Janelle's Photos

Janelle Hurst  TEE Tuesday showed only trace regurgitation so I was set free in the afternoon! Dr. Gerdisch and his team were wonderful,

Richard Munson  Wishing you many happy years of marriage. It is very rewarding. Even after 55 years my wife still lights up my eyes.

Janelle Hurst  The first couple weeks after finding out I needed heart surgery were stressful to say the least. I think I cried almost every day as my anxiety and overthinking mind went crazy. I wanted to know what the plan was and how fast it needed to be taken care of...I had a gazillion questions and I kept thinking about all the worst-case scenarios. After doing lots of research and finding this great site, my panic started to subside (phew!). I created a (long) list of questions to ask at my surgeon appts and started reaching out to surgeons in other states to set up video consults. I just got back from a vacation that allowed me to step away from everything and clear my head; also did a little hiking to remind myself that I’m not dying (haha).

Marie Myers  Yes, finding out you need heart surgery is a very upsetting bit of news. Glad you are doing better on the emotional portion of the journey! Great picture, by the way..

Tersia Rogers  When I learned earlier this year, I needed open heart surgery, I went through a lot of emotions. I'm glad you found this site before your procedure, I just stumbled upon it, searching for answers regarding recovery. Support from others going through or have gone through what you're facing, is of the utmost importance. It helps me, knowing I'm not alone, and I'm going to be okay. You are not alone, and you also, are going to be okay!

Richard Munson  I was intrigued to read that you asked if anyone knows what caused it. I was not diagnosed till i was over 70 from a noise heard during my annual physical by the same doctor i had for 15/years. If i had it before, he would have heard it. My mother had a rheumatic heart as a child and who knows she could have had undiagnosed mitral valve issues before modern medicine detected it. Not sure what caused it can be answered but i suspect genes may play a roll. Why one person gets it at a young age and others much later like me might make an interesting paper.

Rose Madura  I had known since I was young that one day I would need open heart surgery. I'm talking back in the 1960s when they weren't doing them. Thankfully, I was too young to know to be scared. My parents were probably frightened. Anyway even knowing it was a possibility, I was still upset when the time came. My advice would be to focus on the positive. The odds are in your favor. Let us know if you have any questions. Godspeed.

Martin Smith  Yes, finding out that one requires heart surgery is unsettling. When I learned that my bicuspid aortic valve was going to require surgery I knew there and then in the cardiologist's office that my life was about to change course. And dammit I liked my life just as it was! I was really fit and active in outdoor pursuits. Two years have elapsed since that news and I'm now one year post-op after a successful Ross procedure. These two years contained some big challenges and my life is quite different today than what it was prior to my diagnosis. Different, but in many ways, equally interesting and perhaps happier. I wouldn't want to undo much of what the past two years have provided me, even with the ups and downs. Waiting for the operation amidst the doubt and delays is the hardest part for many of us. For most of us, the stress goes down after the operation and our sense of well being improves markedly. Wishing you all the best, Janelle.

Sharon Losekamp   I had my aortic valve surgery at Cleveland Clinic. They are very professional and do not make you feel abnormal about whatever is going on with your heart. They have seen it all. They made a difficult time in my life go as smooth as possible.

Janelle Hurst  thank you everyone for your kind words :) I knew some day I *might* require valve surgery but figured if I did need it I'd be much older than I am. The last 2 years have been challenging health-wise but I am learning to roll with the punches and not feel bad about prioritizing self-care.