Shannon's Guestbook

Hey Shannon. I’ had no clue to check guest posts until today. I missed a lot of questions and posts from folks and feel terrible about that. Anyways I missed several of yours. The bacteria is slowly dying thru the antibiotics and again my only hope and prayer is that my valve is ok. When I left the hospital it was already on the valve and it was performing better than new so that’s my hope. That would be the best Christmas gift ever. Have a great thanksgiving! Chris

Hey Shannon thanks for your thoughtful/kind post about the pacemaker thing. I’m still not sure what’s going to happen. Ive been in and out of AV block and see the electric doc on 11/5. I saw him in the hospital in September and because I don’t have symptoms and when I do CrossFit my heart rate is normal during that time didn’t think it was time. I just don’t like how it feels and if a pacemaker can just make things normal I’m happy. Weird to be 16 months post op and develop rythym issues.

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Hi Shannon, Hope you're doing well, and thanks for your response to my pulse rate question.... I'm now at just over 5 weeks post, and my pulse seems to keep a 89 resting beeps.... since you described something similar - has yours slowed down since the operation? Thanks Amir

Shannon, I know you have had a very rough spring. Just wanted to drop you a little note and let you know you're in my thoughts. Prayers, too, over your loss and the complex issues with your scar. I so hope things are going better.

Shannon, I am so sorry for your loss! Just read your post about your Mom’s passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Mine passed away before my heart issues so she never knew about them. I’m also sad about your struggles with your scar. I can’t say I blame you for not wanting more CTs and more trips to doctors. It’s nerve wracking. My experience has been that it is difficult to get additional doctor care after they learn about my heart surgeries. There tends to be apprehension on their part. I hope you find a solution! In the mean time, try to find some peace and ways to remain stress free. Easier said than done I know but so important! I wish you the best. Hugs and good vibes going your way✌️💝

Hi, Shannon. I read your last journal on your 2 yr anniversary! that is so great, congratulations! you said a lot things that I can absolutely relate to as well. So grateful on one hand but on the other hand it's hard not to remember what you went through! And new things can crop up and you have to deal with those too....I'm right there with you. Several months ago you mentioned triscupid@evidera.com. I wrote to them and my email was bounced back with a delivery failure. I went to there site and at the time it appeared that the study was already over or had been completed....something along those lines. I would have been interested in participating. Thanks for passing on the information however. Hang in there as you have been! just take a day at a time and know in yourself that you made it through another day being grateful and courageous. :) I'm still struggling with the head/tinnitus issue and wtg on the authorization for the MRI. will keep you posted. Take care and happy anniversary, Shannon :) !

You mentioned on Anna Jones' page that you go back for follow up visits at Cleveland Clinic. I've never done that. Is this the usual? How did you arrange it?

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Dear Shannon, My family member had heart flutters starting about 3 weeks following minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery that were very scary but not dangerous. The cardiologist and nurses said that they were premature atrial contractions (PACs) and premature ventricle contractions (PVCs). It was explained that the heart does not like being touched, and it needs to readjust back to its own rhythm. I found an article about how imbalanced electrolytes can cause heart flutters. http://www.livestrong.com/article/350038-electrolytes-for-heart-palpitations/ From our first-hand experience, we realized that our diet had been high in potassium, raw spinach, orange juice, bananas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc., but when our schedule was tight, and we did not buy/eat enough of these foods, the heart flutters were troublesome. (Recommended potassium intake is about 1000-1400 mg a day.) When we re-added the high-potassium foods to our diet, the flutters subsided. It took a few days of eating the high-potassium foods to see the results. Then over the next few months, the flutters seemed to stop entirely. Here is an article about high potassium foods: http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/full-daily-intake-potassium-7105.html WebMD on coconut water, a really good source of potassium: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/truth-about-coconut-water#1 (As a side note, those with kidney transplants need to avoid potassium, it is not good for them.) Wishing you the best! God bless you, Maria

Hi Shannon, Thank you for your response about the pericarditus ! I have both pleural effusions and pericarditis. I started the colchicine this week and maybe? It's helped. I am taking that with Malaxicam anti inflammatories. I suppose they help but I still feel weak and achey. I just felt so much better 2 months out from surgery, now than I do at 4 1/2! Did yours finally get. better? Is there light at the end of this tunnel? I feel so discouraged and uncomfortable! Thank you, Lise

Hi Shannon. The regimen of meds that I was put on was a high aspirin dose. For one week they had me on 325mg 3 times a day and then the following week 325mg of aspirin twice a day. When I left the hospital I was feeling SO much better and continued for the most part. I did note that the first couple of mornings after returning from the hospital I had mild symptoms, but they subsided after taking the meds. Please let me know if you have any questions - it was definitely a scary experience that sent me to the E.R. I have heard of some people that have pericarditis return months after surgery.