Home > Community > Patient News Feed > Whitney Nelson

Whitney's Guestbook

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: September 30, 2015

Send Whitney a Guestbook Below

My Guestbook

Write a Note for Whitney

Elizabeth bedenbaugh, heart valve patient
Whitney Nelson got a guestbook from Elizabeth bedenbaugh
10 years ago (April 19, 2016)
Hey, Whitney. You are looking good. I hope you will be up and around soon. Hang in there and keep me posted. Sincerely, elizabeth bedenbaugh
Pino Correale, heart valve patient
Whitney Nelson got a guestbook from Pino Correale
10 years ago (February 28, 2016)
Hi Whitney, i definitely sympathize with you. That's been my problem since my OHS/AVR. Once i got home from the hospital i couldn't sleep at all. I finally had to resolve the problem with a sleeping pill, which i am still taken and i am three month's Post/Op. A doctor... Read more.
👍 Barbara Laurie reacted to this
Gail Magnus
10 years ago (February 28, 2016)
Whitney, I bought a wedge pillow for my bed and it has been a lifesaver! InteVision Foam Wedge Pillow (25x24x12) and it was $40 on Amazon. Also, I set my alarm at first (the first couple of weeks) during the night to take pain medicine so I wouldn't hurt so... Read more.
Sophia Ridley
10 years ago (February 28, 2016)
I agree with bed wedge... I used it for 3mths and slept much better on that. I put two soft pillows on the top half and one on the lower. I fashion the top one into a dip for my head so tried not to twist it to the side.... Read more.
Gail Magnus
10 years ago (February 28, 2016)
Sophia, those are great ideas as to how to use the wedge!
Rita Savelis
10 years ago (February 29, 2016)
Yes, sadly surgeons consider surgery a success if the surgery itself goes well. All the rest of the (very very common) aftereffects are to them just small glitches that patients have to deal with themselves... I agree that just knowing about various "side effects" can take away the surprise/fear when... Read more.
Sophia Ridley
10 years ago (February 29, 2016)
:) my daughter calls it my cosy cushion! I have more pillows now than a hotel!
Gail Magnus
10 years ago (February 29, 2016)
Sophia, I used the one extra thin pillow w/my wedge last night and it was very comfy! I didn't have one behind my back, I just had the wedge...thanks again for the tip! My kid's call all my pillows my barricade from them as they're 8 and 10 and very... Read more.
Ruth Radcliffe, heart valve patient
Whitney Nelson got a guestbook from Ruth Radcliffe
10 years ago (February 19, 2016)
Well, since you responded to my post, I'm assuming that you got thru your surgery! Hooraaaayyy!! So, how're you feeling?? 😁
Whitney Nelson
10 years ago (February 20, 2016)
I feel pretty bad but it gets a little better everyday
Bob Fessler
10 years ago (February 20, 2016)
Hang in there Whitney. It sounds like you're improving daily. Slow progress is still progress.
Christine Oliva
10 years ago (February 20, 2016)
Whitney that is the spirit and it does get better each day. Someone told me to measure by weeks not days so you don't get frustrated. It worked for me and now I'm 4 months post. Those first few days and weeks have now begun to fade. I'm on the... Read more.

Upcoming Surgeries

Peter Florance, heart valve patient
Peter Florance
Mitral Regurgitation
August 4, 2026
Dean Smith, heart valve patient
Dean Smith
Aortic Stenosis
August 10, 2026
Don FitzGerald, heart valve patient
Don FitzGerald
Aortic Stenosis
August 11, 2026

Heart Valve Hospitals

Sponsored Information
Search Hospitals

The Patient's Guide

The Patient's Guide

This book has helped over 47,000 patients and caregivers from diagnosis to recovery.

Patient's Guide