Barbara Leatherwood-Peteet - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Barbara Leatherwood-Peteetposted a journal

1555 days ago

I had my aortic valve surgery on September 23, 2019. I have had a less than ideal recovery process. Loss of hair began during my 8 day stay in the hospital. ...Read more

I had my aortic valve surgery on September 23, 2019. I have had a less than ideal recovery process. Loss of hair began during my 8 day stay in the hospital. I was home for 3 weeks and was re- admitted to the hospital due to massive blood clots in both legs, both lungs and left and right portions of the heart. I was put on blood thinners and now much of clots have been resolved, though some are “chronic” no new clots have formed. I really felt I was on the mend until I began to experience bright spots in my vision, vertigo and really bad headaches. Seems like others with this surgery have experienced similar symptoms. I just want to get better. Feel healthy and stop waking up most days feeling like crap. I do not know where to go for help.

Ann-Marie Dassler Hang in there; I hope it all improves

Marie Myers What does your doctor say?

Susan Lynn Barbara - You've definitely had a long and winding road to recovery, but you will get there. There ... Read more

Susan Lynn Barbara - You've definitely had a long and winding road to recovery, but you will get there. There's always someone here to offer you a few words of support - don't hesitate to reach out! Sending you a virtual hug! ❤

Alex Sigalov Hi Barbara, hope things get better for u; maybe try a different doctor if u are able to some are bett ... Read more

Alex Sigalov Hi Barbara, hope things get better for u; maybe try a different doctor if u are able to some are better than others

Rose Madura Hi Barbara. I had a rocky recovery also so I know how you feel. I too think you need to contact you ... Read more

Rose Madura Hi Barbara. I had a rocky recovery also so I know how you feel. I too think you need to contact your cardiologist for guidance.

Brian Hogge Best wishes for a continued recovery Barbara! I am two weeks out from open heart surgery for a bad v ... Read more

Brian Hogge Best wishes for a continued recovery Barbara! I am two weeks out from open heart surgery for a bad valve and aorta and can relate to the frustration. Every time something seems to go right, something else seems to come up bad. I can completely relate to waking up and feeling like "crap". I have use those same words for the past two weeks. I don't want to seem like a pill pusher, but the doctors in the hospital recommended giving me a dose of klonopin to help with anxiety/nerves. I am not really sure what type of mediation it is, but I think a low dose benzodiazapin. (Sorry bad spelling.) Not that the pill really solved the feeling like crap, but what it did help me with is that I realized the worry/anxiety of feeling like crap was making it 10 times worse. I guess it just helped put my mind at ease and helped me understand that feeling like crap is part of the recovery process and there was improvement day by day. I think I only got the pills twice, but it sure seemed to help and at least helped by understand the "crappy" feeling for what it is, something transitional and in reality I was getting a bit better each day. I hope tomorrow is a step in the right direction for you. Know that the crappy feeling does get better as time heals you. Best wishes and take care!

Marie Myers Sounds like Brian makes a good point. Sometimes the anxiety and stress of the whole experience color ... Read more

Marie Myers Sounds like Brian makes a good point. Sometimes the anxiety and stress of the whole experience colors your day to day thoughts. I would speak to your cardiologist/internist to get their thoughts. Hoping things turn around for you soon!