Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi my ♥️ friends! Did well with 6 1/2 hr aortic valve “redo” surgery ((full sternectomy) wit ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi my ♥️ friends! Did well with 6 1/2 hr aortic valve “redo” surgery ((full sternectomy) with Dr Douglas Johnson at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. Feeling better today, taking short walks, and thankfully the last drainage tub was removed. Instantaneous relief. 🥳 Dr Johnston and his medical team and Northwestern Memorial Hospital are all amazing. Hoping to be discharged later this week. Thank you again for all of your prayers and heartwarming wishes.
Adam Pick Wooo-Hooo!!!! Doing a happy dance for you!!! Thanks for the update!!!
To a fellow Sue! I am praying you have a wonderful and peaceful weekend Suelynn, comforted by the fact that your new surgeon is being meticulous about your ...Read more
To a fellow Sue! I am praying you have a wonderful and peaceful weekend Suelynn, comforted by the fact that your new surgeon is being meticulous about your new valve and all the related parts. Praying you sleep well and wake up Monday morning refreshed, calm and ready! God be with you! 🥰🙏🏻
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you! At a Chicago hotel and just relaxing. 5:30 am tomorrow is my bugle call!
Hi Suelynn….I will be thinking of you on Monday. You have already gone through a lot. You now have more knowledge about your allergy and a surgeon who will ...Read more
Hi Suelynn….I will be thinking of you on Monday. You have already gone through a lot. You now have more knowledge about your allergy and a surgeon who will use products that will be safe for you. I am having aortic valve replacement the day after you! I am getting a Medtronic porcine valve but I do not know the type. Prayers for both of us to have very successful surgical outcomes and recovery!💕🙏🏽
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you, Barbara! I am praying for you, Karen Hadden, Darrell Malone, and all of us who live this... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you, Barbara! I am praying for you, Karen Hadden, Darrell Malone, and all of us who live this journey.
Suelynn Hanegraaf How are you doing, Barbara? I’m still on the cardiac step down unit because I am flipping around be ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf How are you doing, Barbara? I’m still on the cardiac step down unit because I am flipping around between a-fib, heart flutter and junctional fib the last 4 days. Waiting on drs to decide what to do next. Sending you love & prayers!
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi! Just checking in to see if you are home now. 🙏🏻❤️🩹
Suelynn, I have an allergy to nickel and have wondered when it is time for me to have my surgery, what they will do to make sure there is no nickel or, for... Read more
Suelynn, I have an allergy to nickel and have wondered when it is time for me to have my surgery, what they will do to make sure there is no nickel or, for that matter, any other things I am allergic to. I need a knee replacement also and wonder same thing. Hope you get the answers you need and glad there is an option for a nickel free replacement. I go to Northwestern in Chicago, so we are not too far from each other. I am in McHenry IL. My main problem is my Tricuspid valve though and it is much harder getting information and outcomes for the Tricuspid valve, since it is so rare. Keep us posted on your progress and blessings to you and your family
Valerie Allen That is something I never thought about… is much of the material nickel?
Grace Mason I have worried a bit about this too, as I am allergic to nickel too. I read that there can be a very ... Read more
Grace Mason I have worried a bit about this too, as I am allergic to nickel too. I read that there can be a very small percentage of nickel in stainless steel wires which are used. So far I have not seemed to have any reaction to the wires I have but I still wonder about the long term effects of them in the body.
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi heart friends - I met with Dr. Doug Johnston, chief of cardiac surgery at Northwestern Medicine (C ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi heart friends - I met with Dr. Doug Johnston, chief of cardiac surgery at Northwestern Medicine (Chicago), in late January 2024, and he told me that my current Edwards-Carpentier bioprosthetic valve (bovine) is in a mesh with nickel, and that nickel wiring was used. He took my metal sensitivity results seriously and is choosing to replace it with the Medtronic Freestyle Full Root Bioprosthesis (porcine) Valve using titanium wiring. He said that the Freestyle has no artificial "ingredients"/components (made of plastic), My aortic valve "redo" replacement surgery is scheduled for April 8, 2024. Please keep me and Dr. Johnston in your prayers. He was formerly with Cleveland Clinic so I feel that I am in good hands. Trusting in God through all of this.
Suelynn Hanegraaf Awww! Thank you! We wanted to go out-of-the country yet this year so that I am stateside next year ... Read more
Suelynn Hanegraaf Awww! Thank you! We wanted to go out-of-the country yet this year so that I am stateside next year in case Cleveland Clinic tells me next month to schedule the replacement.