Andrea's Journal

Today, a lovely sunny English Sunday, marks the two year anniversary of my aortic valve re-do. It was a day that I remember very little of, but the great thing is that I was fixed and am now living a great life again. I shall always be grateful to my surgeon, Mr Mariscalco. I didn’t have an easy ride but your body can recover in a relatively short period of time. I know that you won’t think that when you are in the midst of recovery but you will look back and realise that you made it! I am posting this because I feel a bit guilty. Two years ago I looked to this site for support which I found very comforting. As I recovered I visited less and less. However, this forum is about supporting as well as being supported. I shall try to visit more often! Best wishes to everyone who is in the position I was two years ago.

Today is the one year anniversary of my AVR redo and I can’t believe how quickly the last year has flown by. An eight hour surgery meant that I lost two days of the year out for the count with fantastic care (three days in intensive care) and nearly two weeks in high dependency (again fantastic care) The next few months were spent gradually recuperating with a couple of easily surmountable setbacks (a chest infection and suspected TIA). Luckily the weather was so much better than it is here in England at the moment and I spent a lot of time enjoying the sun in the garden. Sunshine makes all the difference! I longed to feel ‘normal ‘ and suddenly without realising it it happened. Positive things came out of this experience. I am alive and nothing holds me back! My philosophy is that I didn’t go through this to sit down, I make the most of every day. We have spent a lot of time travelling - Spain, Sicily, Italy, Poland (to see Andrea Bocelli), Chicago, where my partner completed the marathon, a bridge too far for me, and Florida. Probably the most wonderful thing is that I found out who my friends are, to coin a phrase. My partner, Tino looked after me, as did my daughters. My three sisters were always there for me and I was visited by numerous friends who showered me wth flowers and cake. I always knew I had a great family and wonderful friends and this was proof of it. To anyone facing surgery I would just like to say that I understand your fear and trepidation. It’s an enormous thing to face, but with the skill and care of the surgeons and staff you will come through it and be able to look back as I do now and appreciate the positives. This forum has been a big help - you know that you are not the only one going through this and it’s a big support. I’m pleased to report that I had my one year check up the other day, and for the first time in 13 years I’m being discharged. I’ll continue to visit the forum and wish all of you the best for your upcoming surgeries and speedy recoveries.

After two weeks, most of which have been a blur, I'm back home. It feels great and we've had a beautiful Spring day to welcome me! Thank you for the support and good wishes leading up to the op. I'm still very weak and everything is an effort, but I know that each day I should be feeling a little bit better.

A week ago today I was taken into surgery. Unfortunately it turned out to be far more complicated than anticipated and took 8 hours. I came out of intensive care on Tuesday to a high dependency unit where I remain. I need a pacemaker fitted and hopefully that will be done tomorrow. I can't deny it's been an ordeal but I'll get there! I'm struggling to do this PST on my phone and don't have wifi for my iPad so may not be in touch with you as much as I'd like. Best wishes to those awaiting imminent surgery and those of you still recovering.

Having been told that it's all systems go for tomorrow, we're just about to leave for the hospital. I'm feeling a bit wobbly and will be glad to get it behind me! Sunday is Mother's Day in the U.K. My lovely daughters gave me an early present - a one touch kettle. It means that I can have a bit of independence when I get back home and will be able to make myself a cup of coffee.

I am just home from my pre op. CT scan on Monday, then all set for admission on Thursday and surgery on Friday. For anyone who read a previous post of mine about not being able to raise yourself up using your arms, it seems the guidelines are changed. Now I have been you that as long as you do it with both arms equally and gently it shouldn't be a problem. Also, the guidelines re the wearing of a bra (gentlemen look away now!) have changed and for the less well endowed not an essential.

Having been told my surgery would be on 14th March, I then discovered it was to be in May. I received a phone call at lunchtime today saying it would be 24th March. Pre op appointment tomorrow afternoon, CT scan next Monday and hospital admission on Thursday. I'm now feeling wobbly again but will be so glad to get it all behind me and on the road to recovery.