Sandra's Guestbook

Sandra, your case is complicated, as mine is. Two years after my bovine AVR replacement, I started having symptoms of shortness of breath and extreme fatigue. At first a Cath revealed re stenosis, was scheduled for surgery..... but my symptoms improved and we are still waiting. Since then, it has been determined that the valve area and root need to be extended, as the blood flow is not sufficient. Another opinion showed my valve is working ok for now, so it's easy to second guess these symptoms .. Hopefully, it may be something else going on for you. I feel ok most days, and still worry about the best path to take. I do worry about waiting too long. Hope you will get checked out soon. I will be praying for you and that your doctors discover the best solution for you.

Hi Sandra! My aortic valve was replaced in Oct 2013. The surgeon told me that I had a very healthy heart, inspecting it physically with his hands. He told me that my old valve had been weakened since birth and the new one would last for an average of 15 years. My cardiologist tells me that the medical community is making great strides in replacing valves ( I had my chest opened up) and by the time my valve needs to be replaced it will be a simple replacement through the groin. I used to lay awake listening to my heart beat and wondering what was in the future for me. Today, I don't even think about it. I do not take any meds (I got off all meds as soon as I could as I worked in pharma for 30 years and did not want to depend on drugs to keep me going. If something is abnormal with my blood test, I take care of it myself naturally and with exercise. The only issue that has come up was some atrial fib which lasted from the tennis court to the grocery store and to the doctor. I was not adding electrolytes to my water on the court. They put me on amiodorone and coumadin and I got off them in a week. I think that exercise is the key to recovery. I am 71 and I play tennis four times a week and I am active outdoors, yard work, landscaping etc. I have a lot more energy today then I had three years ago even tho I was playing a lot of tennis then too, plus riding my harley a lot. As you are a nurse (I was a independent duty med tech during the Vietnam War) you are aware that the treatment plans we get from our doctors can be modified by the patient in concert with the doctor. It is our responsibility to take the helm and get off our meds. If a doctor goes to the rx pad it is time to pipe up and ask, hey, what other ways can I correct this? Supplements and a proper diet with a lot of exercise should do the trick, but we have to work for it. The biggest change in my diet is that I always have 'one' instead of 'two or more) of whatever. Like no seconds! I use garlic, fish oil, asa, and CoQ10 and a lot of flax meal. Meats and veggies are all organic and I have replaced eggs with 'Egg Beater' and for milk I use Carbmaster. I never drink milk with meals anymore..always water. When I play tennis I hydrate up with SmartWater for the electrolytes. I also drink a lot of homemade smoothies with a lot of acai, bluberry, blackberry, berries of all kinds, plus protein and vitamin B, Iron etc. My note to you is so long I forgot what prompted me to respond! Sign of just 'old age' not anything to do with my heart! lol. I really appreciate the doctors and nurses in our medical community. They work tirelessly every day to make us feel better. I hope you are doing fine and it is good that you are helping others along the way!

Hello! I will be having valve repair surgery at Penn soon and would love to hear about your experience there. So far I am very impressed with my experience.

Sandy!!!!!! I thought the worst ride for your heart at Disneyland was Small World, because you want to kill yourself during the ride. Mom's doing OK. She says she has "a case of the 79ers". She went to the doctor and they said everything was fine with her. So, she asked why she feels the way she does and doctor said it's because she's 79! I haven't been walking and I'm too fat, and I need a job and insurance, but other than that I'm doing well. :) Keep on trucking, Wummers!!

Sandra, It's so good to hear you are doing so well after your 2nd surgery. I remember following your journal as I was preparing for my surgery in Oct. 2013.Your journal really helped me. I liked your comments about that it is normal to fear the unknown and also getting back to a normal life. As I come up to my 1st anniversary I am so glad to be on the other side of surgery instead of the 5 years before worrying about it. Again, glad to hear you are doing so well.

Thank you for posting an update, for the old timers on the site who remember you from a year ago, and for new people like me, fresh from a first surgery. It is inspiring to hear about your progress over the last year. Continue to do well!

Sandra, Congratulations on your recovery! You are indeed very strong to have endured two surgeries. Your words of encouragement were very helpful to me as I just found out today I need a redo. My bovine valve from 3 1/2 years ago developed scar tissue and has gradually closed again. Wil pray for your continued good health.

I'm looking forward to reading your journal Sandra! I am 14 days post op with the Edward bovine aortic valve. I am a tennis player (4 times a week) and always thought my chest pain was caused by inflammation like costochondritis until I awoke with tachycardia over 147. I am interested in hearing all about what expect so I can keep the old anxiety level in check. I am on amiodarone and plavix at the moment and do not take any pain killers. My bp is up and down a is my pulse. Yesterday I walked a mile and consistently use my pedal machine and breathing apparatus. At times, if needed, I take half an Ativan to reduce any stress. I am 68.

Sandy, So happy to read you are doing well. What a frightening experience. You are no doubt a very strong lady to have endured two surgeries in 12 weeks. I am glad you updated your journal it helps to know as much as you can about the surgery and recovery and the unexpected. God bless.

Sandy, Wow! you\'ve been through a lot. So you got a human valve? I didn\'t know that was possible. Explain please. I just found out today I have to have surgery at Mayo within the month for my aortic valve and aneurysm.

Thanks for your wonderful words of encouragement. Your bump in the road was a lot higher than mine! Please know that I will follow your progress and know you will do fine!

Hello Sandra My heart condition was exactly as yours. I had a Aortic Valve Bicuspid I had to replace my Aortic valve too. I had chosen to do the Ross Procedure but I live in Canada and my only surgeon that does this procedure was 67 not much option there never the less I end up having a tissue valve. It will be 1 year on the 21st of August and I am feeling great. I had one of the best sugeons Dr. Tyron David. It does get better. Still struggling to loose the weight like you I am in my late 40\'s. Good Luck

I have been reading your journal. I thought I had an idea of what I\'d look like after surgery in the ICU. Oh my. I was not thinking about all those lines and tubes! Major distressing to think about now. 4 weeks till surgery to replace valve. Wow! I

Thanks for reading my journal and signing my guestbook, Sandy. How many people can say their lives were saved by a COW? I\'m very encouraged and inspired by people on here like you, and I look forward to being on the \"other side\" of this operation. Keep smiling and stay healthy.

I was reading over your journal, story and guestbook. I can\'t seem to find what kind of valve you ended up getting. What did you get? Glad to hear your are doing well.

Glad to hear you\'re doing well, Sandra. I had the blurry vision as well; did not have fever, but one minute I was cold and under the afghan and the next I had the ceiling fan going Drove poor hubby crazy for couple weeks. Vision still bothersome at times, but body temp seems to have stabilized. Take care and continue healing.

Hi there. I had the same blurry vision for a while after surgery and while I don\'t think I had a fever, I got the chills every night for at least a couple weeks after surgery. It certainly felt like having a fever but eventually disappeared. I was told that it was a side effect of the anasthesia. Hope you feel better soon! Peter W.

Sandy, Glad to hear you\'re doing well and feeling better! Keep up the good work and you\'ll be off those Percocets in no time! The most important thing I\'ve learned so far is to listen to your body and rest when it tells you to. I\'ve tried pushing myself a bit and gotten knocked on my ass! lol no biggie, just have to remember my body isn\'t used to a more efficient ticker yet. Kenny Thomas

Me again, just pushed the wrong button some how! I was saying my only pain med needs are regular Tylenol maybe a couple of times a day. Slower moving but otherwise it truly is amazing what your body goes through in that 3-4 hour period and then the recovery process!! I think about those waiting and those recovering and lift them up daily! Leslie Baugher AVR/MVR 5/10/2013

Sandy, I to found the process \"easier\" then I anticipated! It is day 8 post surgery for me and I am wearing regular clothes and sitting on my swing and the day is beautiful!!! My