Hi Wendy,
Just checking in to see if you are back on a regular running schedule. I last wrote in your guestbook March 16th. Hope you are doing well and making ...Read more
Hi Wendy,
Just checking in to see if you are back on a regular running schedule. I last wrote in your guestbook March 16th. Hope you are doing well and making great progress. I'm back on a 4 mile run routine (though a very slow one!)
Paul
Hi Wendy,
Glad your home and doing better. I am writing on behalf of my husband Tom he is going to need surgery on aortic and mitral
possibly tricuspid valves. ...Read more
Hi Wendy,
Glad your home and doing better. I am writing on behalf of my husband Tom he is going to need surgery on aortic and mitral
possibly tricuspid valves. We are considering
C.C. Our cardiologist is in the wait and come back for repeat ECO in May, meanwhile his numbers are in moderate to serious for aortic and mild to moderate for mitral. would you be kind enough to email me at polukas1@hotmail.com when you are up to it as I would love to talk to you or feel free to call me. My phone number is 570-929-2689.
Prayers to you for a speedy recovery.
Shelly Poluka
Hi, Wendy! Found you via your hubby, on AchillesBlog.com ! I\'ve torn BOTH ATs playing competitive volleyball (at ~56 and ~64) with a bunch of folks your age ...Read more
Hi, Wendy! Found you via your hubby, on AchillesBlog.com ! I\'ve torn BOTH ATs playing competitive volleyball (at ~56 and ~64) with a bunch of folks your age and younger. And I had my BAV replaced with a Medtronics pig valve at 65, 2+ years ago. I\'ve been back to competitive volleyball -- including some indoor beach 2-on-2! -- since 1 year post-AVR-op, almost to the day.
My story is laid out at valvereplacement.org, in a long series of posts with a title like \"Norm\'s Story So Far. . .\"
All the best for a smooth recovery!
Wendy,
I was discharged home to Maine from Boston (about 5 hour drive) and saw my family doc two days later, then my cardiologist 2 weeks after discharge. ...Read more
Wendy,
I was discharged home to Maine from Boston (about 5 hour drive) and saw my family doc two days later, then my cardiologist 2 weeks after discharge. I never did see my surgeon again, but I stayed in touch with him via e-mail for several months. He was great about answering any questions that I had. Wish you the very best with your surgery! You\'ll be running agin real soon!
Paul
Wendy
I had my surgery in cleveland in sept. I stayed a couple nights ina hotel before being discharged. I saw a nurse practicioner the day before I left and ...Read more
Wendy
I had my surgery in cleveland in sept. I stayed a couple nights ina hotel before being discharged. I saw a nurse practicioner the day before I left and then followed up with my primary care two weeks later. The nurse practicioner at the hospital in cleveland called and helped set up the appointmment with my primary care. I was glad I had a couple of days in a hotel because I would not have been ready to go through the airport and fly that day. The nurse practicioner suggested I use a wheel chair at the airport which I didn\'t want to do but I was glad I did. Flying was tiring after just having surgery.
Good luck!
Natalie tucker
Aortic valve repair/dacron graft-9/10/12
Wendy,
I had me AVR at CCF and they gave me an option of staying around a couple days to get a check-up or I could go home and see my local cardiologist. ...Read more
Wendy,
I had me AVR at CCF and they gave me an option of staying around a couple days to get a check-up or I could go home and see my local cardiologist. I think I had my plane tickets booked and I was half out the door as they offered the option to go home. The last thing I wanted was to be isolated in some strange hotel room. They paid for my limo to the airport and arranged for me to be wheeled to the plane.
They advised me to see my local cardiologist 1-2 days after I got home and to see my primary care physician within a week.
FYI - the flight home was not bad at all.
Eric Rovin
AVR 12/11/12 CCF
Wendy--
I too was a CleveClinic patient. I had NO surgeon follow up, but did have a local Cardiologist anxious to assume that role. Just check your cardiologist ...Read more
Wendy--
I too was a CleveClinic patient. I had NO surgeon follow up, but did have a local Cardiologist anxious to assume that role. Just check your cardiologist first. In my case, the Clinic co-operated, and shared records. (About 25 miles travel).
John Teeftt AVR 5/4/12 Dr. Lytle
Hi Wendy,
When I had my surgery at CCF 15months ago, I was given a choice of going home or sticking around for the follow up. I chose to go home as I had been ...Read more
Hi Wendy,
When I had my surgery at CCF 15months ago, I was given a choice of going home or sticking around for the follow up. I chose to go home as I had been in the hospital 9 days, but they made me sign off on a form stating that I denied the follow up. It\'s a little unnerving to sign off, but I think a lot of people do it. I was sooooo ready to go home! I would just wait and see how you feel. Don\'t go if you don\'t feel comfortable or ready.
Godspeed and good luck!
Deb Ziegler
Wendy, I too had radiation when I was 24 for breast cancer (I\'m now almost 64). I had aortic stenosis diagnosed almost 15 years ago and was monitored annually. ...Read more
Wendy, I too had radiation when I was 24 for breast cancer (I\'m now almost 64). I had aortic stenosis diagnosed almost 15 years ago and was monitored annually. Last summer I had a porcine aortic valve replacement and a valve repair. My surgeon called radiation \"the gift that keeps on giving\".. I\'m doing great. Getting better and better. My thoughts are with you
Linda J
Hello Wendy, Before I left Cleveland back in 2010 I had a follow up with my Doctor 3 or 4 days after my release, they gave me a choose if I wanted to stick ...Read more
Hello Wendy, Before I left Cleveland back in 2010 I had a follow up with my Doctor 3 or 4 days after my release, they gave me a choose if I wanted to stick around and I did. It made sense to me because if there was going to be something wrong it was good that I was still in Cleveland. They knew I was from out of town. Then of course when you get back home you see your cardiologist. Ask about it, request it. I had my aortic valve replace by Dr. Gillinov.
All the best,
Richard Volpe
Hi Wendy,
My name is Mandy I am 38 and had open heart for pulmonary stenosis in 1980, and then valve replacement and repair in 2008. I am doing great. Like ...Read more
Hi Wendy,
My name is Mandy I am 38 and had open heart for pulmonary stenosis in 1980, and then valve replacement and repair in 2008. I am doing great. Like you I had a hard time deciding between mechanical and tissue. I went with tissue and am so glad.,( my family is also glad as we have all had some good hearted fun with the fact I have a cow valve). I had a hard time with the coumadin for the short time I had to take it after surgery my levels were never right. I am glad I do not have to deal with that for the rest of my life. I am sure by the time this valve needs repair replacement it will be an easier procedure. Good luck, I will send prayers your way.
Hi Hi Wendy. My name is Dr. Luis Castro. You asked specifically if anybody had any information about radiation And heart valve disease. Did you mean to say ...Read more
Hi Hi Wendy. My name is Dr. Luis Castro. You asked specifically if anybody had any information about radiation And heart valve disease. Did you mean to say that you\'ve had radiation to your chest wall? Was this because you were being treated for some other problem? How long ago did you recover this type of treatment? I can better answer some of the issues regarding radiation treatment if I know a little bit more about you. Keep up the positive spirit! Luis
Wendy Ray Hello Dr Castro, I was treated with radiation to my chest almost 24 years ago for Hodgkin's disease. ... Read more
Wendy Ray Hello Dr Castro, I was treated with radiation to my chest almost 24 years ago for Hodgkin's disease. I don't remember the specifics I was 17 at the time. I just remember going in for 5 days a week for 4 weeks for my chest and neck area and then the same schedule 4 weeks later to my abdomen area. I did not need any chemo only radiation. I have had no other health concerns since.
It's been since 06 that the cardiologist heard a murmor and since then my stenosis has progressed to severe with symptoms. I am scheduled for a valve replacement at Cleveland Clinic on March 19th. When I spoke with the surgeon he did say that I could have increased risk of complications due to the radiation. It's because of the increased risk of complications that I have concerns of which valve to choose. I really think I want to do tissue because I really don't want to do Coumadin for the next 40 + years but I am also concerned about having another surgery and the affects of radiation could have on the outcome. Thank you so much for your time. I have been researching about radiation but really haven't been finding much on the topic.
Thanks again, Wendy
Hi Wendy - so glad that you are doing all the research. I was 52 when I chose a bovine aortic valve and also had 4\" of aorta replaced. That was 5 years ago ...Read more
Hi Wendy - so glad that you are doing all the research. I was 52 when I chose a bovine aortic valve and also had 4\" of aorta replaced. That was 5 years ago and so glad that I chose the bovine - only take an aspirin a day. So far, no sign of problems or calcium build up. I am positive that the new bovine aortic valves will last much longer than 10 years - am hoping that I will never have to have it replaced :). Technology advances are on our side. I exercise 5 days a week and golf 18 holes on every Sat and Sun in summer!! I feel great!! Good luck and God speed!!
Hi Wendy! Good luck with your decision. I am also a runner, though usually only 3 to 6 miles...ran one marathon back in the 80\'s. I\'m 64 now. Had a bovine ...Read more
Hi Wendy! Good luck with your decision. I am also a runner, though usually only 3 to 6 miles...ran one marathon back in the 80\'s. I\'m 64 now. Had a bovine aortic valve and aortic root replacement about 3 years ago. I didn\'t want to deal with coumadin or other anticoagulants because I am quite active and beat myself up a lot! I\'m back running up to a 5K and cycling 50 to 60 miles per day when I can get out. Started my recovery with short walks. In 3 weeks I was walking 2 to 4 miles and in 6 weeks, when I went back to work, I was walking up to 8 miles and jogging 1. Two months post-op I was cycling 60 miles. You are in good shape, so I think you will have a rapid recovery! Wish you the best!
Paul
Wendy Ray It is good to hear your story and how quickly you recovered. I cant wait to get back out there. I h ... Read more
Wendy Ray It is good to hear your story and how quickly you recovered. I cant wait to get back out there. I have actually already signed up for my first race back..Its not until September but I am pretty optimistic.
Hi, My internist said \"you have a murmur, but I don\'t think it is anything\". Wrong, like you sought a second opinion and voila I really did need a new ...Read more
Hi, My internist said \"you have a murmur, but I don\'t think it is anything\". Wrong, like you sought a second opinion and voila I really did need a new aortic valve. I chose a bovine valve; surgery at UCSD La Jolla by Dr. Michael Madani who is great. Surgery Wed out Sat am and back at work in five and 1/2 weeks. It will be two years in May and feel great although I didn\'t feel bad before. All will be good. Dan Kenney San Diego
Wendy Ray Dan, What a quick recovery. Hoping I follow that same pattern. I'm ready to get fixed and moving ag ... Read more
Wendy Ray Dan, What a quick recovery. Hoping I follow that same pattern. I'm ready to get fixed and moving again. Glad you are doing so well after your replacement.
Hi Wendy,
I am 4 years post op, and had aortic valve replacement and aortic root repair. I was 38 at the time of surgery as opted for the mechanical valve, ...Read more
Hi Wendy,
I am 4 years post op, and had aortic valve replacement and aortic root repair. I was 38 at the time of surgery as opted for the mechanical valve, primarily because I did not want a re-do. I have adjusted just fine to coumadin. It is certainly a lifestyle change for sure - as is the surgery itself. I have found it you are committed to the lifestyle - healthy eating, consistent diet, exercise - life with a mechanical valve continues as normal. I exercise 6 to 7 days a week, play softball, hockey (non checking!), run and bike.
My advise is if you lean towards a mechanical valve, know it\'s not as you would fear, and life does return to normal.
Best of luck to you.
Kevin
Wendy Ray Kevin, Thanks for the response and Wow its great that you have been able to be so active after replac ... Read more
Wendy Ray Kevin, Thanks for the response and Wow its great that you have been able to be so active after replacement. Very encouraging for someone like me who cant wait to get back into it. It is just such a hard decision. I want to say mechanical and be done but I just dont know. Two silly questions but 1. What about the sound it makes? I am so sensitive to noise when I'm trying to sleep and I am worried about the clicking noise. 2. What about drinking alcohol? I dont drink all the time but I do still enjoy heading out to happy hour and having a few sometimes more :) Obviously not a make or break desicion but definetly things I need to consider.
Hi, I live on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.I had a tissue aortic valve replacement 8 months ago as well as an Aortic root repair (dacron aorta). I feel ...Read more
Hi, I live on the Sunshine Coast in Australia.I had a tissue aortic valve replacement 8 months ago as well as an Aortic root repair (dacron aorta). I feel well except for sternum pain that I assume is related to healing.
Wendy, I had heart valve surgery a year ago this last January. Let me tell you a little of what went on before the surgery and on up to the recovery. First ...Read more
Wendy, I had heart valve surgery a year ago this last January. Let me tell you a little of what went on before the surgery and on up to the recovery. First off I had three opinions...the last second one as you said was a little too much contrast for me so I had a third. This is my life I am dealing with so I wanted to trust the doctor. As it turned out I not only had Bicuspid Aortic Stenosis.. I brought my two disks , one of the heart catherization and the EKG & Ultra sound. to the surgeon I consulted with..he came back after viewing them and told me I also was walkiing around with an anurysm meaning the base of my aorta was swollen twice the size it should have been. MInd you my PCP had me on Lorazepam due to \"anxiety\" for the previous yr and half! Trouble was I did not have anxiety it was my heart that caused me to have fluttering in my chest and weakness in one of my arms that would wake me at 3 in the morning. I have had my one year anniversary as of January 10th now..I can\'t say enough about Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, Virginia.....God bless you Wendy and take the leap of faith with God. It was sure a leap of faith for me to hold my nerves together, I remember....He gives peace beyond understanding...I will keep up with you and hang in there you can do this!
Wendy Ray I am glad you are doing well now and how frustrating for you to have been misdiagnosed for so long as ... Read more
Wendy Ray I am glad you are doing well now and how frustrating for you to have been misdiagnosed for so long as well as lucky that you went in for the third opinion and finally getting properly diagnosed. I am not necessariy looking for the surgery and recovery itself but I am really looking forward to getting this all behind me and getting back to my old self.
Hey Wendy. I recently went through this process and my second opinion after a month if tests was no surgery. I\'m curious did you get an mra? Do you know ...Read more
Hey Wendy. I recently went through this process and my second opinion after a month if tests was no surgery. I\'m curious did you get an mra? Do you know your specific heart results? Thinking of you and hoping all the best
Damian Kudelka
Wendy Ray Hello Damian, I did not get an MRA. I had an initial 3D echo then in January I had a cardiac cath a ... Read more
Wendy Ray Hello Damian, I did not get an MRA. I had an initial 3D echo then in January I had a cardiac cath and Chest CT. I actually didn't get any specifics from my Cath other than having a 60-70% blocked RCA but my initial ECHO showed my mean gradient of 40, velocity of 4.2 and the diameter of 0.8. The cardiologist said that I had a severly narrowed aortic valve. The problem was and one of the reasons why they were recommending surgery was due to my symptoms although they also said that my symptoms are classic but cant be 100% attributed to my stenosis.
Wendy - I will be keep up with your journal as I will be just a few months behind you! I do have a bicuspid valve, so a little bit different, but same surgery. ...Read more
Wendy - I will be keep up with your journal as I will be just a few months behind you! I do have a bicuspid valve, so a little bit different, but same surgery. I am also seriously leaning towards a tissue valve. I go to the Cleveland Clinic in a week and a half for my consult. If you\'re there, I would love to meet up with you! Best of luck on your journey, I will keep up with your journals.
Wendy Ray Are you meeting with the surgeon? I am traveling from out of town to Cleveland so I wont be getting t ... Read more
Wendy Ray Are you meeting with the surgeon? I am traveling from out of town to Cleveland so I wont be getting there until March 17th. They do have a whole day of preop testing on the 18th and then surgery on the 19th so I wont really have much time before surgery. I would love to hear more of your story.
Hi Wendy...I just wanted to wish you the best and I hope you know and feel how many people are \"rooting\" for you :) God bless and keep us posted!
Roger G ...Read more
Hi Wendy...I just wanted to wish you the best and I hope you know and feel how many people are \"rooting\" for you :) God bless and keep us posted!
Roger G
Wendy Ray Thanks Roger, it is very comforting to know.
Hi Wendy...I just wanted to wish you the best and I hope you know and feel how many people are \"rooting\" for you :) God bless and keep us posted!
Roger G ...Read more
Hi Wendy...I just wanted to wish you the best and I hope you know and feel how many people are \"rooting\" for you :) God bless and keep us posted!
Roger G
Hi Wendy, The biggest decision to make is what kinds of valve to have. It is a very personal decision. My daughter had the same problem but she was only 29 ...Read more
Hi Wendy, The biggest decision to make is what kinds of valve to have. It is a very personal decision. My daughter had the same problem but she was only 29 years old at the time. She decided on the mechanical valve as she was so young and the doctor told her that young people her age don\'t do good with tissue valves. She is doing really good with 3 active kids. The only thing she coplains abou is the INR testing. I am older and got a tissue valve and am real happy with my cow valve.
On the second thought the waiting really is the worse part of all this. Just keep doing what you are doing and you will be fine. When you wake up it will be over with and you will be going wow, waiting really was the hardest part of all this. I found after surgery time has just flown by so fast. Guess it makes up for all the slow waiting we all do.
I will keep you in my thoughts an prayers. You will do fine in whatever valve you receive. Good luck to you.
LInda H and Elsie AVR 9/19/12
Wendy Ray Thanks Linda. I wish there was an easier way to decide. I'm half tempted to tell the surgeon to sur ... Read more
Wendy Ray Thanks Linda. I wish there was an easier way to decide. I'm half tempted to tell the surgeon to surprise me!! I know whatever I decide will be the right decision for me or a t least I hope so. There are reasons for both. I am hoping that the surgeon will give me a little more insight to help make my decision. Thanks again.
I am from: Annapolis, Maryland
