Andrea's Journal

Laura Larkner  Happy to hear about the good travel experience for both of you.  That was a robust vacation relatively early after Dean's surgery.  This will inspire me. I retired just about two years ago with hopes/plans for lots of travel.  I've been staying close to home the past year with worsening aortic stenosis and onset of symptoms.  My valve replacement is scheduled for next month and I look forward to beginning the healing process and the retirement travel.  How soon have others felt up to taking trips post surgery?

Andrea Babcock  Best wishes for your surgery Laura!!! The waiting for the surgery is the worst part. You got this! Dean was very fit and active without symptoms prior to his surgery so I think his recovery went so well due to this. We traveled so soon because it was already booked before we knew he needed surgery and my parents are getting older (85 & 90) so we had to go see them and do that vacation together. We did some smaller hikes at 4,600 elevation prior to the trip and he did really good so we knew flying and active trip would be okay for him and it was. Maybe just give yourself 6 month before a bigger trip and do a active long weekend and some light hikes prior. 

Sue Maize  Wonderful news that we love to hear! So glad he’s doing so well! Enjoy Europe—I can’t wait to re-schedule my Italy trip that was planned for right now. 

Dan S-otts  In my case I started using 5/8lb weights sitting in a chair and doing curls about week 3. As long as Dean doesn’t experience any pain, or feel sternum shifting. As you know everyone’s on a slightly different adventure to the same  Goal!
Take Good Care! 💔❤️‍🩹❤️

David Rasmusson  Because my surgeon primarily installed plates, I was allowed to lift 10 lbs the day after surgery, although I didn’t have the opportunity until 5 days later when discharged.

Brady Busch  My surgery was in November and cardiac rehab started in March,which included using light weights.One of the aids commented,that it was a little late and a lot of people start,a few weeks after.

Rose Madura  Great picture and progress. Thanks for the update. I wish I thought to use weights.. I now have those "old people flappy arms" so I'm using weights now. 🤪🥺 I would ask the doctor if it's ok.

Susan Lynn  I had a five-pound lifting restriction for three months and didn't have a sternum cut. The weight is taxing on the heart, chest muscles, and probably puts unnecessary strain on internal sutures. Definitely a question for the doctor.

Pam Dahl  So nice to be 19 days out!  Maybe do 2 or 3 pound.  My hubbys dr said no more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks.  

Yumiko Ishida  I was told 6 weeks, and even then to start gradually. I read that with rigid plate fixation you can start earlier, but if that is the case your surgeon would have given you specific instructions. The bone takes time to heal. I found this article / video informative: https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2017/12/12/sternum-healing-infection/

Andrea Babcock  His blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen are all good in normal range. His Afib still comes and goes but we are told it could still go away. He never feels it.  They just told us at the hospital.  They did the maze ablation during surgery. Fingers crossed that it will still go away and he will be in normal sinus.

Pam Dahl  Such great news!  That must so nice being done with the surgery.  Continued healing and strength for both of you!

Susan Lynn  He looks great for Day 9! The fatigue does linger for quite awhile and showers were exhausting for me for a long time. Keep them short and warm - not hot. I never knew a shower could drop blood pressure.

I wish Dean continued success with the remainder of his recovery!

Dan S-otts  👍🏻 Good to hear. Dean, the scar will be a reminder in a few years that you actually had OHS. Some days I look in the mirror and can’t believe it happened. Take Good Care! 💔❤️‍🩹❤️

Ana Brusso  Home sweet home. Congratulations Dean. Don’t mind the scar, it saved your life. Continued good health and God bless you and Andrea. 🙏❤️❤️‍🩹

Rose Madura  Wonderful news!  Don't worry about the scar, I. A year or two, you won't even notice it. Remember, slow and steady.  Glad you are taking naps when you need them.

  Quote from Arnold: Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.

Looking good Dean 👍. Maybe you can add an impersonation video for us.😀

Susan Eckermann  Great news! He’s doing amazing and fortunate to have a wonderful caretaker.  I also had Maze and it took 3-4 months until my A-fib resolved. The scar will fade,  but it is an earned badge of honor. I was so concerned about mine initially, but 1+ year post-surgery, it’s very faint and I wear it proudly.  Best wishes for continued strong and successful recovery. 

Teresa Karwan  So encouraging to see and hear. Thank you for sharing. He is blessed to have such a wonderful wife! 

Sue Maize  Great news Andrea! Thanks for updating us and please let Dean know we’re all here for him and cheering him on! Sleep well! 😴💕

Grace Mason   Excellent! ❤️. So nice to get catheters, drain tubes and temporary pacemaker out. Each a step forward. Dean is doing great.

Dan S-otts  🙏🏼 Keep it going Dean! 👍🏻 In a short time things will be better than you could imagine. 

Adam Pick  Wow! Double Wow! Triple Wow! Thanks so much for the kind words Andrea. This picture and your post just made my day, my week, my month, my year! So happy to learn how the educational resources and wonderful people have supported you and Dean along your journey. My thoughts are with you!

Rose Madura  Hi Andrea. You guys have A lot on your plate right now. I'm sorry you have to deal with it. For me, I did not have any kidney issues. I will pray for you guys. 🔥💪🙏

Andrea Babcock  Thank you for sharing your experiences. He is already drinking Electrolytes as of today hoping that will help his kidneys after the surgery. 

Karen Hommel  You have a lot going on, tell Dean I will light a candle for him and say a prayer tomorrow. Also for his dad. I had a mitral valve replacement, tricuspid repair and a Maze procedure Oct 6, the surgery was immediately successful and i did very well, no kidney issues. I am lifting weights in cardiac rehab and have tons of energy. There is a light ahead and a new lease on life. 

Andrea Babcock  The candles worked. Dean's Dad is getting better and Dean had a successful surgery and already made a joke on day 1. 

Andrea Babcock  Sad Update: Dean's Father past away end of February. At least I was able to get Dean to see him one more time 3 weeks after his own surgery. 

Grace Mason   Welcome Andrea & Dean! You can find lots of info in the search or if you have specific questions someone or several members usually can offer some information or experiences.

Deena Z  Hi Andrea, you're a strong and savvy wife and person to being acting as your husband's advocate. This is the best site on the internet that I have seen to give you fast and accurate information from a patient's experience and from many surgeons'. There are so many videos, etc.

Your husband does in deed look super young for being 64. He must be doing a lot of things right..

Susan Lynn  Welcome Andrea and Dean! I have visited beautiful Lake Elsinore- you're so lucky to call it your home. I can tell you, heart surgery is truly a team effort. My sister and husband were my biggest cheerleaders. Every bit of the process is very tolerable and it helps when you have a support system. You will both get through this with flying colors!

J Alexander Lassally  Best of luck as this unfolds. Sounds good having two surgeons. In my research I found that this is a highly fractionated world, so best to get the right specialists and work in harmony rather than try to over extend.  Best of luck. (I had my mitral valve  open 6 weeks ago.... steady goes it!) 

Laurent G  Welcome aboard to both of you. It's a 3-6 month flight, probably some light chops from time to time, but fair weather at landing 🙂
Most of us will tell you the worst part is your next 5 weeks before surgery : you are in line for check-in at LAX. 
For sure, you are in the right place to get support

Rita Savelis  Hello Andrea and Dean. I'm sorry that you have to go through this. I also had 2 valves replaced (with mechanical valves) almost 9 years ago at age 53. I was in good health at the time but my heart valve stenosis was due to radiation therapy I had as a teenager. OHS and mechanical valves are usually the best choice for double valve surgery. I know the pre-surgery anxiety must be hard for Dean and even harder for you, because caretakers and loved ones often have just as hard an experience as patients. Wishing you the best.

Andrea Babcock  Thank you so very much for all of your comments and encouragement. I truly appreciate your words. I will look up your journey's as well. I just got the surgeon's name and will add it to our info. I received assurance that Dean has a very experienced surgeon and he is the Chief Heart surgeon at this hospital with 29 years of experience doing heart valve surgeries. I am feeling a little better now. The waiting is killing both of us and I have been  reading and researching until my brain starts smoking. We have been staying sane by spending lots of time in nature and doing easy hikes. I am taking him to San Diego to the beach next weekend again to keep him in a positive mind set. But at night we lay in bed awake admitting to each other that we are just very scared. Prior to knowing how bad Dean's valves are we booked a trip to Munich in May to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary with my parents that live there (Dad is 90) in the place where we got married and together going for a week to Crete, Greece. Our big goal is for Dean to be recovered enough to take this trip still. We have 3 month from the day of his surgery. Wish us Luck!!

Abhishek Sharma  I m 38, valve replaced 3 month ago, now i feel better and energetic than before.. soo don't worry everything will be fine. Praying for your husband.. god bless u both