Beth Saunders - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2397 days ago

Barbara Wood, Bob Gillespie reacted to this

Avr went fine but developed fluid buildup in lungs so stlli in ICU. Slowly getting rid of it. Making slow progress and using all my energy to get well. So will ...Read more

Avr went fine but developed fluid buildup in lungs so stlli in ICU. Slowly getting rid of it. Making slow progress and using all my energy to get well. So will post when I can. Thanks for all the encouragement!

Gerald Poulton Welcome to the recovery side Beth 👍Good to always try to cough or get fluids up, it is to bad they ... Read more

Gerald Poulton Welcome to the recovery side Beth 👍Good to always try to cough or get fluids up, it is to bad they don't emphasize how much lung capacity you can loose, I jogged and walked before surgery and did lung capacity exercises and in about 4 hours of OHS I lost 60 % of my lung capacity, good news is if you work at it, it comes back.
Now rest and recover and take care of you 💐

Prayers sent your way.

Jane Neulieb We are thinking of you Beth, modern medicine knows what to do for that and soon you will be up and ou ... Read more

Jane Neulieb We are thinking of you Beth, modern medicine knows what to do for that and soon you will be up and out of ICU. Keep us posted of your progress!!

Awesome. I'm 2 days out of ICU and prob going home 2mrw. I found a Heart Hugger brilliant when doing ... Read more

Awesome. I'm 2 days out of ICU and prob going home 2mrw. I found a Heart Hugger brilliant when doing incentive spirometer. Best of luck and hope things go well for you. It's an interesting journey 💜

Lilly Black Great to hear! yes, one day at a time, Beth. I had the same thing happen with my lungs as well....tak ... Read more

Lilly Black Great to hear! yes, one day at a time, Beth. I had the same thing happen with my lungs as well....take care, and I hope you have a speedy recovery!

Scott BLAIR I had what I felt was an 'extended' stay in ICU after my MVR. Everyone is different of course. Trust ... Read more

Scott BLAIR I had what I felt was an 'extended' stay in ICU after my MVR. Everyone is different of course. Trust your ICU carers, and as Lilly says - one day at a time.

Beth Saunders posted a journal

2401 days ago

Leslie Bakos and 11 others reacted to this

Just finished pre-op blood work, tests, and paperwork. Get to spend one more night in my own bed, then heading to hospital at 5:30 am for first surgery of ...Read more

Just finished pre-op blood work, tests, and paperwork. Get to spend one more night in my own bed, then heading to hospital at 5:30 am for first surgery of the day. Met with my surgeon Dr. Mark Katz and he was very reassuring and informative at the same time. Actually ready to get this done and be posting recovery news! I have felt slightly nauseous after every meal for the last few days- maybe a combination of nerves and heart regurgitation. Noticing more frequent chest pain- which makes it easier to accept that this is the right time for surgery for me. Good luck to those in surgery today and those who will be in surgery later this week. And thank you to all the veterans on this sight who have been so helpful and encouraging to me. I look forward to seeing everyone on the other side!

Barbra Allen Blessings sent your way. Keeping you in prayer and thoughts

Tina Williams Heartfelt prayers for you Beth!

Leslie Bakos We are waiting for you Beth. You are much braver than me!!!

Prayers for you and your heart team.

Kenneth Hart Godspeed on your surgery and recovery - know that you are in good hands.

Jennifer McInerney Prayers are with you Beth.

Love and light to you 💜💖

Gerald Poulton Much better on the recovery side, early surgery is best, I had the same 🙏

Lilly Black Wishing you the best outcome! ✌️🤞

Janice Smith Many thoughts and prayers coming your way for you and your surgeons.

Charlene Lanigan Good luck with your surgery! You'll be fine and back to your normal self in no time! I'm 7 months i ... Read more

Charlene Lanigan Good luck with your surgery! You'll be fine and back to your normal self in no time! I'm 7 months in and feel like a new person!

Beth Saunders posted a journal

2405 days ago

I discovered this site after reading Adam's book and found it encouraging to read other people's success stories. Hoping to add my successful experience next ...Read more

I discovered this site after reading Adam's book and found it encouraging to read other people's success stories. Hoping to add my successful experience next Tuesday September 19 when I have my aortic valve replaced.

Jill Lawrence I just had mine done about 2 weeks ago - you can do it! We're cheering you on! (I got a piggy valve i ... Read more

Jill Lawrence I just had mine done about 2 weeks ago - you can do it! We're cheering you on! (I got a piggy valve instead of mechanical).

pam williams Hi Beth I had my aortic valve replaced 10 months ago I got a bovine valve and doing good, best wishes ... Read more

pam williams Hi Beth I had my aortic valve replaced 10 months ago I got a bovine valve and doing good, best wishes for the 19th you will be just fine x

Beth Saunders Thank you Jill and Pam. Mine will be a bovine valve also. Glad to hear how well you are both doing. H ... Read more

Beth Saunders Thank you Jill and Pam. Mine will be a bovine valve also. Glad to hear how well you are both doing. Have you had any trouble with the scar? Any advice on what was most help to you? Thanks ladies!

Franklin Wyrick Hi Beth. It has been 15 months since I had a bovine aortic valve installed. I walked a 1/4 mile or ... Read more

Franklin Wyrick Hi Beth. It has been 15 months since I had a bovine aortic valve installed. I walked a 1/4 mile or so the first day and was in the hospital 4 and a half days. I have been doing great ever since. The worst part is not being able to sleep on my side for about a month. The scar is minimal and barely noticeable. Good luck, I'm sure you will do fine.

Beth Saunders Thanks Franklin- I am a side sleeper too, but have been practicing on my back. I hope my recovery go ... Read more

Beth Saunders Thanks Franklin- I am a side sleeper too, but have been practicing on my back. I hope my recovery goes as well as yours!

Gerald Poulton Hi Beth, 5 weeks yesterday and Bovine tissue valve as well. The surgery is a lot easier and less pain ... Read more

Gerald Poulton Hi Beth, 5 weeks yesterday and Bovine tissue valve as well. The surgery is a lot easier and less painfull than most think, I was able to lay towards my side in the hospital, the nurses would prop a pillow behind my back, out on day 4 and slept in my bed since, was able to sleep on either side from my first day home. Just have to remember to roll carefully and protect the sternum, I used my pillow a lot both for hugging and as a reminder that I couldn't do certain things that I was used to doing. You will do fine, relax and try not to stress your body, I am convinced that causes complications and can bring
on Atril Fibrilation. All the best 💐

Civita Fahey Hi Beth I had mine done just shy of 5 months ago.. you can read my journal.. I was terrifed and thoug ... Read more

Civita Fahey Hi Beth I had mine done just shy of 5 months ago.. you can read my journal.. I was terrifed and though nothing to laugh at, it wasn't as a bad as I thought.. you will do great. just have faith in doctors and keep positive.. I also chose a tissue valve, they went with the bovine .. I feel great.. I;d be happy to answer any questions

Jill Lawrence One thing is my throat was sore when I got home from the ventilator and fruit popsicles did the trick ... Read more

Jill Lawrence One thing is my throat was sore when I got home from the ventilator and fruit popsicles did the trick. Having an enormous amount of pillows helps (I got a pregnancy pillow that wraps around me and it is heaven - I slept on my side right away. Also having something to sit on when showering is good - we used a small step ladder covered in a towel.

Beth Saunders Thanks everyone for the encouragement and helpful tips. It is truly comforting to hear from those wh ... Read more

Beth Saunders Thanks everyone for the encouragement and helpful tips. It is truly comforting to hear from those who have been through this and helps to manage the anxiety.

Rose Madura Best wishes for a successful surgery and uneventful recovery.

Wishing you all the best. I'm following you on Thurs for AVR.
Hope your recovery goes very smooth � ... Read more

Wishing you all the best. I'm following you on Thurs for AVR.
Hope your recovery goes very smooth 💜

Barbara Wood Best wishes Beth! It is so so great to have it over & behind you!

Wanda Mroz Best wishes for a successful surgery and smooth recovery Beth! 💞🙏🏻

Laura Jacobs I am wishing you well Beth! You are going to do great! You will be sore but nothing you cannot handl ... Read more

Laura Jacobs I am wishing you well Beth! You are going to do great! You will be sore but nothing you cannot handle and remember you can manage your pain meds along with your doctor if you feel more than uncomfortable.