Two days prior to my surgery. I am super nervous and anxious. My logic tells me everything is going to be fine but I can't get out of my own way.
Bryan Savage You'll do great Paul! I had a very similar situation. I'm sorry you've had this looming over you for years now. Mine was discovered when my wife was pregnant ... Read more
Susan Lynn Paul -My mitral valve repair was three and a half years ago, but I can still feel those jitters from the days leading up to surgery. As Bryan said, waiting ... Read more
Upcoming Patient Surgeries
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Check out the new edits to 'My Story' page by clicking here.
Kathy writes, "This is good news! Keep your routine until you feel stronger, it's okay to be tired, don't overdo it, you'll probably know when it's time to ratch it up a notch. Love you, still praying. auntie K"
Anybody have experience with an ablation? My rhythm issues continue after my mitral valve repair in December and the meds aren’t resolving it. Saw an electrophysiologist last ... Read more
Richard Munson Sounds like ablation is the way to go. They did the maze procedure during my mitral repair. Jury still out on whether it worked.
John Mohr They did it in mine as well. Not having a bunch of Afib but a mixture of things. Have you had rhythm issues since surgery?
John Mohr writes, "Hope your surgery went well today! Just take it one day at a time. - John"
Dylan Kempers Thank you John! It went great! I’m writing from ICU. Thanks for reminding me to take it one day at a time.
Day 2 rehab
Back form rehab....2230 steps on the recumbent stepper and I was on 30 minutes. I still don't use my arms for it and my watch says 1413 steps as of right now. Crazy, wasn't even ... Read more
Marshall Rader Fantastic lynn, you're still my role model. Next Thursday the 29th.
Marshall Rader Hi Lynn, I was wondering are you driving yourself to the rehab. Stay optimistic
Lynn Loudermilk Yes I a driving myself to rehab. My cardiologist told me at 4 weeks out I could. He thinks 6-8 weeks is too long to wait and thought I was doing great so he said go ahead.
Michael Morrison I’ve seen several of you mention rehab. Is this an extra thing, my doc/surgeon never mentioned it.
Deena Elani Hey Michael, Cardiac rehab, while elective, is highly recommended. If you had a Physical Therapist in the hospital watching your first few walks, he/she might ... Read more
Deena Elani Lynn, that IS amazing. Must feel great to getting closer to feeling normal (well, new, improved normal:)
Cheryl Mann Way to go Lynn!
Lynn Loudermilk Thanks everyone, yes feeling good. I doubt I will do 12 weeks, I am thinking 2 months at the most. tomorrow I am 6 weeks out from surgery.
Deena Elani Lynn, so do you go to cardiac rehab, spend 30 min on the machine and then leave? Wondering how much more they will do with you after you get stronger?
Lynn Loudermilk Deena, eventually I will get to an hour. Amazing that I am at 30 minutes aftrer my 2nd time. I will also do stretching and weights I think. I signed up for ... Read more
Deena Elani Gotcha. Like the idea of the weight lifting too. Sounds like you are turning a big corner! Awesome.
Learn the facts about anemia after heart surgery including steps to resolve the issue.
Deena Elani I am about one month out from mitral and tricuspid valves repair. The Cardia Rehab Nurse Manager told me that it takes about three months to get my hemoglobin ... Read more
Nancy W Thank you. I’ll keep you posted.
Patrick (Ireland) writes, "I seen a video on Utube before your heart surgery. How are you doing now?"
Pain control...curious.
Those of you that are 4 weeks or more post op are you still taking pain meds? I haven't taken prescription pain meds since 1st week home and hve been avoiding taking any tylenol ... Read more
Marshall Rader No, if you don't mind the pain discomfort, then being on no pain pills is go for it !! So far you're doing fine. You're like a role model for me next after next week. Stay safe and optimistic Lynn
Lynn Loudermilk Thanks Marshall, you will do great!
Deena Elani Heck. I agree with Marshall; if you don’t really need the pills, don't use them. I stopped using oxy and tylenol after about 2.5 weeks at home, because ... Read more
Lynn Loudermilk Thanks Deena. Yes I also put heat on my sternum and back. Helps a lot.
Once you get to rehab that will happen. Doing jst a little more every day also helps. :)
Once you get to rehab that will happen. Doing jst a little more every day also helps. :)
Marshall Rader My wife bought a good processor !! She already making salad dressing etc !! LOL
David Smith I took mine til they ran out. I don’t mean to be too descriptive but, I had a couple extra incisions I didn’t expect. One down the right groin and one over ... Read more
David Smith And no Lynn you’re not hurting yourself. Probably doing your liver a favor
Rose Madura I tried to stay ahead of the pain but probably within a week was on nothing more than Tylenol.
Rita Savelis Pain is very personal. Do what you like. I hear you. I had SO many meds to take after OHS that the last thing I wanted to add was a pain med. Not everyone experiences ... Read more
Michael Morrison I started backing off at about 2.5 weeks, and by 3.5 weeks was managing with Tylenol as needed. My pain was really bad the first couple weeks, and my surgeon ... Read more
John Mohr I only took oxy a few times in the hospital but took Tylenol at hone at night for quite a while (month or two). Not sure it did much as I didn’t notice a huge change when I stopped taking it.
David Smith I still have some discomfort after 9 weeks. Just met my new Cardiologist. I was told it takes 6 months for the sternum to heal completely and I still have some ... Read more
Marshall Rader writes, "Hi Michael,.
How's your new journey fairing ?? 👍"
How's your new journey fairing ?? 👍"
Michael Morrison Hey Marshall, doing well! Almost at my 4 week mark and I’m able to manage pain with Tylenol as needed. Gaining strength every day.
Marshall Rader My journey begins next Thursday 👍👍. Stay optimistic
Michael Morrison Wishing you all the best! Praying for a very quick and speedy recovery for ya
Marshall Rader writes, "Hi Lynn,.
Was wondering how you're walking , and able to use arms better ? Stay Optimistic"
Was wondering how you're walking , and able to use arms better ? Stay Optimistic"
Lynn Loudermilk Marshall yea, the walking is very good and the guarding I had at first is close to being gone. Using my arms like to do things yes muuch better and showering ... Read more
Marshall Rader Fantastic !! The wife bought press button water jugs for inside / outside places !! Food Processor !! Button down shirts !! The list goes on 💜💜💜
Lynn Loudermilk Marshall we have a Berkey water filer canister and I make sure it is filled and there is a spigot to get the water out of. I love that thing. Our city water ... Read more
David Smith writes, "Welcome Nancy! Glad you found this site! We are all here to help. I am 9 weeks post op now and it was the best decision to get it done. I’m getting used to my valve (onx from ... Read more
Nervous...
With my scheduled May 11 surgery for aortic valve replacement, I find myself getting anxious. I think it's the fear of the unknown that is really bothering me. Fortunately for me, ... Read more
Lynn Loudermilk Hi Fred. Anxious is normal. I dealt with it by learning all I could, watching youtube videos and finding things on youtube that intrest me other than my normal ... Read more
Marie Myers I listened to calming U Tube videos, did yoga and meditation to help calm my nerves. I also took the 2 weeks before surgery off work to totally focus on myself. ... Read more
David Smith Due to the size of my ascending aorta aneurysm (6.2 cm), and the rate of growth, I only had 9 days to prepare. My symptoms of shortness of breath outweighed ... Read more
Jim Archer Hello Fred, a week before the surgery I learned that the ascending aorta was at 6.9 cm, then after reading some medical literature, it became apparent that ... Read more
Fred Earls One thing I've thought about, and several of you mentioned the quickness of your surgery. I purposely chose to wait after the surgeon gave me the "ok". I could ... Read more
David Smith Bourbon helped as well with the anxiety. 😊
Fred Earls David Smith...I'm not opposed to a sip here and there if it will help.
Joseph Heinzmann Fred, I'm reposting this from another person who asked so if you've already read it, sorry for the duplicate:
Do you have favorite movies? I'm a movie lover ... Read more
Do you have favorite movies? I'm a movie lover ... Read more
Fred Earls Joseph...Yes, I do pray, do often!
Favorite movies...WWII movies, probably not the best way to calm my nerves. Maybe so since I know how that story ends. ... Read more
Favorite movies...WWII movies, probably not the best way to calm my nerves. Maybe so since I know how that story ends. ... Read more
John Mohr As Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part. I had a few month wait and it was really hard. Music helped me relax and I was busy at work which in a way helped too. Hang in there!
David Smith It helped me relax.
Lynn Loudermilk writes, "Marshall thanks. I Still have sternum pain and my ribs hurt off and on BUT I expect that with fibromyalgia. I just literally know I will have pain longer. Yes I am doing well ... Read more
Marshall Rader writes, "Hello Nancy,
Feel free in reading my story , and you'll see what valve I chose !! 👍👍👍Stay optimistic and Safe"
Feel free in reading my story , and you'll see what valve I chose !! 👍👍👍Stay optimistic and Safe"
Cameron Peekposted a journal
2 days ago
Like | Susan Lynn, David Smith, Fred Earls and 2 others like this
Jericho by Andrew Ripp
Just like Cheryl I am having lots of anxiety about my surgery and recovery. I often use music for my relaxation. So often I fell like it is one of the many ways that God sends ... Read more
Marie Myers Music is a wonderful way to calm one’s mind. Perfect lyrics for all of us heart surgery patients on the Jericho song!
Susan Lynn Cameron - The wait before surgery can be very difficult. A piece of music that brings you comfort is the perfect way to distract your mind. Wishing you all the best!
Marshall Rader writes, "Hi Lynn , Wow, I'm so excited that you're doing so well. I'm looking for the same outcome. The only difference is I need to change my diet around because the one bypass with the LAD (Widowmaker)!! Cheers"
Question about anemia after mitral valve repair
Hi all,
I am 8 months after surgery, feeling very good, accepting that the med, Sotalol that I am prescribed for arrhythmia keeps me in slow gear when hiking or jogging. I’ve ... Read more
I am 8 months after surgery, feeling very good, accepting that the med, Sotalol that I am prescribed for arrhythmia keeps me in slow gear when hiking or jogging. I’ve ... Read more
Susan Lynn Nancy - I haven't heard of this before, but I'm anxious to follow your story. How serendipitous that you met a cardiologist while on vacation - I'm a big believer ... Read more
Upcoming Surgeries
Mary Scarlett
Aortic Stenosis
April 20, 2021
Paul Chicarello
Mitral Regurgitation
April 21, 2021
Megan Quillinan
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
April 23, 2021
Heart Hospital Map
Search for heart hospitals that specialize in heart valve treatment.