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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: December 21, 2023

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Karen Hadden added photos to a journal post

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Ok, so I'm home. Got home yesterday. Thank you for all the well wishes! Good things: . I got 5am surgery slot, so I was in ICU and recovery by noon. I ended up one night in ICU. I would highly recommend a note pad and paper to write on... Read more.

👍 ❤️ Adam Pick, Yumiko Ishida and reacted to this

Rose Madura

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Glad you are home and recovering! Slow and steady. ❤️🩹

Yumiko Ishida

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Yay, home! You look great! Everything you mentioned is normal. They will eventually go away. It is just going to take time.

Karen Hadden

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Thank you Yumiko 🥰 thank you rose 🥰

J Alexander Lassally

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Rocking it. I loved two of my ICU nurses at CC also. They were both near deity status for me.PS I was super anemic also. Par for the course. It remits eventually. Part of the sternotomy song and dance... That fatigue is indescribable to non warriors.PSS - Yep breathing tough.... Read more.

Marie Myers

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Yes, the low potassium and anemia are both common. It may take a couple months to get your blood count back up, so the fatigue will be around for a bit. You are looking good!

Karen Hadden

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

J Alexander - yes! There 2 nurses plus I the one guy was a nurse - Alex - he was wonderful. It really matters when they show compassion. Also - good to know on the spirometer. I was given 3 different ones 🤷🏼♀️ and I didn't get a heart pillow... Read more.

Karen Hadden

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Thank you Marie - good to know for sure! I'm also trying to eat good foods with iron and potassium to add some help.

Adam Pick

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Go Karen! Go! Wonderful to hear Dr. Roselli and the Cleveland Clinic team took such great care of you!!! Fyi, I can relate to so much of your post-op experience. Yes... I had some pain while breathing. Are you keeping up with your spirometer exercises? Yes, I became anemic after... Read more.

Dr. Eric Roselli - Heart Surgeon in Cleveland, Ohio

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Eric-Roselli-Cleveland-Ohio.php

See patient reviews, physician biography, videos and contact information for Dr. Eric Roselli, heart surgeon, in Cleveland, Ohio.

J Alexander Lassally

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Hey Karen - Yes. Shared experience. Was your god ICU a silver / white haired man. About 55 ish? That name rings a bell...

Valerie Allen

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Karen-so you are home 5 days later? You look fantastic! Do you have to go back for 1st follow up in a week or so?

Christine Maiorano

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Happy you're home! I had my surgery for mitral valve and tricuspid valve repair on 4-10 ! Dr Gillinov was great! I'm still in cardiac step down. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for an echo. I've found fatigue is a big issue. Much like you I feel at least 10 lbs heavier.... Read more.

Ana Brusso

2 years ago (April 14, 2024)

Welcome home and to recovery. God bless you

Dan Fouratt

2 years ago (April 15, 2024)

Karen, 5 days impressive. I am slightly a head of you at 24 days post surgery. for the first two weeks even the thought of sneezing gave me sheer fear, but it does get better. I was originally on furosemide with required a potassium chloride pill. I was on two... Read more.

Suelynn Hanegraaf

2 years ago (April 15, 2024)

Happy to hear you are home! Rest and restore! Hoping to go home soon too. A bit longer hospital stay because I developed a-fib and heart flutter.

Karen Hadden

2 years ago (April 15, 2024)

Adam - thank you for confirming!

Karen Hadden

2 years ago (April 15, 2024)

Thanks everyone - Dan - I am certainly dreading that sneeze for sure - I read it can be a doozy! J Alexander - his name was Brett and he was definitely younger. In fact, most everyone who I encountered were younger than 40 for sure. Valerie Ann - I... Read more.

Valerie Allen

2 years ago (April 15, 2024)

I'll be in surgery on the 18th, hopefully early!

Daneen Douglas

2 years ago (April 16, 2024)

Congratulations! Glad you are doing well, Karen! Looking well!