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Diagnosis: Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Aortic Aneurysm

Member Since: March 23, 2024

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My Photos

Nancy Pennington uploaded a photo
2 years ago (March 26, 2024)
These were my 2 boys, Cooper the tabby and Twinkie the white with black splotches. I had to find them a new home when I had my ohs. I couldn't care for them when I was symptomatic with the stenosis and I knew I would have restrictions when I came... Read more.
Nancy Pennington added photos to a journal post
2 years ago (March 25, 2024)
Hey, I'm new. I want to work on sharing my story. It's overwhelming to think about, so I thought I'd do a brief introduction here instead. I had open heart aortic valve replacement surgery on 12/20/23, but an ascending aortic aneurysm was found during surgery so they fixed that and... Read more.
Barbara DeLoache
Hi Nancy. Welcome to this site. You are a little over 3 months post op. How are you getting along now?? Have those raw looking areas cleared up? It is important to take a patient's dressing off slowly & carefully. Also, a fair amount of people have a reaction to... Read more.
Barbara DeLoache
Also, I see you are from Western NC. I live there as well. What hospital did you go to?
Nancy Pennington
Hi, Barbara, nice meeting you. The raw sores alongside the main incision have healed finally and there are hardly any scars from them. I have had it added to my medical records that I have adhesive sensitivity. Hopefully there will never be another issue with it. I live in Wilkesboro,... Read more.
Marie Myers
Nancy- have you discussed your depression with your primary care provider ? BTW, my husband's paternal family was from the Wilkesboro area. We spent some weeks there researching his Myers descendants. It is a beautiful area!
Susan Lynn
Nancy - Everyone heals at their own pace. Resist the temptation to compare yourself to others. Did you attend cardiac rehab? If not, it can be very helpful in overcoming post-op depression. Remember, you've always got a friend here just waiting to respond. You'll get through this. ❤️
Nancy Pennington
Marie and Susan, Thank you for your replies. I haven't discussed the depression with my pcp or cardiology providers, but I'm already in counseling and under the care of a psychiatric nurse practitioner. They know how I'm feeling and I'm processing things in therapy and taking meds. i have tried... Read more.
Rose Madura
Nancy, recovery is a process and at 3 months, I was in the hospital. As Susan said, it's hard not to compare yourself to others but it's the only way to go. I don't think it's abnormal for the surgeon to release you from his care. The surgery was successful.... Read more.
Marie Myers
Typically the cardiac surgeon doesn't follow you even 3 months. I had one post op visit with my surgeon post op at one week, and after that I was discharged to my cardiologist and primary doctor. The cardiologist and or primary care doc will manage the heart rate and diabetes.... Read more.
Dan Fouratt
Keep getting better my fellow NC friend. It is a journey and we are here to support each other.
Nancy Pennington
We humans are an impatient bunch, aren't we? I guess I thought I should be better by now. It seems that it has been so long since my surgery. Sorry you were in the hospital at the 3 month mark. I hope you are doing better and making progress.
Rose Madura
Nancy, I'm doing great now! My body just reacted to the trauma. I had six weeks of Afib and/or Aflutter and some issues with inflammation and fluid buildup. Sometimes it happens. I trusted the doctors and they got me on the right track. It's a journey.
Sue Maize
Nancy, I'm so glad you found us. You will find lots of kind and practical support in this community, not to mention a lot of prayer warriors too. I understand depression and how debilitating it can be, also how isolating facing or having gone through ohs can be too. Adding... Read more.

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