About Me (In My Own Words)
OPEN HEART SURGERY WITH A HAPPY ENDING!!!!
I have tried to recount the details. I hope this helps those who might be worried or struggling. Remember, your journey will be different. Read to the end...happy ending!
I am very active and full of life but things were quickly changing. I was short of breath and extremely fatigued requiring long naps each day. I had been to four different cardiologists, none had answers. Echos, nuclear stress tests showed only minor regurgitation. Not enough to raise an eyebrow. Each doctor said, “Your heart looks good”...But I knew something was terribly wrong. My symptoms were rapidly growing worse. I had to find the problem and fast.
A cardiologist/friend sent me to a valve specialist in Phoenix, Dr Jacob Green. He literally saved my life. He listened to my story, reviewed all prior tests and said.. "something doesn’t make sense, let's start again and figure this out." He scheduled testing in the cath lab the following week. At first, everything looked normal. He could not locate a problem with my heart, just like all the others. He then decided to inject my heart with epinephrine to increase the heart rate. Bingo! All 3 valves failed miserably. When my heart rate went up, the valves would back-flow blood. That's the reason echos under normal lab conditions would not reproduce the problem. Five days later I was having open heart surgery. Not a minute too soon. Dr. Robert Riley replaced my aortic valve and repaired the Mitral and Tricuspid valves. As soon as I was able, I started slowly walking the halls of the hospital. At first very short walks but each day longer and slightly better. At all hours of the day and night I would roll out of bed, walk a lap, go back to bed and repeat this 6-10 times a day a little further each day. Walking helped my lungs, reduced anxiety and tired me out. If I went on a walk and I didn't feel well, I would just turn around and climb back in bed. After 14 days, I was discharged.
Since 3 valves were repaired, I was told recovery would be slow and not to push it. Every step felt like I was dragging an elephant. Once home I would take short walks around the house. There was many a time I was not feeling well so I rested until I felt better. If I pushed it, I paid for it and back to the couch for more rest! Turns out, hearts need time to recover! After 8 weeks I started cardiac rehab. The first 2 weeks were physically taxing and frustrating. One of the big benefits of rehab is meeting so many nice people.... all in the same boat. Their stories were amazing to hear and encouraging. It became like a club. So, don't forget to talk to the people around you! I spent three months at rehab and slowly felt better and better. I felt safe with the trained staff and cardiologist always present.
No matter how I felt, I decided I needed to stay positive. Literally every day I would count my blessings. I worked on maintaining a positive attitude. When anyone would call I tried to sound happy and switched the subject to them! Worked! Friends continued to call because I was not complaining! Even though I did not feel tip top, their stories of work, golf, tennis, travels cheered me up. It was fun. After two months, I began to notice my heart felt better than before surgery! Milestone!
I hung in and at 11 months it was like someone flipped a switch! I was able to walk further and the fatigue was gone. I was walking 1-5 miles most days and felt amazing! I am no longer short of breath or fatigued in the slightest. It was worth everything I went through to one again feel this good!
The cardiologist said the surgeon had done a fantastic repair!
It is now Fall 2021. Patience and a positive attitude made a huge difference in recovery.
Best things I did:
Locate the very best cardiac surgeon possible.
Develop a positive attitude
Patience and rest
Relaxation and slow breathing to reduce anxiety (I anxiety often after surgery, I learned to manage it)
Good nutrition
Hydration (water bottles nearby)
Rest
Walk every chance possible (even just laps around inside house.)
Stopped when tired or if it wasn't a good day, I just rested and did not push through it.
Cardiac rehab. per doctor. (be sure to introduce yourself and make friends)
More rest
More walking as able
Stay positive and thankful
Have all numbers to your doctors handy.
Slow breathing and relaxation to manage the anxiety.
I've never meditated but I worked on breathing which helped me stay calm.
Audio tapes I would recommend:
Andrew Weil "Breathing." Very relaxing. Best start before surgery, if possible.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Scottsdale, Arizona
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My surgery date is:
May 3, 2019
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Mitral Regurgitation
Tricuspid Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Mitral Valve Repair
Tricuspid Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Robert Riley
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My hospital is:
Honor Health Shea
