Amy's Photos

Celebrating my one year anniversary today from having open heart surgery to have my aortic valve replaced. So thankful to God for his grace and mercy, Dr Accola and his surgical team, and for this website and all of you here. I couldn't imagine having gone through this surgery without this website. Every comment and every message that someone makes is a beacon of light and hope to someone else. I promised myself that I would keep active here, and sorry that life became "normal" again and time slipped away. I've been blessed to have had an easy recovery and had a wonderful past year. If you are still awaiting surgery, the dread is worse than the recovery. I remember not being able to picture a life past surgery and can't believe how shortly after surgery that life went on and back to "normal". Fortunately, I had no side effects, no medical issues and not on any medicine. My scar is faded to the point no one would notice it. Mentally I've had a bit of a roller coaster over the last year realizing how big a deal this surgery is, and realizing how blessed I am. It's a happy / sad feeling that only someone who has gone through this can feel. Even though the surgery itself is only one day, the two years of anticipation and dread were very real and very hard. Thank you to all of you and especially to Adam for bringing this special community together!!

Hi - sharing a progress report for 8 weeks post op. I remember so well being on this site prior to surgery looking at everyone's posts and having trouble picturing what life would be like beyond surgery. For  reference I will be 67 in April and don't have any significant health problems.
Here are some observations about before surgery to now:
I'm now at the point of saying months instead of weeks - post op two months now based on date.  Last week the cardiologist cut my Metoprolol to 25 mg once a day and my Rosuvastatin from 40 mg to 20 mg. I'm still on low dose baby aspirin. Cardiologist said I'm doing great and had a normal EKG. I will have my first post op Echocardiogram in June, and assuming all is fine, I will go to only seeing my Cardiologist once a year.
 Before surgery I would have told you that I had no symptoms, however when we take a walk now my heart feels lighter. I can't exactly explain what I mean, but it feels like it's a bit less effort. We try to walk twice a day totaling about 4 miles every day. My pulse before surgery went high very quickly, especially up hills, now it doesn't, which could be due in part to the Metoprolol. I started sleeping in a bed versus recliner at 5 weeks post surgery and feel totally comfortable now. I don't feel like I have any limits and many days I don't think about my heart. This surprises me as I had known for over 2 years that the surgery would be inevitable. Sometimes I feel like I have more time because I'm not obsessing and looking hundreds of things up on Google and doing "research". Life's pace has gone back to what it was around me and in many ways it's like the surgery never happened. It's amazing how quickly life can move on.
The one thing I always want to remember every day is to thank God  for all of you on this website, the medical team and my husband and family. I feel so blessed to feel so good! I post this in the hopes that it may help someone who is still waiting for surgery and fearing the worst. If you are, my prayer is for you to calm those fears, lean on your faith and know that it's possible to face surgery with positive expectations for a quick recovery!

AVR surgery was just 5 weeks ago. So thankful to Dr. Accola at AdventHealth Orlando and the surgical team who took care of me. I truly believe that my quick recovery has a lot to do with him only making a 4-5” mid-sternum incision instead. I’d highly recommend Dr. Accola to everyone. Not only is he an excellent surgeon, but he is also caring and compassionate. I’m also so thankful to Adam and this website because it’s through this website that I found Dr. Accola. 

Three weeks ago today was my surgery for Avr. Recovery is going great and continuing to do more each day. I’m almost caught up w my admin desk work, been out to lunch a few times and today went to the movies to see 80 for Brady (not into football but loved the gals in movie :)! Weather here in FL has been beautiful so I’m able to do walks outside. Walking about 20 mins twice a day. All movements etc are definitely easier this week than previous. I’m feeling truly blessed and hope this helps someone :)

Two weeks ago tonight I don't even want to think about! The night before surgery is tough no matter who you are. The trepidation, the doubts, the unknowns and fear is real. Yet, here I am today going for a 10 minute walk and recovery is going great. I've been able to do some desk work and feeling more energy and stronger every day. God has truly blessed me, and I hope by sharing this with you I give you a hope and reassurance that surgery may not be as bad as you are thinking. Sending prayers to those of you who are waiting and thanks to all of you who helped me through

Hi it's me :) had surgery yesterday so glad it’s behind me. honestly I’m doing well now considering. They gave me a medicine to help w anxiety and had low blood pressure issues last night which they are still addressing.  Catheter is out too and they are moving me to private room on regular floor if a bed opens up - amazing! They were operating on me only 24 hours ago!! Thank you Jesus 🙏

Merry Christmas! We’ve been married 43 years and one of hard things facing my January 24th surgery was having to take off my wedding band. Dr Accola said he didn’t think the ring was what had kept Chuck around :)  I’ve never taken ring off and weigh quite a bit more then wedding. Thankfully someone shared with me to spray my finger with Windex. It’s the only thing that worked, ring slid right off. Shed  a few tears but will do what I need to in order to get to other side of this.