BRENDA JUNIEL - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

40 days ago

Yumiko Ishida, Grace Mason , Patricia Hubel and 1 other reacted to this

8 weeks post op!! Follow-up appointment went well. Released to drive and return to work. Everything sounds good with aorticvalvereplacement. Weight down by ...Read more

8 weeks post op!! Follow-up appointment went well. Released to drive and return to work. Everything sounds good with aorticvalvereplacement. Weight down by 30lbs. I feel energetic today and resting alot better. Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers 🙏🏽 ❤️ 💕 ! This best website.

Sue Maize Such great news Brenda!! I’m so happy for you! 🎉👏🏻🙌🏻
well done on the weight loss ... Read more

Sue Maize Such great news Brenda!! I’m so happy for you! 🎉👏🏻🙌🏻
well done on the weight loss—that part has plateaued for me for a couple of weeks, but I’m sure I’ll get some helpful tips from rehab. I’m glad you’re resting better too, me as well—took a long time but it really helps the healing when we can get good sleep! Are you doing cardiac rehab? I’m so encouraged by your positive news! ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻

Ana Brusso Congratulations Brenda, thank you for sharing your good news. Continued good health and God bless you ... Read more

Ana Brusso Congratulations Brenda, thank you for sharing your good news. Continued good health and God bless you

Darrell Malone Awesome Brenda on your 8 week milestone.

Suelynn Hanegraaf Way to go, Brenda! 💕

Rose Madura Wonderful news!

Trisha Gross Good Job Brenda! Thanks for sharing and God is so Good!

Trygve Harris Great news, Brenda!

BRENDA JUNIEL Yes I am getting ready to cardiac rehabilitation. Thank you all and God bless each of you.

Suelynn Hanegraaf 🥰

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

57 days ago

Hey does anyone know of any financial assistance advocate services?

susan harris Each hospital should have a person or department to help with financial issues. Many manufacturers of ... Read more

susan harris Each hospital should have a person or department to help with financial issues. Many manufacturers of drugs, valves, stents, etc. have patient assistance programs. You have to meet certain income/asset levels to qualify. Info should be on their website.

BRENDA JUNIEL Thank you 😊

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

63 days ago

3 weeks post op! Stitches are out from drainage tubes. I am still sore on the left side, My endurance is better but I still fatigue easily.

Sue Maize So good to hear from you Brenda!! Just use this time to recover slowly…there’s no rush because yo ... Read more

Sue Maize So good to hear from you Brenda!! Just use this time to recover slowly…there’s no rush because your body knows what it needs. Slowing down is good for us, as is resting when we’re fatigued. God’s got you heart sister…keep trusting him! ❤️‍🩹🙏🏻🤗

Suzette Schear Welcome to the other side, so glad to see you back online. It’s normal to be fatigue, you just went ... Read more

Suzette Schear Welcome to the other side, so glad to see you back online. It’s normal to be fatigue, you just went through surgery and your body is healing.

Susan Lynn Brenda - Happy 3 week Anniversary! Sounds like you're progressing nicely. Unfortunately, the fat... Read more

Susan Lynn Brenda - Happy 3 week Anniversary! Sounds like you're progressing nicely. Unfortunately, the fatigue lasts for awhile - it was my last symptom to go. Keep up the great work - take it one day at a time.

Darrell Malone Good job Brenda. Sounds like you doing well. Only 3 weeks out. 👍🏻

Cátia Ribeiro How are you Brenda?

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

75 days ago

Does my incision site suppose to itch? No signs of infection or elevated temperature.

Richard Munson My mother used to say itching means healing. Scratching it may not be a good idea. Maybe screaming mi ... Read more

Richard Munson My mother used to say itching means healing. Scratching it may not be a good idea. Maybe screaming might work

Daneen Douglas Yes. Not an overwhelming itch but itching is suppose to mean it’s healing. Mine itched and continu ... Read more

Daneen Douglas Yes. Not an overwhelming itch but itching is suppose to mean it’s healing. Mine itched and continues to itch occasionally as it continues to heal.

BRENDA JUNIEL My surgeon called and as stated it is a part of my healing and recommended antihistamines. So right n ... Read more

BRENDA JUNIEL My surgeon called and as stated it is a part of my healing and recommended antihistamines. So right now I am doing better 😌

Suelynn Hanegraaf Oh good, Brenda!

Daneen Douglas Yay!😀

BRENDA JUNIELposted a journal

77 days ago

Rose Madura, Ted Niedziela, Cátia Ribeiro and 8 others reacted to this

Good morning Just wanted to share the power of God! Took my first walk outside at home on yesterday evening while the weather was a bit cooler. Times ...Read more

Good morning Just wanted to share the power of God! Took my first walk outside at home on yesterday evening while the weather was a bit cooler. Times flies by it has been 1 week yesterday with open ❤️ surgery, REMARKABLE, and GRATFUL!! HALLELUJAH I THANK YOU, JESUS. God blessing for all you this beautiful day.❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Cátia Ribeiro Wooow! Amazing. How are you today?

Adam Pick Go Brenda! Go!

Suelynn Hanegraaf So very wonderful to hear from you, Brenda! Joining with you in praising Jesus. Continued prayer... Read more

Suelynn Hanegraaf So very wonderful to hear from you, Brenda! Joining with you in praising Jesus. Continued prayers for a smooth recovery.

Marie Myers Great to hear!!

Rebecca Gober 🙏🏻🫶🏻🙏🏻

Cátia Ribeiro Brenda how are you today?

Mirza Baig I am so happy for you and praying for your complete recovery

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

77 days ago

Emily Parks, Diana Chamblin-Bevirt, Kristin Vano reacted to this

Post op day 7 aortic valve and CABG X4! Extremely sore yet moving around inside for now. When lI left the hopistal I was averaging 600 steps by post day 4... Read more

Post op day 7 aortic valve and CABG X4! Extremely sore yet moving around inside for now. When lI left the hopistal I was averaging 600 steps by post day 4. I ended staying in hospital 6 days.
Everything went great kidney function was evated but was 1.6 when I was discharged home looking for it to be normal next week follow-up!

Thank you all for you encouragement and prayers!!! This groups helps so much

Nancy Bukowski Welcome to recovery, Brenda! Slow and steady😀.

Emily Parks Hi Brenda welcome home sending prayers

God bless and keep up the good work.

Rose Madura Welcome home Brenda!

Ana Brusso Glad you are home. Continued healing and good health 🙏❤️❤️‍🩹

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt It sounds like you are doing great! Every day is another day towards complete healing. Hope you can r ... Read more

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt It sounds like you are doing great! Every day is another day towards complete healing. Hope you can relax now and grow stronger every day.😊💪

Pamela Gregory Welcome home Brenda! You did it!!! The scary part is over now just pack your patience and take it on... Read more

Pamela Gregory Welcome home Brenda! You did it!!! The scary part is over now just pack your patience and take it one day at a time

Cátia Ribeiro Welcome to recovery

Cátia Ribeiro

Hello Brenda

... Read more

Cátia Ribeiro

Hello Brenda

Sorry to ask, do you feel a lot of pain?

BRENDA JUNIEL

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

85 days ago

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt, Darrell Malone, Susan Lynn and 4 others reacted to this

Good morning I have arrived at the hospital and Praise God for his grace and mercy he has given to us on this day.

Marie Myers Have a smooth journey through surgery and recovery!

Cátia Ribeiro Praying your recovery goes very well!

Susan Lynn Enjoy the quick nap, Brenda! It'll be over before you know it. We'll be waiting for you!

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

Marlene Holder Hopefully your surgery is almost over and prayers for an awesome recovery!

Kathy Ozio Hope you are now in recovery and all went well! Can't wait to hear from you again!

Suelynn Hanegraaf 🙏🏻

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

86 days ago

Daneen Douglas, Susan Lynn, Teressa Phillips and 4 others reacted to this

My surgery is tomorrow!!!

Daneen Douglas It will be great to be on the other side. Anticipation is so nerve wracking. Praying for you and t... Read more

Daneen Douglas It will be great to be on the other side. Anticipation is so nerve wracking. Praying for you and the medical staff, for a good night of sleep and a very smooth day tomorrow! God has his covering over you.

Susan Lynn We'll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way! Wishing you all the best, Brenda!

Pam Dahl Good luck

Nancy Bukowski You got this, Brenda!!!

Ana Brusso Lifting you up in prayer for your successful surgery tomorrow. We will be here to welcome you into re ... Read more

Ana Brusso Lifting you up in prayer for your successful surgery tomorrow. We will be here to welcome you into recovery. God bless you ❤️‍🩹🙏❤️

Rex Austin Thoughts and prayers Brenda! You got this! There's a whole lot of folks on here that know what you' ... Read more

Rex Austin Thoughts and prayers Brenda! You got this! There's a whole lot of folks on here that know what you're going through! We will all be waiting to hear just how well everything went for you!

Suzette Schear Brenda wishing you the best for a successful surgery and recovery. Can’t wait to meet you on the ... Read more

Suzette Schear Brenda wishing you the best for a successful surgery and recovery. Can’t wait to meet you on the other side. You got this

Grace Mason Sending prayers and well wishes Brenda 🙏🏼💕

Diana Chamblin-Bevirt Good Luck Brenda!! Will be watching for your post-surgery updates!

Kathy Ozio Good luck! 🙏🙏

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

89 days ago

Adam Pick, BRENDA JUNIEL reacted to this

Did anyone gave OHS while being asymptomatic?Yet you know you have aortic stenosis or additional heart problems?

Marie Myers That was me. I knew i had a bicuspid valve with a murmur ,but i was always very active and healthy . ... Read more

Marie Myers That was me. I knew i had a bicuspid valve with a murmur ,but i was always very active and healthy . I had been monitored every 4-5 yrs with an echocardiogram by my PCP beginning in my 40’s. I had never seen a cardiologist UNTIL my echo showed an ascending aortic aneurysm in 2016. I had surgery in 2017. Since my surgery, I realize that I had more irregular heart beats before my surgery, and I rarely feel the irregular beats now. That was the only symptom I had.

Dan Fouratt yes, mine was found during a stress test. I wanted to go on but the three other in the room wanted ... Read more

Dan Fouratt yes, mine was found during a stress test. I wanted to go on but the three other in the room wanted me to stop. I did give up. however the next day at home I repeated the stress test 4 times and went to the next level the stopped me at. I have had my OHS and was still not feeling any thing.

BRENDA JUNIEL Okay because I am asymptomatic for most part. I am just nervous about everything I sometimes get so ... Read more

BRENDA JUNIEL Okay because I am asymptomatic for most part. I am just nervous about everything I sometimes get sob after showering and I have been having heaviness in my chest and blood pressure was elevated. Cardiologist said because of my aortic stenosis.

Yumiko Ishida Technically, yes. In my case it was mitral valve stenosis. First diagnosed 30+ years ago. I had it fo ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida Technically, yes. In my case it was mitral valve stenosis. First diagnosed 30+ years ago. I had it for so long, I got used to it. The only symptom I had for most of my life was shortness of breath when exercising, but I was still able to exercise regularly. No SOB otherwise, no fluid retention. Over the years, though, the valve stenosis caused my left atrium to enlarge. One day I went into afib, and was stuck there for 11 months until I got a cardioversion. So it wasn’t necessarily the severity of the stenosis or its symptoms that prompted me to get the valve replaced, but the discomfort of and fear of going back into afib.

Rose Madura I didn't think I was symptomatic but in hindsight, I attributed it to getting older but now (seven ye ... Read more

Rose Madura I didn't think I was symptomatic but in hindsight, I attributed it to getting older but now (seven years since my OHS) I feel better than I ever have. OHS is no picnic in the park but it's doable. Godspeed. 🙏

Adam Pick Great question. I was mostly asymptomatic until I was'nt. I had no issues with my aortic stenosis. ... Read more

Adam Pick Great question. I was mostly asymptomatic until I was'nt. I had no issues with my aortic stenosis. Then, one night when I was out at dinner, the left side of my body went numb. I ended up getting surgery a few weeks later. This is a really insidious, sneaky and dangerous disease.

Susan Dunne I had severe aortic stenosis and was asymptomatic until about a week before surgery. On the way to t ... Read more

Susan Dunne I had severe aortic stenosis and was asymptomatic until about a week before surgery. On the way to the hospital before a pre op test I suddenly couldn't breath. I guess that is how it happens .

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

90 days ago

Grace, the cardiac surgeon nurse, just called and canceled my surgery AGAIN!!

Karen Hommel I’m sorry it’s cancelled again, stay strong 🙏

Nancy Bukowski Hi Brenda, hang in there. I had this happen to me too and it's not easy.

BRENDA JUNIEL Do I need to get a second opinion? this is the 2nd time.

Daneen Douglas Oh wow! I’m sorry that happened.

BRENDA JUNIELposted an update

97 days ago

Adam Pick reacted to this

Did anyone have the left appendage procedure where it closes up left appendage as a preventive measure to reduce stroke and afib.

Valerie Allen Yes, I did at Cleveland Clinic after my aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair recently. I brou ... Read more

Valerie Allen Yes, I did at Cleveland Clinic after my aortic valve replacement and aneurysm repair recently. I brought it up after many people here recommended having it done while in there.

Adam Pick Brenda, Here’s some new info on that https://youtu.be/htlUkeGOyTw?si=TTLEiNdF4nJaLZqL

Dan Kozina My surgeon is doing that Monday during my Valve replacement ant Maze procedure. Hope it gets rid of t ... Read more

Dan Kozina My surgeon is doing that Monday during my Valve replacement ant Maze procedure. Hope it gets rid of the AFIB

Maggie Ma Dr Bolling did LAAL together with MVR and maze procedure for me last Thursday.

J Alexander Lassally If you have zero history of afib, the risk benefit needs to be discussed. I had zero past history, an ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally If you have zero history of afib, the risk benefit needs to be discussed. I had zero past history, and CC recommended I skip it. Depends on case, age etc.

Yumiko Ishida Yes. I got the maze procedure and LAA exclusion during my MVR. I had afib for 11 months and was more ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida Yes. I got the maze procedure and LAA exclusion during my MVR. I had afib for 11 months and was more interested in the maze and closing up the LAA than the valve replacement, but it doesn’t make sense to get the first two without replacing the valve, since the faulty MV was the root cause of the problem. Make sure you talk to your surgeon about it. Mine explained to me that the type that is installed from the inside, like the Watchman, can actually cause a clot, because it’s essentially a foreign object placed inside your heart. What I have is an AtriClip, which is placed on the outside.

BRENDA JUNIEL Well I do not have Afib at all currently. however prior to my surgery but it was suggested since I w ... Read more

BRENDA JUNIEL Well I do not have Afib at all currently. however prior to my surgery but it was suggested since I was getting a aortic valve replacement.

BRENDA JUNIEL yes the Articlip is what has been recommended for me as well if I get done.

Yumiko Ishida If it’s recommended I think you should get it. I don’t think it adds any significant time to your ... Read more

Yumiko Ishida If it’s recommended I think you should get it. I don’t think it adds any significant time to your surgery. Not sure anyone had recommended maze for you? That adds a little time, so it probably depends on your risk level, but considering how prevalent afib is post surgery, you may want to ask your surgeon if they think it’s worth it.

Andrea Babcock Best Wishes for your surgery and recovery!! My husband got aortic and mitral mechanical valves, maze ... Read more

Andrea Babcock Best Wishes for your surgery and recovery!! My husband got aortic and mitral mechanical valves, maze procedure and the clip during his surgery 4 month ago. He is doing great! No more Afib as far as we can tell, really good blood pressure. At 3 month after recovery we went on a 3 week trip to Europe which was already booked before we ever knew he needed heart surgery and included our annual visit to see my parents in Germany. We are back and after 4 month Dean is now back to home improvement work feeling good and strong. I wish the same for you!!! Hang in there. I all will work out.

BRENDA JUNIEL Thank you all for input and support. God bless you all