Patient Pictures of Rita Savelis

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Rita Savelisposted a photo

440 days ago

Alina FH, Shannon Gray, Miriam Alejos reacted to this

OHS scar from 2015 + pacemaker bulge on my left and new chemo port bulge on my right.

Marie Myers Your scar healed beautifully!

Rita Savelisposted a photo

440 days ago

Here's my chest xray from 6 years ago - 2015. It was taken a few months after OHS during which the aortic and mitral valves were replaced with mechanical valves and the tricuspid was repaired.

Rita Savelis The Big O is the mitral valve. The rectangular bit above the mitral valve is the aortic valve (seen f ... Read more

Rita Savelis The Big O is the mitral valve. The rectangular bit above the mitral valve is the aortic valve (seen from a straight-on view).
The smaller elongated 0 to the left of the mitral is the tricuspid valve.
You can also see my pacemaker and sternum clips.
And if you know how to read an x-ray you can see that I have a pleural effusion on both sides of my lungs (the white stuff).
I went back into hospital the night after this x-ray to have that (4th) pleural effusion drained.

Rita Savelisposted a photo

539 days ago

Nancy W, Steven Methot, Frank Giovanniello and 3 others reacted to this

Breakfast in the cardiology ward at Pompidou hospital in Paris. On special days (like New Year's) they give you a croissant as well as a bread roll.

Marie Myers Love croissants...

Ana Brusso Had our croissants this morning. Grateful for the French and their influence in our menu. I’m Frenc ... Read more

Ana Brusso Had our croissants this morning. Grateful for the French and their influence in our menu. I’m French via Massachusetts via Quebec, had mini quiche also. Viva La France!

Frank Giovanniello Feel better. Happy 2021.

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1171 days ago

Diane Maher, Barbara Wood, Kate Watson and 4 others reacted to this

Since my scar photos all look the same now, here's me instead in my favorite café with a $1 flea market find.

Catie B What an adorable photo! Thanks so much for posting your very real update, Rita. Best to you!

Kate Watson Haha I love it, Rita!

Shannon Gray ❤️❤️

Marjorie Murphy Love it. So happy you are doing so well. I have followed your journals since I found this site. Yo ... Read more

Marjorie Murphy Love it. So happy you are doing so well. I have followed your journals since I found this site. You are an inspiration to all of us

Civita Fahey Great picture Rita!

Jennifer John Mickey!❤️

Elyse Sherman I love it, Rita! The Paris flea markets are on my bucket list, I’m trying to think past my AVR surg ... Read more

Elyse Sherman I love it, Rita! The Paris flea markets are on my bucket list, I’m trying to think past my AVR surgery on 1/15, your uplifting photo has helped ❤️

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1536 days ago

Helen Daw, Barbara Wood, Willie Radl and 6 others reacted to this

April 2015: Mitral v replaced with - Sorin Bicarbon Fitline, Aortic v replaced with - Sorin Bicarbon Fitline, Tricuspid v repaired with - Edwards Lifesciences Annuloplasty Ring, 17 days later: Boston Scientific double chamber pacemaker added

Denise Campbell Hey Rita. I was wondering why your INR range numbers are so high. 3-4.5? I have a mechanical o ... Read more

Denise Campbell Hey Rita. I was wondering why your INR range numbers are so high. 3-4.5? I have a mechanical on-x valve for my mitral valve and my target range is 2.5-3.5. Just curious.

Rita Savelis I have 2 mechanical valves, so this is probably why my range is so high (the highest range possible, ... Read more

Rita Savelis I have 2 mechanical valves, so this is probably why my range is so high (the highest range possible, I think....heavy sigh....). I tend to try for around 3.5 as a INR goal. But I do go from 2.9 to 4.6... My INR varies, and since I have a wide range, lots of room to play in. It's easier to feel more relaxed about all of this now that it's 3 yrs later...
Take care Denise.

Wayne Sykes Thanks Rita. Your note was informative and encouraging - thank goodness! And congratulations on you ... Read more

Wayne Sykes Thanks Rita. Your note was informative and encouraging - thank goodness! And congratulations on your healthy recovery.

Marjorie Murphy Rita

I had two valves replaced in September 2018. Aortic & Mitral. Opted for the tissue valves. ... Read more

Marjorie Murphy Rita

I had two valves replaced in September 2018. Aortic & Mitral. Opted for the tissue valves. This was my second heart surgery .first one was mitral valve repair. Three weeks after my last surgery I had an episode of a-fib.. I was put on amilodarone which seemed to increase my anxiety and insomnia. Finally I was taken off the drug on Jan 1 this year. I am feeling so much better...still some anxiety. I guess my question is did you have any episodes of a -fib?

Thank you for any help you can give.
Margie Murphy

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1617 days ago

Rose Madura, Darlene Smith, Kate Watson and 1 other reacted to this

Old Xray from 2015. A few foreign objects...and fluid in my pleural cavity... Fluid is now gone, objects remain. xo

Michael McMullen Hi Rita...crazy eh the images of...trust all is well with you.

John Dodson Amazing X-Ray - thanks for posting!

Marie Myers Pretty cool. Would love to see mine...

Susan McNally What are the objects?

Mark Wilbur I like the one that looks like the University of Oregon "O"!

Rita Savelis I have all my xrays and echos and surgical reports... This one was taken about 5 days after I got ou ... Read more

Rita Savelis I have all my xrays and echos and surgical reports... This one was taken about 5 days after I got out of hospital (7 weeks after OHS). The radiologist said: "You need to see your doctor." I had an appt the following day....but that night I had to be brought back to hospital by paramedics to get my 4th pleural infection drained...
The gosh darn pacemaker and its leads are very visible as are the sternum wires. But what is that "O"? And are my valves visible? I think I'll bring it along on my next cardiologist visit to ask....

Cool image Rita. I'm thinking the "O's" are your mechanical valves. My x-ray would be similar: pacem ... Read more

Cool image Rita. I'm thinking the "O's" are your mechanical valves. My x-ray would be similar: pacemaker with dual leads, a mechanical mitral valve and all the wires used to keep sternum together. Amazing hardware!

Petey Bello Wow, interesting to see...I hope you are doing well....thanks for posting!

Terrie Hodges left of Oregon O looks like a capital G....GO Rita!!

Barbara Laurie Aw, Rita..what did you go and swallow??? Haha🤣 What a rough road you’ve been on kiddo, I hope yo ... Read more

Barbara Laurie Aw, Rita..what did you go and swallow??? Haha🤣 What a rough road you’ve been on kiddo, I hope you are well and enjoying your days..we are snuggly buttoned up here in Tahoe, snow gentle falling, fireplace 🔥blazing away in rhythm with my oxygen compressor. Dave’s napping 😴 and James is snuggled on my lap😊 I have those pacing wires, but no gizmo yet... hopefully you’ll give me pointers if the need arises! God Bless dear Rita❤️

Rita Savelis Oh my, the big boss (Adam) saw my post! (see newsletter....)

Cynthia Pagiatakis I saw my brand new mitral valve in xray at follow up visit w/surgeon. It (the 'o') looked just like ... Read more

Cynthia Pagiatakis I saw my brand new mitral valve in xray at follow up visit w/surgeon. It (the 'o') looked just like yours,minus the electrical equipment. Hope you are feeling great ..i am!

Kate Watson I had an xray done recently and it's very similar to this minus the pacemaker, and one of my wires wa ... Read more

Kate Watson I had an xray done recently and it's very similar to this minus the pacemaker, and one of my wires was busted! I had no idea it broke and luckily can't feel it. I hope you are doing well, Rita. I miss you:)

Rita Savelis xoxoxo

Rita Savelis Answers from cardiologist: The big O is the mitral valve, the smaller elongated O to the left is the ... Read more

Rita Savelis Answers from cardiologist: The big O is the mitral valve, the smaller elongated O to the left is the tricuspid, the rectangular bit above the mitral is the aortic valve from a straight on view - so it's flat and we can't see the O.

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1838 days ago

Barbara Wood, Shannon Gray, Adam Pick and 8 others reacted to this

To get my mind off my heart, I'll also contribute a graduation photo - my son Alex at NYU Abu Dhabi

Barbara Wood So nice!! Love it Rita!:)

Marie Myers Beautiful picture!

Catie B Terrific!

Amy Steele Congratulations! Nice photo... You must be very proud!

Rita Savelis (P.S. There's also a Cleveland Clinic in Abu Dhabi, if anyone is interested...!)

Craig Gay Beautiful family! Yvonne

Craig Wise very sweet family photo, Rita. and, thank you much for your simple truthful response to my inquiry r ... Read more

Craig Wise very sweet family photo, Rita. and, thank you much for your simple truthful response to my inquiry regarding post-op pain and pain meds. sometimes a truth offered sympathetically helps untangle me.

Ruth Belmonte Reading your story, wishing the very best for you from the bottom of my heart!

Barbara Helen Dance Hi Rita, I WONDERED why it kept my date wrong.... haha!!😐, thank you so much for your love and bes ... Read more

Barbara Helen Dance Hi Rita, I WONDERED why it kept my date wrong.... haha!!😐, thank you so much for your love and best wishes. how are you?...xx

Kate Watson You look awesome, beautiful picture!

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1898 days ago

Barbara Wood, Phyllis Petersen, Alina FH reacted to this

A small break from medical issues - Cy Twombly at the Musée Pompidou yesterday...

Terrie Hodges that piece looks like Jean-Michel Basquiat's work...I haven't really ever been able to understand pie ... Read more

Terrie Hodges that piece looks like Jean-Michel Basquiat's work...I haven't really ever been able to understand pieces like that...maybe indicates I'm just not with it😁but glad you had a distraction!

Ted Miko Hi Rita, Thank you for the post. Just read your story. You have an amazing ability write. Sounds like ... Read more

Ted Miko Hi Rita, Thank you for the post. Just read your story. You have an amazing ability write. Sounds like it's been a battle , but wow, what a fighter you are ! Keep it up! Thank you for sharing. Like a lot of others on here I'll be waiting to see the victory post.

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1928 days ago

Phyllis Petersen, Steve Farthing, Barbara Wood and 1 other reacted to this

Livemusicnow.fr at the HEGP hospital today...

Barbara Laurie I'm pretty sure UCSF had a lovely pianist and once a harpist, but not a whole ensemble 😄❤

Rita Savelisposted a photo

1930 days ago

Barbara Wood reacted to this

View looking out from the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou - hanging out in front with the other I.V. users...

Barbara Wood I love the green grass, I'm still looking at snow, but I'm hoping that IV isn't chemo Rita:(

Rita Savelis No, it's heparin + saline to reset my anticoagulant level... Just basic cardio-vascular stuff ...
My ... Read more

Rita Savelis No, it's heparin + saline to reset my anticoagulant level... Just basic cardio-vascular stuff ...
My simple biopsy went well but , alas, it's because of anticoagulants that I have to spend so much time in hospital for a simple procedure. I'm fine. It's just boring. (and this wing of the hospital is really quiet and calm compared to cardio-vascular!)

Barbara Wood Oh good...sorry you have to be in hospital, but sometimes boring is good. Take care & enjoy the view! ... Read more

Barbara Wood Oh good...sorry you have to be in hospital, but sometimes boring is good. Take care & enjoy the view!