Terrie's Guestbook

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Marie and Everyone...Sorry, I have not reported in sooner..I had aortic valve replaced with a bovine valve April 24, 2017...Also an atrial clip put in....I ended up having to go back to surgery four hours after the first one due to unexplained internal bleeding...after not being able to eat without nausea or vomiting for 26 days, a bleeding duodenal stress ulcer was diagnosed by my primary care dr...amazing to me surgeon nor cardiologist didn't know what it was...there were lots of setbacks and suffering that could have been avoided had they been interested in why my hemoglobin was 9...why I was so fragile and why I kept dropping weight...primary care dr put me on Protonix immediately and had me basically confined to bed to try to prevent a return to hospital for more blood products...she arranged for an endoscopy...also she took me off Metformin immediately...my blood sugar went crazy due to stress of surgeries...previously blood sugar controlled by diet and exercise...I was not prepared for blood sugar issues...they even gave me insulin...I was shocked...I have completed 4 of 36 Cardiac Rehab sessions now...I was able to start when hemoglobin was 10.5...Dr. Hoffberger says he has to take about 1 patient in 300 back to surgery...1 a year....This has been extremely stressful...I thought it amazing that all the reading and research I did prior to surgery, I read not one word about blood sugar crisis from surgery and nothing about stress ulcers from surgery.....so maybe the telling of this will help someone be prepared...thanks for thinking of me...Terrie

Marie Myers  Sorry to hear about the complicated course! It sounds like quite a wild ride. Don't be shocked at receiving insulin. I am not diabetic, but they watch all patient's blood sugars closely and try to keep them reasonably normal. I received at least 2 doses of insulin as well during my recovery. And I am not diabetic!. The stress of the surgery , like all stresses can raise your blood sugar. Glad to hear you are in cardiac rehab; it helped me get back to (new ) normal. Hope the rest of your recovery is smooth!

Marie Myers  It means knowing I have to keep up with medical check ups, taking antibiotics for certain medical/dental procedures, keeping an eye on my BP, staying in shape. Before finding the aneurysm, I was pretty much a totally healthy, care-free, visit my doc once a year type of person. Had not even met a cardiologist yet...During the pre op screening, my carotid ultrasound showed some plaque build up in my right carotid bifurcation. Not enough to surgically treat, but enough to get my attention. Am getting my Ldl cholesterol down more, even though all my Bloodwork has always been in the normal range. I think it is knowing for sure that, at 63, I am no longer bulletproof. I am cutting down to 2 work days a week, and am making a real attempt to "stop and smell the roses". A big surgery like this has really brought the point home that life is short , and fraught with all types of medical /emotional hazards. Trying to stress less and enjoy more is my goal now. Hope that all makes sense...

Cathleen Weed  Hi Terrie,
I was just thinking about you last night ❤️. I almost sent you a late night email. I'm glad you were diagnosed and treated. What a nightmare. I know that all of this is life changing and can make you feel very vulnerable. Just remember you are a STRONG, HEALTHY woman and this too shall pass ❤️. You have a long amazing life ahead of you and lots of happy memories to go make. As the trauma of this experience fades with time you will get back to enjoying the little things again 🌴🌊☀️. xo Cathleen

Catie B  My goodness! I'm so sorry you experienced complications and for how stressful it's all been, Terrie. I wish they had caught your ulcer right away! I hope you are now on the mend in every way.

Terrie Hodges  What I am HAPPY about is having you in my corner!!! As someone said, "Cathleen is the bomb!!" Bless you for all you do to hold us together when we are fragile and when that is foreign!!!!😙

James Johnson  ps: I go by my middle name, Eric. This website's profile page just has first and last name for entry.

Terrie Hodges  Ok, Eric, I will remember you are James...first VA patient I have read about...my husband has VA medical care...and for the most part it has been good...thank you for support before surgery😊

Terrie Hodges  hi there, Lisa...I've already told Dr. Hoffberger how I want this done...quickly, correctly and without complications...he didn't promise...in fact he said, "I won't know how I'm going to do this until after you're asleep and I have another look." I'm glad he is taking another look...he does say, "I'm the type of man you only want to see once!" Actually, I could have done without once!😁🤣Thanks for covering it all in prayer...love you💚

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Joan...Glad I checked before bed and saw your post...thank you for praying for me and thinking about me...cardiac rehab is going to be great...you are on your way...prayers for you from me😙

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Civita....long day yesterday for you...what do you do in health care? I meant to ask in phone conversation...So glad you were encouraged by the NP who is inside this faternity and verified you have the correct surgeon...I am hoping I do but found out he is not a believer in saying Affirmations...He has said one of his PA's or nurses can do it...he won't see me until I am already anesthesized evidently...I am disappointed but it will be fine with me just as long as he is a great structural engineer of a cardio thorasic surgeon, their "valve man"... lots of love coming your way surrounding you...have you noticed your dogs are picking up on something big going on...they are so good and loving...in your corner, Civita...come out swinging💟Terrie

Civita Fahey  I work in healthcare but on the medical compliance side.. my job is to make sure that documentation supports whatever is billed to payors.. so, I read many notes and speak to many physicians on a daily basis. I know their habits good and bad as anyone working in the field.. I know the docs I would go to where I work and the ones I wouldn't go to because I work with them. so, its the same in any other organization.. I was told my surgeon will see me before hand even for a little bit, but I will know he's there. He will come and visit after, probably not a lot as his fellows do most of the post ops.. but, Mary Anne did tell me he did see her and she had no complications.. I'm ok with that as fellows are MDs with 4 years residency under their belt and finishing another 3-4 years in a specialty so, I'm cool with it. My dogs haven't yet, but they will soon especially when I start packing.. they are smarter than most humans. take care and I wish you the best on Monday.. we will both do GREAT!

Terrie Hodges  Hey, not just Monday...but the rest of our lives!!!!...what time do you check in Monday? and you got a clean coronary artery report back?..we may go to Maine this summer...I will let you know...I'd like to buy you lunch to celebrate😁in Boston❤

Civita Fahey  I haven't gotten a report back, they said the doc would look it and let me know if there was anything so right now, I haven't heard and no news is good news! I go in at 530 am. start time around 730.. He schedule 3 1/2 hours for the surgery, which he told me is normal but it usually takes about 2.5 hours.. Yes, let me know if you go to Maine, I'm on the way if you going up 95N.! Maine is beautiful in the summer.. Prayers for you and we will talk when its all done!

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Jane...thanks for your post to me...I appreciate it...Well, you live in a gorgeous place...we love Jupiter....my son is planning to have surgery this year...cardiologist says he is right behind me...he is thinking he may no longer have insurance, after this year, if Affordable Health Care Act is replaced and there is no longer protection for tbose with preexisting conditions.....he is very concerned....I may have minimally invasive, too...I won't know what Dr Hoffberger determined was best until I am awake...my uderstanding is minimally invasive takes about an hour longer than traditional open heart survery....3 or 4 hours....maybe they are faster in NY?😁 Most AVR veterans seem to say at the end of one month you are better...many say three months....some say six months to a year.....everyone says we all have different recovery rates...I am 68...my son is 48 now😊Congratulations on the earlier cancer victory!!!! Thanks sgsin i

Terrie Hodges  Hi, Meredith...thanks for checking in...yes, my name is on the short list...and I know you are glad you are looking at yours in the rear view mirror....I am glad for you and hoping to have uncomplicated surgery and smooth, calm heart in recovery...yes, a forgiving, calm, grateful heart snd mind💟

Terrie Hodges  Thanks, Carol...you are certainly one of my regulars...yes, I have talked with Civita, in Boston...we share a surgery date and had lunch with Meredith, a third year veteran of aortic valve replacement from Clearwater...Adam Pick was brilliant to create this community...love you😙

Terrie Hodges  Thank you, Joe....so sweet you have a new little girl grandbaby...a primo distraction...keep those prayers coming...I need them...offering them for you, too💟

Terrie Hodges  Civita, thank you...is there an email address where we could privately exchange phone numbers, if you would feel comfortable with that?