Tonia's Guestbook

So glad that things are going well for you! It's been 16 weeks for me and I still have a way to go. I am a dedicated cardio rehab patient and am back to ice-skating several days a week

It's been 12 weeks now for me. Wish that I went to the Cleveland Clinic rather than Mt Sinia but it's too late now. I wish you continued successful recovery and a long healthy life! Best wishes for your husband and your Boys!

Hi Tonia Just curious - who is your cardiologist? I flew to Cleveland clinic for a second opinion and met Dr Grimm. I really liked him. We were supposed to meet Dr Petterson too but he had emergency surgery. So he called me the next day. What type is symptoms did you begin to have to encourage you to move the date up. My scheduled at Univ of Penn on June 27 - but still nervous if I am doing this too soon. I really liked Cleveland Clinic - but my insurance company changed and they are no longer in my network. Also I think the distance is too far for me and my family. I found a top surgeon at Penn that I am very comfortable with - and the hospital is rated extremely high too. I'm looking for any advice. Like you - I am very scared. My kids are 21 and 18 - but a moms always a mom. Take care and I'm wishing you well!

Tonia, I get weepy every once in a while but particularly when I read these posts. It's from the anthesia (which I apparently can't spell) It does lessen! Hang in there! You are young so you will recover quickly. Just don't overdo it~

So glad that everything is going well for you! I too experienced the elation of being home! So glad to be far away from Mt Sinia's 11 day in their intensive care unit.

Congratulations for making it to the other side. Some challenges ahead but months from now you will realize you accomplished the major one by getting through the operation and then making it home. God bless you and keep on healing!

Yay! Sounds like you came through OK. So glad and I will keep praying for you! If you or your parents need something while you're up here let me know, I'm only 20 minutes away!

Well my sweet girl the time has come. Its 4:00 am here and thinking about you and your folks Prayers for you and I know your Guardian Angels are watching over you. Give you folks my love and will be thinking about you today. Hope to hear from you Mom with an update. Love Always Mom #2 Matthew, Tori

I will be praying for your surgery tomorrow, praying for the medical team that will be operating and taking care of you, praying for you and for your family.

Hi Tonia, you are soon going to know how lucky you are to have been born in this day and age! I will be a young, active, 77 on April 28. I had my aortic valve replaced on Aprol 5. That's 11 days ago. I'm lucky to live in the same community as Kevin Accola or I would have gone to Cleveland Clinic! You're just not going to believe how amazing and awesome and loving your care will be. I remember seeing my daughters' faces looking at me on my first wake up. Then that evening. Still too many tubes, but I apparently was very responsive early on. Wednesday was the big shock. All tubes out, NO PAIN. Lots of restrictions and requirements. Use the spirometer, hug that pillow, forget about having elbows-no leaning, take a walk to chair. Order food. Food? Ugh. Oatmeal was delish. LOL. Heavenly nurse assisted shower. Slept well Weds but woke up with ghastly pain in back near shoulder. They were right on top of it. If I hurt even a teens bit, there was a med to relieve. Same walking, eating, showering routine. By after so moved out of ICU to CVPCU. Thinking these people are nuts, I'm not ready to move. HA ON ME! I was moved to where the Angels float. Care every patient anywhere should be able to expect. Seriously. Oh - that pain - not another one since!!!! Honest. Ache a bit here and there. I've taken Tylenol twice!!! So, Day 6, Sunday, April 10 I am home. Two adult daughters and the friend who's the "sister from a different mister 😀" are busy getting me all settled in. I had done a mountain of pre-op prep so home works for me - and it's a 2 story condo! I'll send another note if you want some of those hints 'cause they've really worked out great. Friends agree still bringing meals. If it has to go in oven, they have to make it happen. Nice part is I get to have company for dinner. I can handle breakfast (cold cereal, oatmeal, bagel w/cream cheese, Jimmy Dean sausage sandwich once a week treat) and lunch (daughter provided fresh sliced turkey, rare roast beef, Swiss, and Muenster cheeses) on any one of 3 breads I can easily reach and toast. Keep thinking protein - important body builder. Try to squeeze in an Ensure once or twice a day. Friends with dinners. Last night I pulled together left overs and gave everyone a night off! Actually Friday night I declared it was totally not necessary for anyone to spend the night with me. With chair in shower and hand held shower spray just left dangling, I showered myself. First one made sure someone was in house. Okay that's easy enough - now how did I get dry??? Before surgery hung really thick heavy towel on new rod behind the bathroom door. I'm a big lady used to giant towel. That's a no-no now. Too heavy. So I have stack of beach towels/regular bath towels where I can grab one while still sitting and I just pat every place I can reach dry. Not doing my own hair yet. That can wait for Home Health Aide - more angels on earth! Once I'm out and standing I back up to that thick hanging towel, lean against - and zappo- I am dry. OH YES. A nurse will teach you how do get I and out of snap front bra!! Ugly but really do the job. I do fresh one after shower fresh one when I change clothes to pjs or vice versa. Sometime shower has an a.m. aide. Rinse it really well and hang it up. My daughter has been washing and drying the towels every day so I have a couple of days worth. Also, I wear mostly T-shirts so I've had to dig out some old button down the front shirts. Again, a nurse will show you how to get in and out of these without stretching your clavicle!!! Age is so on your side! If I feel like a new woman, I'm starting to picture you on the flying trapeze!!! I'm not patient with all this recovery stuff, and I keep having to remind myself to focus on October 5 to tell the whole story - one day at a time. For planning ahead, put ANY thing you think you want to use right at your shoulder level and close to the edge! All our prayers will be with you! Don't hesitate to get back to me. Diane at DJBrown428@aol.com

I had my Aortic Valve Replacement surgery done nearly 7 years ago (5-13-09) and have done excellent. I know God is with you as He was and is with me. Keep the faith and He will never leave nor forsake you. I look forward to reading your future posts letting us all know how well you are doing. Prayers going your way.......God bless.

You got this girl!! Wish we could be there with you! We will be praying for a safe surgery and a fast and speedy recovery! If there is anything we can do, don't hesitate to let me know! We love you Tonia! 💜

I sincerely hope you and your family come out of this medical event extremely relieved that it's over and you will be on your way to a better future. Your children will be a great help during your recovery. God Bless You!

Good luck with your surgery. I also had a bicuspid aortic valve. My condition deteriorated quickly when I was 42 years old and I had the valve replaced. My youngest child was nearly seven years old. It is now more than 21 years later and my valve is still going strong. A few weeks after my surgery, I felt better than I had ever felt in my life. I did not know how sick I was until I felt better. I hope you have results that are as good as mine were.

Hello... I found this web when researching Cardiologists, I also found you. I too am facing some type of AV treatment due to Regurgitation, repair or replacement? I always felt if I ever had heart problems they would be treated at CC. I live in Florida but will make the trip. I researched you Doc and you made an excellent choice. Odds are in your favor but also is God. You are young and that is a big plus in your behalf. Hopefully I can find out how you are doing during your recovery God Bless you and your family...

I am wishing the very best for you. I have to have a stent placed the end of May and then also a valve replaced later. It is something we all want to be over with. Evelyn

Tonia, I was in the same boat as you. I was 39 and knew about my problem. My health began to decline rather fast. I went to the Cleveland Clinic, and saw Dr. Lytle, he preformed Aortic replacement and Mitral repair on Jan 16, 2009. At the time my son was four years old. I was scared out of my wits. I looked at it as I was doing it for my family. Best move ever. I feel great now, and so will you. The hospital is the best. The people are great. No one knows what you are going through, except the people who had it done. You are going to be fine!

Tonia- My wife Gloria and I will be praying for you on April 20th! I had aortic valve replacement on October 26th last year and now am doing quite well in my 64th year of life. I had aortic valve stenosis and, like you, had my surgery date moved up because I had a stroke in August. You will do well as young as you are and you'll be glad you had this procedure done- I know I sure am glad to have it done and behind me!