Hi Sherry, I live in Sun City & I'm in your boat, only at the beginning. I have a feeling we have the same Doctors. (Dr G on Talavi & Dr A) Can we talk, please? ...Read more
Hi Sherry, I live in Sun City & I'm in your boat, only at the beginning. I have a feeling we have the same Doctors. (Dr G on Talavi & Dr A) Can we talk, please?
Sherry Stevens Hi Laurie, Absolutely we can talk!! I believe you are right we likely do have the same Dr G at Tala ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Laurie, Absolutely we can talk!! I believe you are right we likely do have the same Dr G at Talavi. He is great and I am so glad I found him. Not sure who you mean by Dr A? but we can sort that out too. I will post my email address and we can start that way. Work for you?
Sherry Stevens Laurie, You can reach me at azrash@cox.net or send me your email or phone #.
Looking forward to mee ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Laurie, You can reach me at azrash@cox.net or send me your email or phone #.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Sherry Stevens Checking back Laurie, would still like to meet with you and offer what information and insight I can. ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Checking back Laurie, would still like to meet with you and offer what information and insight I can. Just let me know and we can find a meeting place. I don't know how to get ahold of you.
Ruth Valenzuela posted a note for Sherry that says:
I don't know how I deleted your post in my guestbook. I did not intend to. "Thank you Sherry for posting to my guestbook. I read your story and journal and ...Read more
I don't know how I deleted your post in my guestbook. I did not intend to. "Thank you Sherry for posting to my guestbook. I read your story and journal and it was so encouraging to see how well you did. Thank you for your offer to answer any questions I may have. I'm sure I will have some once I get further along in this "adventure". Again, thanks for writing. I don't take anything for granted anymore."
Sherry
What an encouraging post! I am so gld you are doing well - it's inspiring. Thanks for the cardiac rehab pointers. I am in the process of scheduling it ...Read more
Sherry
What an encouraging post! I am so gld you are doing well - it's inspiring. Thanks for the cardiac rehab pointers. I am in the process of scheduling it and I look forward to it. Keep up the fine job and enjoy the holidays. Best.
Sherry
This is all good news! I can not believe how much you can do after just 6 weeks. Congrats! Also glad that you are back driving. Thank you for the details. ...Read more
Sherry
This is all good news! I can not believe how much you can do after just 6 weeks. Congrats! Also glad that you are back driving. Thank you for the details. I will have surgery in 6 weeks and you are helping as a guide. I hope this will be you best week yet.
Hi Sherry,
Glad you\'re doing well! Thanks for sharing about rehab. My husband said he is going to look into it for me, and I think it\'s a good idea. I ...Read more
Hi Sherry,
Glad you\'re doing well! Thanks for sharing about rehab. My husband said he is going to look into it for me, and I think it\'s a good idea. I hope I\'m able to drive by then, as I won\'t have anyone to take me. Not looking forward to the whole ordeal, but if it goes as easy as yours seems to have for you - I\'m all set!
P.S. - SORRY for calling you Debbie in a previous message. I must have been sleeping!! :-)
Lisa Obst AVR 6-11-13 posted a note for Sherry that says:
So glad to hear you are doing well. I was going to add to your information. I am now back to work full time. I feel like a human being and things are going ...Read more
So glad to hear you are doing well. I was going to add to your information. I am now back to work full time. I feel like a human being and things are going well. For anyone facing this surgery, it\'s not that bad and I have already forgotten all about it!! It\'s not near as hard as you think it will be. Just have a good attitude and laugh. That makes all the difference. Like you said Sherry, a month post-op and you are o.k. I was driving the second week. Not far, but would go to Walmart alone and do just fine. Glad you are doing well!! Keep up the good work!!
Hi Debbie... glad you\'re doing well! Keep us posted on cardiac rehab. My husband mentioned it, but I haven\'t looked into it yet.
Week 3 seems to be \'hump\' ...Read more
Hi Debbie... glad you\'re doing well! Keep us posted on cardiac rehab. My husband mentioned it, but I haven\'t looked into it yet.
Week 3 seems to be \'hump\' week for most... weaning off pain meds, etc... Pain meds every few hours for 3 weeks is a LOT of drugs. I\'m sure I\'ll be taking just as many, as my pain level is paper thin!
Good luck in rehab!
Sherry Stevens Hi Barb, Yep, week 3-4 is the hump for sure. I am in week 5 and feeling really good. Cardiac rehab ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Barb, Yep, week 3-4 is the hump for sure. I am in week 5 and feeling really good. Cardiac rehab is an amazing tool you don't want to skip. I have only been to three sessions so far, but working with the physical therapists and knowing that the exercise I'm doing is safe and monitored not only helps me feel so much better but assures me that my life is back on track!
You are right, take the meds as long as you need to but wean yourself when you can. Getting off the pain meds helped me a lot. It depends on how much discomfort you feel. I was off all pain meds by about week 3 1/2 I think.
You will do fine. We have such amazing doctors, hospitals and technology now we are really fortunate. Not that many years ago this was a life altering surgery; now it is a life-renewing surgery, Yea!! Take care and stay in touch.
so glad to hear you are doing well. I am not sure if I am going to rehab, my surgeon was joking and said if I have no help at home he will send me to a nursing ...Read more
so glad to hear you are doing well. I am not sure if I am going to rehab, my surgeon was joking and said if I have no help at home he will send me to a nursing home. I will have t much help all 4 kids are coming for the surgery along with my sister. When they all said they were coming I was like are you kidding, am I dying. But I am glad. I want to make a freezer full of meals for them while I will not be able to after the surgery. They told me no but that is what makes me happy. Keep up the good progress
Sherry Stevens Hi Debbie, I highly encourage you to find a cardiac rehab. It usually starts about week four to get ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Debbie, I highly encourage you to find a cardiac rehab. It usually starts about week four to get you moving again in a safe environment with supervision and others that have been "through it" in whatever situation we each have. When I started last week it was the final step in knowing that my life is getting back on track. Any questions, let me know. Otherwise, rest, try not to fret and know that the "other side" is well worth the trouble it takes to get there :-o.
I am looking forward to hearing about your first cardiac rehab. I am only 2 1/2 weeks out of surgery and will be starting cardiac rehab in week 3.
Keep up ...Read more
I am looking forward to hearing about your first cardiac rehab. I am only 2 1/2 weeks out of surgery and will be starting cardiac rehab in week 3.
Keep up the progress and good luck in your rehab.
Sherry Stevens Hi Aubrey, Cardiac rehab is a must as far as I am concerned. I have done very well and healing well ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Aubrey, Cardiac rehab is a must as far as I am concerned. I have done very well and healing well, but a day or two in rehab and I can feel the difference. Getting safe exercise with supervision and encouragement that you are good is like the last big step in getting your life back. I think it has actually reduced what little discomfort I still have in my chest muscles and incision site. Good luck and any questions let me know. Rehab will help a lot !!
Hi Sherry, It sounds like you are doing great. And I am sure you will enjoy rehab. I have my 3rd session at 9AM this morning. Please be careful doing laundry ...Read more
Hi Sherry, It sounds like you are doing great. And I am sure you will enjoy rehab. I have my 3rd session at 9AM this morning. Please be careful doing laundry and lifting. Though you can use your arms a bit and should, you must be careful and how much you lift and stretch the chest.
And I have found using a foam wedge helps sleeping in bed. I also use a recliner to augment my bed sleeping. Even after 5 weeks lying flat is still uncomfortable for me.
Sherry Stevens Hi Joe, I have been careful, my husband carries the baskets, etc and I do laundry one piece at a tim ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Joe, I have been careful, my husband carries the baskets, etc and I do laundry one piece at a time into and out of the machines. At least I feel like I am doing something. I've tried all kinds of ways to sleep; what seems to work best for me is pulling my knees up to take the pressure off my back. I am NOT a back sleeper, so this has been a challenge. The recliner is too restrictive; I need to move my legs. I am looking forward to rehab; I feel like I have let my body go for a month, even with walking, so getting back to some movement that is safe will feel very good. Thanks for your feedback and support.
Hi Sherry: Thank you for sharing your inspirational story! I will be having aortic valve replacement surgery in the near future and would like to know the ...Read more
Hi Sherry: Thank you for sharing your inspirational story! I will be having aortic valve replacement surgery in the near future and would like to know the name of your surgeon. Thank you and God\'s continued blessings to you.
Sherry Stevens Hi Denise, My surgeon is Ken Ashton. He is based in Scottsdale but works all over. My surgery was at ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Denise, My surgeon is Ken Ashton. He is based in Scottsdale but works all over. My surgery was at Arrowhead Hosp in Glendale. Arrowhead has been named one of the top 100 hospitals for cardiac care in the last few years. My care there was above excellent. I listed Dr Ashton on the surgeon section on this website. He also has a good website of his own. Are you in Arizona? I would be happy to answer other questions from my experience.
Sherry Stevens Thank you Ernie, so far so good. Day 12 and only about 18 hours of "tough" but we think we over did ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Thank you Ernie, so far so good. Day 12 and only about 18 hours of "tough" but we think we over did my reserves that day. This is hard work but hard work pays off, right?
Thanks for your encouragement.
Hi Sherry. So glad you are doing well. My surgery for mitral valve replacement is August 28. Lots of anxiety here. Thank you for not posting all the scary details ...Read more
Hi Sherry. So glad you are doing well. My surgery for mitral valve replacement is August 28. Lots of anxiety here. Thank you for not posting all the scary details of your procedure and recovery. Some of the posts are hard to read and not internalize. Tell me. Do you remember being on the ventilator? If so, how did you deal with it?
Sherry Stevens Hi Rebecca, I know it's hard to overcome the anxiety. I can only tell you that for myself, the thing ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Rebecca, I know it's hard to overcome the anxiety. I can only tell you that for myself, the things to do were to learn as much about my particular surgery as I could so there would be no surprises, and there weren't. And, put your trust in The Lord. I can honestly say that I went into this surgery with very little anxiety. I made sure I found the right surgeon and hospital for me, learned everything I could learn and then handed it all to God. As for the ventilator, it's a little foggy but I knew it would be there and that I needed to remain calm. Once it's time for removal, just listen to your staff and its over in a flash. My husband tells me that the nurse was telling me could take it out but I had to open my eyes first; he said my eyes popped open and in that 5 seconds it was done. Be confident and you will do great!
Best Wishes to you Sherry.
I think the valve replacement is a new lease on life. My surgery was Aug 8th, 2013. I reiceved a bolvine tisuue Ao valve, to replace ...Read more
Best Wishes to you Sherry.
I think the valve replacement is a new lease on life. My surgery was Aug 8th, 2013. I reiceved a bolvine tisuue Ao valve, to replace my bicusbid. All went well in the hospital for me. I am recovering fine, lost all of the post op fluid retention and am up puttering around the house. I have a 4-5 inch midline scar that at this point doesn\'t look like it can be hidden with jewery.
This week it was been most important for me to remember that my Aortic Senosis is gone. I will not be concerned with sudden death from Aortic senosis now for a very long time.
Wishing you the best year ever.
Sherry Stevens Hi Kim. This is day 11 for me and the first day I'm just blah. Limbs feel like they each weigh 50 #, ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Kim. This is day 11 for me and the first day I'm just blah. Limbs feel like they each weigh 50 #, LOL. I am happy the surgery is behind me and my incision about 4". I also chose a bovine valve and have lost all the fluid. I'm actually a little over. Pound light than pre surgery which is ok but I don't really need to lose weight. So I guess now I start eating with purpose whether I feel like it or not. We are pretty close in the recovery stage; my surgery was Aug 12th. Lets stay in touch and compare notes.
Sherry,
I was born with a bicuspid aortic heart valve. I wanted to join the military, so at my first MEPS physical I discovered the condition due to an abnormal ...Read more
Sherry,
I was born with a bicuspid aortic heart valve. I wanted to join the military, so at my first MEPS physical I discovered the condition due to an abnormal EKG. I had to fight all the way, but I\'m still enjoying an active lifestyle and service in the Navy. One day I know I will have to have the valve replaced, which I am fearful will limit my activities. Anyway, I just wanted to share.
Sherry Stevens Hi Kurt, I'm so glad you were able to persue your career even with your valve. My only real issue eve ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Kurt, I'm so glad you were able to persue your career even with your valve. My only real issue even up to right before the surgery was fatigue. You no doubt do very well when it comes.
Today ( day 11) is my first "difficult" day. May done too much yesterday. But trying to push ahead today with walking. Not much pain, just muscles that hurt. Good luck to you.
Congratulations on your discharge and successful surgery and hospital stay. I am about two weeks ahead of you and can tell you it gets better and better each ...Read more
Congratulations on your discharge and successful surgery and hospital stay. I am about two weeks ahead of you and can tell you it gets better and better each day.
Sherry Stevens Thanks Joe, there are certainly some adjustments like finding the best way to sleep at home and adju ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Thanks Joe, there are certainly some adjustments like finding the best way to sleep at home and adjust enough so there aren't so many "extra" pains from being in one position so long. All in all I am feeling that little bit better everyday and less apprehensive about every little twinge. My husband and sister-in-law have been great about helping and watching but allowing me to do more of what I can each day as well. Thanks for your support. I look forward to being able to give that support to others now.
Lisa o. Avr 6-11-13 posted a note for Sherry that says:
Glad you are home. After 7 days I know I was ready to be out of the hospital. You sound like you are doing well. It\'s not as bad as we all thought. I\'m ...Read more
Glad you are home. After 7 days I know I was ready to be out of the hospital. You sound like you are doing well. It\'s not as bad as we all thought. I\'m hoping anyone reading your blog that hasn\'t had the surgery will be comforted to know its not as bad as you think. I am about 10 weeks post op and feeling like a human being again. Are you taking amiodarone? If so have them get you off as soon as possible. It makes you very sick. Bad side effects. That\'s the only thing that has been unpleasant since I came home! I am off of it now. You will have good days and a few not so good days, but you do get better quickly. Hope you recover even more quickly than I have! Don\'t overdo your first few days!
Sherry Stevens Hi Lisa, Thanks for your note. Yes, each day feels a little more toward normal. My husband and siste ... Read more
Sherry Stevens Hi Lisa, Thanks for your note. Yes, each day feels a little more toward normal. My husband and sister-in-law are being great about watching me and also letting me do more as I can. Figuring out sleeping has been the biggest challenge but we are getting down. I even have a whistle so I call if I need help, but mostly I have teased them with; not over much tho, LOL. I will see my cardiologist in a few days first time post discharge and intend to ask about the drugs. I will try to watch your progress as well to encourage me. Thanks
Dr. Luis Castro is a world-renowned heart valve surgeon that has performed thousands of heart valve operations that include minimally-invasive techniques.
I am from: Glendale, Arizona
Looking forward to mee ... Read more
Looking forward to meeting you.