Cathleen's Photos

Chris Germano  You are awesome! It's one week post for me and it's one day at a time. Good and not so good. But I'll be patient. All the best Cathleen

Deena Z  Wow-wee. Three valves “stacked within each other”. That is amazing. Congrats on the successful procedure! You’ve been through a ton.

Dont quite get how it can work so well. Do they sew it in? ( noticed you are a experienced clinician:).

Cathleen Weed  Hi Deena - a TAVR in TAVR in SAVR is very new but I believe it's the future for a lot of patients out there who have a TAVR in SAVR right now . I was happy to let Dr Makkar do it and even happier it worked! It's much more complex than a regular TAVR. They accessed both femoral arteries (right and left) and the radial arteries because a bunch of devices have to be used. Here's my understanding....First, the sentinel filter was placed to protect my coronary arteries from any debris that could break loose. Then they used a non-compliant balloon to expand and fracture (break in half) the sewing ring of the original SAVR. That was to create room. That is called BVF (bioprosthetic valve fracture) and then they did a technique called "ShortCut" to cut the leaflets of the previous TAVR in there so that when it gets pushed up against the aortic wall it doesn't block the coronary arteries. After all that was done, they placed the new TAVR valve. It took just over 3 hours. I think Adam is going to do a post about my procedure but if not then I will do something later so that people know that this will be a possible option in the future. Dr Makkar and his team filmed the whole thing for teaching purposes so I will be able to get that footage later as well.

Deena Z  Woof, sounds complex and delicate,Cathleen. Thank you for all the details.  Hard to believe it took only a bit over 3hrs and without feeling like a mack truck hit you!   I look forward to Adam’s post and/or your post. —Generous of you. Hopeful for the MV someday.  In the meantime, hope you continue to feel stronger each day and let there be no 6th! Godspeed.❤️‍🩹❤️♥️

Valerie Allen  Cathleen, this is really interesting. I didn’t know they were performing this yet. Do you know if many others have had it?

Brady Busch  Some of your thoughts,remind me of the main surgeon,who helped me,Dr.Oyetunji,growing up in Nigeria,where her father was one and who had an influence on her.She also had a medical problem,when young,that needed surgery,but instead of being fearful,looked on it with excitement and curiosity.

LEA KRISELLE DELANSIG  Thanks 

i can make it.

Im just financial drain ahaahaha

hugss.

Richard Munson  Nice of edwards to have you there. Inspiring for all the little leaflet people that sew them in. They get to see living proof of their accomplishments. 

Cathleen Weed  Yes, they were just as emotional. I had a private meeting in a conference room with the actual group of ladies who made my valve (they track it by serial number). Talk about surreal! For all of us!

Susan Lynn  I have an Edwards Lifesciences annulplasty ring on my mitral valve. I'm sure these jobs are rewarding, but meeting recipients probably makes the team feel even more proud of the work they do. Glad you had the chance to meet them!

Cathleen Weed  Thank you everyone! Super cool experience for sure! My hubby has been such a great support system As a pro BMX rider who has never had an injury or surgery in his career, this is ALL new to him!!

Valerie Allen  Hi Cathleen, looks wonderful! I have a streamlined version of this for lunch often. Ezekiel no salt toast, smash 1/2 avocado sprinkled with Everything Bagel, no salt. I haven’t salted my food for so long I don’t miss it!

Richard Munson  I just had a dunkin sugar donut with red raspberry filling. Colorful but probably not heart healthy. I flunked i guess. But it was yummy. 

Cathleen Weed  Richard - LOL I'd say you had a good morning! haha.
Valerie - I love all the salt substitutes too! Spike salt free is so yummy! I make this for my hubby also so I use the Himalayan salt.
Klara - sooo yum!!

Cathleen Weed  Also....I just added this as a helpful tip up top. I make the egg whites in the micro so it's super quick. Just spray a bowl with olive oil and pour egg whites in and heat for four minutes while you prep the toast and everything else. Fluff the eggs and add cheese (if you want it) and they are delicious and ready to go. 

Robert Miller  That looks very delicious, especially with that toasted bread. I agree with @Valarie Allen about the Avocado and some Taijin seasoning (salty, mind you). 

Grace Mason   I'm glad to see you on here again. I came across a post you made on stretching out shoulders post surgery and read your story recently and found more helpful information you shared in your journals. I am preparing for an upcoming OHS

Cathleen Weed  Hi Grace! Thank you! This site is great and there are so many people willing to share their stories so everyone can find someone to relate to on here :). Keep me updated on your upcoming surgery 🙏🏻. Happy to answer questions ♥️

Cathleen Weed  Hi Mike :) I read your story and I know exactly what you are facing. Just five more days until it's behind you and you can start the recovery process! Get out of bed as soon as they will let you and start walking the hospital halls. Getting moving is THE most important thing you can do after surgery, even if it hurts (it will). Pain is temporary! You'll do great if you do your walking and the deep breathing exercises (incentive spirometer is awesome for that - they will give you one at the hospital).  Best wishes and I look forward to hearing how it went! 

Mike McKenna  Thank you, Grace!  All great advice that I hopefully will stamp into my brain for day 1 recover :)  Motivated to get back to life as soon as possible... without rushing of course. 

Grace Mason   Cathleen, yes, this site is a wonderful discovery for information and so helpful when I was feeling overwhelmed by the actuality of facing OHS.(still very nervous but feeling better) Everyone here can relate and empathize like no one else Mike, thinking of you with your upcoming date with your surgeon and team. Sending you all best wishes

Lilly Black  Hi, Cathleen. Wonderful to see you again! Looks like you are doing really well. You are a brave soul. Welcome back!

Sue Lee  Hi Cathleen, thanks for sharing your journey. It’s great to hear you are doing well after so many battles. Keep on ticking! 

Deb Michalowski  Thanks Cathleen for the inspiring words.  New to this process with surgery two weeks from today.  Love this community and this site which is helping me learn about my bicuspid aortic valve stenosis and the surgery types with their risks and benefits.  Yes, life goes on and this process will be over before I will even know it.  We've got this! 

Cathleen Weed  Hi Deb Two weeks from today you'll be able to mark this off your TO DO list By day three or so post-op you'll feel such a sense of relief and accomplishment. I'm sure you'll surprise yourself with your courage . You've definitely got this!!

Deb Michalowski  Cathleen, Hi and thanks for the encouragement. Definitely looking forward to marking this off my To Do List and moving on! I feel I've got this too!