Shanna's Guestbook

Hello Shanna- Happy to see you have made it to the other side of surgery and I have to say your photos are some of the best I have seen shared on the sight. You have this "Mission accomplished" look on your face. I hope you have a smooth recovery. Happy Healing.

Hello Shanna and Family. You joined the HVJ on the day I had my surgery for a bad bicuspid valve(aortic stenosis). Maybe that is a good omen for you , eh? I wish the best and smoothest surgery by your "Team" and hope for you going in that you realize it will be a short time before you are one of the miracles headed for home to recover with your Family. Have Faith that all will be well and that the Universal Powers that be will reign over you with a wonderful outcome and great healing. Take care and be well.

Hi Shanna, I'm in a similar situation.....I'm 40 and have struggled with the decision between which type of valve. I'm a avid mountain biker, roadie and skier. I can't give those up - it's key to being healthy for me. My wife and I talked about it and realized that if I end up on blood thinners that doesn't mean I can't do those things any more. Just need to be a little more cautious. Don't take as many risks while mountain biking, no more terrain park while skiing....still able to get out there and have fun but in a modified way. Perhaps throw on some body armour for the freeride mtb rides? There is a risk for injury in all activities - even just driving a car so I don't think we can stop enjoying the things in life that make us smile just because of blood thinners. There is another FB group / website called "Cardiac Athletes", there are some good resources on there for living an active lifestyle post heart surgery. All the best! ~Jason

Hi shanna, Like you, I'm on hold for surgery -- severe aortic valve stenosis. With none of the usual symptoms, I was on "wait and see" for a year. In June, I decided I didn't want to wait for it to become an emergency or worse. I asked to schedule surgery for late January figuring that would be best for me -- you know"after this and before that". So far so good. I have my 6 month recheck echo next Monday and cardiologist the following Monday. I am getting a bit anxious about what he will say. I hope you get to plan as I have. This site has been the best for giving me support and encouragement.

Welcome to the website. I am 46 and had my surgery in January of this year. It was just 10 days after my diagnosis. I agree with Karen. Enjoy every minute you have leading up to your surgery and then use your precious son as a motivator to recover quickly. I know my three kids wouldn't let me be sick for too long. Clare Auten

Shanna, thank you for sharing your story and the photos of your beautiful son, Chase. He is adorable! I'm wondering if you have a surgery date yet or if you are like me, monitoring and living life with the understanding that surgery is coming, just not sure when yet, it's a matter of how fast or how slow the valve narrows and calcifies. I'm currently at moderate/severe (whatever that means). For now I'm just living life in the moment and trying to remember that every day is precious. - Karen Pineda