Caroline's Journal

Robert Miller  It sounds like you had a rough time but apparently you are over most of it now which is all that counts!! You might have some setbacks but in the long-term you will feel better. Hang in there.

Did you have afib before the surgery? If so, did they do the maze procedure? I did get the maze procedure done and my heart didn't beat by itself for I believe 3-4 days. Supposedly it has to find the new "electrical signal path". Afib is not uncommon after surgery. In your case they put in a "wonderful, fabulous" pacemaker, though so hopefully that helps. 

Did they take the appendix out? I was told that's a standard procedure but I just learned that this isn't always done. It helps staying off blood thinner if you do have afib (so I am being told). 

Klara Čičić  Dear Caroline, you have been through a lot! I am so glad now everything is fine. Congratulations on your surgery and pulling through all of that. Most of us don't have straightforward recovery. I am 4months out and still have my struggles. Hang in there and keep us updated! 

Rose Madura  Hi Caroline. I had a lot of Afib and Aflutter complications that landed me back in the hospital 4 times after my initial release.   You can read my journal if you want more information. Not all recoveries are textbook and I'm sorry you had a rough time.  

Brady Busch  My surgery went well,with a new aortic valve and repair of the mitral.Then afib started in the ICU and one night had sinus block,for about ten seconds.
A decision was made then,to install a pacemaker.So,we might have the same one,Caroline.Mine is a St.Jude(Abbott). A nurse practitioner called it a super yacht,compared to the older versions,that were like dinghies.The thing picked up all the AF episodes,after placement,which thankfully ended about a month later.

Alex Sagan  Caroline! We were in the Cleveland Clinic ICU together.  Sorry to hear about the complications. After my OHS, I went through a period of complete block with no natural conduction, and then a period of atrial flutter. They recommended a heart shock, known as cardioversion to reset the hearts, electrical signals, and I did that.  Seems that it worked and I probably avoided a pacemaker for now. Good luck with the rest of your recovery.  

Alex Sagan  PS: they told me there were no more heart pillows  in the hospital to be found. Glad you got one, maybe the last one?! 

Louise Moore  Hi Caroline, you're on the road to recovery now, yay!  I had mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair in Feb. at CC.  I had low BP post surgery and spent 2 nights in ICU and 4 days in step down unit.  Took two days drive back home to FL and once home felt so good that I was unpacking as if I had just come back from vacation.  I tossed a pair of slippers to an upper shelf in the closet, making a move like a basketball player shooting for the hoop.  I suddenly felt my heart shudder.... and I was in AFIB, boo.  I don't know if my arms over the head movement incited that but I would caution to not make sudden exertions while recovering.  Take it easy.  I took Amiodarone pre Cardioversion and thankfully the Cardioversion worked and it was smooth sailing after that.  I did go to Cardio rehab which helped me feel secure in how much to push myself.  See, I felt so normal, so good, but the heart is in a healing zone that we can't see with our eyes so I think cardio rehab is the ticket if available to you.  The heart is beating, working the whole time it's healing so it takes longer to heal than most wounds.  A great time to nurture yourself, rest, think of pleasant things and week by week walk a little more, rest some more and love your heart! 💞  You're on your way, yay!

Louise Moore  Oh, and in Feb. CC had no heart pillows either and I knew that ahead of time from others on the site so I brought my own. 

Susan Lynn  Caroline - Sorry about your complications, but it sounds like you had great care and treatment at the Cleveland Clinic! Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Rose Madura  Congratulations 🎉 on being home! I'm sorry you had quite an ordeal with your recovery ut glad it's ok now. I always say to trust the doctors, they know what to do. Interesting statement from Dr Svensson. Makes sense! Stay strong. And thanks for keeping us updated .

Frank Giovanniello   I bet your glad your home. Now just follow your rules the doctor gave you. Wishing you have a speedy recovery.

Heather Kelly  So glad you are home and on the mend. I had read about that being a possibility … so glad you were in a great place and are doing well now. God bless

Ana Brusso  Being home will help with your recovery. Congratulations on being on this side of recovery. Glad you are over the complications after surgery. Continued recovery and good health and God bless you 🙏❤️

Pamela Gregory  Congratulations Caroline! Glad they could figure out what your heart needs. Must be very nice to be home. I hope the rest of your recovery goes relatively smooth from here on out

Leona Resch  So sorry to hear about your complications! That must have been so difficult for you! Mia you are home and can focus on recovery! Hope  you feel a bit better every single day!’

Pamela Gregory  Hi Caroline. I had a mini Sternotomy at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Roselli on October 17th. I had a bovine aortic valve replacement and the aortic root replaced. 

Ana Brusso  Hello Pamela, welcome to our site. You have chosen one of the best surgeons and hospitals. You will be in great hands. However, we are here to answer questions you may have, to comfort and support you and welcome you back into recovery. Be well and God bless you 

Amy Berger  Hi Caroline - our stories sound quite similar. I’m scheduled for avr with tissue valve on January 24th. Even though I’m nervous, I’m looking forward not having to think about my heart once fully recovered. I just keep telling myself all I have to do for the surgery is just show up :) 

Adam Pick  Great question Caroline! Fyi, we're going to have a live patient webinar in July about this very topic. So... Stay tuned! In the meantime, I thought you might like to watch these educational videos.

Marie Myers  At 63, I was faced with the same valve question as you. I ultimately chose the tissue valve, knowing that it would wear out in 10-15 yrs. It was a very difficult decision for me. I am still hoping this cow valve will last 20 years but who knows? My choice was mainly a choice against taking Coumadin (due to the mechanical valve ) at the time. I am hoping that TAVR will be the way my valve gets replaced next time. Like you, I am a very active person. Feel free to ask any questions you have. Lots of us have been down that road, and we can share our thought processes with you.

Ken M  I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and had my first surgery done in 1960 at 10 years old at Boston Children's Hospital, a procedure they called at the time (this was 1960) a valvotomy. That lasted until I was 34 and the doctor's replaced my valve with a bovine valve in 1984. Unfortunately that only lasted 10 years and at age 44 in 1994 that valve was replaced with a St Jude mechanical valve. That was 26 years ago and although I am on Coumadin I have continued to do downhill skiing, hiking, biking and kayaking. I have a season pass for a ski area in NH about an hour from where I live and look forward to skiing this winter and I'm now 70 years old.

Steven Methot  A former employee had a grandfather who at 84 (same age as MY Dad) had surgery to replace both his valve and ascending aorta. He was in great shape and continues to lead an active life. He got a tissue valve. When the time comes for my surgery (similar) I think I'd lean to tissue as well. The surgeon told him that should he need another he would gladly replace it again.

Rose Madura  Your active life with help you have a great outcome. I was 59 when I had my surgery and also chose tissue valve. Hopefully it will last a good long time!