Audrey's Journal

Hi There
Back in 2011 I had heart surgery to replace an aortic heart valve. At the time the surgeon told me I should get 10-15 years of life out of the porcine valve. It is now 13 years since that day and the valve is starting to fail. For the past year I have had Heart failure and have had four admissions to our local hospital to remove fluid from my right lung due to the heart not pumping well enough. I am now 87 years old and wonder what my chances are of getting some heart surgery to correct this. I live in New Zealand and am not sure of how up to date we are in terms of heart operations for the elderly. Apart from the heart failure and some loss of kidney function I am a healthy person, good bone density and muscle tone, no joint problems and still alert and mentally functioning well. I would love to hear from people of a similar age who have undergone surgery or had similar problems to me.

I used to be a regular contributor to this community and it was my lifesaver at the time of my surgery in 2011, it got me through what was a worrying experience for me at the time. In the years since I have lived a full and active life and, hopefully, can look forward to a few more years of quality living.

I hope that there are new and different procedures available to me and I have an upcoming appointment with a cardiac specialist to discuss this in the coming weeks. Any information that you can give me would be helpful.

Its now three years since my valve replacement. Up until recently I have been in good health. We have recently returned from a holiday in the UK and Malta and shortly after our return I noticed that I was quite tired and had little energy. Initially I put it down to jetlag but I remembered some time last year I had a slow pulse rate which was caused by a high dose of Metropolol that I was taking. After the doctor reduced the dose it improved and everything was back to normal. Today my doctor took my pulse rate and we noted that it was fluctuating all the time between 52-60. She said that it may again be caused by the Metropolol being too high or it could be a blockage somewhere. My blood pressure was also higher than usual so she took an ECG reading and has made an appointment for me to see the cardiologist. This will be my first visit to a cardio since my operation. I am a little apprehensive and wondered if anyone has had a similar experience. Audrey

Well I\'m still \'tickin along\', enjoying good health and continuing to do lots of walking. John and I are about to leave in one week\'s time to visit Vancouver, Salem Oregon, Calgary and Medicine Hat with our Friendship Force Group for four weeks and really looking forward to it. This is the first time I have travelled overseas since my surgery. My doctor is pleased with my progress and only sees me each six months with a BP check in between. She cleared me for travel. I have an annual flu injection and so far this winter haven\'t even experienced a head cold. I feel sure that the secret to looking after yourself after surgery includes eating healthily, getting good exercise and generally having a positive attitude to life. To those of you who are about to undergo surgery - remember while it can be a bit scary, it is the start of a new life and once you get over the first few weeks follow your doctor\'s advice and look forward to a healthier future.

Well it\'s been a while since I added to my profile but I have kept \'checking in\' every now and again to keep in touch. My health is currently excellent, although I am still on some medication everything is going well and the blood pressure and cholesterol are well under control. Those of you who remember me will recall that I lost my partner shortly after surgery. I lived on my own for about twelve months and during this time I gained health, followed the exercise regime I had been given at the Cardiac clinic and began to realise that I had been given a new lease of life. I met a new man and we are now living on the North Shore of Auckland together having bought ourselves a lovely home. Being aware of my heart history my new partner John encourages me to keep up the exercise - we both enjoy walking and spend lovely days picknicking and walking around the beautiful beaches of Auckland. I have recently met my new doctor who has all my records so is up to date with the state of my health and she seems to think the heart is ticking along nicely. Just a question for those of you around my age (74) who had surgery about 18 months ago, do you find that you can manage hill walking without feeling tired? I notice that walking on the flat surface is no problem, I can walk for about 40 mins without the need for a break but going up steeper inclines I find I still need plenty of stops. I don\'t really feel that I have progressed so well on hill walking yet I don\'t have pain, just get a bit out of breath. I wonder if I have reached my limit and perhaps should stick to walking on the flat. I would be interested to hear from anyone who cares to answer. Audrey

Hi Folks It\'s been a while since I last wrote a journal entry. I have been going to regular exercise classes and walking several times a week to strengthen my heart. Medications have pretty well settled down now and I am feeling fine. I no longer have to sleep on my back or on several pillows stacked up - I sleep well too. My GP keeps a regular eye, each month to six weeks on my blood pressure and is very pleased with my progress. The cardiologist doesn\'t need to see me unless there is a problem. All in all I am happy and feeling pretty well back to normal. It is five months since I lost my partner and with some grief counselling I have made good progress with the living alone - it\'s different but in the process of more socialising have made some new friends and go out a lot to keep myself busy. Will check in again sometime. Good wishes to all those who are still to have their surgery. Audrey

Hi Folks I\'ve been a bit neglectful lately but I\'m still here and doing OK. I had a visit to the registrar at the local hospital to discuss the results of surgery and the recent ecoscan. He seemed very pleased with the results in general although I did ask him about the heart pounding and the fact that my GP had given me Lorazepam to help. He made little comment about the pounding which leads me to wonder if they have an answer for it? It seems to afflict so many heart valve patiens, both mechanical and tissue. It still bothers me and prevents me from feeling 100%. I have some days when it happens most of the day and other times I barely notice it. On a brighter note I now go to Cardiac Rehabilitation at the hospital. A six week programme to discuss lifestyle changes, diet and do some gym work. Its great just to meet and talk with other patients. I\'ve had to have a change to my blood pressure medication because I my readings had increased though not dangerous but the registrar thought a change of meds would be better. I have to wait a week before having the BP checked again. Slight headaches are usually an indication of raised BP for me. Still coming to terms with losing my partner but it is getting slightly easier as I now drive and can get around more to socialise. The evenings are the worst part of the day - the house is so quiet. I get lots of support though and have been going to grief counselling sessions which seem to help. Audrey Meyer

Still waiting for the ecocardiogram and visit to the cardiologist - they tell me an appointment should come along soon. Am still experiencing periods of heart pounding - mainly at night when I am lying down. It seems to take ages before settling down to a normal beat. I am not able to drive yet and this is preventing me from getting about during the day so am sick of the four walls. I\'ll be glad when I can start cardiac rehab to bring me into contact with others who have had surgery. In addition of course, am still grieving the loss of my partner - I feel certain this has slowed my recovery which is only natural. Thankfully I have family members who are calling in as often as possible and keeping in touch via texts, emails etc. Audrey

I\'m at home on my own now and moving about more freely all the time. Family have been wonderful at keeping in touch either by text, email or popping in to see me. I\'ve found it difficult and isolating without a car and am only waiting to see my doctor again to get the OK to drive. The only thing that has been holding me back has been a noisy heart sound - perfectly good rythmn and the ECG showed everything working normally but just a noisy heartbeat at the slightest exhertion. It keep it up for hours sometimes and I find myself concentrating on it. Consequently my blood pressure has increased, though not dangerously. My doctor is endeavouring to get me an early appointment for an ecocardiogram at the local hospital and shortly after an appointment with the cardiologist. My doctor doesn\'t seem to have an answer for this so she gave me a mild dose of Lorazepam which I can take three times a day as required. It does help but once worn off the hard beating comes back. I would be interested to know if anyone has experience this after surgery. It is the only thing that bothers me, other than that I am doing fine. Audrey Meyer

Hello Folks How the time does fly. Although I am still getting over losing my partner I am beginning to come to terms with it. I have been well looked after by some friends who took me into their home but am ready to go home on Thursday this week. I have been plagued with a dry cough which makes the chest ache which I think is caused by a constant drip of mucus from sinusitis. I am checking in with the doctor this morning to ensure there is nothing on the chest and hoping she can give me something to dry it up so that I can get better sleep. I am still sleeping partially propped up which seems to help but I\'ll be glad when I can get back onto my side - a natural sleeping position for me. Audrey

My dear friends Thank you for your comments and support. I am recovering but had a major personal setback about a week ago when my partner Geoff collapsed and passed away. It was the greatest shock as you can imagine. We have since gathered family together who have all been so supportive and taken over all the arrangements for funeral etc. After a week family have had to return to their homes so have arranged for me to stay with some close friends in my home town for a couple of weeks until I am able to cope alone. My doctor is pleased with my progress medically and I am gradually catching up on lost rest over the immediate event. I will check in from time to time and let you all know how things are progressing. Audrey

Hi Folks Had my drain sutures removed at our local clinic yesterday. I must admit to feeling very weak still and after every event, eg showering, need a big sit down to recover. I find I can\'t walk very many steps inside the house without the need to rest. Perhaps this is pretty normal but I suppose I expected to have a bit more energy as each day progressed. I\'m off to see my doctor on Thursday and will report back after that. In the meantime I would be interested in hearing from anyone who is slightly ahead of me and can reassure me. Audrey

Slowly does it. I am sleeping well now and have found that a tri-pillow bolstered with a few other pillows seems to keep me upright and so reduces coughing. The decision to order pre-cooked meals was a good one making mealtimes less a burden on Geoff who never did like being in the kitchen anyway! My daughter also cooked us several meals ahead ready to re-heat and yesterday someone sent me another three days worth of food - what great friends and family. I have now put in place some help - three days of help with showering and about six weeks worth of housework which should be a big help. It is surprising what little you have to do to find yourself a bit exhausted and I found out that I can\'t rush to answer the door or pick up the phone without being out of breath for a while. All in all I feel I am making a little bit of progress on a day to day basis - keeping an eye on the goal which is to regain fitness is the secret. The nurses at the hospital also encouraged me to keep a diary of how much walking I do each day so I can see it gradually increasing. Audrey

Well hello folks, here I am and already home from hospital. My surgery did go ahead on the 18th April as planned and I can\'t remember even going to the theatre so smooth was the journey. I have a brand new porcine (tissue) valve and me and the new valve are getting along just fine. The surgery wasn\'t without a little drama and it was about four days before I found out what exactly had happened. Apparently after surgery in the intensive care unit I had a bleed and had to be taken back to theatre to have the wound re-opened and repaired. I was found to have bled from venous cannulationsite and also from the right ventricle. I had a total ventilation time of 8 hours - no wonder I was knocked sideways a bit. Not that I remember anything about it but I do remember them trying to get me to wake up and I was unable to respond. However, folowing that I began to improve and progress after that was fairly swift. I did have a small session of atrial fibrillation but I was warned that about a third of patients can expect that. It was promptly dealt with and soon under control. It took me a few days to get back my appetite, by now I am eating well again. Yesterday I returned home on day 10. I cannot praise my surgeon, Dr Ahmed El Gamel and the Waikato Hospital staff enough - all my needs were met and I came home laden with all sorts of written information to help me back to recovery with a complete drug chart showing when and how much to take and the reason for the drug - very efficient I thought. I don\'t have a lot of concentration at the moment but will return to tell you more about my journey over the next few days. Audrey

I had another call from the hospital giving me a new date for surgery. I am to be admitted on Sunday 17th for surgery on the 18th - I am hoping it works this time with no more delays. I had a tentative start with the Tai Chi but found even those gentle exercises quite tiring so I have had to put off a start until after surgery. Hopefully, the next time I post will be after surgery. Audrey

Hello Folks Well I was almost there. I got into hospital last Wednesday with the op planned for Thursday and by 8.30 am Thursday morning I had a visit from the surgeon telling me that there would be another delay and I would have to go home. Apparently there are delays in the Intensive Care Unit with too many patients not clearing there in time for new ones coming in. At this stage I am likely to be called some time this week - I\'m keeping fingers crossed. Does anyone out there have experience with Tai Chi? I have made up my mind that I am would like to take it up when I return to good health. In the meantime I have been advised to start with a DVD on Qigong. I understand this is an even older form of the art. The person sending me the DVD tells me it is excellent prior to learning Tai Chi for calming nerves and keeping blood pressure down. She thinks it will be just what I need prior to surgery if I can fit it in prior to going to hospital. It is a very gentle form of exercise. I\'ll update when I have more news. Audrey

Oops! Here we go, my operation has been postponed for one week due to an emergency coming in. It is a bit disappointing but I was warned this could happen. The date is now Thursday 31st March so I will probably be back again with an update before then. Audrey

Hi folks A quick message to say I go into hospital next Wednesday to have my operation on the 24th March. This came sooner than expected which I am thankful for - not much time to dwell on it. I will keep my eye on the journals to see what is happening to everyone else until the time I go in. Audrey

I have now seen the surgeon who ascertained just what is required. It appears to be what he called a straightforward aortic valve replacement and went through the various risks one can face in surgery. As well of course we discussed the options for type of valve. While he said he was a strong supporter of mechanical valves he considered I would be best served with a tissue valve to avoid the long term use of Warfarin (I believe this may be the equivalent of what some of you call Coumadin). He did warn me however that it could still be that I may require Warfarin anyway. At this stage he picked up the phone to speak to my local cardiologist and confirmed that he felt the same way as the surgeon in terms of type of valve and agreed that I would initially be put on Warfarin for three months with the hope of removing this drug if it was no longer required. Also, the surgeon has the right to change the type of valve if it is found during surgery that this is necessary. In all, I was very satisfied with the visit and found him to be very down to earth in his explanations. He warned me about some of the things I have read in many of your journals - erratic heartbeat after the operation, sometimes a loss of some memory function, sometimes depression but he reassured me that these things can be overcome and usually are. It appears he will not be my surgeon as he requires surgery himself on one of his hands in the near future, but he tells me they have a wonderful team of professionals and I can feel confident that I am in good hands. The waiting time he said is likely to be weeks rather than months. Here in New Zealand heart patients are usually on a waiting list unless it is an emergency and it can be 3-6 months for some. So for now all I can do is look after myself and be patient until I\'m called.

At last I have a date to see the surgeon. I had to phone a couple of times to see why I hadn\'t heard and I think it\'s a case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Tomorrow I should be closer to finding out just when I am to have my operation and I will post after my visit.

Hi folks Still no date for surgery but my cardiologist now has the results of the scan and has written to the surgeon asking him to see me. Fortunately for me my arteries are in good shape so it seems that all I require is the replacement valve. The \'type\' hasn\'t yet been discussed. Things seem to move slowly when you are waiting but I try to allow for the fact that there are others more urgent than me. Audrey

The tape I ordered has arrived and I am using it. I find it very relaxing and plan to use it regularly until my surgery. Tomorrow is the aortic CT scan and once my cardiologist has the results of that things should move along hopefully towards an early date for surgery. It has helped me to keep my days pretty simple, ie, do chores in the morning and rest/read in the afternoon till it is time to make the evening meal. Audrey

Thank you to those who suggested a bed wedge. It makes perfectly good sense since I could use it after the operation as well. I am looking into buying one locally. I would still like to hear from anyone who has used one or has other things to suggest. Audrey

Hi folks Still waiting for a final scan on the 20th so nothing much to report this time. I am having difficulty sleeping at the moment and wondered if any of you found the same while you were waiting for your operation. One pillow, which is usually enough, just doesn\'t seem high enough anymore. I feel as if I need to semi sit up. Your comments would be appreciated. Audrey

I haven\'t yet received the CD and book Ruth, it takes a little while to get to New Zealand even by airmail. New Zealand is certainly a nice country, very beautiful scenery and a nice climate. I live in the north island in a coastal area visited a lot by tourists. We have several major hospitals but the one I will be having my surgery in is not our local one. It is about an hour and a half away by car in what is called the Waikato Hospital. A lot of heart surgery is performed there as they have a good cardiology team and, I\'m told, one of the world\'s best heart surgeons. I had a letter from my cardio today telling me the results of the catheter test which were positive and that no other surgery, apart from the valve replacement is necessary which is great news. He is waiting until I have an aortic scan on the 20th of January at which time he proposes to write to the surgeon at the Waikato Hospital asking him to see me to discuss the operation. You mentioned Canberra. I have been to Canberra on two occasions and it is a lovely clean city. I\'ve travelled to most parts of Australia now and lived in South Australia for a good many years until 1967 when I came to New Zealand. I was born in England (a Yorkshire lass!) and emigrated to Australia with my parents and my sister when I was 15. Till next time. Audrey

Hi Terry and Ruth Many thanks for the suggestions. I have ordered the book you mentioned through Amazon Ruth and will see how that goes. I\'ve never been to a hypnotist before but that is an interesting thought Terry should I need additional assistance. I\'ll keep you posted on my progress. Audrey

To Ruth, Amy and Terry, thank you so much for writing a message in my Guestbook. What a wonderful way to start off the another year with some new friends. I didn\'t see the new year in, but as midnight approached I reflected on the year that had been and welcomed in the new year full of hope for a healthier life. Your words are a great encouragement to me. Ruth, you mentioned some CD\'s to help you relax. If you feel like passing on any titles I would be interested. There are so many out there that a personal recommendation is a good way to sort them out. I\'m like a sponge at the moment, eager to soak up as much information as I can to make the journey more comfortable. Best wishes to you all. Audrey

This is the last day of 2010 and as I look back over the past few months I have learnt a lot about my condition, a lot more than I knew at the beginning. Like most people anxiety sets in when you are first told there is a need for surgery. My response to that was to find out as much as I could about valve replacements and talk to as many people as I could who I know that had had similar surgery. To say that I received comfort from this is an understatement. When I found Adam\'s book it was like finding gold. Since downloading the e book version I have read it through once and will no doubt re-read it several times in the coming weeks. To find, in addition to the book these journals was really special and I have enjoyed reading many stories and journal entries. I do not at this stage have a date for surgery but after having had various tests/X-Rays and most recently the catheter/angio test there is but one more to go late January, an aortic CT scan. My stenosis is described as \'severe\' so I am getting an impression surgery won\'t be too far away. I was very apprehensive about the catheter test and spent two days getting worked up about it. When the cardiologist visited me in hospital before the procedure I asked him if I would be sedated because I was very nervous (I already knew I was to be sedated but I wanted to make sure!), he assured me that I wouldn\'t remember much of it at all. He was right of course. After climbing on the narrow table and being introduced to the team that day I can only remember being told that \"this will sting a bit\" as the needle went in. After that all was blank and I was being wheeled back into the ward. At that point I asked myself why did I bother to get so worked up in the days beforehand. As we all know, it is difficult not to isn\'t it. There isn\'t a lot more to tell at this stage except that I am taking life very quietly during the waiting time and following my doctor\'s advice about not doing anything too strenuous. To all of you I would like to wish good health for the coming year and may 2011 be one of the best years of our lives.