Theresa's Guestbook

Hi Theresa, It\'s been a while since we caught up with each other. Hope everything is going well in your life these days -- I know you recently had a major job shift, so hope that is working out for you. Recent big news here is that we have a new addition to our family -- A cockapoo puppy named Augie. He is 12 weeks old already and we\'re about to start puppy training classes tomorrow evening. He is one big fur ball of joy and playfulness! We\'re enjoying every new day with him. Hope to hear from you soon, Susan Murphy

Dear Theresa, I was just thinking about you and decided to \"Google\" you to see if I could track you down...the first thing I see is your journal! I hope you are doing better and continuing to improve healthwise...I can\'t believe this. I talk to Alice occasionally and will certainly pass this along. Keep in touch! Mary Johndrow

Hi Theresa, I just wrote an entry in your guestbook but it disappeared when I went to submit it, so I assume it\'s lost somewhere in cyberspace. Anyway, just wanted to congratulate you on the wonderful news about your job! It\'s so rare to hear good economic news these days, it is really great to hear when good things happen for people. Also good that your insurance will pick up the cost of Coumadin. Having to pay for that stuff makes it even harder to take. I\'ll post more later -- hope you & Theo are staying cool! Susan Murphy

Hi Theresa, Hope you are doing well and staying cool...The heat here in the KC area has been beastly all summer with no relief in sight! Day after tomorrow my husband Jerry & I are flying to Washington DC for a few days to visit with his daughter who lives there. She said DC has been unbelievably hot as well, so I guess we won\'t be in for a shock with the hot temperatures. From there we will be taking Amtrak up to Rhinebeck, NY, where Jerry grew up and where Chelsea Clinton was married last weekend. Good thing we\'ll be arriving after that big media circus! Packing for a trip has taken on a whole new dimension, now that I have my various prescription meds to keep track of. I\'ve already had a taste of what it\'s like to travel while on Coumadin.. A few weeks ago I had to go up to Wis. where my parents live, to look after my dad who\'d broken his hip (age 88). I had to get my INR level tested while I was there and called it in to the Protime Clinic here in KC. It all worked out quite well, but as we know, this stuff is just a pain in general. But I\'m thankful to be alive and actively traveling this summer. Hope you\'re doing well -- keep me posted! Susan Murphy

Theresa, Happy Birthday, belatedly! I guess I\'m so caught up in my own stuff lately I didn\'t realize until I re-read your post of a few days back that you\'d celebrated your birthday a couple of days ago. Sounds like you and Theo enjoyed the day together -- that\'s great to hear. More later, Susan

Theresa, I was just thinking of you and wondering how you are doing? Just wanted you to know if you need any support I am still here offering it. I hope your situation is better..it is hard enough physically to endure your situation, but mentally is way more challenging. Take care, Theresa C.

Hi Theresa Just stopping by to say hello and hope all is going well with you. Hope your INR has settled down. After 14 years I find my INR is dropping on the same dose I\'ve been on forever, so am needing to increase my dose of coumadin. No big deal, my body must be changing!!!! Take care. Greetings from hot, muggy FL. Fran

Hi Theresa, Yep, life on Coumadin takes a lot of getting used to. Especially in cases like ours, where we know we will be on it for the rest of our lives...or else! My INR level was pretty wacky for a while and I hated the uncertainty and insecurity of not knowing whether it was too high or too low, i.e., wondering whether I should be worrying about having a stroke (too low) vs. a hemorrhage (too high). Really crazy-making! To make matters worse I couldn\'t figure out exactly what was making the INR level go up and down so much. We all know about the dangers of too much Vitamin K, but things like stress and other medications also have an effect. My highest reading was a 6.0 once and it scared the daylights out of me. The clinic called and told me to \"avoid all risky activity\" and hold off on the Coumadin for a couple of days. Well, every activity has its risks, so where do we draw the line? I was afraid to shave my legs for awhile, but finally bit the bullet and prayed I wouldn\'t hemorrhage from a shaving nick. I have nicked myself a few times since and have not bled excessively, but it was scary in the beginning. I also began avoiding car trips because I\'d been warned of the risk of having a life-threatening internal bleed from a minor auto accident. So now I\'m at the point where I realize I can\'t live in a protective bubble, and I\'m trying to let go of my anxiety. Luckily, my lifestyle doesn\'t put me at a lot of physical risk for a bleed(and I will continue to avoid running with scissors and stay away from chain saws!). I take some comfort in hearing from people who have been on Coumadin for a long time and are doing well. Also, I wanted to let you know that my cardiologist says there\'s a new drug on the horizon, expected to be approved by the FDA in the next couple of years that will be much easier for patients to monitor than Coumadin. So, there are brighter days ahead for us, hopefully soon! Take care, Theresa, and stay in touch. I will as well. Susan P.S. That is one cute pup you have. I can tell he is a real sweetie. I\'m thinking of adopting a rescue dog of some kind soon. I really miss having an animal companion, and I know it will help with my healing and recovery.

Hi Theresa Welcome to HVJ. I think many of us here have known for years that our hearts suffered a deficiency so we had lots of time to get used to the idea we may someday need some work. Even though I knew for years, I remember the chills I got when a year ago I was told surgery was coming in a few months. I can understand what a shock it must have been to all of a sudden find out there was something so very serious wrong. On the flip side though, I feel so blessed that I was able to go through my mitral valve surgery and be \"fixed\". I consider myself lucky to have gone through the extensive pre-op testing and now I know that my arteries are clear and with work, I am regaining better than my former strengths. I believe a common misconception that many of us have pre-op is that we will recover easier and faster than what we are reading here and reality is, not too many of us do. My surgery was last Oct/09 and I didn\'t really feel like myself until this spring when I finally went on a Beta Blocker. It does take getting used to the new me. I\'ve had years of dealing with and adjusting to the palpitations and shortness of breath but post-op I expected to not deal with that again. Reality is that I am dealing with the palpitations and will the rest of my life and my palpitations now definitely feel different than before. And I am fixed. Not everyone has these particular things to deal with but usually there is something leftover from our surgeries that will either remain with us for a long time or forever. But, we are fixed. Adam\'s book talks about the emotional side of heart surgery and I don\'t think many of us pass through totally unaware of being highly emotional about what we have experienced so it\'s learning to believe in our wellbeing and being grateful for the wonderful gift of being able to continue on with life. Try and take some time Theresa and check out as many journals as you can and hopefully you will receive some comfort in finding out your recovery has been better than some here. I consider myself young but obviously am quite a bit older than you but then you are quite a bit older than Trevor and Danny. No matter what our age, we here are lucky to be diagnosed with something that can be corrected. I am one of the oldest surgeries on this site and even now, 9 months later I still feel vulnerable but as time goes on, that feeling gets further and further away. I pray you will find some answers and much peace by visiting the HVJ site. There isn\'t anything you cannot express or question here. Welcome aboard. Cheryl, Ontario

Theresa, I\'d meant to leave my e-mail address when I posted earlier: murphy1475@sbcglobal.net. Please don\'t hesitate to contact me any time. Susan Murphy (Overland Park, KS)

Hi Theresa, It was so great to find you! I had my mitral valve replacement on Jan. 14, 2010. My 6 month anniversary will be a week from tomorrow. A year ago if someone had told me that today I\'d be 6 months post-open heart surgery I would have been stunned with shock and disbelief! But here we are, a couple of survivors finding our way back to some kind of \"normal\". I will most definitely stay in touch and will look forward to getting updates from you. By the way, how are you doing with the Coumadin? My INR has gone up and down for no particular reason and that has been frustrating these past months. With my mechanical mitral valve they want it to stay around 3.5 and my last reading was right on target so hopefully it will stay there. Thanks so much for your kind words about the loss of my cat Lucy. I still miss her very much, but time helps. I see from your picture that you\'ve got a cute \"fur baby\" as well. More later, Susan

Hi Theresa, Like you, I\'m trying to find the new \"normal\" after mitral valve replacement surgery in Jan. 2010. Did you receive a mechanical valve or a biological (tissue) valve? I went into surgery thinking I had an 80% chance of a mitral valve repair vs. a replacement. When they opened me up in the OR it was apparent that I would need a replacement because of the scarring on my mitral valve, as a result of rheumatic valve disease (which I never knew I\'d had!). I\'m coming up on my 6-month anniversary of my mitral valve surgery on the 14th of this month. I feel really good, better than before I had the surgery, and I have no regrets whatsoever. BUT--I\'m still trying to find the new \"normal\". It\'s an ongoing process and a journey that takes lots of twists and turns. Would love to stay in touch with you about all this. Susan Murphy (Overland Park,KS)

Hi again Theresa So glad I could be of help. You sound like a special and strong woman. Like myself, Theresa and Mary Ann are married and we all had the wonderful benefit of a loving spouse. I realize how much harder that has been for you. You are in my prayers. Please continue to write. Fran

Theresa, It was nice hearing back for you, and of course I am glad I posted on your guestbook. This is what we are all here for...to help and support each other, and if I helped you by listening or letting you vent your feelings, then I have fulfilled my purpose. I know how you feel about not wanting to share your echo findings with your family...but as Fran says you must find one person to confide in. You feel you are shielding them from disappointment, but I think you will find they are stronger than you think, and it will help you tremendously to have their support. Did you ask the cardiologist what this all means for your future?? Can medication changes help?? Maybe you should let them know you want answers because if you totally know the situation, you can have the power to plan your next step. It is not an easy path you have been put on, but there is support here and within your family. Just reach out and do not worry about disappointing others, right now you need them to support you. Any help I can be please feel free to post!! Theresa Callanan

Hello Theresa, I am sorry you are having trouble finding a new normal. I am wondering how your new normal differs from your old normal. Are you able to do less? Is your healthy self image gone? I too was totally unsuspecting that there was anything wrong with my heart. My severe mitral regurgitation showed up as I was preparing for a knee replacement. It took me some time to absorb the fact that what I thought was my perfectly healthy heart was indeed not. It was showing stress from the overwork caused by the severe regurgitation. I did not have the repair immediately as I was not having symptoms and I had a hard time facing the need for surgery.I was put on medications to aid my heart while I recovered from knee surgery and absorbed the fact that I needed heart surgery. Finally ten months later I underwent robotic repair of the mitral valve. Two weeks later I was back in surgery for a herniated lung. It was a rough painful recovery but now at six weeks I am feeling much better. I expect soom to be back to my \"normal\" and later even perhaps a better normal. Before surgery I was very concerned about falling into a post surgical depression which I have read is as high as 70%. So far I have been able to avoid that pitfall which I understand is very hard to get out of. Readig the journals of others and receiving helpful advice and encouragement all helped. I am wondering if the shock of your diagnosis combined with the necessity of immediate repair was an overwheling stress that has left its mark. Did you have a difficult recovery? I hope and pray you can continue to improve. It is understandable that your self image of a young healthy person took a jolt but I can see no reason that you cannot regain that image. Wishing you all the best, Mary Ann of Sioux Falls SD

Hi Theresa Thanks for the long note to me. Am glad so many kind people have written to you. I went into my surgery knowing I would get one, possibly two new valves, so I was pleased to find one could be repaired. The doctor also did something called a MAZE procedure (you can Google it). I have been in a-fib (irregular heart beat for 15 years and the goal was a tissue valve and to get me into a normal sinus rythym. It didn\'t work nor did a cardioversion (shocking the heart into normal rythym). So I remain on coumadin and will for the rest of my life. Glad the doctor gave you a good talking to as it is crucial you take it daily to prevent a stroke. Am sure he explained that to you. For me, I am glad it is available and I comply. As you know it does interfere with other drugs and foods but that can be worked around. Realizing how important your recovery was and how much a role your family and friends played in it I can understand your reluctance to not bring them up to date. You didn\'t ask for my opinion, but here goes. I think you underestimate them and their love for you. Find one of them you can sit and confide in about what\'s really happening to you and what kind of support you need. Ask that person what they think you should do and bet you\'ll be happy with their answer.I always tended to be the one who wanted to help and was not always easy to ask for help. A dear friend told me something I have never forgotten and have passed on to others. \"You can give without loving, but you can\'t love without giving\". Read that a couple of times and really understand the meaning of it. Am hoping for better days for you. What is the surgeon saying can be done about the valve that is not working well? Don\'t be afraid to get another opinion. Keep writing, hope I\'ve helped. Fran

Hi Theresa, I just read your post, I am 44 yrs old and almost 2 yrs post op. I think I know exactly how and what you\'re feeling without you saying it. This is a very up and down process, especially for women our age. I would love to talk to you. Please feel free to email me at jkjennings1@sbcglobal.net

hi theresa, i know exactly how you feel ! prev to this i had never been in the hospital or had anything other than the flu,i almost cried when i was diagnosed and i wondered \"why me\".but as ive found, my condition is very common and treatable, and now ive been rebuilt!haha.most days i only reminder is when im dressing and see my scar. or when i hear my valve ticking.im considered young too, i was 45 and im 47 now, but it was still difficult,its major trama to your body regardless of your age. so how are you feeling now? jeff my email is jeffstoveken@yahoo.com feel free to write !

Hi Theresa I had a bovine mitral valve and a tricuspid valve repair in March. I am not at all near your age (I\'m 71). The surgery is not a piece of cake but felt I was well prepared largely due to Adam\'s book and this site. Had a few bumps in my recovery but have started cardiac rehab and have finished 12 sessions. It has been an enormous help in giving me the confidence to \"push\" my repaired heart. Don\'t know if that\'s available for you. You are several months into your recovery, do you feel your issues are physical or emotional, or both? There are people on this site who have dealt with both and none of it is uncommon. The bottom line is to remind yourself every day how blessed you are to have a \"new heart\". Please write again and read some of the journals. Fran

Hello Theresa, Welcome to Heart Valve Journals. I had a mitral valve repair in March of this year, and am now finishing up on cardio rehab. This site is a valuable tool for knowledge and support. What problems are you having adjusting to your new life and new valve?? I know many face new challenges as they continue on the road to recovery. Any help or suggestions you need...please ask. Now I am no longer the only Theresa on this site!! Theresa Callanan Howell NJ