizzy and am attending the 2 main problems. But, it is a shock, isn't it, to get all these problems. I thought I would be perfect once the aortic valve got changed, never imagining that there could be other problems waiting round the corner. By the way, I am a 62-year old who feels like I did at 32 and don't associate myself with health problems, and certainly not heart issues. I found very useful your information on what sports could be done after a certain number of weeks. I am so glad that you are walking a fair distance, and it seems as if you are on the road to recovery. You, like me, seem to have a great husband who supports you, and I have got wonderful children and family here who have seen me through this.My old school and Uni friends from England have been an enormous support, too. So, I wish you all the best and hope you haven't been affected too much by the volcanic ash flying over Scotland.
Yours, Helen Galván

Hi Sister,

This is Guru from india. I am 30/M years old.I am also have MVP(Moderate to severe).I am waiting for the time to have OPEN heart surgen . I hope In India We have enough medical facility in this regards. If find time provide your valuable confident words for me. Since you were under went Surgery, you have enough confident. If Find time pray to GOD for me.

regards Gurunathan.S ( Email : agniguru@gmail.com)
Find time reply in the e-mail.

Thank you Penny for your long encouraging note to me. Am breathing better, obviously after getting that 1.1 liter of fluid out of my lung cavity. Pray it doesn't return. A
Have upped the use of my spirometer to 4-5 times a day instead of twice. It's very humid here today so will walk indoors. Our home has a pretty open floor plan and can walk a bit before backtracking, the only problem is the scenery never changes. You are such am inspiration. You have overcome some backward slides and have come out ahead. Do you wear a pedometer to see how many steps you take a day? The recommendation has always been to strive for 10,000 steps. The last few months before surgery I was way short of accomplishing that. Imagine spring is coming to your special part of the world and it must be glorious. Thank you again for your support.
Post when you can.
Fran Z

Thanks Penny.. Your stroy really encouraging and very informative.

Thanks for posting your real experience with Heart Valve surgery. Take care and get well soon.

just re read my message and saw that i made a couple typing errors. sorry about that!

Hi. My story is awful. Crying as I write this. I am 51, and had Maze procedure and Mitral Valve repair 12-7-09. Needless to say, I am worse no. My ejection fraction that was 55% before surgery (by echo), is now at 30%. Was still in a-fib, on meds, and had Cardioversion 3-12-10. Worked for 2 days. Left that doc,(being with him since 1996), and have a new one. He has me on some drugs(5 to be exact). The a-fib is I guess you would call remission, but the SHORTNESS OF BREATH is killing me. On my echo in March, beside showing low ejection fraction, I still had modearte regurg. Go figure. Went to Ann Arbor last week. Going back to my doctor tomorrow, and probably have an echo. I CAN'T TAKE THIS! Any helpful advice would be appreciated. My email is Shariwest@aol.com
Thanks fo r listening!

Hi Penny
Thank you for the wonderful note. You have had the best news ever. Sounds like you're right on track for getting back in great physical shape. You've been exercising for years, I can tell. It's not a chore for you, but something you look forward to. I had wanted to compliment you on being on Adam's blog, but you beat me to it in writing first. I will be posting my journal update tomorrow regarding my cardio visit today. Stay healthy.
Fran Z

Hi Penny,
So glad to hear the good news. I did not know you were featured on Adam's blog...I will go read it now..congrats! You sound so happy and healthy through your posting. Keep us updated...I will be starting cardio rehab soon..and am also feeling great.
Theresa Callanan
Howell NJ

Hi Penny

Great piece in Adam's blog. You really are remarkable. Hope this finds you healing well and feeling great - well, better. When does your spring arrive so you can get out and walk? Sending you a hug.

Cheryl, Ontario

Penny,

I was so excited that Adam featured you in his blog. I hadn't seen your scar photos before. Your incision looks great! Very tastefully done. I think it's wonderful that we uninhibited extroverts share and show openly. I really think it's helps the more shy patients see how normal their recovery is. Thanks for sharing yourself! You're awesome, and you look great.

Fran's words below are so lovely and gracious. Just like Fran & Pete are themselves. We so enjoyed meeting them too. Wish we could stop by Scotland and see you. We will when we pass through sometime. Please tell me your snow has stopped.

Praying that you continue on a good healing road now.

Duane