Alan Jamieson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Here's my newest picture!

April 24, 2019 Like |

One week left. Feeling a little anxious, but not too much. I give a lot of credit to this community and the great success stories that y'all have. Went ahead and took care of my beard and, while I was at it, shaved my head to make it easier post-op.

Alan Jamieson That all being said, I'm really sad about not having my facial hair.

Update posted on...

April 17, 2019

Two weeks to go. Got my dental preop next week, and then my actual preop two weeks from yesterday. I've been considering cutting caffeine (I drink a single cup of coffee in the morning) out before the surgery. My cardio doc says it's fine for me to keep on drinking it, but I know that I'll be asked to knock it off for a few weeks after the surgery. Maybe cut to avoid any additional discomfort due to caffeine withdrawal? Or, maybe I'll just sleep through it (and be distracted by the other discomforts). Anyone in the same boat?

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Rita Savelis No doctor ever asked me to cut out coffee, before or after OHS, and it was served at hospital....

Marie Myers I agree with Rita. I only drink 1 cup a day, and I continued my habit throughout the whole journey, including the hospital.

Marjorie Murphy Same here. One cup a day now and after surgery. In fact before surgery they ask if I was a coffee drinker. Said yes and I was given a caffeine pill right before surgery

William Fults Coffee should be fine, I drank it up to the last day before surgery, and didn't suffer any without it in recovery. Pain meds etc. probably helped ward off ... Read more

William Fults Coffee should be fine, I drank it up to the last day before surgery, and didn't suffer any without it in recovery. Pain meds etc. probably helped ward off any withdraw symptoms ( I used to drink A LOT of coffee!). I didn't drink any caffeine for a few weeks after the operation just because I was really watching my heart rate, but that was just a personal choice, they offered it to me in step down.

Bradley Dunn I did the same even though I wasn't asked. I think I skipped coffee for 6 weeks or so... Now I am back on the hard stuff.

Phyllis Petersen They didn't restrict it, even in the hospital. I could even have a drink the night before surgery, so long as I let them know. They can take all this into account. ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen They didn't restrict it, even in the hospital. I could even have a drink the night before surgery, so long as I let them know. They can take all this into account. The most important thing is not to hide anything that could affect anesthesia, etc.

Mike Roskowinski Just be honest when you get there and they will know what to do. I want to have a beer with my dinner the night before I go to surgery. I already told my surgeon. ... Read more

Mike Roskowinski Just be honest when you get there and they will know what to do. I want to have a beer with my dinner the night before I go to surgery. I already told my surgeon. I am sure you will be just fine with some coffee.

Alan Jamieson All - thanks for your information, nothing like the community coming in clutch for me. I swear I saw that I wasn't going to be able to have coffee post-op for ... Read more

Alan Jamieson All - thanks for your information, nothing like the community coming in clutch for me. I swear I saw that I wasn't going to be able to have coffee post-op for a few weeks, but I'll just keep on drinking my morning cup and let them know when I get there.

Alan Jamieson Y'all are the best.

Susan Lynn Alan - i don't know if coffee has the same effect for you as it does for others, but release from the hospital after surgery is contingent upon proving the ... Read more

Susan Lynn Alan - i don't know if coffee has the same effect for you as it does for others, but release from the hospital after surgery is contingent upon proving the ole' digestive system is in working order. I found my favorite Dunkin Donuts regular did the trick. 😉

Meredith Bray HAHA Susan, McDonald's coffee worked for me! I didn't give up coffee either. I had become so sensitive to coffee that leading up to surgery I had cut way back. ... Read more

Meredith Bray HAHA Susan, McDonald's coffee worked for me! I didn't give up coffee either. I had become so sensitive to coffee that leading up to surgery I had cut way back. My first cup of home coffee was wonderful the day I came home, and I haven't looked back. I love my brew!

Update posted on...

April 11, 2019

Three weeks out and we're all-in on our to-do lists. Plenty of stuff to keep me busy while I wait. Am I the only one that has gotten to this point and is actually looking forward to the surgery? Not in any sort of morbid way, but to get it done with so I'm not waiting around any longer. Still asymptomatic, but ready to get to recovery so I can get past it and lift my kiddos again.

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Mike Roskowinski I am right there with you Alan. I am ready to get this fixed and move on. May 6th for me! I have every emotion in the world going through my mind. But one ... Read more

Mike Roskowinski I am right there with you Alan. I am ready to get this fixed and move on. May 6th for me! I have every emotion in the world going through my mind. But one is excited and happy to get it fixed and move on with life. Also I am asymptomatic! I am going to the gym 7 days a week right now to keep my cardio going right up to surgery. Yesterday I played 7 games of volleyball in league and felt great afterwards. I am very athletic and hope that helps in my recovery. I will share my journey with you and Peter Eglinton as he is also scheduled on 4/29. we got us 3 going right together

Alan Jamieson I was pretty active prior to the latest cardiologist visit where he told me to knock off any exercise, so I haven't been doing much and it's driving me nuts. Can't wait to get this over with!

Susan Lynn Been there, Alan. You're mentally where you need to be before surgery - ready to put it behind you! All the best!

A bit more waiting

Journal posted on March 29, 2019

We're 5 weeks away from the surgery (May 1st) up at Medstar Washington. The good news is that it is the busiest time of the semester for me and my family, so we haven't had much time to dwell on the upcoming surgery and recovery. We had hopes that I would be able to get the TAVR procedure that had the study wrap up recently, but because I have a bicuspid valve, it rules me out. For now, we're waiting and, in bits and pieces, getting the house ready (I bought a recliner!) and everything set before May 1st.

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Bradley Dunn Lots of human resources here. Ask away if you have questions.

Civita Fahey Bradley is right.. ask away we are all willing to help.

Alan Jamieson Thanks all, I really appreciate the support!

Mark Jaycox Alan, I also had a bicuspid valve and couldn’t do TAVR. I went with the Edwards Resilia valve and couldn’t be happier. It’s amazing how fast time flys ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Alan, I also had a bicuspid valve and couldn’t do TAVR. I went with the Edwards Resilia valve and couldn’t be happier. It’s amazing how fast time flys by. You’ll do fine and book that vacation so you reward yourself and family after your surgery.

Mike Roskowinski Hey Alan welcome to the community. I myself also at the ripe old age of 39 found out I have a unicuspid valve and aneurysm. I am set for surgery on May 6th ... Read more

Mike Roskowinski Hey Alan welcome to the community. I myself also at the ripe old age of 39 found out I have a unicuspid valve and aneurysm. I am set for surgery on May 6th to do the repairs through OHS. Somethings that I have purchased are easy slip on shoes, eye cover (with ear plugs :)) for sleeping since my recliner is in the living room and gets lots of sun. Recliner is all setup and tested. One important thing I am doing is paying attention to what I use daily that is above shoulder level. I was told that I would not be wanting to reach for things for a few weeks after surgery. Get plates/bowls/cups and anything else that you may use down. Also since we are going to be on a lifting restriction I have asked my family to help store anything (milk, juice, containers) in smaller containers so that I am able to lift them on my own. I also am planning to purchase a new FitBit to keep track of my daily steps to see how well I am recovering. I will let you know if I think of any other things. God Bless and good luck!

Waiting's difficult

Journal posted on February 8, 2019

Over the holidays, I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis at the ripe old age of 37. Turns out, like many of you, I had a bicuspid valve, and a routine physical picked up a heart murmur. I have Crohn's disease, and the thought is that the inflammation caused by Crohn's accelerated the deterioration of the valve. I'm not sure. Regardless, my valve measured at 0.7, and replacement is in my near future. Right now my family and I are going through the second opinion procedure, and I'm hoping that the answer is that the surgery can wait until I've wrapped up my semester (I'm a professor).

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Molly Ivers Good luck Alan! Do you have any of the symptoms they talk about? I was very asymptomatic for the most part. But I was lucky they didn't wait for me to startt ... Read more

Molly Ivers Good luck Alan! Do you have any of the symptoms they talk about? I was very asymptomatic for the most part. But I was lucky they didn't wait for me to startt fainting - they knew I needed a new valve and time was of the essence. My recovery was very quick.

Alan Jamieson Thanks! I don't have any symptoms beyond the heart murmur. I was warned that they might start appearing considering that my stenosis is quite advanced. I'm hoping that it holds off!

Molly Ivers Hi Alan, your story sounds similar to mine. They docs kept telling me - you don't realize how much of your life you are missing...always making excuses because ... Read more

Molly Ivers Hi Alan, your story sounds similar to mine. They docs kept telling me - you don't realize how much of your life you are missing...always making excuses because you are so tired. In a way they were right, I do have more energy now, but not "10 years younger" energy they sold me on! My cardiologist says once I get back in condition I will feel more energetic. Good luck to you, keep me posted. You'll be glad you did it, better to get it done before any symptoms happen so you will heal fast.